BusinessHABEmergency electrical service: Electricians are tradespeople who specialize in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems in private residences, commercial businesses, schools, factories and other establishments. Pursuing this career typically requires completing formal training and earning the appropriate certifications or licenses. If you hope to work as an electrician, learning about the requirements in your state can help you become more prepared when searching for jobs.
In this article, we list the electrician requirements in all 50 states, including the licenses or certifications that are necessary for each, so that you can prepare to find a job as an electrician in any state of your choice.
Read on: Hot Home Security Measures
Emergency electrical service
Electrician requirements by state
To become an electrician, you typically need at least a high school diploma, a few years of work experience and specialized training in electrical work. Most states require electricians to register or earn a license before they’re able to begin working. Obtaining a license usually requires passing an exam and providing proof of relevant experience or education.
Since the requirements for working as an electrician vary by state, it’s important to research the specific qualification you need in your state. Some states may require a certain number of hours of experience and a license, while other states may have fewer requirements.
Before you begin applying for electrician positions, it’s also beneficial to contact state officials about any additional electrician requirements, since your city or town may have its own set of standards. Here are the primary requirements for becoming an electrician in each state:
1. Alabama
The Alabama Electrical Contractors Board oversees the requirements for electricians in Alabama. The available licenses include an electrical contractor license and a journeyperson electrician license. Both require accumulating experience and taking an exam.
2. Alaska
Alaska requires a license from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It offers electrical administrator, journeyperson and residential electrician licenses. Electricians who pursue the electrical administrator license may choose from one of the following specialty categories:
-
Communications
-
Controls
-
Control wiring
-
Residential wiring
-
Unlimited commercial wiring
-
Unlimited outdoor line work
See also: 19 Tips to Become 24 hour Electrician near me
3. Arizona
While Arizona doesn’t have state licensing, requirements in the state may vary based on county, locality or municipality. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors offers different categories of licenses for electricians within the state. Available licenses include:
-
Specialty Dual License Contracting (Electrical CR-11)
-
Specialty Residential Contracting (Electrical C-11)
-
Specialty Residential Contracting (Electrical R-11)
4. Arkansas
Arkansas requires a license from the Arkansas Department of Labor. The state offers four types of licenses to electricians in the state. These include:
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Residential journeyperson
-
Master electrician
-
Residential master electrician
5. California
California offers licenses from the California Department of Consumer Affairs or the California Contractors State License Board. It offers four licenses to electricians. These include:
-
Trainee
-
Residential electrician
-
General electrician
-
Independent electrical contractor
See also: 23 Tips to Successfully Become 24 7 Electrician
6. Colorado
Colorado requires electricians to obtain a license before they’re able to obtain a permit to work as an electrician. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Electric Board offers three available licenses. These include:
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Residential wireworker
7. Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection offers two license types to electricians. These include a journeyperson license and a contractor license. The contractor license requires first earning the journeyperson license.
8. Delaware
Delaware requires electricians to earn a license and obtain approval from the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners. The state offers five licenses. These include:
-
Apprentice electrician
-
Residential electrician
-
Journeyperson
-
Master electrician
-
Limited electrician
9. Florida
Florida doesn’t have state licensing requirements but may have local requirements. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation does offer an Electrical Contractor certification. This certification requires completing an exam.
Read also: 15 Tips to Successfully Run 24 Hour Electrical Business
10. Georgia
Georgia only offers an electrical contractor license. This license is necessary to work as an electrician in the state, and it requires a background check. It’s available through the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s Division of Electrical Contractors.
11. Hawaii
Hawaii requires electricians to have at least one license. The Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers offers a range of licenses. These include:
-
Maintenance electrician
-
Journeyworker
-
Journeyworker industrial electrician
-
Journeyworker specialty electrician
-
Supervising electrician
-
Supervising industrial electrician
-
Supervising specialty electrician
12. Idaho
Idaho requires a license from the Idaho Division of Building Safety. It also offers a range of licenses. Available licenses include:
-
Apprentice electrician
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Electrical contractor
13. Illinois
Illinois delegates requirements for electricians to the local level. This means local municipalities determine what licenses electricians need. Specific licensing information is often available through local government offices.
Read on: 13 Tips to Become 24/7 Master Electrician
14. Indiana
Indiana is another state that doesn’t require state licenses for electricians. Most counties do require electricians to accumulate about four years of work experience in the field. Be sure to research local requirements to determine which municipalities require licensing.
15. Iowa
Iowa requires that electricians earn a state license. The Iowa Department of Public Safety offers several licenses for electricians with varying requirements. Available licenses include:
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Residential electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Residential master electrician
16. Kansas
Kansas doesn’t require electricians to earn a state license, but one may be necessary to work in certain municipalities. Large municipalities offer journeyperson electrician, master electrician, and electrical contractor licensing. Some areas may also offer additional licensing options.
17. Kentucky
Kentucky requires a state license from the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. It offers three primary licenses. These include:
-
Electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Electrical contractor
See also: 29 Tips to Become Residential Electrician
18. Louisiana
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors offers two primary licenses for electricians in the state. To earn the journeyperson electrician license, you need at least 8,000 hours of job training and 1,000 hours of classroom training. The electrical contractor license requires possessing a net worth of at least $10,000, in addition to general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
19. Maine
Maine has state licensing requirements for electricians. The Electricians’ Examining Board offer several licensing options based on experience and an electrician’s area of expertise. These include:
-
Apprentice electrician
-
Helper
-
Journeyperson-in-training
-
Journeyperson
-
Limited electrician
-
Master electrician
20. Maryland
Maryland’s licensing requirements for electricians vary based on the county. The Maryland State Board of Electricians offers a master electrician license, journeyperson electrician license and apprentice electrician license. The specific requirements for each license depends on experience level.
21. Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires electricians to earn a state license. The Board of State Examiners of Electricians offers a few license types. These include:
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Systems technician
-
Systems contractor
22. Michigan
Michigan requires state licensing from the Bureau of Construction Codes through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). LARA has a few licensing options. These options include:
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Electrical contractor
23. Minnesota
Minnesota requires a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. There are a few licenses to choose from through this department. These include:
-
Class A journeyperson
-
Class A Master Electrician
-
Electrical contractor
24. Mississippi
Mississippi only requires state licensing from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors for electricians who complete over $10,000 of residential work or $50,000 of commercial work. It also issues licenses at the municipal or local level, which include electrician and journeyperson electrician licenses.
25. Missouri
Missouri doesn’t require a state license for electricians. Many local and municipal governments in the state do require licensing, despite the lack of statewide requirements. Be sure to researching the specific requirements in your municipality.
26. Montana
Montana requires a license for electricians. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s State License Board offers a few licensing options. These include:
-
journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Limited electrical contractor
-
Unlimited electrical contractor
27. Nebraska
Nebraska requires electricians to undergo licensing or registration through the Nebraska Electrical Division. Apprenticeship electricians may register with this division. Other electricians may earn one of the following licenses:
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Residential journeyperson wireman
-
Electrical contractor
28. Nevada
Nevada requires electricians to have a state electrical contracting license with a C-2 classification from the Nevada State Contractors Board. Local areas within Nevada may have additional licensing requirements for journeyperson electricians. Be sure to research your municipality for specific requirements.
29. New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires a license from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification’s Electrician’s Board. It offers a journeyperson electrician license and a master electrician license. Both require a certain number of training hours.
30. New Jersey
New Jersey requires electricians to earn a license through the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Both a journeyperson electrician license and an electrical contractor license are available. The state also requires electrical contractors to be at least 21 years old.
31. New Mexico
New Mexico requires electricians to have a journeyperson license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. It offers a journeyperson and an electrical contractor license. It also offers several journeyperson licensing categories, which include:
-
EE-98J: Commercial and residential electrical journeyperson
-
EL:1J: Electrical distribution systems journeyperson
-
ER-1J: Residential wiring journeyperson
-
ES-1J: Outline lighting and electrical signs journeyperson
-
ES-2J: Lightning protection and cathodic protection systems journeyperson
-
ES-3J: Alarm, intercommunication and sound systems with under 50 volts journeyperson
-
ES-7J: Telephone interconnect systems and telephone communication systems journeyperson
32. New York
New York doesn’t require state licensing for electricians. Many municipalities may have local license requirements, so it’s important to contact your local government. New York City, for example, requires a minimum of 10,500 hours of experience as a union or non-union journeyperson working under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
33.North Carolina
North Carolina requires an electrical contracting license. The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors approves these licenses. The 10 available classifications include:
-
Electric sign (SP-ES)
-
Elevator (SP-EL)
-
Fire alarm/low voltage (SP-FA/LV)
-
Groundwater pump (SP-WP)
-
Intermediate (I)
-
Limited (L)
-
Plumbing, heating and air conditioning (SP-PH)
-
Residential single family dwelling (SP-SFD)
-
Swimming pool (SP-SP)
-
Unlimited (U)
34. North Dakota
North Dakota requires a state license for electricians. The North Dakota State Electrical Board offers multiple licenses. These include:
-
Class B electrician
-
Journey electrician
-
Master electrician
35. Ohio
Ohio requires state licensing for electricians who intended to complete work as electrical commercial contractors. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board issues the appropriate state license. Electrical contractors in Ohio need at least five years of experience and a passing score on the state’s exam.
36. Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires state licensing approved by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. The state requires electrical apprentices to register with the board. It also offers the following licenses:
-
Residential electrical journeyperson
-
Unlimited electrical journeyperson
-
Limited electrical contractor
37. Oregon
Oregon requires state licensing from the Building Codes Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The state offers a few licensing options. These options include:
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Supervising electrician
-
Electrical contractor
38. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania doesn’t require state licenses for electricians. Local municipalities may have more specific requirements, so it’s important to contact your local government. If you plan to perform residential or commercial work, you likely need a journeyperson electrician or electrical contractor license.
39. Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires state licensing from the Division of Workforce Regulations and Safety’s Professional Regulations Unit. The state offers an electrician journeyperson and an electrical contractor license. It also offers several specialty areas to apply for within these licenses which have their own requirements.
40. South Carolina
While South Carolina doesn’t have any formal licensure requirements, the state does offer a specialty contractor license. This license can be useful for electricians who plan to complete contracting work and want to specialize in a specific area. The license is available through the South Carolina Department of Labor.
41. South Dakota
South Dakota requires state licensing from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation’s Electrical Commission. There are three primary licenses available. These include:
-
Electrical contractor
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Class B electrician
42. Tennessee
Tennessee requires electrical licensure at both the state and local levels, and the types of licenses depend on the value of the projects you complete. The Board of Licensing Contractors primarily offers the electrical contractor license. The requirements for this license involve passing a business and law exam and providing a financial statement and proof of insurance.
43. Texas
Texas requires electricians to earn a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The department offers a few licensing options. These include:
-
Apprentice electrician
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
44. Utah
Utah requires electricians to earn a license from the Department of Commerce’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The journeyperson electrician license requires 16,000 hours of apprenticeship experience and a passing exam score. The master electrician license requires four years of experience as a licensed journeyperson or one year of experience and a bachelor’s degree.
45. Vermont
Vermont requires electricians to apply for either a journeyperson electrician license or a master electrician license. These licenses are available through the Department of Public Safety. The specific requirements in Vermont may also vary based on locality.
46. Virginia
Virginia considers all electricians in the state to be contractors and requires them to have licenses. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation offers a journeyperson electrician and a master electrician license. Both require a certain level of experience.
47. Washington
Washington requires electricians to earn a license from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The General Journey license requires 8,000 hours of experience working as an electrical trainee and 4,000 hours of commercial or industrial work experience. The Specialty license includes 14 potential subcategories and requires 4,000 hours of work experience and 48 hours of classroom training.
48. West Virginia
West Virginia requires electricians to apply for a license through the West Virginia Fire Commission. The commission offers three licensing options. These options include:
-
Journeyperson electrician
-
Master electrician
-
Specialty electrician
49. Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires state licensing from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The journeyperson electrician license requires at least 8,000 hours or four years of work experience. The master electrician license requires at least one year of experience as a journeyperson electrician.
50. Wyoming
Wyoming requires a state license from the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. It offers two licensing options. The journeyperson electrician license requires four years of work experience and 576 hours of classroom training, while the master electrician license requires at least four years of experience working as a journeyperson electrician.
BusinessHAB