How to Get Your Electrician License and Start your Career

You’ve just spent years learning how to follow electrical codes, troubleshoot problems, and wire systems safely. Now, you’re ready to take the next big step: getting your electrical license. 

A license legally authorizes you to perform electrical work independently, ensuring you’re compliant with federal, state, and local building codes. Without one, you risk heavy fines, legal trouble, and the safety of yourself and others.

Electrician license requirements vary by state, but most include a combination of classroom hours, on-the-job training, and passing an exam. Our guide covers everything you need to know about getting your electrician license, including step-by-step instructions, costs, and tips for passing the exam.

Common requirements across states

Most states require licensed electricians to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Complete 3 to 5 years of apprenticeship (usually around 8,000 hours of supervised work)
  
• Complete a combination of classroom hours and hands-on training (typically 500–1,000 classroom hours)
• Pass a trade exam and background check

If applying for a contractor license, you’ll likely need to show proof of insurance, provide a surety bond, and pass a Business and Law Exam.

How to find your state’s requirements

Visit your state’s Department of Labor, Professional Regulation, or Electrical Board website (usually a .gov domain). For quick links, check resources from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) or National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA).

Steps to get your electrician license

Becoming a licensed electrician takes more than learning how to wire a circuit—it requires education, experience, and passing exams. While steps vary by state, here’s a general overview.

Step 1: Meet eligibility criteria

You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and prove your legal right to work in the U.S. (citizenship, green card, or work visa).

Step 2: Complete education and training prerequisites

Depending on your learning style and budget, you can complete electrician training in one of three ways:

• Trade school: Accelerated programs that combine classroom learning with hands-on practice. These typically last 6-12 months and cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the program and location.
• Community college: Two-year associate degrees in applied science or electrical technology, including technical and general education courses. Tuition averages $3,000–$4,500 per year. This is a good route if you’re interested in management or want to start your own electrical company, as you can take business courses alongside your technical training.
• Apprenticeship: Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. Usually lasts 3 to 5 years. You might pay a small enrollment fee ($500), but you’ll earn wages while you learn.

Step 3: Get hands-on experience

Regardless of the training path you choose, you’ll need to complete about 8,000 hours of supervised work. Some states also require a certain number of classroom hours (usually 500 to 1,000). Make sure to log your hours, as you’ll need to submit proof as part of your license application.

Step 4: Take the licensing exam

Your state’s exam tests your knowledge of electrical theory, safety protocols, the National Electrical Code (NEC), and applicable regulations, such as those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Exams typically have 70 to 120 questions, last two to four hours, and may be open or closed book, depending on the state.

Step 5: Apply for your license

Submit your application with proof of education, experience, identity, fingerprints, and all associated fees (generally $15–$250). Double-check your forms to ensure you have all the required supporting documentation. After approval, you’ll receive your journeyman license.

For advanced licensing, such as master electrician or electrical contractor, you’ll need to meet further requirements and pass additional testing. We’ll explain more about these credentials below.

Types of electrician licenses

Professional electricians typically start their careers as apprentices before advancing to a journeyman. There are several types of licenses available, depending on your state.

Apprentice license

This is the entry-level electrician license, and doesn’t require experience or education. Having the license means that you’re legally permitted to work under the supervision of a licensed professional. Not all states require an apprentice license.

Journeyman license

A journeyman electrician can work unsupervised on residential, commercial, and industrial systems. Many electricians spend their entire careers at the journeyman level, working for an employer.

In nearly all states, journeyman electricians cannot operate as independent contractors, although some states permit solo journeyman electricians to perform limited residential work. If you want to bid on government projects or own your own electrical business with employees, you’ll need to get your electrical contractor license.

Master electrician license

A master electrician is the highest tier of electrician licenses you can earn. You’ll need seven to 10 years of experience before you can sit for the licensing exam, which covers advanced electrical theory and complex system design.

Obtaining this license allows you to pull permits and supervise other electricians. Though you’ll need an electrical contractor license to run a business in most states, you can still work for yourself as a subcontractor or sole proprietor under another contractor’s license. 

Electrical contractor

Electrical contractors can hire employees, bid on government jobs, and work as subcontractors for a general contractor. If you want to open your own electrical business, you’ll need a contractor license, plus proof of general liability insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, and a surety bond.

Specialty licenses

Certain types of electrical work require a specialty license. As a journeyman, you can apply for a residential-only limited license, which allows you to work on residential properties without being a contractor. Other specialty electrician licenses include:

• Journeyman sign electrician: Installs and repairs electrical signs.
• Maintenance electrician: Maintains and troubleshoots existing electrical systems.
• Residential wireman: Installs wiring in homes.
• Residential appliance installer: Connects major home appliances safely.
• Electrical sign contractor: Manages electrical sign projects.

Electrician license costs

An electrician license includes several costs, such as fees for the application, exam, and license itself. Some states bundle all of these fees together, so check your local licensing board’s website for exact costs and deadlines. You’ll also need to pay for fingerprinting and a background check, typically an additional $50-$100.

Fees vary by license, but here’s a general idea of what to expect:

• Apprentice: $25-$75
• Journeyman: $50-$150
• Master electrician: $100-$300
• Contractor: $125-$500+

Contractors often have to take two exams: one on electrical knowledge and another on Business and Law.

Renewal fees and continuing education

You need to renew your electrician license every one to three years, depending on your state. Renewal fees are often lower than initial fees, usually $50 to $100.

Many states require continuing education (CE) as part of the renewal process to keep electricians updated on code changes and safety standards. This often comes with additional costs that vary by provider and state requirements.

CE courses can be online or in-person. Classes offered by professional organizations like the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) are accepted by most state licensing boards. Your state licensing board may also offer specific continuing education classes, especially if there was a recent change in state electrical codes that you must comply with.

Even if not mandatory, CE is highly recommended to maintain industry knowledge and compliance.

How to renew your electrical license

Legally, you cannot perform electrical work without a valid license. If your license expires and you continue working, you may face heavy fines and legal consequences, or lose your license permanently.

To renew your license, check your state’s electrical licensing board website or renewal portal for approved courses, deadlines, and submission instructions. Submit all forms and fees before the deadline.

Tips for passing the electrical licensing exam

Electrician exams have about 70 to 120 questions, depending on the test. Many exams are open book, meaning you can reference a copy of the NEC or state electrical code. The specific rules about what materials are allowed vary by state and testing center. However, don’t think this means you don’t have to study.

Exams are timed, usually two to four hours, and the NEC book is big. You won’t have time to read through unfamiliar material to get answers. It’s best to study, make notes, and place tabs in your materials so you can quickly find the information you need.

Study resources and materials

Electricians need a thorough understanding of the NEC. We recommend getting your own copy of the book to study and keeping it with your tools; you’ll probably have to refer to it regularly on the job.

Depending on your state, you may be able to bring study guides with you for the open-book exam. These preparation materials can help you learn the material you need to pass the test and properly perform your job:

• Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Electrical Exam Preparation (Based on 2023 NEC): An in-depth guide with step-by-step explanations and examples to help you grasp core concepts
• Ugly’s Electrical References: A handy reference book with essential formulas, tables, and code information
• Journeyman Electrician Exam Secrets Study Guide: Offers practice questions and strategies to prepare for the exam
• Electrician’s Exam Study Guide: Includes 1,500 exam-style questions and answers, NEC tables, and illustrations
• 2023 Journeyman Electrician Exam Questions and Answers Book: Provides practice questions with detailed explanations

Practice exams and prep courses

Taking practice tests helps you get a feel for what questions are typically asked and helps you practice taking a timed test covering complex, detailed topics. PSI Exams proctors electrician exams in many states, and you can find practice tests on its website, as well as those below:

• Apprentice electrician practice tests and study guides
• Journeyman electrician practice tests and study guides
• Master electrician practice tests and study guides
• Electrical contractor business and law practice tests and study guides

You can take the exam more than once if you don’t pass the first time, but most states require you to wait a few months in between.

Common exam topics and questions

Electrician exams commonly cover electrical theory, safety codes, and practical applications of electrical knowledge. Key topics include Ohm’s Law, circuit analysis, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, overcurrent protection, and load calculations.

How Housecall Pro can help electricians

Getting your electrician license is just the start for a thriving electrician career. As a prospective apprentice or newly licensed electrician, opening your own business may be your ultimate goal—and Housecall Pro can help.

Our comprehensive business management software helps you stay on top of licensing renewal and continuing education for you and your entire team, streamlines back-office tasks such as properly calculating profitable estimates, invoicing, and scheduling, and makes it easier to scale and grow your business.

We offer a free 14-day trial so you can see for yourself how much easier our customizable software makes running your business.