Alaska Electrical License: Everything You Need to Know

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job demand for electricians in the U.S. is forecasted to grow much more quickly than the national job growth average, at about 11%. This is great news for people who are starting on the path to success in this exciting career. In Alaska, the job demand for electricians is on par with the rest of the country, at 11%.

If you are interested in becoming an electrician, you must apply for an Alaska electrical license. After you receive your license, you can start your own electrician business or work for an established company. Read this guide for information about the licensing process and job search tips.

Does Alaska require an electrical license?

Alaska requires all professional electricians to be licensed to do electrical work on commercial and residential properties. It’s important to note that Alaska issues certifications to perform certain types of electrical work, not licenses. However, for all intents and purposes, an Alaska certification is comparable to a license in other states.

What are the different types of electrical licenses in Alaska?

There are 5 different types of electrician certifications in Alaska. You cannot begin training as an electrician apprentice or an electrician helper without a certification. All certifications are issued by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. If you are a contractor performing work on government jobs, then you must hold an Electrical Administrator’s License issued by the Department of Commerce – Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.

• Electrical Trainee: Before you can begin your apprenticeship or field training, you must register as an electrician apprentice
• Electrical Journeyman: Certified journeymen are permitted to work on commercial, industrial, and residential properties
• Electrical Residential: Certified residential electricians are only permitted to work on residential properties
• Journeyman Power Lineman: Linemen perform work on telecommunications and electrical power systems and are responsible for installation, maintenance, and repairs on these systems
• Power Lineman Trainee: This is the certification you must have to begin your lineman training or apprenticeship

If you want to open your own electrical contracting business, you must have an electrical administrator’s license. You may also be required to have this certification to bid on government projects.

NECA certifications

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the largest professional organization for electricians in the country. It offers online mini-courses for continuing education and specialty electrical work. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory for performing electrical work in Alaska, they can indicate to potential employers or customers that you have training in niche areas or verify your abilities and skills. 

In addition to the educational opportunities offered by NECA, you can also benefit from networking opportunities for employment (or if you’re a contractor looking for qualified workers) and to land new clients. 

How much does an electrician make in Alaska?

You have many options for a career as an electrician in Alaska. The average pay for some of the most common electrician positions in Alaska are as follows:

• Apprentice electrician: $27.20 per hour
• Electrician helper: $21.85 per hour
• Electrician: $93,746 per year
• Electrician journeyman: $90,762 per year
• Electrical foreman: $47.63 per hour
• Electrical Project Manager: $129.883 per year

Your earnings as an hourly worker may be higher than the average if you consistently work overtime or if your employer offers a higher rate of pay for working at night or on weekends to handle emergency calls (or both).

Wages in Alaska are slightly lower than the national average. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average hourly wage for an electrician in the U.S. is $29.59 per hour. It also lists the average pay for salaried electrician professionals as $60,240 per year. 

Both salaried and hourly workers may make more in areas with higher cost-of-living than in lower ones. For example, if there is a shortage of electricians in the state’s more remote areas, then you may make more in those areas.

Electricians who have extensive training and experience or who are certified to perform certain kinds of specialty work can make more money. If you’re a contractor, you could make considerably more money owning your own business than working for someone else.

How to get an electrician certification in Alaska

Here’s our simple, step-by-step to getting your electrician certification in Alaska:

• Be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license
• Have a high school diploma or a GED
• Pass a Work Keys placement test or an online Algebra 1 class. Your GED or high school transcript may be accepted in lieu of this requirement if you passed Algebra 1
• Enroll in an electrician apprenticeship program through the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT).
• Register as an apprentice with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, plus pay the apprentice licensing fee of $50 (this license must be renewed annually until you finish the apprenticeship)
• Complete at least 1,400 hours of classroom training PLUS 4,000 hours of practical field work
• Pass the residential electrician or journeyman electrician exam

Once you have passed the electrician or journeyman exam, you must complete the following:

• Apply for the Certificate of Fitness, issued by the Alaska Department of Labor

For the Residential Electrician Certification: 

• Provide proof of at least 4,000 hours of practical work experience, PLUS 500 hours of classroom training time
• Submit the residential certification application
• Once the application is approved, take the residential certification exam (open book)

For the Journeyman Electrician Certification: 

• Provide proof of at least 8,000 hours of work experience, 6,000 hours of which must be in industrial or commercial properties; no more than 2,000 hours can be in residential settings, OR use 1,000 hours of classroom education towards the 8,000 hours total
• Submit your journeyman application
• Once the application is approved, you may take the journeyman electrician exam (open book)

Both residential and journeyman certifications must be renewed every 2 years. Journeyman certification renewals require proof of continuing education.

Should I join an electrician union in Alaska?

Electrician union members receive several benefits, including sick pay, vacation pay, and a pension plan. Unions also represent members in disputes. The average pay for union members is 20% higher than the pay for non-union members.

The Alaska Local 1547 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is the strongest and largest union for electrical workers in the state. It accepts both electricians and linemen and offers apprenticeships.

How to use your electrician license to get a job

Your electrician license can open the door to many opportunities. Government agencies, construction companies, and home builders hire licensed electricians. Search the following websites to find your next career opportunity:

• ZipRecruiter
• Indeed
• CareerBuilder
• Glassdoor

During electrician job interviews, a hiring manager will ask questions to determine if you are a good fit for the company. Here are a few job interview tips:

• Speak in a clear and concise manner
• Wear professional clothing
• Ask questions
• Bring a copy of your identification and social security card
• Be courteous and respectful

Electrician Insurance in Alaska

Residential, journeyman, and apprentice electricians are not required to carry their own insurance policy if they are covered by an employer. However, if you choose to open a contractor business, then you must carry general liability insurance. Some clients may require additional insurance if the project is large in expense or scope; government bids may require proof of a certain amount of insurance coverage. 

In addition, if you employ at least one person in your business (excluding yourself), then you must have Alaska Workers’ Compensation coverage.

Electrician industry trends

The electrical industry has undergone several changes within the past 10 years. These changes are responsible for the industry’s significant growth. The latest trends in the Alaska electrical industry include:

• Electrical grid modernization
• Significantly increased use of wind and hydro-electric production along the Coastal areas of the state 
• Significant increases in the usage of utility-scale battery storage
• PCE subsidies continue to keep residential electrical prices stable
• The Railbelt area has seen the highest increase in residential electric use 

Frequently Asked Questions about Alaska electrician licensure

Is my license only valid in Alaska?

Alaska has reciprocal agreements for electrician licenses with Utah, South Dakota, New Mexico, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, and Arkansas.

I already have an electrician certification, but:

• I changed my name – Submit a notarized name change form ($5 fee).
• I misplaced the card – Submit a notarized duplicate card request form ($5 fee)
• I changed my address – Submit a notarized address change form (no fee).

How often do I need to renew my electrician certification in Alaska?

Apprentice electrician certificates must be renewed every year as long as you are working in your apprenticeship. Residential and journeyman certificates must also be renewed. The residential certificate does not require continuing education, but the journeyman does, 16 hours total, of which 8 must be a review of the National Electrical Code (NEC).