Arizona Electrical License: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for a challenging, flexible career with tremendous growth potential and job security? Now is the time to enter the electrical industry.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the overall job growth for electricians in the U.S. will increase at a rate of about 6% over the next 10 years. In Arizona, though, the demand for electricians is nearly six times the national average. Job growth in the electrical field is expected to increase by about 35% over the next decade.

This guide outlines how to earn your Arizona electrical license and grow your career. We include links to state licensing requirements, educational opportunities, and other helpful information.

Does Arizona require an electrical license?

Yes, you will need an Arizona electrical license to work in the state. Electrician Contractor licenses are issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. This board makes a distinction between journeyman and apprentice electricians based on hours of experience, although it does not require a license for either; only contractors must be licensed.

What are the different types of electrical licenses In Arizona?

You can apply for three types of electrical contractor licenses in Arizona:

• Residential (R-11): Permits you to install, repair, and service residential electrical systems
• Commercial (C-11): Permits you to work on commercial electrical systems, including installation and repair
• Electrical (K-11): Permits you to work on both residential and commercial electrical systems

Although there is no state-issued license for apprentice or journeyman electricians, some municipalities do require apprentices or journeymen to have a license. Check your city or county to see if you need a license to work as an apprentice or journeyman.

NECA Certifications

In addition to getting your state-issued electrician contractor license, you may opt for professional certifications indicating your ability to perform niche or specialty tasks or demonstrate your experience and knowledge of complex electrical systems. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the largest non-profit organization for electrical professionals, offers several optional certifications for electricians.

You may benefit from completing NECA mini-courses, whether you are a journeyman electrician or a business-owning contractor.

As a NECA member, you have valuable networking opportunities, which can help you get a job or customers for your contractor business. With additional certifications, you may be able to command a higher wage than professionals without them.

How much do electricians make in Arizona?

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

• Apprentice electrician: $22.81 per hour
• Electrician helper: $19.43 per hour
• Electrician: $59,209 per year
• Electrician journeyman: $30.49 per hour
• Electrical foreman: $71,149 per year
• Electrical Project Manager: $102,012 per year

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

If you are an hourly worker who inconsistently works overtime, or your employer offers a pay differential for weekends or evenings, you could make more than the average wage.

Both salaried and hourly electricians usually make more in higher cost-of-living areas than in lower ones. If you have extensive training and experience, you can usually make more than someone who doesn’t.

Electrician contractors who own their businesses could make considerably more than the national average. If you offer specialty work, like installing, repairing, or maintaining solar panels or wind turbines, you may make a lot more, as alternative energy sources are in high demand.

How to get an electrician license in Arizona

Licenses are issued by the Arizona State Registrar of Contractors. Before you can sit for the tests to earn your license, you will need at least four years of on-the-job experience. Once you meet this requirement, you can apply for the written examination. If you have recently had an Arizona electrical license refused or revoked, you must wait at least a year to become eligible for an electrical contractor’s license.

After obtaining your license, you must meet the bonding requirements. The bond for a commercial specialty contractor is currently $2,500 if he or she expects to gross less than $150,000. Commercial general contractors need $100,000 bonds if they will earn more than $10 million within the year. You must send evidence of your bond to the registrar along with documents showing that you passed the necessary tests.

How to get an electrician apprenticeship in Arizona

Union apprenticeships are available from the Phoenix and Tucson chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, and the National Electrical Contractors Alliance. If you are interested in a non-union apprenticeship, you can enroll in programs operated by the Independent Electrical Contractors Association of Arizona, the Arizona Builders Alliance, or Independent Electrical Contractors of Southern Arizona. To get either a union or a non-union apprenticeship, you will likely have to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Graduated high school or earned a GED.
• Have a valid driver’s license and a reliable form of transportation.
• Pass a basic math and reading test.
• Show proof of passing a high school algebra class or earning at least one credit of post-school algebra.

Getting an apprenticeship is helpful for learning the trade from an experienced electrical contractor. After enrolling in an apprenticeship program, you will be employed with a local electrical contractor and working a full-time job while attending night classes.

Vocational schools and associate’s degree courses in electrical technology can provide you with thorough training. Many schools have programs to connect you with local employers. The subjects you will study include:

• Electrical calculations and algebra
• Arizona safety codes
• Electrical theory
• Reading and understanding blueprints
• Transformers and motors
• Welding
• Safe work practices and OSHA regulations

How to get an Arizona electrician contractor’s license

The final step is passing a two-part examination covering business management and electrical work. To apply to take the test, you should submit a form to the Arizona State Registrar of Contractors. The Arizona State Registrar of Contractors also offers tips on making sure that your license application goes smoothly and how to avoid common mistakes that could delay getting your license. You can find information about the test, plus practice tests, here.

The electrical part of the examination will test your knowledge in the following areas:

• General electrical knowledge
• Safety and overcurrent protection
• Devices
• Motors
• Bonding and grounding
• Cables and conductors
• Illuminated signs
• Photovoltaics
• Lighting
• Low and high-voltage applications
• Boxes and raceways
• Service feeders and branch circuits

The business management examination is an open-book test, and you will have three hours to answer 80 questions on the following topics:

• The laws dealing with electrical contractors in Arizona
• The state rules that contractors must abide by
• Workmanship standards set out by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors
• Contracts and professional agreements
• Bonding and insurance
• Math
• State and federal tax codes
• Financial management
• Recordkeeping and reporting requirements
• Safety standards
• Regulations and laws dealing with the environment
• Liens
• Employment regulations and labor laws

The AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) is $54, paid directly to Gmetrix. The Electrician trade-specific exam is $66, paid directly to PSI, and can be taken at a testing center or online.

Licensing fees depend on the type of contractor license you’re applying for and are as follows:

• Residential (R-11): $80applicationn fee; $270 license fee; $370 recovery fund assessment
• Commercial (C-11): $100applicationn fee; $480 license fee; $0 recovery fund assessment
• Electrical (K-11): $200applicationn fee; $480 license fee; $370 recovery fund assessment

Should I join an electrician union in Arizona?

Becoming a union member could lead to an apprenticeship, and it will also allow you to apply for union jobs. Other benefits of joining a union include:

• Health benefits for you and your dependent family members
• Pension benefits
• Participation in an annuity fund
• The option of contributing to a union 401(k) account
• Increased benefits as your training and qualifications progress
• Stricter safety standards on union worksites
• Greater job security

How to use your electrician license to get a job

Online job boards are helpful for your job search. The most popular job websites are Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor. During your interview, you will be asked about your apprenticeship and the kind of work you hope to do in the future. The interviewer will ask some technical questions about electrical problems, too.

You can also search for jobs in your city or county, including working as a code inspector, or network with your local union if you’re a union member. If you work as an apprentice, you may be able to land a full-time job with the contractor you’re working under after your apprenticeship ends, or if you make a good impression, the contractor may refer you to someone else they know who needs a good electrician.

After you’ve built your skills and experience, you may consider opening your own business as an electrician contractor or specialty building inspector.

Electrician insurance in Arizona

Arizona electrical contractors must carry general liability insurance and Workers’ Compensation insurance if they have employees. In addition, specific clients may require additional liability insurance if the project is large in scale and cost or a surety bond.

Electrician industry trends

Learn about the latest trends by reading blogs and attending union meetings. Arizona is also a popular venue for trade shows and expos, and the National Electrical Contractors Association regularly holds events in the state.

The real estate market in Arizona’s largest cities, especially Phoenix, is cooling, leading to a lowered demand for new residential electrical installations. However, there is still more demand for qualified electricians than supply in Arizona, meaning that job growth and wages remain robust. The healthcare construction sector in Arizona exhibits strong, steady growth, meaning that there are more job opportunities in this sector than in others.

There is a significant push by decision-makers in Arizona government for more solar electricity production. As one of the sunniest states in the nation and one with plenty of open land, it’s an ideal location for harvesting solar energy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona electrician licensure

Is my license only valid in Arizona?

Arizona has reciprocity agreements with Utah, Nevada, and California.

How often do I need to renew my electrician license in Arizona?

Your Arizona electrical license will be valid for two years.

How can I change my address for my electrician license?

You can update your address information online, for free, here.

Can I change the name on my license or the name of a Qualifying Party?

Yes, you can change the name online, although there is a fee for a name change and a fee for changing the qualifying party.

Is there a continuing education requirement to renew an Arizona electrician license?

There is no formal continuing education requirement for licensure renewal in Arizona. However, electrical codes are subject to change, so it may be in your best interest to take a couple of courses each year to ensure you’re up-to-date on any changes that could affect your job.