California Electrical License: Everything You Need to Know

Are you ready for a new career? The electrical industry is expanding quickly in California. Homeowners and businesses need your electrical services to live comfortably.

Electricians are in high demand in the U.S. The U.S. Board of Labor Statistics estimates that about 10% of all electricians in the country work in California. Job growth for electrical professionals in the nation is about 6%; in California, the estimated job growth is triple that of the country overall—an estimated 18% over the next decade.

This profession gives you the option to work for a major company or start your own electrical contracting business. In this guide, learn the licensing requirements to earn your California electrical license. We also include helpful links for education, licensing information, and salary information.

Does California require an electrical license?

Yes, you need a California electrical license to perform this type of work. Licenses are issued according to your job/ role; different agencies issue licenses for different electrician jobs.

• Apprentices, referred to as Electrical Trainees, must register with the State of California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
• General and residential electrician licenses are issued by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations.
• Contractor licenses are issued by the California Contractors State License Board.

What are the different types of electrical licenses in California?

There are several types of California electricians:

• General electrician, permitted to work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects
• Residential electrician, limited to working on homes. Work includes wire new builds, updating the electrical system on older homes, and making repairs and small renovations
• Fire/life/safety technician, performing work on safety systems in offices, hospitals, and other types of facilities
• Voice data video technician, a category offered in California for anyone working on networks, video systems, security, and access control systems, and other communication devices
• Non-residential lighting technician, performing work on indoor and outdoor lighting in stores, businesses, and other commercial locations
• The C-10 California electrical license is for contractors only. Contractors can oversee any work performed by a licensed electrician. Any contractor working on jobs valued at $500 or more must hold a contractor license.

NECA Certifications

In California, you are required to have a license to perform any type of electrical work. In addition to the required license, you may also benefit from obtaining certification through the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). This is the largest non-profit organization for electrical professionals in the country. It offers courses for specialty work and issues certifications that indicate your ability to work on specific electrical systems.

Whether you are a journeyman or contractor, you can benefit from the continuing education mini-courses offered by NECA and the networking opportunities for employment or contract work.

Average earnings for electricians in California

There are many jobs available for electricians in California, both hourly and salaried. The average rates for the most common electrician positions in California are as follows:

• Apprentice electrician: $26.31 per hour
• Electrician helper: $23.17 per hour
• Electrician: $60,587 per year
• Electrician journeyman: $38.80 per hour
• Electrical foreman: $90,254 per year
• Electrical Project Manager: $109,036 per year

California electrical professionals earn more than the national average; the average salary for an electrician, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $60,240. As an hourly electrical worker, you may have the opportunity to earn overtime pay plus a pay differential for working nights or weekends. Higher cost-of-living areas typically pay more for both hourly and salaried professionals.

If you have specialty certifications or are certified to work in niche areas, like solar panels or wind turbines, you may earn more by performing in-demand specialty tasks.

How to get an electrician license in California

Each type of electrician license has different requirements. Before applying for any license, you must complete an apprenticeship as a registered apprentice, and then meet the requirements of the license or licenses you want.

Apprentice electrician

You must register as an apprentice electrician before you can start working and only work under the supervision of a certified electrician. You must also complete an internship program at an institution approved by the California Department of Industrial Relations (there are 85 programs currently approved by the state), a vocational program, or earn an associate’s Degree in electrical work. The registration fee is $25.

Residential electrician

Complete 4,500 hours of training as an apprentice or journeyman electrician under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. You must submit a certificate of completion of an approved apprenticeship program, plus your Social Security Administration Employment History Report, to register to take the residential electrician exam. The application fee is $75; the exam fee is $100.

The exam is an open book, and there is more information about it here, including testing centers and practice exams. You may use the National Electrical Code (NEC) to take the test.

General electrician

You must complete at least 8,000 of work under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor before you can submit your application for this license and take the exam. This license permits you to work on commercial, industrial, and residential electrical systems. There is a $75 registration fee and a $100 exam fee. Plus, include your education and work history, as well as your Social Security Administration Employment History Report, along with the application. The exam is 100 questions over 4.5 hours and is open-book.

Fire/life safety electrical technicians

You must complete the exam plus provide proof of at least 4,000 hours of field training under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. There is also an exam that covers the applicable sections of the National Electrical Code for business electrical systems.

Voice data video technicians

Complete 4,000 hours of state-approved field training under the supervision of a licensed electrician. This license permits you to work on security systems, communication devices, and other types of electrical networking systems. Many electricians with this license work in film, radio, and TV productions. You must also take the required exam, which is open-book.

Non-residential lighting technicians

This license permits you to work on lighting systems of commercial properties. It requires at least 2,000 hours of training under a licensed electrical contractor and passing an exam.

Independent electrical contractors

To obtain your electrical contractor license, you must apply for a C-10 license through the California Contractors State Licensing Board. You must have at least four years of experience as a licensed electrician and pay a $330 fee. In addition, you must submit proof of at least $2,500 of operating capital and pass two exams: the C-10 exam and the Law and Business exam. The license fee is $150, and your license is valid for two years.

Should I join an electrician union in California?

A union is an organized worker group that engages in collective bargaining to provide its members with everything from better pay to better working conditions. Joining an electrician union is beneficial. You get access to a pension and healthcare. Keep in mind that you will be required to pay fees to join the union as well as annual fees of anywhere from $200-$500. You can learn more about unions by visiting the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

How to use your electrician license to get a job?

Online job boards are an effective way to search for jobs at large organizations. You’ll also want to network with people in the industry. During the interview, you will be asked about your relevant experience. Remember to ask your own questions about the job position, too.

You can also network your way into a lucrative electrician job. If you are an NECA member or if you built relationships in your trade program or apprenticeship, you may be hired through a referral from a professional acquaintance.

Electrician insurance in California

Anyone who works as an electrical contractor must obtain California workers’ compensation insurance. It’s also recommended that you get general liability insurance. If there are five or fewer people in your organization, you’ll need coverage of at least $1 million. Every additional person increases the minimum coverage by $100,000. There’s a cap of $5 million for this coverage requirement.

Electrical industry trends

With smart technology becoming more prevalent, there’s a high demand for electricians. Attending trade shows is a great way to stay on top of new developments. There’s also an increased focus on solar and other alternative energy sources and eco-friendly devices. Being knowledgeable about these fields can help your electrical career.

California, in particular, is embracing alternative energy sources like wind turbines and solar power. The state’s hot, perpetually sunny interior is ideal for harvesting energy from both wind and sun.

Other electrician trends in California involve the use of electric vehicles. You may find steady work installing EV plugs in residential and commercial facilities or contract work through a city or county installing more EV charging stations.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Electrician Licensure

Is my license only valid in California?

Your California electrical license is only valid in the state.

How can I change my name or address or my electrician license?

Contact the State of California Department of Industrial Relations if your personal information changes.

How can I replace a lost license?

Replacing a certification card costs $30. Replacing a contractor license costs $12, and you can contact the Contractors State License Board.

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

Renewal fees for certification cost $100. Electricians must renew their certifications within three years. During that time, you’ll have to complete 2,000 hours of work and take 32 continuing education units. Contractor licenses are automatically renewed, and you’ll receive your paperwork in the mail about two months before the expiration date of your license.