Alabama
To work as an electrician in Alabama, you must hold a state license issued by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board.
Journeyman electrician
You must show proof of 8,000 hours of experience installing electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment, light, heat or power.
You can substitute one year of education in an electrical curriculum or apprenticeship program for 1,000 hours of experience, up to a maximum of 2,000 hours. You must pass an exam.
Electrical contractor
You must have held a supervisory or managerial position in commercial, industrial or residential electrical work. You must have had a minimum of four years or 8,000 hours of experience.
You can substitute one year of electrical curriculum for 1,000 hours of experience, up to a maximum of 2,000 hours. You must pass an exam.
Alaska
Alaska requires journeymen and residential electricians to obtain an electrical work certificate from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. To become an independent electrical contractor that runs their own business, professional licensing is required from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Before certification, apprentice registration is required.
Journeyman electrician
You must show at least 8,000 hours of work experience. A minimum of 6,000 of these hours must be commercial or industrial experience. No more than 2,000 hours of residential electrical work will count towards the experience requirement. A maximum of 1,000 hours of related education or power lineman experience can be included as part of the experience.
You must pass an exam. You’ll need to complete 16 hours of continuing education to renew your license.
Residential electrician
You must show proof of 4,000 hours of work experience. Up to 500 hours of related education can substitute for 500 hours of experience. With this license, you will only be able to work as a journeyman on residential sites. The license will allow you to be a trainee on commercial sites. You’ll need to pass an exam.
Journeyman power lineman
You must show at least 8,000 hours of work experience. Up to 1,000 hours of related education or experience can be included as part of the experience. Experience as a maintenance electrician may not be used to meet the work experience requirements. You’ll need to pass an exam.
Residential wireman
Applicants must have 4,000 hours of legally obtained work experience as a residential wireman
and pass an examination. You may substitute up to 500 hours of education for work experience. Work as a maintenance electrician may not be used to meet the work experience requirements.
Electrical administrator
If you want to be an independent electrical contractor and have your own business you must also get licensing from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
An electrical administrator must be assigned to a licensed contractor. There are six license categories — unlimited commercial wiring, residential wiring, controls and control wiring, inside communications, outside communications and unlimited line work outside.
You must show proof of work experience, which generally requires between two and four years of experience. You must pass an exam.
Arizona
Electricians must hold a state license to work in Arizona. There are three electrical licensing classifications with the licenses awarded by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Specialty residential contracting, electrical R-11
This license allows you to install and repair residential electrical systems.
Specialty commercial contracting, electrical C-11
This license allows you to install, alter, and repair wiring using electrical energy of less than 600 volts.
Specialty dual license contracting, electrical CR-11
This license covers both residential and commercial electrical work.
You must show proof of four years of experience and must pass a business exam and a trade exam to be licensed for all electrical classifications. If you perform solar work, you must have a solar warranty.
Arkansas
As an electrician, you must have a state license to work in Arkansas. The license is awarded by the Arkansas Department of Labor. There are many classifications of licenses:
Master electrician
You must have a degree in electrical engineering plus two years of construction-related experience, or six years of experience in the construction industry with two years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, or a combination of training and experience that is approved by the board.
Journeyman electrician
You must have completed a four-year apprenticeship program, or have eight years (16,000 hours) of electrical construction experience.
Residential master electrician
You must have three years of experience wiring one and two-family homes with one year of experience as a licensed residential journeyman, or a combination of training and experience.
Residential journeyman electrician
You must have two years of experience wiring one and two-family homes, or a two-year combination of training and education. You must pass an exam for all licenses.
Electrical contractor
Once you have your master electrician license in Arkansas and gained a few years of experience, you can apply to the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board to become a licensed electrical contractor and offer your services independently.
You need to have five years of experience as a master electrician, pass a Business and Law exam and provide references and a financial review. You will also need a surety bond and proof of workers comp insurance if you are an employer.
California
An electrician in California must hold a state license to work on projects worth $500 or more. The C-10 Electrical Contractor license is issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board.
You must have four years of experience at a journeyman level or as a foreman, supervisor or contractor. You’ll need to pass a law and business exam and a trade exam, and you must submit a $25,000 bond. If you have employees, you must have workers’ comp.
Learn more about electrician license and insurance requirements in California
Colorado
Electricians must hold a state license to work in Colorado. The license is awarded by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Electrical Board. There are a number of classifications of licenses and you must pass an exam to qualify for each license.
Residential wireman
You must show proof of 4,000 hours of electrical construction wiring residential-only experience for lights, heat and power, within the past two years.
Journeyman electrician
You must show proof of 8,000 hours of experience within the past four years in electrical construction wiring for lights, heat and power, with at least 4,000 hours in the past two years being in commercial and/or industrial work.
Master electrician
You must show that in addition to the journeyman electrician requirements, you have at least 2,000 hours of experience in the past year in planning, layout and supervising.
Alternatively, you can hold an electrical engineering degree from an accredited college or university and show 2,000 hours of practical experience as a registered apprentice. If you hold a community college or trade school degree in electrical construction, you will need 8,000 hours of practical experience.
Electrical contractor
To be an electrical contractor, you must be licensed and registered with the State of Colorado. You need to hold (or employ someone with) a master electrician license and have workers’ comp.
Connecticut
To work as an electrician in Connecticut, you must hold an electrical license awarded by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
Journeyperson
You must have completed an approved apprenticeship program or show proof of 8,000 hours of experience (4,000 hours for limited licenses) and proof of trade-related education. You’ll need to pass a trade exam.
Contractor
You must show a copy of a journeyperson license and must show proof of two years of experience at a journeyperson level. You’ll need to pass the trade exam and the business and law exam.