Electrician License Requirements by State

When it comes to getting an electrician license, it’s important to be aware of the individual requirements of the state where you are planning to work.

Find your state below to discover the requirements you'll need to fulfil to get your license for electricians.

Alabama

The state of Alabama requires electricians to get a license from the Electrical Contractors Board of Alabama.

• Journeyman electrician license: You need to show evidence of 8,000 hours of installing electrical or heating equipment, power, light, wiring, or electrical apparatuses. You must also complete one year in an apprehension program for at least 1,000 hours.

• Electrical Contractor License: You need to get a managerial or supervisory position in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work. In addition, you’ll need to prove you’ve acquired 8,000 hours of practical experience, or show a year’s worth of educational curriculum with a half year of practical experience equaling 2,000 hours.

• For both journeyman and contractor licenses, you must complete an exam.

• More info at www.aecb.state.al.us

Alaska

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workplace Development offers several licenses. These include journeyman electricians, residential electricians, and electrical administrators. Each license has different requirements:

• Journeyman license: You need to show 8,000 hours of work experience as an electrician. At least 6,000 hours of this experience must be considered commercial or industrial. Keep in mind that only 1,000 hours of education or lineman work can be counted toward work experience. You’ll also be required to pass an exam.

• Residential electrician license: You need to show evidence that you’ve worked for 4,000 hours. This license enables you to work as a journeyman on residential sites. You can also work as a trainee on commercial sites with this license. However, you need to pass an exam as well.

• Electrical administrators: This includes six different categories including, residential wiring, control wiring, communications, unlimited outdoor line work, unlimited commercial wiring, and controls. However, to get this license, you need to provide evidence of your work experience, which should include up to 4 years of experience along with passing an exam.

• More info at: labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/cof-regs.pdf

Arizona

To become an electrician in Arizona you need to get a license from the state. There are three different licensing classifications assigned by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors:

• Specialty Residential Contracting (Electrical R-11): Repairing and installing residential electrical systems.

• Specialty Residential Contracting (Electrical C-11): This enables you to alter, and install wiring using power below 600 volts.

• Specialty Dual License Contracting (Electrical CR-11): Covers both commercial and residential electrical work.

To acquire any of these licenses, you need to show evidence of four years worth of relevant work experience along with passing an exam.

• More info at: roc.az.gov/license-classifications

Arkansas

In Arkansas, electrician licenses are given out by the State Department of Labor. There are several licenses available for electricians in Arkansas. Including:

• Master Electricians: For this license, you need to obtain a degree in electrical engineering along with two years of work experience in construction wiring, and installation. Or, you can provide proof of six years’ experience in construction along with two years of experience working with a licensed journeyman electrician or any combination of experience and training accepted by the board.

• Journeyman Electrician: To acquire this license, you need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program or complete 16,000 hours as a construction electrician.

• Residential master electrician: To get this license, you must have two years’ worth of working experience in wiring a single or two-family home or two years of education and training.

Passing an exam is required in order to obtain any of these licenses.

• More info at: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/

California

All electricians in California must hold a C-10 Electrical Contractor license issued by the Contractor State License Board or the Department of Consumer Affairs. Some additional requirements include:

• Bidding for any project that has a worth of $500 or more.

• You must have four years of experience as a foreman, contractor, journeyman, owner-builder or supervisor.

• You need to complete a trade exam, business exam, or a law exam.

• More info at: cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/

Colorado

In Colorado to get a work permit as an electrician, you need to have a state license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Electric Board. There are several different license categories. Keep in mind, passing an exam is mandatory in order to obtain any of these licenses:

• Residential Wireman: To get this license, you need to provide evidence of 4,000 hours of work experience in construction, heat, and power, or wiring within the past two years.

• Journeyman Electrician: You need to show that you have worked 8,000 hours within the past four years in construction, heat, and power or wiring. In addition, completion of 4,000 hours of commercial and industrial work in the past two years is mandatory.

• Master Electrician: You need to show that you’ve completed at least 2,000 hours within the past year in layout, supervising, or planning installation.

Connecticut

Whether you are moving permanently or just planning to work in the state, you need to have a license from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:

• Contractor: Provide a copy of your journeyperson license along with evidence of 2 years experience at the level of a journeyperson. Moreover, you need to pass the law and business exam to qualify for this license.

• Journeyperson: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or you can show proof that you’ve completed 8,000 hours of work experience along with trade-related education. You also need to pass a trade exam to acquire this license.

Delaware

To work as a licensed electrician you need to get approval from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.

• Master Electrician: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or you can show evidence that you have 6 years of experience working under a licensed master electrician. Alternatively, you can provide proof of 2 years of experience in technical training. You’ll also need to pass an exam and show proof of General Liability insurance.

• Master Special: This license enables you to work in specialty areas like HVAC, signs, pools, refrigerations, and primary distribution systems. To qualify, you must have 6 years' experience in a specialty area directed by an authorized master special electrician, or licensed master electrician. Also, you need to pass an exam along with showing proof of General Liability Insurance.

• Limited: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or you can present proof of 3 years of work experience under the supervision of a limited electrician or a licensed master. Apart from this, you need to pass an exam and show evidence of General Liability insurance.

• Limited Special: This specific license allows you to work specifically with pools and HVAC systems. You need to show 3 years’ experience in a specialty area directed by a licensed master electrician or a master electrician special. Also, you need to pass an exam and show proof of General Liability insurance.

• Journeyperson: to acquire this license, you need to complete an approved apprenticeship program and show proof of General Liability insurance.

• More info at: dpr.delaware.gov/boards/electrician/newlicense/

Florida

In Florida, you need:

• A state license approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

• To pass a two-part examination

• To provide evidence of experience in a minimum of 40% of the state’s three-phase services.

• More info at: myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp

Georgia

In Georgia, electricians need a license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board Division of Electrical Contractors. You’ll need to:

• Take an exam

• Show evidence that you worked for four years under an authorized licensed contractor.

• Pass a separate trade test.

• More info at: sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing

Hawaii

To operate as an electrician in Hawaii you’ll need a license from the Department of Professional & Vocational Licensing, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Board of Electricians, plumbers, and Vocational Licensing.

In Hawaii, there are several classifications of licenses, each with different requirements. To get any of these electrical licenses in Hawaii, you need to pass a board exam. Here are some additional requirements:

• Supervision Electrician: You need to show proofs of 4 years of experience as a licensed journey worker electrician.

• Journey Worker Electrician: Evidence of 5 years' worth of work experience and more than 10,000 hours of experience in commercial or residential wiring. Also, you need to complete at least 240 hours of approved educational training.

• Journey Worker Industrial Electrician: You need to show proof of 4 years of experience, equaling more than 8,000 hours, in the electrical industry. Also, you have to complete 200 hours of electrical education courses.

• Journey Worker Specialty Electrician: You must show 3 years of work experience, equaling more than 6,000 hours. In addition, you have to complete 120 hours of approved electrical education courses.

• Supervising Industrial Electrician: You need to show 3 years of work experience as a licensed journey worker.

• Journey worker Specialty Electrician: Must show 3 years' work experience, equal to at least 6,000 hours. You also need to complete 120 hours of electrical education courses.

• Maintenance Electrician: Provide proof of 1 year of work experience and completion of 80 hours of an approved educational program. Or, you can provide proof of a relevant 2 years degree with at least 1,000 hours of practical lab work.

• More info at: cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/electrician/application_publication

Idaho

To work in Idaho, electricians need to obtain a license from the Idaho Division of Building Safety. There are several different licenses you can apply for, each with different requirements:

• Apprentice Electrician: While no license is required, you need to be registered with the Division of Building Safety and be employed by a licensed electrical contractor and work under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or electrical journeyman. In addition, you must complete a training course.

• Journeyman Electrician: You need to complete an exam and a four-year apprenticeship program. You also need to show proof of at least 6,000 hours of experience as an apprentice, with more than 755 in a single category such as industrial, commercial, or residential.

The experience must be acquired under the supervision of a master electrician or a licensed journeyman. Also, completion of 8,000 hours of experience in a related field is mandatory.

• Master Electrician: To acquire this license, you must hold a journeyman license for four years and pass an exam.

• Electrical Contractor: First, you need to hold a master electrician license in addition to passing an exam and purchasing Workers Compensation and General Liability insurance.

• Electrical Specialty Trainee: You don’t need a license but you do need to be registered with the Division of Building Safety. You’ll need to be employed by a licensed electrical specialty contractor and must work under the supervision of a licensed electrical specialty journeyman.

• Specialty Journeyman Electrician: Provide evidence of 2 years of work experience, equaling at least 4,000 hours in a specific specialty and pass an exam.

• Specialty Electrical Contractor: You need to be employed as a specialty contractor in the same category you’re applying for and pass an exam.

• More info at: dbs.idaho.gov/faqs/licenses-frequently-asked-questions/

Illinois

In Illinois, all licensing is carried out by local municipalities. Check with your local government office for specific requirements.

Indiana

There are no state licensing requirements. However, some local governments may have their own requirements that need to be checked before starting work.

Iowa

In Iowa, a state license is mandatory. There are various types of licenses and requirements:

• Residential Electrician: Passing a relevant trade exam is mandatory.

• Residential Master Electrician: You need to hold a journeyman or special residential electrician license first before applying.

• Master Electrician: You need to hold a journeyman electrician license for at least one year.

• Residential Electrical Contractor: You must hold a license as a Class A or B Master electrician or Residential Master electrician. In addition, you need to have General Liability insurance and be a registered contractor with the Iowa Division of Labor.

• Electrical Contractor: Must be a Class A or B Master Electrician license holder, have General Liability insurance, and be a registered contractor with the Iowa Division of Labor.

• More info at: dps.iowa.gov

Kansas

To become an electrician in Kansas, you need a local electrician license. Make sure you check with your local government office.

More info at: dhbc.ky.gov

Kentucky

To start working as an electrician in Kentucky you need a state license from the Department of Buildings, Construction, Housing, and Electrical Division. There are several different licenses to choose from including:

• Electrical Contractor: To qualify, you need to pass an exam, show proof of General Liability insurance and Workers Compensation insurance.

• Master Electrician: Show evidence of 8 years of relevant work experience. Or, you can show proof of completing a 2-year training course of approximately 576 hours and pass an exam.

• Electrician: Show 6 years of work experience, or, show substitute 2 years of experience for completing an approved training course equal to least 576 hours and passing an exam.

• More info at: dhbc.ky.gov

Louisiana

To work as an electrician in Louisiana, there is no state license needed.

However, if you do electrical work valued at more than $10,000 you’ll need a commercial contractor license issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

You must also pass a trade exam, law, and business exam.

More info at: lslbc.louisiana.gov/commercial-license/

Maine

A state license is required to start working as an electrician in Maine. There are several types of electrical licenses, including:

• Apprentice Electrician: You should be enrolled in 4 to 5-year work and educational program under the direction of an authorized journeyman, limited electrician, or master electrician.

• Journeyman Electrician: You need to show proof of 2,000 hours of work experience along with passing an exam.

• Electrical Helper License: Must be working with an electrician or enrolled in an education program.

• Master Electrician: Completion of an approved 576-hour educational course along with proof of 4,000 hours of work experience as a journeyman electrician. Or, complete 12,000 hours in electrical installations along with passing an exam.

• More info at: maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/electricians

Maryland

To work as an electrician in Maryland, you need to have a state license issued by the Maryland Board of Master Electricians. There is only one license you can apply for--master electrician.

You need: 7 years' working experience under the supervision of either a master electrician or any qualified government worker.

You can substitute up to 3 years of work experience for relevant educational courses along with passing an exam.

More info at: dllr.state.md.us/license/elec/eleclicreq.shtml

Massachusetts

To work in Massachusetts, you need to have a state license from the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. There are different requirements for each category of license:

• Journeyman Electrician: Requirements include a high school diploma, completing 600 hours of journeyman educational courses, 4 years of work experience, equaling at least 8,000 hours, and passing an exam.

• Master Electrician: Completion of a 150 hour approved study course, 1 year as a licensed journeyman, and passing an exam.

• More info at: mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-electricians

Michigan

You can start your electrician career in Michigan after acquiring a state license. The license needs to be issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes. The requirements include:

• Journeyman Electrician: Must be at least 20 years old with 8,000 hours of work experience. You must have worked under the supervision of a licensed electrician for at least 4 years. You can also show proof of education to substitute for years of work experience in addition to passing an exam.

• Master Electrician: You must be at least 22 years old and have 12,000 hours of experience, with at least 6 years’ experience under the leadership of a master electrician, and pass an exam.

• More info at: michigan.gov

Minnesota

To work as an electrician in Minnesota, you need a license issued by the Department of Labor and Industry.

• Class A Master Electrician: You need 60 months of work experience with proof of working in different categories and pass an exam.

• Class A Journeyman: You need to show evidence of 48 months of work experience with proof of working in different categories and pass an exam.

• Maintenance Electrician: 48 months of work experience in different categories and pass an exam.

• More info at: dli.mn.gov/workers/electrician-or-electrical-installer/education-requirements-electrical-license

Mississippi

In Mississippi, you need a state license if you complete residential electrical work for more than $10,000 or commercial work for more than $50,000. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors will issue this license after you pass an exam. The licenses for Journeyman and Electrician are only given at the municipal level. Check with your local office for those specific requirements.

Missouri

While there are no license requirements at the state level in Missouri, many local government offices have their own set of rules. Check with your local municipality.

Montana

You need a license from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, State License Board. For every category you’ll need to pass an exam, some of the requirements include:

• Residential Electrician: Completion of an approved residential apprenticeship program. Or, you can provide proof that you’ve completed 4,000 hours of work experience in an electrical maintenance field for a minimum of 20,000 hours.

• Journeyman Election: Completion of an approved residential apprenticeship program. Or, you can substitute an apprenticeship program for 8,000 hours of work experience in an electrical maintenance field for at least 20,000 hours.

• Master Electrician: You must obtain an electrical engineering graduate degree from an accredited college along with 2,000 hours of work experience. Or, proof of 8,000 hours experience as a journeyman with 20 to 50% of the experience being completed in residential work.

• More info at: boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/ele#1?3

Nebraska

To work in Nebraska, you need a license from the Nebraska Electrical Division. Some requirements include:

• Apprenticeship Electrician: No license is required, but, you need to register with the board

• Journeyman Electrician: Provide proof of 4 years of work experience. You can also substitute up to 1 year of work experience for completion of a 2-year, post-high school course in electrical technology and passing an exam.

• Electrical Contractor: You must hold a relevant degree from a 4-year accredited educational program and provide proof of 1 year of work experience as a licensed journeyman. Or, a minimum of 5 years experience in planning, installing or supervising electrical work. You’ll also need to pass an exam.

• More info at: electrical.nebraska.gov/licensing-applications

Nevada

To become an electrician in Nevada, you must hold a state electrical contracting license, which is also known as C-2 classification. The Nevada State Contractors Board issues this license. You need to:

Show evidence that you have worked as an electrician for at least 4 years within the past 10 years and pass exams in law, business, and trade.

Journeyman electricians may also require additional licenses from local governments. Check with your local municipalities.

New Hampshire

Electrician licenses are issued by the Professional Licensure and Certification, Electrician’s board office. Here are several requirements you need to meet:

• Journeyman Electrician: Show proof of 8,000 hours of work experience along with 600 hours of relevant education courses. Or, 10 years of experience as a licensed journeyman or master electrician in another state. Up to 2,000 hours of work experience can be substituted with relevant educational courses. In addition, you must pass an exam.

• Master Electrician: Must complete 2,000 hours of experience as a journeyman and pass the journeyman exam along with passing the master exam.

New Jersey

You’ll need a state license to work in New Jersey. Contractor licenses are awarded by the Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. To get this license, you must be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent degree and have at least five years of work experience or any of the following:

• Journeyman electrician with 1 year of experience

• Completed a 4-year apprenticeship program

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering along with 2 years experience

• More info at: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec/Pages/applications

New Mexico

All electrical work in New Mexico must be executed by someone with a journeyman license in the particular classification of work that is being performed.

All licenses are issued by the Regulation and Licensing Department of New Mexico.

To get a license in New Mexico, you’ll also need to pass an exam. In addition, you must have 8,000 hours of experience to obtain any of the following licenses:

• EE-98J: Residential and commercial electrical journeyman
• EL-1J: Electrical distribution systems journeyman

To get the following licenses, you need two years or 4,000 hours of experience:

• ER-1J: Journeyman in residential wiring
• ES-1J: Journeyman in electrical signs and outline lighting
• ES-2J: Journeyman in cathodic protection and lightning protection systems
• ES-3J: Journeyman in sound, alarm, and intercommunication systems with less than 50 volts.
• ES-7J: Journeyman in telephone interconnect systems and telephone communication systems.

More info at: rld.state.nm.us/construction/electrical

New York

You don’t need a state license to work as an electrician in New York.

However, many municipalities have their own requirements.

More info at: www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-electricians

North Carolina

You need a license approved by the State Board of Examination of Electrical Contractors. Electrical contracting licenses have 10 different classifications.

You’ll need to pass an exam for any license.

In addition, you'll need one of the following:

• Limited Classification: Requires 2 years of experience, with at least 1 year of primary experience.

• Intermediate Classification: At least 4 years of experience, with a minimum of 2.5 years being in primary experience.

• Unlimited Classification: Requires at least 5 years of experience with at least 4 being primary experience.

• Single-family detached residential dwelling: At least 2 years of experience with 1 year being primary experience.

More info at: www.ncbeec.org/licensing

North Dakota

You’ll need the appropriate state licenses in North Dakota to work as an electrician. Licenses are issued by the State Electrical Board of North Dakota. You need to pass an exam for each category and must meet the following requirements.

Journey electrician: Completion of 8,000 hours of work experience over at least three years as a registered apprentice electrician under a contracting master. You can substitute up to 2,000 hours of experience with a 2-year degree from an authorized electrical training program.

Class B Electrician: Must complete 3,000 hours of work in residential or farmstead wiring in 1 to 2-family dwellings under a Class B or Master electrician. You can substitute up to 1,000 hours of experience for a 2-year degree from an authorized electrical education program.

Master Electrician: Must complete 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman under a contracting master electrician.

More info at: ncbeec.org/licensing/

Ohio

You need a state license by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing board if you plan to work as an electrical commercial contractor. Additional requirements include:

At least 5 years of experience as an electrician along with 3 years of business experience in the construction industry.

You also need to pass an exam and show proof of insurance.

More info at: ohio.gov/dico/ocilb/licensequalificationprocess

Oklahoma

You need a state license approved by the Construction Industries Board to work as an electrician. For the following licenses you’ll need:

• Electrical Apprentice: License is not required, but you need to be registered with the state.

• Unlimited Electrical Journeyman: Must complete 8,000 hours of work experience as a registered apprentice under a licensed contractor or a licensed journeyman. You also need a minimum of 4,000 hours of experience in industrial or commercial work. You can substitute up to 2,000 hours of work experience with education in addition to passing an exam.

• Residential Electrical Journeyman: You need 4,000 hours of experience as an authorized apprentice under a licensed contractor or a journeyman. Or, you can substitute 1,000 hours of education for experience in addition to passing an exam.

• Limited Electrical Contractor: You need a degree in electrical engineering, along with 8,000 hours of work experience. If you don’t have a degree in electrical engineering, you can show proof of 16,000 hours of experience in electrical work and pass an exam.

More info at: cib.ok.gov/electrical

Oregon

You need a state license if you want to be an electrician in Oregon. This license is issued by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division. Here are some of the requirements for specific licenses:

• General Journeyman Electrician: Proof of completing 576 hours of classroom training, and an approved apprenticeship program in Oregon, and 8,000 hours of work experience with approximately 1,000 hours in categories like commercial, industrial, and residential work.

• General supervised Electrician: You need a state journeyman license along with 8,000 hours of work experience has a journeyman.

• Limited Building Maintenance Electrician: Completion of a 1-year training program, or, 2,000 hours of experience working in electrical maintenance.

• Limited Maintenance Electrician: You need to complete an apprenticeship program in the state or have 288 hours of educational training, along with 4,000 hours of work experience or job training. You also have the option to show 8,000 hours of work experience from outside the state.

• Limited Residential Electrician: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in the state of Oregon. Or, you can also show proof of 288 hours of classroom training along with 4,000 hours of work experience or job training. Or, you can show 8,000 hours of experience from outside the state.

• Limited Supervising Electrician: You need 8,000 hours of experience to acquire this license. In addition, you need to have a valid Oregan license as a limited journeyman.

Keep in mind you need to pass an exam to obtain any of these licenses.

• More info at: oregon.gov/bcd/licensing

Pennsylvania

You don’t need any state license to work as an electrician in Pennsylvania. But, make sure you check to see if any local municipalities have requirements before you start working.

Rhode Island

You need a state license awarded by the Development of Labor and Training, Professional Regulations Unit, and Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety. Some of the requirements include:

• Electrician Journeyman: You need to show 4 years of experience along with 576 hours of approved training. Passing an exam is mandatory.

• Electrical Contractor: You need to show 6 years of experience along with holding a valid journeyman license in Rhode Island for 2 years. It’s also mandatory to pass an exam.

• More info at: dlt.ri.gov/profregs/electricianmain

South Carolina

You must have a state license to work as an electrician in South Carolina issued by the Residential Builders Commission, South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. To hold a specialty contractor license, you have shown 1 year of work experience along with passing an exam.

More info at: llr.sc.gov/pol/ResidentialBuilders

South Dakota

You need to hold a state license to work in South Dakota as an electrician. This license will be given to you by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Electrical Commission. Here are some requirements you need to be aware of:

• Electrical Contractor: You need to complete 4,000 hours of work as a journeyman electrician with 2,000 hours specializing in commercial work. You also need to pass an exam.

• Journeyman Electrician: You must complete 8,000 hours as an apprentice electrician working under an electrical contractor. Also, passing an exam is mandatory.

• More info at: llr.sc.gov/pol/ResidentialBuilders

Tennessee

An electrical license in Tennessee is awarded both at the local as well as the state level. It depends on the type you are applying for along with the project value you’ll be working on. This license is issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and Board of Licensing Contractors.

• Contractor: Your project must be valued at more than $25,000. You’ll also need to provide evidence of 3 years of work experience and pass exams like law, business, or trade. Proof of insurance is also mandatory.

• Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE): This license is valid for projects worth less than $25,000.

• More info at: tn.gov/content/tn/commerce/regboards/contractor

Texas

If you are planning to work in Texas, you need to meet specific requirements by the state Department of Licensing and Regulation.

• Journeyman Electrician: Completion of 8,000 hours of training job under a master electrician. You need to pass the journeyman exam, as well.

• Master Electrician: You need to hold a valid journeyman electrician license for at least 2 years with at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under a master electrician. Also, you need to pass an exam.

• More info at: tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec

Utah

To work in Utah, electricians should be licensed by the Department of Commerce, Professional Licensing, and Division of Occupational.

Requirements will vary depending on the license. Keep in mind, you need to pass an exam for each license. Some additional requirements include:

• Residential Journeyman Electrician: Completion of a valid 2-year apprenticeship program with at least 4,000 hours of work experience. Or you can show proof that you’ve obtained at least 8,000 hours of apprenticeship training.

• Journeyman Electrician: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program with a minimum of 8,000 hours of training within 1 year. Or you can also show 16,000 hours of experience for over 8 years.

• Master Electrician: You need to have a minimum of 4 years of experience working as a journeyman electrician. Or, a degree from an authorized electrical trade school, along with 2 years of experience working as a licensed journeyman electrician. You also have the option to have an accredited BS degree in electrical engineering and 1 year of licensed experience.

• Residential Master Electrician: You first need to become a licensed residential journeyman electrician with 4,000 hours of work experience over at least 2 years.

• More info at: dopl.utah.gov

Vermont

To work in Vermont you must obtain a license issued by the Department of Public Safety and Division of Fire Safety. Keep in mind you need to pass an exam for each category.

• Master Electrician: First, you need to hold a valid journeyman license for at least 2 years. Or, can you provide evidence of 16,000 hours of work experience.

• Journeyman Electrician: Completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program, or, you can show evidence of 12,000 hours of work experience.

• More info at: firesafety.vermont.gov/licensing/electrical

Virginia

To work as an electrician you must hold the proper license. All electricians are considered contractors in Virginia so you’ll need to get a license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

You’ll need to pass an exam to get any of these licenses. Some other requirements include:

• Journeyman Electrician: You need 4 years of experience, along with 240 hours of training. You can also show more than 4 years of experience that can substitute for training hours. Or, you can present 2 years of experience along with an associate's degree. Or, one year of experience, along with a bachelor's degree from accredited colleges in engineering. Or, you can also show proof of 10 years of experience.

• Master Electrician: You need to show 1 year of experience as a licensed journeyman or show proof of 10 years of experience.

• More info at: dpor.virginia.gov

Washington

For working as an electrician in Washington, you need a license provided by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Some requirements include:

• General Journey Level Electrician: 8,000 hours of work experience in electrical training under certified supervision. A minimum of 4,000 hours needs to be completed in an industrial or commercial installation. Also, 96 hours of basic classroom instruction is mandatory along with passing an exam.

• Specialty Residential Electrician: 4,000 hours of work as a residential electrician under supervision from a licensed electrician. Also, you must have 48 hours of classroom education with passing an exam.

• More info at: lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrician

West Virginia

Requirements in West Virginia depend on the particular license you are applying for. Electrician licenses are sanctioned by the West Virginia Fire Commission. Some requirements include:

• Apprenticeship Electrician: Must be at least 18 years old and pass an exam.

• Journeyman Electrician: Completion of a vocational or apprenticeship program. Or you can show 4 years work experience. You also need to pass an exam.

• Master Electrician: You need to have at least 5 years of experience, equaling 10,000 hours, in commercial, residential, or industrial work. You also need to pass an exam.

• Specialty Electrician: You need at least 2 years, or equal to at least 4,000 hours, of hands-on experience in a specific license area. 1 year of experience can be substituted for completion of an approved educational course. You also need to pass an exam

• More info at: firemarshal.wv.gov/Divisions/Fire%20Services/Pages/Electrical-Licensing

Wisconsin

You need to hold a state license to work in Wisconsin as an electrician, which is awarded by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

• Journeyman Electrician: Completion of an electrical construction apprenticeship program, or at least 8,000 hours of work experience. You can substitute years of experience for completion of a 4-year degree with 2 years of experience. You need to pass an exam.

-Master Electrician: A minimum of 1 year of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician. Or, a minimum of 10,000 hours of experience. Or, you can substitute experience with full-time education in an electrical-related program with 500 hours of experience each semester, and 3 years of experience. Also, you need to pass an exam.

• More info at: dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions

Wyoming

In Wyoming, electrician licenses are awarded by the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. Some requirements include:

• Journeyman Electrician: A minimum of 8,000 hours, or 4 years, of work experience. Or, completion of 576 hours of an apprenticeship program. However, no more than 75% of the hours can be in a single category. As a substitute for experience, an electrician can show 2,000 hours of education in electrical related courses.

• Master Electrician: You must have 16,000 hours, or 8 years, of experience, 4 years of which must be as a licensed journeyman. You must also have 576 hours of electrical-related classroom education and must pass an exam.

• More info at: wsfm.wyo.gov/electrical-safety/license-and-exam-applications

When looking to work as an electrician, it’s vital to research the Electrician license requirements by state. Make sure to check state and local government requirements of your particular state before starting work.