Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Career Reference

Electrician Licensing by State

Requirements for journeyman and master electrician licenses vary significantly by state and sometimes by city. Use this reference to understand the hours, exams, fees, and reciprocity agreements that apply to your location.

Important: Licensing rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with your state licensing board before applying. This table reflects general requirements as of 2024.

How Electrical Licensing Works in the US

Statewide License

Issued by a state agency (e.g., Texas TDLR, Florida DBPR). Valid throughout the entire state. Most common in the South and Mountain West.

Local License Only

Issued by a city or county AHJ (authority having jurisdiction). Common in Illinois, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania. You may need a separate license in each jurisdiction where you work.

Hybrid States

Some states have a statewide license but major cities add their own requirements on top (e.g., Oregon statewide + Portland local supplement).

The Two Main License Tiers

LicenseTypical RequirementsWhat it AllowsSalary Impact
Journeyman (JW)Completed apprenticeship (8,000+ OJT hrs) + written NEC examPerform all electrical work as an employee; self-supervise daily tasks+15-30% vs unlicensed
Master Electrician2-4 yrs as journeyman + advanced NEC exam; some states: business law exam tooPull permits, run a contracting company, supervise journeymen+25-50% vs journeyman

State Licensing Requirements

StateJourneyman Req.Master Req.ReciprocityEst. FeeExam Provider
Alabama8,000 hrs2 yrs as JW + examLimited$50-$100PSI / NASCLA
Alaska8,000 hrs4 yrs + examNone statewide$75State exam
Arizona8,000 hrs4 yrs + examSome states$150PSI
California8,000 hrsN/A (C-10 contractor)None$300+CSLB proprietary
Colorado8,000 hrs2 yrs + examSome states$60PSI
Connecticut8,000 hrs4,000 hrs + examLimited$80Prometric
FloridaLocal only4 yrs + examSome states$209PSI
Georgia8,000 hrs2 yrs + examLimited$45PSI
IllinoisLocal / ChicagoLocal / ChicagoLocal onlyVaries by cityLocal exam
IndianaNo statewideNo statewideN/ALocal variesLocal exam
Iowa8,000 hrs2 yrs + examMidwest compact$60NASCLA
Louisiana8,000 hrs2 yrs + examSome states$80PSI
Maryland7,500 hrs2 yrs + examSome states$50Prometric
Massachusetts8,000 hrs4 yrs + examNone$100State exam
Michigan8,000 hrs2 yrs + examLimited$70PSI
Minnesota8,000 hrs2 yrs + examMidwest compact$65PSI
MissouriLocal onlyLocal onlyN/ALocal variesLocal exam
Nevada8,000 hrs2 yrs + examSome states$100PSI
New Jersey8,000 hrs3 yrs + examLimited$100PSI
New YorkLocal (NYC)Local (NYC)Local onlyVaries by cityLocal exam
North Carolina8,000 hrs2 yrs + examSC, VA$55PSI
OhioLocal onlyLocal onlyN/ALocal variesLocal exam
Oregon576 class hrs + OJTN/A (supervising)Limited$50State exam
PennsylvaniaLocal onlyLocal onlyN/ALocal variesLocal exam
Tennessee8,000 hrs2 yrs + examSome states$80PSI
Texas8,000 hrs2 yrs + examNone$30-$60TDLR proprietary
Virginia8,000 hrs2 yrs + examNC, WV, MD$60PSI
Washington8,000 hrs4 yrs + examLimited$70State exam
Wisconsin8,000 hrs2 yrs + examMidwest compact$60PSI

Data compiled from state licensing board websites. "Local only" means the state has no statewide license program. Verify with your state board before submitting applications.

Reciprocity: Working Across State Lines

Reciprocity means State B will accept your State A license (or portions of it) without requiring you to repeat all requirements. Full reciprocity is rare -- most agreements require you to still pass the destination state's NEC exam based on its specific code adoption cycle.

Midwest Electrical Licensing Reciprocity Agreement

The most formalised multi-state compact in the US. Member states:

IowaMinnesotaMontanaNorth DakotaSouth DakotaWyoming

Members can transfer journeyman status with reduced documentation requirements, though each state still issues its own license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an electrician license required in every state?
No. Licensing requirements are set at the state or local level and vary widely. Some states have statewide journeyman and master licenses; others delegate entirely to cities or counties. A few states have minimal statewide requirements, though major cities within those states often have their own exams.
What is the difference between a journeyman and master electrician license?
A journeyman license allows you to perform electrical work as an employee. A master license authorises you to pull permits, run your own electrical contracting business, and supervise journeymen. Master licenses typically require 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience plus a more rigorous NEC exam.
Which states have reciprocity agreements for electrician licenses?
Reciprocity is patchwork and changes frequently. The Midwest Electrical Licensing Reciprocity Agreement covers Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Virginia has agreements with NC, WV, and MD. Always verify with the specific state's licensing board.
How much does it cost to get an electrician license?
Initial license fees range from about $30 in low-cost states to $300+ in states with more administrative overhead. The bigger cost is exam prep materials ($50-$200 for NEC code books and study guides) and the exam fee itself ($40-$100 for most NASCLA or PSI-administered exams).
What exam do most states use for electrician licensing?
Most states use exams administered by PSI Exams or Prometric, based on the NASCLA model exam. The exam tests knowledge of the current National Electrical Code (NEC) and state amendments. Some states (California, Texas) use their own proprietary exams.

Related Pages

How to Become an ElectricianMaster Electrician SalaryJourneyman SalarySalary by StateSelf-Employed Income