Electrician · Licensing by state

How to become an electrician

From state licensing boards and the U.S. Department of Labor · Last reviewed October 10, 2026

Electrician licensing by state

"n/a" means the state has no such statewide figure, or states it another way (years, or by local license). "No" exam can mean the state licenses only contractors. Each state page has the details and sources; the reciprocity map shows which states.

The usual license ladder

1. Apprentice

   You work for pay under licensed electricians while taking classes. A typical apprenticeship lasts 4 or 5 years, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. [1]

2. Journeyman (journey worker)

   After finishing an apprenticeship you are a journey worker and may work on your own, subject to state or local licensing. Most states require you to pass a test and be licensed. [1]

3. Master electrician

   Journey workers who meet more requirements may become master electricians. In Texas, for example, a master license takes 12,000 hours of supervised training, two years as a licensed journeyman, and a master exam. [1][4]

4. Electrical contractor

   A business that does electrical work may need its own license. Texas, for example, requires an electrical contractor to be a master electrician or employ one, show financial responsibility, and either carry workers' compensation coverage or formally elect not to. [4]

Pay and job outlook

What electricians do

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories. Day to day, that means reading blueprints, running and connecting wiring, inspecting parts such as transformers and circuit breakers, and finding problems with testing tools.

The work follows state and local building rules based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), a code that sets standards for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment. Almost all electricians work full time, and evening, weekend, and overtime work is common. About 66% of electricians work for electrical contractors, and about 7% are self-employed. [1]

The usual path: apprenticeship

Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship: a paid job under experienced electricians plus classroom instruction. A typical program lasts 4 or 5 years, and each year usually includes 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. That adds up to roughly 8,000 to 10,000 hours of work experience by the end.

Classes cover electrical theory, blueprint reading, math, electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid. You need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some people start at a technical school first; graduates usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship. Workers with electrical experience from the military or construction may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship. Some people start as an electrician's helper and move into an apprenticeship later.

More on finding and applying to programs: electrician apprenticeships and apprenticeship aptitude tests. [1]

Registered apprenticeships

A registered apprenticeship is a program "approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency." The Department of Labor describes it as paid work experience with a mentor, "progressive wage increases," classroom instruction, and "a portable, nationally-recognized credential."

To find openings, search the Apprenticeship Job Finder on Apprenticeship.gov and apply directly with the employer or program sponsor. [2][3]

Union and non-union routes

Several groups sponsor electrician apprenticeships, including unions and contractor associations. Requirements vary by state and locality. Some electrical contractors also run their own training programs that are not recognized apprenticeship programs.

How the union and non-union (open-shop) routes compare: union vs. non-union. [1]

Licensing: it depends on your state

Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed, and the requirements vary by state. The licensing board may be local or statewide: the BLS tells readers to contact their "local or state electrical licensing board." A common ladder is apprentice, journey worker, and master electrician, sometimes with a separate contractor license for the business, but the names, hours, and exams differ by state.

Texas shows how one state sets it up. Its law requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a master electrician and a passing exam for a journeyman license, and 12,000 hours, two years as a journeyman, and another exam for a master license. Details for Texas: Texas electrician license.

Pick your state from the list on this page for its own rules. If you already hold a license and are moving, see license reciprocity and the reciprocity map. The difference between the top two levels is explained in journeyman vs. master. [1][4]

The National Electrical Code and continuing education

The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association. Texas law, for example, defines its electrical code as the NEC and has the state adopt each new edition the association publishes every three years.

Licensing tests have questions on the NEC and on state and local electrical codes. To keep a license, electricians may have to take continuing education (CE) courses, usually on safety, changes to the electrical code, and manufacturer product training. Optional certifications exist for areas such as solar photovoltaic, electrical generating, or lighting systems. [1][4]

Pay and job outlook

The median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025, meaning half earned more and half earned less. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,640 and the highest 10% more than $108,510. Pay differs by employer type: the median was $79,820 in government, $74,550 in manufacturing, and $61,570 at electrical contractors. Apprentices earn less, and their pay rises as they learn more.

The BLS projects employment of electricians to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. It points to solar and wind hookups, data centers for artificial intelligence (AI), and grid upgrades as sources of demand. More detail: electrician salary. [1]

Questions people ask