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Electrician · State and local

How to get an electrician license in Nevada

State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026

Nevada has two layers. The state, through the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB), licenses electrical contracting businesses (classification C-2), and the license belongs to the business. Individual electricians carry a Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card instead. The City of Reno requires a valid journeyman certificate for electrical work in the city, and Electrical Safety Professionals (ESP), which runs the card program, says Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson also require at least a journeyman card when you install electrical systems. A new card takes 4,000 hours of electrical work or apprenticeship plus a passing International Code Council (ICC) exam. [1][2][3][4][5]

New to the trade?

Starting from zero in Nevada

Nevada's state license goes to contracting businesses, so you start by getting hired by a licensed electrical contractor, which does its work through its employees. You can sign on as a helper, or apply to a registered apprenticeship such as the Electrical Training Institute of Southern Nevada (IBEW Local 357), the Northern Nevada Electrical Training Center (IBEW Local 401), ABC Nevada or Northern Nevada IEC. Your hours count toward the 4,000 you need for a journeyman card. [1][4][6][20][22][23][24]

  • High school diploma or GED

    For a registered apprenticeship, yes, by state rule: Nevada's apprenticeship regulation (NAC 610.833) says an apprentice must have a diploma or equivalent before being accepted, or earn it within 1 year after signing on (or on finishing an approved school-to-work or welfare-to-work program). The State Apprenticeship Council can modify this. The rule's adoption note says it doesn't apply to programs approved before October 2, 1997, unless the Council requires it. The Southern Nevada electrical JATC (joint apprenticeship and training committee) and ABC Nevada both require a diploma or GED. No state diploma rule was found for helper jobs. [18][21][23][31]

  • Minimum age

    The Office of the Labor Commissioner says registered apprenticeship is for people 18 or older, though some programs have options for people under 18. The Southern Nevada electrical JATC and ABC Nevada require you to be 18. [18][21][23]

  • Register before you start work

    The NSCB doesn't register workers: its licenses go to businesses. If you join a registered apprenticeship, you sign a written apprenticeship agreement under a program registered with the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council. The electrical card comes later, once you have 4,000 hours. [1][4][18][29]

  • Helper jobs

    Yes. A licensed contractor does its work "by or through" its employees. In unincorporated Clark County, the contractor must have a master electrician, an electrical qualified individual or a journeyman electrician on site in a supervisory role whenever permitted electrical work is under way, so a helper works under that person. In Reno, a contractor's employees can work under direct supervision if the contractor keeps a written supervision agreement on site, and apprentices need a card from an approved apprenticeship program. [3][6][12]

  • Math and aptitude test

    Southern Nevada electrical JATC: Algebra I (or higher) with a C or better, the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (math and reading) and a panel interview. ABC Nevada gives a math test with the application. Northern Nevada IEC asks applicants to complete a math assessment. [20][21][23][24]

  • Driver's license, transportation and drug test

    The Southern Nevada electrical JATC requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation to any job site in its area, and drug testing throughout the program. ABC Nevada requires a pre-indenture drug and alcohol screening. [20][21][23]

  • Application windows

    As of October 2026, the Southern Nevada electrical JATC's website says applications are closed and to check back for updates. ABC Nevada takes applications only during set open-enrollment dates. IBEW Local 401 in Reno takes contacts online, by phone at (775) 329-2566 or in person. [20][22][23]

  • Pay while you learn

    Under state rules, a registered apprentice's starting wage must be at least 35% of the journeyman rate, and pay over the whole apprenticeship must average at least 50%. The Labor Commissioner says the average starting wage is about 40%. [18][32]

  • Credit for school or military

    Apprenticeship committees grant credit for previous experience and training (more than 50% needs substantial documentation). For a later contractor license, the NSCB counts apprenticeship or college training for up to 3 of the 4 years of experience, and accepts transferable military experience. [1][33][34]

  • Still in high school?

    Nevada's apprenticeship rule lets a school-to-work program approved by the State Apprenticeship Council prepare high school students for a trade, and the Labor Commissioner says some programs take people under 18. The Nevada Department of Education's Construction career cluster includes Building Trades in Construction Technology (with basic electrical), Electronic Technology and HVACR programs Ask your district which it offers. CTE programs can lead to college credit through articulation agreements. For a contractor license later, the NSCB may credit up to 3 years of experience for a high school or college trade program approved by the NSCB and the State Board of Education. [18][27][31][35][36]

Where to apply in NevadaHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs

Licensing office Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) · (702) 486-1100 [1][14]

Nevada electrician license at a glance

Who licenses what
NSCB licenses electrical contractors (C-2). Individual electricians carry a Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card, run by Electrical Safety Professionals [1][2][4]
Where the card is required
Reno requires a journeyman certificate for electrical work in the city ESP says Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson also require at least a journeyman card [3][4]
Journeyman card
4,000 hours of electrical work or apprenticeship plus a passing ICC exam Since July 1, 2025 [4]
Card exam
ICC R-17 Journeyman Electrician (2023 NEC), in person at a Pearson VUE test center [5]
Card fee and renewal
$85 for a 3-year journeyman, residential or low-voltage card ($100 master) Renew with 18 hours of CE [5][11]
Contractor experience
4 years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor within the last 15 years [1][13]
Contractor fees
$300 application $600 license for 2 years; exam fees paid to PSI [14][15][17]
Reciprocity
Licensure by endorsement for C-2 contractors licensed 4+ years in AZ, CA, CT, LA, NC or TN FL and WV waive experience only [25]
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Starting from zero
  3. The license pathway
  4. Who needs a license in Nevada
  5. The Nevada electrical card (journeyman level)
  6. The C-2 electrical contractor license
  7. The exams
  8. Fees, bond and renewal
  9. Union and open-shop apprenticeships in Nevada
  10. If you're licensed in another state
  11. Steps to get licensed
  12. Where to get the hours
  13. Licensed in another state?
  14. Questions people ask

The license pathway in Nevada

  1. 1

    Apprentice or helper (no state license)

    You work for a licensed electrical contractor, which does its work through its employees. Registered apprentices sign an agreement under a program registered with the State Apprenticeship Council. In Clark County a master, qualified individual or journeyman electrician must supervise on site. [6][12][29]

  2. 2

    Journeyman electrician card (Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card)

    • 4,000 hours on the job
    • ICC R-17 Journeyman Electrician (2023 NEC), in person at Pearson VUE
    • $85 card (3 years); ICC exam fee extra
    • Every 3 years; 1.8 CEUs (18 hours), including 8 hours of NEC code changes and 4 hours of NFPA 70E

    The card Reno requires for electrical work in the city (ESP says Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson require it too). You need 4,000 hours of electrical work experience or apprenticeship hours and the ICC pass letter. A residential card (ICC R-18) also exists. [3][4][5][11]

  3. 3

    Master electrician card

    • ICC R-16 Master Electrician (2023 NEC), in person at Pearson VUE
    • $100 card (3 years)
    • Every 3 years; 3.0 CEUs (30 hours)

    A higher-level card in the same ESP program. Clark County accepts a master electrician as the on-site supervisor. [5][11][12]

  4. 4

    Electrical contractor (NSCB C-2)

    • 4 years of experience
    • Yes: Business and Law (CMS) exam, open book, plus an electrical trade exam, both through PSI
    • $300 application; $600 license (2 years); exam fees extra
    • Every 2 years; $600

    The license for a business that contracts for electrical work. Its qualified individual needs 4 years at journeyman level or above within the last 15 years and passes the exams. The business also needs a bond and a financial statement. [1][13][14][16][17]

Who needs a license in Nevada

Nevada's state law licenses contractors: any person who builds, alters or repairs a structure, whether personally or "by or through" employees. Electrical contracting is classification C-2. Licenses go to individuals, partnerships, corporations or LLCs, and the NSCB says "the license belongs to the business and not the qualifying party."

Electrical contracting is never covered by the small-job exemption: the law's exemption for repair work under $1,000 doesn't apply to work "of a type performed by a plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air-conditioning contractor."

C-2 subclassifications include electrical wiring (C-2a), fire detection (C-2c), low-voltage systems (C-2d), lines to transmit electricity (C-2e), residential wiring up to 600 volts on buildings of three stories or less (C-2f) and photovoltaics (C-2g). [1][2][6][7]

The Nevada electrical card (journeyman level)

The individual credential Nevada electricians carry is the Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card, managed by Electrical Safety Professionals (ESP), a nonprofit organization of electrical professionals. ESP notes that these cards "are different than NV State Contractor Licenses."

The City of Reno says no one may do electrical installations, alterations or additions in the city unless done by a person with a valid journeyman certificate; apprentices need a card from an approved apprenticeship program, and the exceptions are homeowners, a contractor's employees working under a written direct-supervision agreement kept on site, and contractors with reciprocal licenses (for their first 12 months in the city). Reno sends you to ESP for the ID card. ESP also says Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson "have requirements for at least a journeyman electrical card when installing electrical systems." In unincorporated Clark County, the building code requires a master electrician, an electrical qualified individual or a journeyman electrician on site, supervising, whenever permitted electrical work is going on.

Since July 1, 2025, a new card needs at least 4,000 hours of electrical work experience or apprenticeship hours, plus the pass letter from the ICC exam. (From January 2024 the minimum was 2,000 hours.) The ICC exams accepted for new cards are R-16 Master Electrician, R-17 Journeyman Electrician and R-18 Residential Electrician, all based on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center. (Reno's page still names ICC's G17 and G18 exams; ESP's June 2026 notice says the R-series exams are the only ones accepted for new cards, so confirm with ESP before you buy an exam.)

Cards last 3 years: $85 for journeyman, residential or low-voltage, $100 for master. To renew a journeyman, residential, sign or low-voltage card you need 18 hours of continuing education (CE) every three years (30 hours for master), including an 8-hour NEC code-change class and 4 hours on NFPA 70E electrical safety. Check with your city or county building department which card it requires. [3][4][5][8][9][10][11][12]

The C-2 electrical contractor license

To start your own electrical business, the business needs an NSCB license and a qualified individual: an owner, officer, member, manager or employee who supervises the work. That person needs:

The business also needs a financial statement (required at every monetary limit), a bank verification form, a bond and fingerprint background checks. You don't need any formal education for a contractor's license. [1][13][14][15]

The exams

You can schedule exams only after you apply and the NSCB verifies your experience; it then sends an exam eligibility form. Exams are given by PSI, with test centers in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko.

You get three tries at each exam, two weeks apart, and must finish testing within 6 months of applying. After a third failure the application is void, and you can reapply after 30 days. Exam fees are paid to PSI. [1][14][16]

Fees, bond and renewal

Contractors must also show workers' compensation coverage unless exempt. [1][14][15][17]

Union and open-shop apprenticeships in Nevada

Apprenticeships here are registered with the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council, run by the Office of the Labor Commissioner. You train on the job and attend related classroom instruction (144 hours is the typical minimum), and the program sponsor pays for training, though you may have to buy your own books and tools. See union vs. non-union.

More: electrician apprenticeships. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

If you're licensed in another state

Contractor license (endorsement). The NSCB waives the trade exam and the experience paperwork for a qualified individual who has held the matching license in an endorsing state for the past four years, with no discipline or pending actions. For C-2 the matching licenses are Arizona CR-11, California C-10, Connecticut E-1, Louisiana Electrical Work (statewide), North Carolina Unlimited and Tennessee CE. Florida EC and West Virginia A licenses waive the experience requirement only, so you still take the Nevada trade exam. Everyone takes the Nevada Business and Law exam. Your endorsing state completes a Request for Verification of Licensure form.

Any-state routes. Nevada law (NRS 622.530) tells state licensing boards to adopt rules for licensure by endorsement of people licensed in any state with substantially similar qualifications; the NSCB's rule works through its list of equivalent states above. Separately, through December 31, 2029, NRS 624.242 lets a contractor licensed for at least 4 consecutive years in any state get a no-fee Nevada license by endorsement, but only for attainable housing projects in rural areas.

Electrical card. The NSCB endorsement doesn't cover the ESP card; the card rules above ask for hours and an ICC exam. Reno lets contractors with reciprocal licenses from another city, county, state or country work in the city for 12 months before they must get the Reno certification. Ask ESP at (725) 214-6004 about your situation. More: license reciprocity. [3][4][5][14][25][26][27][28]

Steps to get licensed in Nevada

  1. Get hired or accepted into an apprenticeship

    Work for a licensed electrical contractor as a helper, or apply to a registered apprenticeship (union JATC, ABC Nevada or Northern Nevada IEC). [6][20][23][24]

  2. Log 4,000 hours

    A new Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card needs at least 4,000 hours of electrical work experience or electrical apprenticeship program hours. [4]

  3. Pass the ICC exam

    Register with the International Code Council for the R-17 Journeyman Electrician exam (2023 NEC) and take it in person at a Pearson VUE test center. [5]

  4. Apply for your card

    Send the online new-card application to Electrical Safety Professionals with your hours and ICC pass letter. The 3-year card costs $85. [4][5][9]

  5. Renew every 3 years

    Earn 18 hours (1.8 CEUs) of approved continuing education, including an 8-hour NEC code-change class and 4 hours of NFPA 70E electrical safety. [11]

  6. Later: qualify a C-2 contractor license

    With 4 years at journeyman level or above, you can be the qualified individual on an NSCB C-2 license: apply first, then pass the Business and Law and trade exams at PSI. [13][14][16]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train electricians in or for Nevada, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

Licensed in another state?

  • Electrical contractor (C-2): AZ, CA, CT, LA, NC, TN

    Licensure by endorsement: the NSCB waives the trade exam and the experience paperwork if your qualified individual has held the matching license for the past 4 years with no discipline (AZ CR-11, CA C-10, CT E-1, LA Electrical Work, NC Unlimited, TN CE). The Business and Law exam is still required. [25]

  • Electrical contractor (C-2): FL, WV

    Florida (EC) and West Virginia (A) licenses count toward the experience requirement only; you must still pass the Nevada trade exam and the Business and Law exam. [25]

  • Contractor license (general endorsement law)

    Nevada law (NRS 622.530) tells state licensing boards to adopt rules for licensure by endorsement of anyone with a valid, unrestricted license from another state, substantially similar qualifications and a clean record. The NSCB's endorsement rule works through its published list of states it has found substantially equivalent (above). It covers NSCB contractor licenses, not local journeyman cards. [25][26][27]

  • Contractor license, rural attainable housing only (through 2029)

    NRS 624.242 (2025) has the NSCB issue a no-fee license by endorsement to someone who has held a substantially similar, unrestricted contractor license in any state for at least 4 consecutive years with no discipline, and has a contract for an attainable housing project in a rural area (counties under 100,000 people, or cities under 60,000 in larger counties). It covers only that rural housing work and expires December 31, 2029. [28]

Also listed by: Delaware, Florida (their own boards list Nevada as a partner; check both sides before you move).

Open the reciprocity map · How reciprocity works

AlaskaAK MaineME VermontVT New HampshireNH WashingtonWA IdahoID MontanaMT North DakotaND MinnesotaMN IllinoisIL WisconsinWI MichiganMI New YorkNY Rhode IslandRI MassachusettsMA OregonOR NevadaNV WyomingWY South DakotaSD IowaIA IndianaIN OhioOH PennsylvaniaPA New JerseyNJ ConnecticutCT CaliforniaCA UtahUT ColoradoCO NebraskaNE MissouriMO KentuckyKY West VirginiaWV VirginiaVA MarylandMD DelawareDE ArizonaAZ New MexicoNM KansasKS ArkansasAR TennesseeTN North CarolinaNC South CarolinaSC District of ColumbiaDC OklahomaOK LouisianaLA MississippiMS AlabamaAL GeorgiaGA HawaiiHI TexasTX FloridaFL
NV Listed here (agreement or endorsement) Lists NV

Questions people ask

Does Nevada have a state journeyman electrician license?

No state license. The NSCB licenses electrical contracting businesses (C-2). Electricians carry a Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card from Electrical Safety Professionals, which says Reno, Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson require at least a journeyman card when you install electrical systems. [1][4]

How many hours do I need for a Nevada journeyman electrician card?

At least 4,000 hours of electrical work experience or electrical apprenticeship hours, plus a passing ICC exam (R-17 Journeyman Electrician, 2023 NEC). The 4,000-hour rule took effect July 1, 2025. [4][5]

How much does a Nevada C-2 electrical contractor license cost?

$300 to apply and $600 for the two-year license, plus PSI exam fees and a bond the NSCB sets (from $1,000 to $500,000). Residential contractors also pay a recovery fund assessment, $200 for limits up to $1 million. [1][14][15][17]

Do I need a license to work as an electrician's helper in Nevada?

No state license: the contractor holds the license and works through its employees. In unincorporated Clark County a master, qualified individual or journeyman electrician must supervise permitted electrical work on site. [1][6][12]

Sources (36)
  1. License Requirements, Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  2. NAC 624.200: Classification C-2, electrical contracting, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  3. Electrical / Plumbing Journeyman Cards, City of Reno, Development Services. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  4. Program Change Notice for 2025: Hours Needed for Issuance of New Nevada Electrical Cards, Electrical Safety Professionals (Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card Program). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  5. Testing Information and Electrical Card Fees (June 2026), Electrical Safety Professionals (Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card Program). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  6. NRS 624.020: "Contractor" defined, Nevada Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  7. Exemptions (NRS 624.031), Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  8. Electrical Safety Professionals (home page), Electrical Safety Professionals. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  9. Nevada Electrical Qualifications Program, Electrical Safety Professionals. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  10. Program Change Notice for 2024: Hours Needed for Issuance of New Nevada Electrical Cards (superseded), Electrical Safety Professionals (Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card Program). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  11. Electrical Card Renewals: CEU Requirements, Electrical Safety Professionals (Nevada Electrical Qualifications Card Program). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  12. Clark County Code 22.02.250: Contractor's responsibilities (Supplement 149, July 2026), Clark County, Nevada (Code of Ordinances, published by Municode). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  13. NRS 624.260: Experience, knowledge and financial responsibility, Nevada Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  14. New License Application (Revised 09/2026), Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  15. FAQ for General Requirements, Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  16. License Examinations, Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  17. NAC 624.130: Fees, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  18. Nevada State Apprenticeship Council: Registered Apprenticeship, Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  19. Current Apprenticeship Programs (9.25.26), Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  20. Apprenticeship and Application, Electrical Training Institute of Southern Nevada (IBEW Local 357 / NECA JATC). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  21. FAQ, Electrical Training Institute of Southern Nevada (IBEW Local 357 / NECA JATC). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  22. How to Join IBEW Local 401, IBEW Local 401. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  23. Apprenticeship FAQs, ABC Nevada Chapter. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  24. Electrical Training Program, Northern Nevada Independent Electrical Contractors. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  25. Licensure by Endorsement (State Equivalency Chart), Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  26. NRS 622.530: Regulatory body to adopt regulations for license by endorsement, Nevada Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  27. NAC 624.590: Application; credit toward experience requirement, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  28. NRS 624.242: License by endorsement to perform work on certain housing projects (through December 31, 2029), Nevada Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  29. NRS 610.010: Definitions (apprentice), Nevada Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  30. Locate a Training Center, Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW/NECA). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  31. NAC 610.833: High school diploma or equivalent, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  32. NAC 610.480: Beginning apprentice wages, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  33. NAC 610.245: Grants of credit, Nevada Legislature (Nevada Administrative Code). Accessed October 11, 2026.
  34. Veterans Assistance Program, Nevada State Contractors Board. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  35. Construction (Career and Technical Education), Nevada Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  36. Career and Technical Education, Nevada Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.

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