Molly Ayala
If you're interested in becoming an electrician in Colorado, you'll need to obtain a license. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) issues electrician licenses, and there are several paths you can take to achieve this. You can become a residential wireman, journeyman electrician, master electrician, or electrical contractor. Each license has its own set of requirements, including a combination of education, examinations, and work experience. Colorado also has reciprocity agreements with several states, which can simplify the process if you're a qualified electrician moving from another state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) |
| Types of Licenses | Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor |
| Reciprocity Agreements | Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming |
| Requirements | Apprenticeship Program, Work Experience, Educational Qualifications, Examination |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Examination Fee | $75 |
| Retest Fee | $70 |
| Renewal Fee | $120 |
| Renewal Period | 3 years |
| Renewal Expiry | 30 September 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Reciprocal licensing agreements
To obtain a Colorado electrical license, you must register as an apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. The Department issues licenses for electricians in the state, from apprentice to contractor. There are three main categories of electrical license in Colorado: Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician. Residential Wiremen are permitted to work on residential properties, while Journeyman Electricians can perform commercial and industrial work. Master Electricians, on the other hand, can supervise and plan electrical projects.
Regarding reciprocal licensing agreements, Colorado adheres to the bylaws of the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA). This means that Colorado has reciprocal licensing agreements with several states for journeyman electrician licenses. These states include Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
To qualify for a reciprocal licensing agreement with Colorado, you must meet specific requirements. Firstly, you need to hold a journeyman or master electrician certificate that is current, active, and in good standing, allowing you to work as a journeyman electrician in the licensing state. Secondly, you must have obtained this certificate through a state-administered examination with a passing score. Additionally, you should have held the certificate for at least one year in the licensing state. If you meet these requirements and pay the necessary fees, Colorado will issue a certificate without requiring a written examination. However, it is important to note that reciprocal licensing agreements do not apply if the certificate in the licensing state was granted without passing a state-administered examination (i.e., through grandfathering).
When applying for a reciprocal license in Colorado or another participating state, it is essential to contact the respective state to understand their specific requirements and fees. For example, to perform electrical contracting in Colorado, you must be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the state and comply with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation laws. Additionally, you must either hold a valid Master Electrician license or employ someone with such a license, and the designated master electrician can be the responsible party for only one company.
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Education and training
To become a licensed electrician in Colorado, you must complete technical training, classroom hours, and gain on-the-job experience. The first step is to register as an apprentice with the Colorado State Electrical Board and find an electrical apprenticeship to gain the necessary training. You can choose to get a 2-year degree at an electrical technology school and add 6,000 hours of supervised work, or you can complete 8,000 hours of on-site experience with a licensed electrician or electrical contracting firm.
The 288 hours of classroom and lab-based technical training will cover topics such as grounding and bonding, the current National Electrical Code, theory and calculation, and wiring methods. This education will also include at least 288 hours of training in safety, the National Electric Code, and other electrical education.
To qualify to sit for the journeyman exam, you will need at least 8,000 hours of experience in the previous four years or an equivalent combination of education and experience. This experience can be obtained from residential, commercial, or industrial electrical work. The journeyman electrician exam must be passed with a score of 70% or higher.
Once you have passed the journeyman exam, you can apply for a master electrician license. To qualify for this license, you must have at least two years of experience doing electrical work in industrial, commercial, or similar environments and at least 2,000 hours of experience in planning, laying out, and supervising the installation of electrical equipment. A master electrician is authorized to perform work on residential properties and supervise new electrical work projects.
All Colorado-licensed electricians must renew their licenses every three years and complete 24 hours of continuing education during each three-year license period before renewal. This includes at least four hours in National Electrical Code Changes and up to four hours in safety courses related to the electrical industry.
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Apprenticeship programs
To obtain a Colorado electrical license, you must meet specific requirements, including education, experience, and examination. One path to qualify for the license is through
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Exam requirements
To obtain a Colorado electrical license, you must meet specific requirements and pass the necessary exams. Here is a detailed overview of the exam requirements for each type of electrical license in Colorado:
Residential Wireman License Exam:
The Colorado Residential Wireman Exam is a crucial step towards obtaining a residential wireman license. This exam consists of 90 questions that must be completed within a time limit of 4.5 hours. The exam is open-book, allowing candidates to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) during the test. To pass the exam, a score of 70% or higher is required. Study guides and exam preparation materials are available to assist candidates in their test preparation. After submitting your application to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), you will be required to take this exam, which costs $75. A passing grade will earn you the residential wireman license, while failure incurs a $70 re-test fee.
Journeyman Wireman License Exam:
The Colorado Journeyman Wireman Exam is a prerequisite for obtaining a journeyman electrician license. This exam, similar to the residential wireman exam, consists of 90 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 4.5 hours. The open-book nature of the exam allows candidates to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC). A score of 70% or higher is considered a passing grade. Study guides and exam preparation materials are also available for this exam.
Master Electrician Licensing Exam:
The Colorado Master Electrician Licensing Exam is the final step in obtaining a master electrician license, the highest level of electrical certification in Colorado. This exam, like the previous two, consists of 90 questions and has a time limit of 4.5 hours. It covers a comprehensive range of topics, including planning, layout, and supervisory aspects of electrical work. The exam is open-book, allowing candidates to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) during the test. A passing score of 70% or better is required to obtain the master electrician license.
Reciprocal Licensing Exams:
Colorado has reciprocity agreements with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, and more. These agreements simplify the process for licensed electricians moving to Colorado from these states. To qualify for reciprocity, you must submit proof of your current license and work experience to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). If you meet the requirements, DORA will issue you a Colorado license without the need to retake exams.
Apprenticeship Exams:
While not a direct requirement for licensure, enrolling in an apprenticeship program is a crucial first step towards becoming a licensed electrician in Colorado. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JACT) offers union internships in Denver, Colorado Springs, Clifton, and Pueblo. These internships provide valuable hands-on experience and prepare you for the state's electrical licensing exams.
It is important to note that electrical licenses in Colorado must be renewed every three years, and the associated fees may vary depending on the type of license.
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Application fees
To become a licensed electrician in Colorado, you must pay several fees. The fees vary depending on the type of license and the stage of the application process. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application fees:
Journeyman Electrician License
To apply for a journeyman electrician license in Colorado, you must submit an application and pay a $100 application fee. The journeyman electrician license allows you to perform commercial and industrial electrical work. After submitting your application, you will need to take the journeyman licensing exam, which is administered by PSI Exams. The exam fee is $75. If you fail the exam, you will need to pay a $70 retest fee for each subsequent attempt. The journeyman electrician license is valid for three years and can be renewed for $120.
Residential Wireman License
To obtain a residential wireman license, you must submit an application to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and pay the associated fees. The exam fee for the residential wireman license is $75. Similar to the journeyman license, if you fail the exam, there is a $70 retest fee. The residential wireman license allows you to work on residential properties.
Master Electrician License
The master electrician license is the highest level of certification for electricians in Colorado. To apply for this license, you must provide proof of your experience and qualifications. There is a $75 exam fee for the master electrician license. If you fail the exam, the $70 retest fee applies.
Electrical Contractor License
To become a licensed electrical contractor in Colorado, you must fill out an application and pay a $150 fee. This license allows you to own and operate your own electrical business. To obtain this license, you must provide proof of general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and unemployment compensation. Additionally, you must either hold a master electrician license yourself or employ someone with a valid master electrician license. The electrical contractor license is valid for three years and can be renewed for $120.
It is important to note that the fees mentioned above are subject to change and may not include all associated costs. Applicants should refer to the official Colorado State Electrical Board website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding application fees and requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
To qualify for a Colorado electrical license, you must meet the basic requirements, including completing an apprenticeship program and gaining work experience. You can either choose to obtain an engineering degree and 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice, or pursue an associate degree/trade school education in electrical construction and gain 8,000 hours of electrical work experience.
There are three main categories of electrical licenses in Colorado:
- Residential Wireman: Permitted to work on residential properties.
- Journeyman Electrician: Allowed to perform commercial and industrial work.
- Master Electrician: Qualified to supervise and plan electrical projects.
The steps to obtain a Colorado electrical license include:
- Registering as an apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
- Completing an apprenticeship or gaining work experience.
- Submitting an application and providing the necessary documentation, such as proof of insurance and compensation coverage.
- Taking the required examinations, such as the Residential Wireman Exam or the Journeyman Wireman Exam.
- Paying the associated fees, including application and renewal fees.
