Beatrice Lang
If you're interested in starting an electrical contracting company in Colorado, there are a few key steps you'll need to take to ensure your business complies with state regulations. Firstly, it's essential to understand that electrical work is a skilled trade in Colorado, and all electricians must be licensed by the state. This means that to become an electrical contractor, you or one of your employees must obtain a valid electrical license. The licensing process involves registering as an apprentice, completing an apprenticeship, and gaining the necessary training and experience. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) oversees the issuance of electrical licenses, and the State Electrical Board is responsible for licensing, registering, and regulating electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors.
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What You'll Learn
Register as an electrical apprentice
To become an electrical contractor company in Colorado, you must first register as an electrical apprentice. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register as an electrical apprentice in Colorado:
Step 1: Register as an Apprentice
First, you need to create an account and register as an apprentice with the Colorado State Electrical Board, also known as the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This is a crucial step, as it is required by law in Colorado for apprentices to be registered with the State Electrical Board.
Step 2: Find an Electrical Apprenticeship
After registering, you need to find an electrical apprenticeship to gain the necessary training. Both union and non-union apprenticeships are available in Colorado. Union apprenticeships are offered through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JACT), which adheres to the standards of the National Training Alliance. JACT apprenticeships can be found in Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, and Clifton. To register for a union apprenticeship, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years old
- Possess a valid photo ID
- Have reliable transportation
- Be physically fit
- Pass a general aptitude test
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent
If you prefer a non-union apprenticeship, two of the largest programs in Colorado are the Independent Electrical Contractors, Rocky Mountain Chapter, and the Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado, which is associated with the Associated Builders and Contractors, Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Step 3: Register Your Apprenticeship with the State
Once you have secured an apprenticeship, you and your contractor must register it with the Colorado State Electrical Board. There is a $30 registration fee that your contractor will be responsible for paying.
Step 4: Complete Necessary Training
As an apprentice, you will need to gain the necessary training and experience to become a licensed electrician. There are different paths you can take to achieve this:
- Option 1: Complete at least 288 hours of classroom and lab-based training, along with at least 8,000 hours of on-site experience working with a licensed electrician.
- Option 2: Obtain a two-year degree from an electrical technology school and accumulate 6,000 hours of work experience, supervised by a licensed electrician.
Step 5: Apply for the Journeyman Licensing Exam
After completing your apprenticeship and the necessary training, you can apply for the electrical journeyman licensing exam. This requires submitting an application and paying a $100 application fee and a $75 exam fee. The exam is administered by PSI, and they will contact you to schedule the test. To pass the Colorado Journeyman Wireman Exam, you must score at least 70%.
Step 6: Renew Your License
Once you obtain your journeyman license, remember that it needs to be renewed every three years. Keep track of the renewal date to ensure your license stays active.
By following these steps, you can register as an electrical apprentice in Colorado and begin your journey towards becoming a licensed electrician.
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$39.95
Find an electrical apprenticeship
To find an electrical apprenticeship in Colorado, you must first register as an electrical apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulation Agency. You can then search for apprenticeship opportunities through IECRM (IEC Rocky Mountain), which offers an apprenticeship training program accredited by the US Department of Labor. IECRM's program lets you earn while you learn, and you can obtain a national certification from the US Department of Labor upon completion.
IECRM offers several ways to find employment through its network:
- Check the IECRM "Jobs" board for open positions.
- Attend one of the IECRM Career Fairs to meet hiring contractors in person or online.
- Request to be added to the IECRM "Hire List", which is shared with hiring contractors after you attend an initial Office of Apprenticeship ("OA") interview (held on Tuesdays online).
Tuition for the IECRM apprenticeship program is paid per semester (2 semesters per school year), and there are different rates for members and non-members. Books are not included in the cost of tuition and typically range from $400 to $600 per year. If you are a student planning to pay your own tuition, you can call IECRM to find out about payment options. IECRM also offers Self-Pay and Tuition Assistance options for prospective apprentices who are currently job-detached.
It is important to note that before starting an apprenticeship, you will need to obtain an apprentice license. You can choose between the Electrical Training Alliance, which follows the standard of the National Training Alliance, and the Independent Electrical Contractors, the Rocky Mountain Chapter, and the Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado. Regardless of your choice, you must register with the Colorado State Electrical Board, and your contractor will be required to pay a $30 registration fee.
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Complete training and exams
To become an electrical contractor in Colorado, you must complete the necessary training and exams to obtain your electrician license. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Complete an Apprenticeship Program:
First, you must register as an electrical apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Then, find an electrical apprenticeship program to gain the required training. You can find apprenticeship opportunities through educational organizations like the IEC Rocky Mountain, or your current electrical contractor can contact them to register you as an apprentice. Once you secure an apprenticeship, remember to register it with the Colorado State Electrical Board and pay the $30 registration fee.
Meet the Educational and Experience Requirements:
To be eligible for the journeyman electrician license in Colorado, you must meet specific educational and experience requirements. You have the following options:
- Option 1: Complete at least 288 hours of classroom and lab-based training and 8,000 hours of on-site experience with a licensed electrician.
- Option 2: Obtain a two-year degree from an electrical technology school and 6,000 hours of work experience supervised by a licensed electrician.
Take the Journeyman Electrician Licensing Exam:
After completing your apprenticeship and meeting the educational and experience requirements, you're ready to apply for the journeyman electrician licensing exam. Submit your application, along with the required fees. The exam is administered by PSI, and they will contact you to schedule the test. The Colorado Journeyman Wireman Exam is an open-book test with 90 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
Obtain Your Electrical Contractor License:
If you plan to own your own electrical contractor business, you must obtain an electrical contractor license. Fill out the application and provide proof of general liability insurance, Colorado workers' compensation coverage, and unemployment compensation. Additionally, you must either hold a valid Master Electrician license or employ someone with one. Contractor licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed at a cost of $120.
Remember, becoming an electrical contractor in Colorado requires dedication and a strong commitment to learning the trade. Ensure that you carefully review the requirements, stay organized, and stay focused on your goal. Good luck on your journey toward becoming a licensed electrical contractor!
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Gain experience as a journeyman electrician
To become an electrical contractor company in Colorado, you must be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the State of Colorado. This involves a number of steps, including gaining experience as a journeyman electrician. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to gaining this experience:
First, you must register as an electrical apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This is a necessary step to start your journey towards becoming a journeyman electrician.
Next, you will need to find an electrical apprenticeship to gain the necessary training and practical experience. This will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to become a journeyman electrician. The contractor you work for will need to pay a $30 registration fee to the Colorado State Electrical Board.
As an apprentice, you will need to complete at least 288 hours of classroom and lab-based training. This educational component will cover various topics relevant to your future role as a journeyman electrician. Additionally, you will be required to gain substantial on-site experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician. There are two pathways to achieving this:
- Option 1: Obtain a two-year degree from an electrical technology school and complete 6,000 hours of work experience, supervised by a licensed electrician.
- Option 2: Accumulate 8,000 hours of on-site experience with a licensed electrician. This option does not require a two-year degree but still provides you with valuable hands-on training.
It is important to note that all your practical experience must be carefully documented on the Affidavit of Experience form. This form is provided by the State Electrical Board and should be completed by the electrical contractor supervising your work. Some of your hours should include supervision while holding a Journeyman Electrician license. However, please be aware that these supervision hours will not be applied to the total number of hours required to maintain compliance and prevent double credit.
Once you have completed the required classroom training and accumulated the necessary on-site experience, you will be ready to take the journeyman electrician licensing exam. This exam is administered by PSI, and you will need to submit an application along with the associated fees. To obtain your journeyman electrician license, you must pass the Colorado Journeyman Wireman Exam with a score of at least 70%. Remember, gaining experience as a journeyman electrician is a crucial step towards becoming an electrical contractor company in Colorado, as it provides you with the qualifications and knowledge needed to advance in your field.
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Apply for a master electrician license
To become an electrical contractor company in Colorado, you must first be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the State of Colorado. This involves several steps, including applying for a master electrician license. Here is a detailed guide on how to obtain a master electrician license in Colorado:
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible to take the master electrician licensing exam in Colorado, you must meet specific educational and experiential requirements. You must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
- Hold an electrical engineering degree from an accredited university or college and have 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice. Some of these hours must be in planning and layout.
- Obtain a community college or trade school degree in electrical construction or a similar field and have 8,000 hours of experience. Again, some of these hours should be in planning and layout.
- Have 2,000 hours of experience, including planning, layout, and supervision, in addition to meeting the Journeyman Wireman requirements.
Examination Process:
Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can proceed with the application process for the master electrician licensing exam. Here are the steps to follow:
- Submit an application: Fill out the necessary forms provided by the Colorado State Electrical Board. Ensure that all your practical experience is documented on the Affidavit of Experience form. This form must be completed by the electrical contractor who supervised your work.
- Pay the application and exam fees: There is typically a $100 application fee and a $75 exam fee. These fees may vary depending on the licensing body and are subject to change over time.
- Schedule and take the exam: The exam is administered by PSI, and they will contact you to schedule the exam. To pass the master electrician exam, you must achieve a score of at least 70%.
License Renewal:
It is important to note that electrician licenses in Colorado need to be renewed periodically. All Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses were set to expire on September 30, 2023, and they renew every three years. You can view your specific expiration date on your online account. To renew your master electrician license, you may be required to complete continuing education credits or professional development units.
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Frequently asked questions
To become an electrical contractor in Colorado, you must be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the State of Colorado. This means holding a master electrician license or employing a licensed master electrician to be the responsible individual for the company. The master electrician must be the responsible party for only one company. You must also submit evidence that you comply with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation laws.
To get a master electrician license in Colorado, you must meet one of the following three criteria:
- Have an electrical engineering degree from an accredited college or university and 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice.
- Have a community college or trade school degree in electrical construction (or a comparable field) and 8,000 hours of experience.
- Have 2,000 hours of experience earned in no less than one year, in addition to the Journeyman Electrician requirements.
To get a Journeyman Electrician license in Colorado, you must complete an electrical apprenticeship and have at least 288 hours of classroom and lab-based training, as well as at least 8,000 hours of on-site experience with a licensed electrician. Alternatively, you can have a two-year degree from an electrical technology school and 6,000 hours of work experience supervised by a licensed electrician. After completing the necessary training, you must submit an application, along with a $100 application fee and a $75 exam fee. To pass the Colorado Journeyman Wireman Exam, you must score at least 70%.
