Otis Singleton
If you're interested in becoming a licensed electrician in North Carolina, there are several steps you need to take. First, you must meet the minimum age requirement and have a solid foundation in basic education, including knowledge of electrical theory, industrial safety, and electrical systems technology. Then, you'll need to gain the necessary work experience and classroom training, which can be obtained through apprenticeship programs or by working for a company that provides electrical services. The training requirements and experience needed vary depending on the local municipality, but generally, you can earn a journeyman license in about two to four years. After gaining the necessary experience and training, you'll need to pass the electrical licensing exam, which is one of the hardest trade license exams. Once you've passed the exam, you can apply for your electrical contracting license by submitting an application, paying the license fee, and providing the required documentation. Obtaining a license is crucial as it serves as proof of your experience and skill, allowing you to operate a business, advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who issues electrical contractor licenses in North Carolina | The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC or BEEC) |
| Who issues journeyman electrician licenses | Local municipalities |
| Requirements to become a licensed electrician in North Carolina | Minimum age requirement, basic education, high school degree or GED, specialized training, experience, and passing the NC electrical license exam |
| Exam fee | $90 |
| Exam format | 100 questions, 6 hours to complete |
| Training requirements for a journeyman electrician license | Varies depending on the local municipality, generally around 2-4 years |
| Training requirements for an electrical contractor license | More time and experience required than for a journeyman license, e.g. an unlimited electrical contractor license requires at least 5 years of licensed electrical trade experience |
| Examples of training for creditable secondary experience | Apprentice electrician training, electrical maintenance, electrical courses, electrical engineering, design, or consulting |
| Examples of training for creditable primary experience | Working directly in the installation of electrical wiring and equipment governed by the National Electrical Code |
| License fee | $94 to $190, depending on the license classification |
| Types of electrical contractor licenses | Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited |
| Scope of work allowed | Depends on the license classification |
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What You'll Learn
Prerequisites for electricians in North Carolina
In North Carolina, local municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, so experience requirements vary. For example, Raleigh requires a minimum of two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman electrician. Alternatively, potential Raleigh licensees must complete 36 semester hours at an electrical school accredited by the City of Raleigh Electrical Examination Board. Other areas may have different requirements, and some electrical companies will sponsor individuals to go to school and work for them.
To gain creditable secondary experience, one can engage in apprentice electrician training in an apprentice program approved by the North Carolina Department of Labor, work as an apprentice electrician or helper, complete electrical maintenance as a maintenance apprentice or electrician helper, or take National Electrical Code and related electrical courses at an accredited educational institution. Accumulating 2,000 hours of primary experience is equivalent to one creditable year, and the total number of creditable years is calculated by dividing the total hours of primary experience by 2,000.
After gaining the necessary experience, one must pass the electrical contractor exam for their desired licensure classification. The exam fee is $90, and the exam consists of 100 questions to be completed in six hours. An examination handbook is available for study purposes and covers aspects of the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC). National Electrical Codes, electrical theory, and state-specific regulations are essential topics to focus on when preparing for the exam.
Once candidates have passed the exam, they can apply for their desired electrical contracting license. They must complete a New License Application, submit the application with the license fee, and provide their "Qualified Individual Information," including their name, signature, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
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Journeyman electrician license
In North Carolina, local municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, so the requirements vary depending on location. For example, the following cities have these differing requirements:
- Raleigh requires a minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of documented and verifiable on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician. Alternatively, you must complete 36 semester hours in an electrical technical program from a school accredited by the City of Raleigh Electrical Examination Board.
- Charlotte/Mecklenburg County requires a minimum of four years (8,000 hours) of documented and verifiable on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician.
- Greensboro requires a minimum of four years (8,000 hours) of documented and verifiable on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician. Alternatively, potential Greensboro licensees must complete an apprenticeship program.
In North Carolina, you can gain the required experience through apprenticeship programs. The state offers several union-based apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) and the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC). Union apprenticeships are also available through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Cities that offer apprenticeship programs include Raleigh, Asheville, Charlotte, and more.
You can also gain necessary experience through classroom training. Formal training through a technical program is beneficial, even for electricians residing in jurisdictions that grant licensure by experience only. Enrolling in a technical school electrical program can be a great way to kick-start your career. Through one of these programs, you could earn an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Systems Technology (or similar degree) after two years, or a diploma or certificate in less time.
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Electrical contractor license
To obtain an electrical contractor license in North Carolina, you must first gain the necessary work experience and classroom training. Local municipalities in North Carolina issue journeyman electrician licenses, so experience requirements vary. For example, Raleigh requires a minimum of two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman electrician.
Once you have gained the necessary experience, you must pass the electrical contractor exam. The exam contains 100 questions, and you are given six hours to complete the test. There is a $90 exam fee, and an examination handbook is available for study purposes.
After passing the exam, you must apply for your electrical contracting license. There are 10 different classifications of electrical contracting licenses, each with a specific scope and limitation of work allowed. The license fee varies depending on the license classification, ranging from $94 to $190.
To complete the application, you will need to provide your name, signature, date of birth, and social security number. If you are adding a qualified individual to your license, you must submit a Request to Add/Remove a Qualified Individual form.
Obtaining an electrical contractor license in North Carolina demonstrates your proficiency in the electrical trade and allows you to operate a business, advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits, pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
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Exam and license fees
To obtain an electrical license in North Carolina, you must pass the required exams and pay the associated fees. Here is an outline of the exam and license fees you can expect during the licensing process:
Exam Fees:
The cost of taking the required exams is typically separate from the license fee. Exam fees must be paid to the testing provider, which is currently PSI Services LLC, an approved vendor for the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCSBEEC). The exam fees are as follows:
- Examination Retake Application: $60
- Limited Exam: $60
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Training and experience
To obtain an electrical license in North Carolina, you must first complete the necessary training and gain relevant experience. The specific requirements for training and experience vary depending on the type of electrical license you are seeking.
North Carolina offers three primary types of electrical contractor licenses: Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited. Each license has different requirements, with the Unlimited license requiring the most experience.
For example, to obtain an Unlimited license, you must have at least five years of licensed electrical trade experience. This experience includes working directly with electrical wiring and equipment governed by the National Electrical Code. Apprentice electrician training programs, electrical maintenance roles, and electrical courses at accredited educational institutions can also contribute to the required experience.
Additionally, some jurisdictions in North Carolina, such as Raleigh, require a minimum of two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed master or journeyman electrician. Alternatively, potential licensees in Raleigh can complete 36 semester hours at an electrical school accredited by the City of Raleigh Electrical Examination Board.
It is important to note that the journeyman electrician license is issued by local municipalities, while the electrical contractor licenses are issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC or BEEC). Therefore, the training and experience requirements may differ based on your location within North Carolina.
Once you have gained the necessary experience and completed any required training, you can move on to the next steps of the licensing process, which include passing the electrical contracting examination and submitting your license application.
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Frequently asked questions
You must have a solid foundation in basic education, demonstrating your readiness to embark on this career path. This includes a high school diploma or GED, and you must be at least 18 years old.
You must have a minimum of two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman electrician. Alternatively, you can complete 36 semester hours at an electrical school accredited by the relevant Electrical Examination Board.
You must pass the electrical contractor exam, which costs $90 and contains 100 questions to be completed in six hours. The exam covers National Electrical Codes, electrical theory, and state-specific regulations.
After passing the exam, you need to complete a New License Application for your desired license classification. Submit the application with the relevant fee, ranging from $94 to $190, depending on the classification. Ensure you provide your name, signature, DOB, and SSN as the qualified individual holding the electrical license.
There are three primary types of electrical contractor licenses: Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited. Each license has specific requirements and allows for different scopes of work. The Limited license permits projects up to $60,000 and 600 volts, while the Intermediate license allows projects up to $150,000. The Unlimited license has no restrictions on project value.
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