Trystan Casey
Oregon offers a variety of electrical licenses, including general journeyman, limited journeyman, and master electrician. To obtain a license, you must meet specific requirements, such as accumulating a certain number of work experience hours, completing classroom instruction, and passing an exam. The process can be stringent and long-term, with varying fees for different license types. Oregon also mandates electrical contractors to own and operate their businesses, employing other licensed electricians. This guide will explore the steps, requirements, and challenges of obtaining an electrical license in Oregon, ensuring compliance with state regulations and highlighting the benefits of proper licensing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Licenses | General Journeyman Electrician License, Limited Electrician License, Supervising Electrician License, Electrical Contractor License, Limited Journeyman Plant Electrician License, Limited Residential Electrician License |
| Requirements | Varying hours of electrical installation experience, an exam, and an application with supporting documents |
| Experience Hours | 8,000-16,000 hours of electrical installation experience, including on-the-job training and classroom instruction |
| Exam Details | Score 75% or above on a 52-question code lookup test, with some licenses also requiring 12 calculation questions |
| Application Documents | Electrical experience verification form and a verifier who was intimately involved in the work experience |
| Renewal | Licenses must be renewed every three years and require continuing education credits |
| Fees | Typically between $50 and $100, but may vary by license type |
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What You'll Learn
Accumulate experience hours
To obtain an electrical license in Oregon, you must gain the necessary experience hours. This can be achieved through either an approved internship program or by accumulating work experience and classroom training.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries maintains a list of approved apprenticeship programs that can provide the necessary training and experience. This is a great option for those starting from scratch, as it provides a structured path to gaining the required skills and knowledge.
If you choose to accumulate work experience and classroom training, there are specific requirements you need to meet. You must complete 8,000 hours of work experience, which is equivalent to four years of full-time work. Additionally, 576 hours of classroom or technical training are required. These experience hours must include electrical installation work, and they can be accumulated either inside or outside the state of Oregon.
It is important to note that the requirements for a general journeyman electrician license and a limited electrician license may differ slightly. For example, to become a limited electrician, you may need to accumulate experience hours specifically within your specialty area.
The process of becoming an electrician in Oregon takes time, but it is worth noting that you can get paid while you learn and gain experience. The demand for skilled electricians is high, and with the right training and experience, you will have a wide range of job opportunities to choose from.
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$38.95
Pass the exam
To obtain an electrical license in Oregon, you must pass an exam. The type of exam you need to take depends on the type of electrician license you are applying for. Oregon offers several types of electrician licenses, including general journeyman, limited journeyman, and master electrician.
General Journeyman Electrician License Exam
The General Journeyman Electrician License exam consists of 52 questions that can be described as a code lookup. There is no physical practicum test. To pass the exam and obtain your license, you need to score at least 75%.
Limited Journeyman Plant Electrician License Exam
The Limited Journeyman Plant Electrician (PJ) License exam is also a 52-question code lookup exam, with no physical practicum test. To pass, you need to score at least 75%. This license allows you to make electrical installations in a plant setting under the supervision of a supervising electrician.
Limited Supervising Electrician License Exam
The Limited Supervising Electrician License exam consists of two parts. The first part is a 52-question code lookup, and the second part consists of 12 calculation questions. To pass, you need to score at least 75% on both parts in one sitting. This license allows you to make electrical installations in Oregon under the supervision of a general or limited supervising electrician.
Master Electrician License Exam
While there are no explicit details about the Master Electrician License exam, it is known that to obtain this license, you must have accumulated a certain number of hours of electrical installation experience, which can be outside the state of Oregon. The exact number of hours required is unclear, with sources stating 8,000, 9,000, 15,000, and 16,000 hours. It is also important to note that Oregon has stringent standards for licensing electricians, and the required training and testing are considered intense and long-term.
Tips for Passing the Exams
To increase your chances of passing the electrician license exams in Oregon, it is recommended to take practice tests. Additionally, make sure you meet the experience requirements and have the necessary documentation verified by an intimate coworker, foreman, or supervisor (not a human resources representative or office personnel).
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Apply for a license
To obtain an electrical license in Oregon, you must meet the experience requirements and pass the relevant exam.
To apply for a general journeyman electrician license, you need 8,000 hours (four years) of full-time work experience, in addition to 576 hours of classroom instruction. You must also pass the General Journeyman Electrician License exam, which consists of 52 code lookup questions, and achieve a score of 75% or higher.
For a limited journeyman plant electrician license, you must pass the Limited Journeyman Plant Electrician License exam, which also consists of 52 code lookup questions, and achieve a score of 75% or more. This license allows you to make electrical installations in a plant setting under the supervision of a supervising electrician.
If you are applying for a limited residential electrician license, there are three paths to licensure. The exam consists of 52 code lookup questions, and you must score 75% or higher.
To obtain a supervising electrician license, you must first work as a general journeyman electrician for four years. After submitting the necessary application and supporting documents, you can take the supervising electrician exam.
Oregon also offers specialty and limited electrician licenses. The time and qualifications required for these vary. For example, the Limited Supervising Electrician License exam is made up of two parts. The first part is a 52-question code lookup, and the second part is 12 calculation questions. To obtain this license, you must score 75% on both parts in one sitting.
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License renewal
To renew your electrical license in Oregon, you must complete a three-step process:
- Get the required continuing education (CE) credits: The number of hours and topics covered depend on your specific license type. All licensees need a set number of hours on code change (CC) and code-related (CR) content. Some licenses also require hours on Oregon rules and law (ORL). For example, general journeyman electricians need 4 ORL hours, 8 CC hours, and 12 CR hours (24 total), while limited residential electricians need 4 ORL hours, 8 CC hours, and 4 CR hours (16 total).
- Complete the renewal application: The state of Oregon uses an online license management tool for renewals. Log in to your account and follow the steps to submit your renewal application.
- Pay the renewal fee: Renewal fees vary depending on your license type.
It's important to note that electrical licenses in Oregon expire every three years, and you can find the expiration date printed on your license. The specific deadlines vary according to the type of license. For example, the deadline for general journeyman electricians and limited residential electricians is October 1, 2024, while the deadline for limited supervisor manufacturing plant electricians is October 1, 2025.
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Become an electrical contractor
To become an electrical contractor in Oregon, you must obtain a license from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Electrical contractors own and operate their own businesses and can hire other licensed employees to work for them.
The CCB publishes a guide that outlines the requirements and forms needed to obtain an electrical contractor license. To obtain a CCB license, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete a minimum of 16 hours of training on law and business practices
- Pass the necessary exam
- Provide the CCB with surety bonds and proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance
- Register your business name with the Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon offers several electrical contractor licenses, including residential, commercial, and dual contractor licenses.
Before becoming an electrical contractor, you must gain experience as an electrician. Oregon offers several types of specialty and limited electrical licenses, each requiring different levels of experience and classroom training. To become a licensed journeyman electrician in Oregon, you must complete an approved internship program or accumulate 16,000 hours of electrical installation experience outside the state. After gaining experience and passing the exam, you can apply for your journeyman electrician license. Once you have worked as a journeyman electrician for four years, you are eligible to become a supervising electrician and eventually an independent electrical contractor.
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