Molly Ayala
In Colorado, homeowners may perform certain electrical projects on their own homes, but only after obtaining the necessary permits and passing inspections. The Colorado State Electrical Board is responsible for licensing, registering, and regulating electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors, as well as enforcing state electrical statutes. All electrical work must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and be inspected by the State Electrical Board or the local building department. Homeowners may install electrical wiring themselves, but it must be inspected before being covered and again before occupancy. Minor projects like replacing a light fixture or installing a ceiling fan are generally considered safe for DIY work, while more complex tasks like rewiring, adding circuits, and upgrading electrical panels are not advisable without professional expertise due to safety concerns and the risk of fires and electrocution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Apprentice license | Allows work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician while taking minor roles |
| Contractor license | Can perform any electrical duty and supervise other electricians; can run an electrical business |
| Journeyman electrician | Requires at least 8,000 hours of electrical training experience, or about four years |
| Master electrician | Approved to engage in major and new electrical work project supervision |
| Reciprocity agreements | Colorado has agreements with other states, allowing those with journeyman certificates to apply for a reciprocal license in Colorado |
| Expiration | All Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses expire on September 30, 2023, and renew every three years |
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What You'll Learn
Apprentice license
To become an electrical apprentice in Colorado, you must obtain an apprentice license. This ensures that the hours you work count towards your state-required on-the-job training hours.
To obtain an apprentice license, you must first register with the Department of Regulation Agency (DORA), which is Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies. You can check if you are already registered as an apprentice by visiting the DORA website. If you are not registered, you will need to create an account. Once you have registered, you can apply for an apprentice license. To do this, select "Apply for/Renew a License or Permit" on the DORA website, then scroll down until you see "Electrical Apprentice" and click on the corresponding "Renew URL". You will then be redirected to a login page. After logging in, follow the prompts on the website. Once your application has been approved, you will be emailed an apprentice card.
As an apprentice, you will be able to perform minor roles such as wiring and installations, but only under the supervision of a licensed electrician. You will also need to complete a stipulated number of hours as an apprentice. In Colorado, this is typically 6,000-8,000 hours. You can also obtain a two-year degree from a technical school, which will allow you to work for 6,000 hours as an apprentice electrician.
After completing your apprenticeship, you will need to pass an exam to obtain your electrical license. Once you have your license, you will need to renew it every three years.
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Contractor license
In the State of Colorado, electrical contractors must carry a state-issued license. The Colorado State Electrical Board licenses, registers, and regulates electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors. The Board enforces the state's electrical statutes to protect the health and safety of Colorado's residents.
To perform electrical contracting in Colorado, you must be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the State of Colorado. You must also hold or employ a licensed master electrician to serve as the responsible individual for the company. The master electrician and company owner must sign an Acknowledgment of Responsibility Form. The selected master electrician may be the responsible party for only one company. You must also submit evidence that you comply with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation laws.
There are three main types of electrical licenses: the first requires 8,000 hours of electrical work, with 4,000 of those hours in a commercial or industrial setting; the second requires 10,000 hours of electrical work, with 4,000 of those hours in a commercial or industrial setting; and the third is a Master Electrician's license, which is required for planning and laying out electrical projects.
To obtain a Colorado electrical license, you must meet specific requirements. These include being a graduate electrical engineer of an accredited college or university and having 2,000 hours of construction experience in no less than one year, or being a graduate of an electrical trade school or community college and having 8,000 hours of experience earned in no less than four years. Some hours must be in planning and layout, and some must be in supervision while possessing a Journeyman Electrician license.
All Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses in Colorado expire on September 30, 2023, and are renewed every three years.
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Journeyman license
To obtain a journeyman electrician license in Colorado, you must complete a series of requirements and exams. The journeyman electrician license is one of four types of electrical licensure in Colorado, including residential wireman, master electrician, and independent electrical contractor.
Requirements
To be eligible for the journeyman electrician licensing exam, applicants must complete at least 288 hours of classroom and lab-based training. This training covers various topics, including fundamental electrical engineering concepts and advanced applications. Additionally, applicants must accumulate at least 8,000 hours of on-site experience working alongside a licensed electrician. Alternatively, applicants can substitute the 8,000 hours of work experience with a two-year degree from an electrical technology school and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience.
Examination
Once the requirements are met, applicants can submit an application for the journeyman electrician licensing exam. There is a $100 application fee, and the exam costs $75 to take. The test is administered by PSI, who will contact applicants to schedule the exam. To pass, a score of at least 70% is required.
Reciprocity
Colorado has journeyman electrician reciprocal licensing agreements with several states that adhere to the bylaws of the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA). Applicants from these states can apply for a Colorado journeyman reciprocal license without taking the exam. They must hold a current and active journeyman or master electrician certificate obtained through a state-administered examination in the licensing state and have held that certificate for at least one year.
Renewal
Journeyman electrician licenses in Colorado expire and must be renewed every three years. To renew the license, licensees must complete 24 professional development units.
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Master electrician license
To perform electrical contracting in Colorado, you must be a licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the state. There are four types of electrical licenses in Colorado: residential wireman, journeyman electrician, master electrician, and independent electrical contractor.
To obtain a master electrician license, you must first pass the journeyman examination. Next, you must submit an application and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Hold an electrical engineering degree from an accredited university or college, and 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice.
- Obtain a community college/trade school degree in electrical construction (or a similar field), and have 8,000 hours of experience.
- Complete 2,000 hours of experience, including planning, layout, and supervision.
The master electrician exam costs $75, and you must pass with a score of at least 70%. Once you obtain your license, it must be renewed every three years, with a renewal cost of $120. To renew a master electrician license, you are required to complete 24 professional development units.
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Reciprocity agreements
The Colorado State Electrical Board follows the bylaws of the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA). As a result, Colorado has journeyman electrician reciprocal licensing agreements with several states. These agreements allow licensed electricians in other states to work in Colorado without needing to obtain a new license, saving them time and effort.
To be eligible for a reciprocal license in Colorado, applicants must hold a current, active, and good-standing journeyman or master electrician certificate from their licensing state. This certificate must be obtained through a state-administered examination with a passing score. Additionally, applicants should have held the certificate for at least one year. The Colorado Electrical Board will issue a certificate without requiring a written examination if the applicant meets these requirements and pays the necessary fees.
Colorado has reciprocal licensing agreements with the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These agreements allow electricians licensed in these states to apply for a reciprocal license in Colorado, provided they meet the necessary criteria.
To apply for a reciprocal license in Colorado, applicants typically need to submit proof of their current license and work experience to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The specific requirements and fees may vary, and it is recommended to contact DORA for detailed information.
It is important to note that reciprocal licensing agreements are designed to facilitate the mobility of licensed electricians between states. These agreements streamline the process and reduce the administrative burden for electricians who wish to work in multiple states. By recognizing the licenses of other states, Colorado ensures that qualified electricians can seamlessly continue their profession within the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The requirements for becoming a journeyman electrician in Colorado include at least 8,000 hours or four years of electrical training experience. This experience can be obtained from residential, commercial, or industrial electrical work.
There are three types of electrical licenses in Colorado: Apprentice, Contractor, and Journeyman. An apprentice license allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. A contractor license enables you to perform any electrical duty, supervise other electricians, and run an electrical business. A journeyman license is the highest electrician license issued by the state and allows you to work on a broad spectrum of electrical projects.
To obtain an electrical license in Colorado, you need to complete apprenticeship programs and pass the required exams. The specific steps may vary depending on the type of license you are seeking. You can visit the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) website for more information on license requirements and examinations.
Yes, Colorado has reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. To qualify for a reciprocal license, you must hold a current and active journeyman or master electrician certificate obtained through a state-administered examination in the licensing state. You must have held this certificate for at least one year and meet other requirements specified by the Colorado Electrical Board.
