Definition
An electrical contractor license is the state credential a business needs to contract for electrical work on a home. Many states also license individual electricians (master, journeyman, residential), and a few leave all electrical licensing to cities and counties.
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Electrician license requirements by state
| State | State contractor license | State electrician license | Agency and license | Thresholds, local rules and notes | Check a license | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | Alabama Electrical Contractors Board: Electrical Contractor license (unlimited in voltage and bid amount) | Journeyman electricians are also state certified. Owners working on their own buildings are exempt. | No statewide lookup | Ala. Admin. Code ch. 303-X-3, Licensing Requirements |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Dept. of Labor Mechanical Inspection: Registered specialty contractor with Electrical Contractor trade, plus a licensed Electrical Administrator | Electricians need a state certificate of fitness (journeyman, residential wireman, trainee) from the Department of Labor. | Look up a license | Construction Contractors, Alaska DCBPL |
| Arizona | Yes | No | Arizona Registrar of Contractors: R-11 Electrical (residential); K-11 covers residential and commercial | Jobs of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a building permit. Cities issue electrical permits. Arizona does not license individual electricians; the ROC licenses the contracting business. Phoenix electrician guide | Look up a license | A.R.S. 32-1121 and Ariz. Admin. Code R4-9-103 (secondary or partial source) |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Dept. of Labor and Licensing): Master electrician (individual license); contracting with the public requires a licensed master | No separate firm license under the electrical board. Owners may wire their own primary residence unless local rules say otherwise. | Look up a license | 17 CAR Part 210, Rules of the Board of Electrical Examiners (secondary or partial source) |
| California | Yes | Yes | Contractors State License Board (CSLB); DIR Electrician Certification Unit: C-10 Electrical Contractor | Jobs of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, or any job that needs a permit. Electricians working for C-10 contractors must be state certified (General or Residential Electrician) or registered trainees. Los Angeles electrician guide San Diego electrician guide | Look up a license | CSLB Industry Bulletin 24-07, AB 2622 Implementation |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations): Electrical Contractor registration, with a licensed master electrician as responsible individual | Individuals hold state Master, Journeyman, or Residential Wireman licenses. Denver electrician guide | Look up a license | Electrical Board: Applications and Forms |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Electrical Work Examining Board: E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor | E-2 journeypersons may work only while employed by a licensed contractor. | Look up a license | Electrical License Types and Scope of Work |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation): Master, Master Special, Limited, or Residential Electrician (individual licenses; no separate firm license found) | Work without a license or a homeowner's permit from the board is unlicensed practice. | Look up a license | Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 14, Electrical Examiners (secondary or partial source) |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | DC Board of Industrial Trades (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection): Electrical Contractor license, with a designated DC-licensed master electrician and a bond | Master and journeyman electricians are licensed by the District. | No statewide lookup | Board of Industrial Trades, DLCP |
| Florida | Yes | Local only | Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (DBPR): Certified Electrical Contractor (EC, statewide) or Registered Electrical Contractor (ER, local) | Journeyman electricians are licensed by counties and cities. A registered (ER) contractor may work only where they hold a local competency card. Miami electrician guide Tampa electrician guide Orlando electrician guide | Look up a license | Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, DBPR |
| Georgia | Yes | No | Georgia Division of Electrical Contractors (State Construction Industry Licensing Board): Class I (restricted: single-phase, up to 200 amps) or Class II (unrestricted) Electrical Contractor | Check your city or county for any local requirements. Most homes fall within the Class I limit. No state journeyman electrician license was found. | Look up a license | Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. Chapter 121-3, Application for Licensure (secondary or partial source) |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Hawaii Contractors License Board; Board of Electricians and Plumbers (DCCA): C-13 Electrical Contractor | Jobs over $1,500, or any job that needs a building permit. Journey worker and supervising electricians are licensed by the state Board of Electricians and Plumbers. | Look up a license | Board of Electricians and Plumbers, DCCA (secondary or partial source) |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Electrical Board: Electrical Contractor (also Limited Electrical Contractor) | Master and journeyman electricians are licensed by the state. | Look up a license | Electrical Board, Idaho DOPL |
| Illinois | No, local | Local only | None at state level; cities and counties | Licensing is set by municipalities, such as Chicago's Department of Buildings. State law lets municipalities require electrical contractor registration. Ask your city or county. | No statewide lookup | Illinois Municipal Code 65 ILCS 5/11-33-1 (registration of electrical contractors) (secondary or partial source) |
| Indiana | No, local | Local only | None at state level; cities and counties | Licensing is local, such as the Indianapolis/Marion County Board of Electrical Examiners. Requirements vary by city and county; check with the office that issues your permit. | No statewide lookup | Indiana Electrician License Requirements (contractorlicenserequirements.com) (secondary or partial source) |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | Iowa Electrical Examining Board (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing): Electrical Contractor (must be or employ a licensed class A or B master electrician) | Cities may run their own inspection programs but cannot re-license state licensees. Owners may wire an existing single-family home they live in that qualifies for the homestead credit. | No statewide lookup | Iowa Code chapter 103, Electricians and Electrical Contractors |
| Kansas | No, local | Local only | None at state level; cities and counties | Licensing is local, for example Wichita, Kansas City KS, Topeka, and Johnson County. A license from one city or county does not automatically apply elsewhere in Kansas. | No statewide lookup | Kansas Electrician License Requirements (contractorlicenserequirements.com) (secondary or partial source) |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction: Electrical Contractor (must be or employ a full-time master electrician) | State licensing supersedes local electrician licensing rules. Contractors must carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance. | Look up a license | KRS 227A.010 and 227A.060 |
| Louisiana | Yes | Local only | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC): Electrical Work (classification 5) | Electrical work valued over $10,000. Individual electricians are licensed by parishes and cities, such as New Orleans. For jobs of $10,000 or less, check local parish or city licensing and permit rules. | No statewide lookup | LSLBC Exams and Classifications (secondary or partial source) |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation): Master Electrician (individual license; no separate firm license found) | Permits are pulled by the master or limited electrician doing the work. | Look up a license | Electricians' Examining Board FAQ (secondary or partial source) |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Maryland State Board of Electricians (Maryland Department of Labor): Master Electrician license, with required liability insurance | All electrical work must be done by a licensed master, journeyperson, or supervised apprentice; unlicensed work can bring fines up to $5,000. | Look up a license | State Board of Electricians, Maryland Department of Labor |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure): Electrical/systems business license, with a licensed Master (Class A) as licensee of record | Master (A) and Journeyman (B) electricians are licensed by the state. | Look up a license | Apply for an electrical/systems business license |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division: Electrical Contractor (requires an associated Master Electrician) | Detroit issues its own electrical licenses. Journeyman and master electricians are licensed by the state. | Look up a license | Electrical Examination, Licensing and Registration Application Information |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: Electrical Contractor license | Owner-occupants may do their own wiring if the home has its own electrical service. Individuals hold Class A master or journeyworker licenses. | Look up a license | Minn. Stat. 326B.33, Electrical licenses |
| Mississippi | Yes | No | Mississippi State Board of Contractors: Residential Electrical license (residential); Electrical classification for commercial work over $50,000 | Cities and counties may add their own permit or license rules. Residential electrical subcontractors need a license no matter the dollar amount. No state electrician license was found. | Look up a license | MSBOC Residential Laws and Rules (Miss. Code 73-59-3) (secondary or partial source) |
| Missouri | No, local | Local only | Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (optional license); cities and counties: Statewide Electrical Contractor license (optional) | Cities and counties license electricians; they must accept the statewide contractor license. The statewide license does not replace local permits or inspections. Check your city or county. | No statewide lookup | Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors, Missouri Division of Professional Registration (secondary or partial source) |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | Montana State Electrical Board (Department of Labor and Industry): Electrical Contractor: unlimited (master of record) or limited (journeyman of record, homes under five units) | State also licenses master, journeyman and residential electricians. | Look up a license | Montana State Electrical Board: Electrical Contractor License Application |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | Nebraska State Electrical Division (State Electrical Board): Electrical Contractor, or Class B Electrical Contractor (homes up to four units, 400 amps, towns under 100,000) | A valid city license that meets state standards can substitute within that city. Owners may wire their own single-family principal residence; this does not cover rentals. | No statewide lookup | Nebraska State Electrical Act (revised June 2026) and license descriptions |
| Nevada | Yes | Local only | Nevada State Contractors Board: C-2 Electrical Contracting; C-2f Residential Wiring subclassification | Required for jobs of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a permit. Individual electrician cards are issued by local building departments such as Clark County. Las Vegas electrician guide | Look up a license | NAC 624.200 Classification C-2: Electrical contracting (secondary or partial source) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | New Hampshire Electricians' Board (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification): Master Electrician; corporations and partnerships get a business license with a master in charge | State licenses master and journeyman electricians; apprentices register. | Look up a license | RSA 319-C:10 Corporations and Partnerships (secondary or partial source) |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs): Electrical Contractor license plus a Board-issued business permit | Electrical contractor is the only license class; journeymen register with the Board rather than hold a license. | Look up a license | Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: FAQ |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | New Mexico Construction Industries Division (Regulation and Licensing Department): EE-98 Electrical (residential and commercial) or ER-1 Residential Wiring | Journeymen need a state certificate of competence, such as EE-98J or ER-1J. | Look up a license | NMAC 14.6.4 Electrical journeyman certificates of competence |
| New York | No, local | Local only | None at state level; cities and counties license electricians | New York City (Department of Buildings) and many counties and towns license master electricians. Check with the local building department where the home is located. | No statewide lookup | Mike Holt: New York state license requirements (secondary or partial source) |
| North Carolina | Yes | No | NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: Limited, Intermediate or Unlimited, or SP-SFD Residential Dwelling (special restricted) | Limited covers one project up to $60,000; Intermediate up to $150,000; Unlimited any value. No journeyman license; the license is held by a qualified individual on the contractor's behalf. | Look up a license | NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: Licensing |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | North Dakota State Electrical Board: Master Electrician (contracting); Class B for farm wiring and small-town one or two family homes | Only masters (or Class B, within limits) may contract, with $500,000 liability insurance on file with the Board. | Look up a license | N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-09 Electricians |
| Ohio | No, local | Local only | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (commercial only) | Residential electrical contractors are licensed or registered by local building departments. The state OCILB electrical license covers commercial work, though some cities require it for residential. | Look up a license | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Oklahoma Construction Industries Board: Unlimited Electrical Contractor or Residential Electrical Contractor (one and two family homes) | Journeymen cannot contract on their own and must work for a licensed contractor. | No statewide lookup | OAC Title 158 Chapter 40, Electrical Licensing |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Oregon Building Codes Division, plus Construction Contractors Board: Electrical Contractor license (requires a CCB license and a full-time signing supervisor) | State also licenses supervising, journeyman and limited residential electricians. | Look up a license | Oregon License Directory: Electrical Contractor (C) |
| Pennsylvania | No, local | Local only | None at state level; Attorney General registers home improvement contractors | Philadelphia and some other municipalities license electrical contractors. Home improvement contractors doing $5,000 or more a year must register with the Attorney General. | Look up a license | Pennsylvania Electrician License Requirements (secondary or partial source) |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | RI Board of Examiners of Electricians (Department of Labor and Training): Certificate A, Electrical Contractor | State also licenses journeyperson electricians (Certificate B). | Look up a license | 260-RICR-30-15-7 Electricians |
| South Carolina | Yes | No | SC Residential Builders Commission (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation): Residential Electrician (residential specialty contractor license) | Residential electrical work over $500. Some cities and counties have their own electrician requirements. Commercial electrical work over $10,000 needs a Contractor's Licensing Board license instead. | Look up a license | SC LLR: Residential Electrician License |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | South Dakota Electrical Commission (Department of Labor and Regulation): Electrical Contractor; Class B Electrician license also available | Commission licenses all electricians in the state; apprentices work under a licensed contractor. | No statewide lookup | SD Electrical Commission: Licensing (secondary or partial source) |
| Tennessee | Yes | Local only | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors: Contractor license with CE electrical classification ($25,000 and up); Limited Licensed Electrician under $25,000 | CE license for jobs of $25,000 or more; LLE below that where no local licensing exists. Journeyman and master licensing is local wherever a codes office exists. | Look up a license | Who Needs a Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) License? |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Electrical Contractor (must have a designated master electrician) | Cities may have their own permit rules. State also licenses master, journeyman and residential wireman electricians. Houston electrician guide San Antonio electrician guide | Look up a license | TDLR Electricians: Frequently Asked Questions |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL): E200 General Electrical Contractor or E201 Residential Electrical | State also licenses master, residential master, journeyman and residential journeyman electricians. | Look up a license | Utah Admin. Code R156-55a-301 License Classifications |
| Vermont | No, local | Yes | Vermont Electricians Licensing Board (Division of Fire Safety): No separate business license; work is done under a licensed master electrician | Licensed electricians are exempt from the state's residential contractor registration. | Look up a license | 26 V.S.A. 902 Master electrician license (secondary or partial source) |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR): Class A, B or C contractor license with the Electrical (ELE) specialty | Jobs over $1,000; Class C up to $30,000, Class B up to $150,000, Class A above. Board for Contractors also licenses journeyman and master electricians as tradesmen. | Look up a license | Code of Virginia 54.1-1100 Definitions |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I): General or specialty electrical contractor license, with a designated master or administrator | Electricians need L&I certificates, such as 01 general journey level or 02 residential specialty. | Look up a license | RCW 19.28.041 Electrical contractor license |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | WV Contractor Licensing Board (Division of Labor); State Fire Marshal licenses electricians: Electrical contractor license | Residential jobs of $5,000 or more; commercial $25,000 or more. State Fire Marshal licenses master and journeyman electricians statewide. | No statewide lookup | W. Va. Code 30-42-3 Definitions (secondary or partial source) |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS): Electrical Contractor (business credential) | State also licenses master, residential master, journeyman and residential journeyman electricians. | Look up a license | DSPS: Electrical Contractor |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (State Fire Marshal): Electrical Contractor (requires a Wyoming licensed master electrician of record) | Journeymen and masters are state licensed and must work for a licensed electrical contractor. | Look up a license | Wyoming State Fire Marshal: Electrical Licensing |
All 50 states and DC, checked October 11, 2026 against each state's licensing agency or statute where it publishes the rule. Rows marked secondary or partial source rest on a trade or licensing guide or on a page that confirms only part of the row. Confirm with the agency before you hire.
Need an electrician? Call the electrician line, then ask for the license number and look it up before work starts.
States with no state electrical contractor license
8 states do not license electrical contractors statewide: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont. Cities and counties there license electricians and issue permits, so the local building department is the place to check. 35 states and DC license individual electricians at the state level.
How to check an electrician's license
- Ask for the contractor license number, and the name of the master electrician if your state requires one.
- Look it up with the link in the table and confirm it is active and in the company's name.
- Ask who pulls the permit. Panel upgrades, new circuits, generators and EV chargers usually need one, and the inspection protects you.
- Get the insurance certificate from the insurer.
- If your state licenses only locally, call the city or county building department.
The electrical repair guide covers what electricians charge, and the roofing license table covers roofers.
More electrical guides
Questions people ask
Do electricians need a license?
In 43 of 51 jurisdictions, the contracting business needs a state license. In Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, cities and counties license electricians instead.
Which states do not license electricians statewide?
As of October 11, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont. Local licenses and permits apply there.
Do electricians need a license in Texas?
Yes. TDLR licenses electrical contractors, which must have a designated master electrician, and it also licenses master, journeyman and residential wireman electricians.
Do electricians need a license in California?
Yes. Electrical work of $1,000 or more needs a CSLB C-10 electrical contractor, and electricians working for C-10 contractors need state certification.
How do I check an electrician's license?
Use your state's lookup link in the table, confirm the license is active and in the company's name, and ask who pulls the permit.
Need a licensed electrician? Call the electrician line and ask for the license number on the call.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (51)
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 303-X-3, Licensing Requirements (checked 2026-10-10)
- Construction Contractors, Alaska DCBPL (checked 2026-10-10)
- A.R.S. 32-1121 and Ariz. Admin. Code R4-9-103 (checked 2026-10-10)
- 17 CAR Part 210, Rules of the Board of Electrical Examiners (checked 2026-10-10)
- CSLB Industry Bulletin 24-07, AB 2622 Implementation (2024-12-31)
- Electrical Board: Applications and Forms (checked 2026-10-10)
- Electrical License Types and Scope of Work (checked 2026-10-10)
- Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 14, Electrical Examiners (checked 2026-10-10)
- Board of Industrial Trades, DLCP (checked 2026-10-10)
- Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, DBPR (checked 2026-10-10)
- Ga. Comp. R. and Regs. Chapter 121-3, Application for Licensure (checked 2026-10-10)
- Board of Electricians and Plumbers, DCCA (checked 2026-10-10)
- Electrical Board, Idaho DOPL (checked 2026-10-10)
- Illinois Municipal Code 65 ILCS 5/11-33-1 (registration of electrical contractors) (checked 2026-10-10)
- Indiana Electrician License Requirements (contractorlicenserequirements.com) (checked 2026-10-10)
- Iowa Code chapter 103, Electricians and Electrical Contractors (checked 2026-10-10)
- Kansas Electrician License Requirements (contractorlicenserequirements.com) (checked 2026-10-10)
- KRS 227A.010 and 227A.060 (checked 2026-10-10)
- LSLBC Exams and Classifications (checked 2026-10-10)
- Electricians' Examining Board FAQ (checked 2026-10-10)
- State Board of Electricians, Maryland Department of Labor (checked 2026-10-10)
- Apply for an electrical/systems business license (checked 2026-10-10)
- Electrical Examination, Licensing and Registration Application Information (checked 2026-10-10)
- Minn. Stat. 326B.33, Electrical licenses (checked 2026-10-10)
- MSBOC Residential Laws and Rules (Miss. Code 73-59-3) (checked 2026-10-10)
- Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors, Missouri Division of Professional Registration (checked 2026-10-10)
- Montana State Electrical Board: Electrical Contractor License Application (checked 2026-10-10)
- Nebraska State Electrical Act (revised June 2026) and license descriptions (checked 2026-10-10)
- NAC 624.200 Classification C-2: Electrical contracting (2026-06-07)
- RSA 319-C:10 Corporations and Partnerships (checked 2026-10-10)
- Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: FAQ (checked 2026-10-10)
- NMAC 14.6.4 Electrical journeyman certificates of competence (checked 2026-10-10)
- Mike Holt: New York state license requirements (checked 2026-10-10)
- NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: Licensing (checked 2026-10-10)
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-09 Electricians (checked 2026-10-10)
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (checked 2026-10-10)
- OAC Title 158 Chapter 40, Electrical Licensing (checked 2026-10-10)
- Oregon License Directory: Electrical Contractor (C) (checked 2026-10-10)
- Pennsylvania Electrician License Requirements (checked 2026-10-10)
- 260-RICR-30-15-7 Electricians (checked 2026-10-10)
- SC LLR: Residential Electrician License (checked 2026-10-10)
- SD Electrical Commission: Licensing (checked 2026-10-10)
- Who Needs a Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) License? (checked 2026-10-10)
- TDLR Electricians: Frequently Asked Questions (checked 2026-10-10)
- Utah Admin. Code R156-55a-301 License Classifications (checked 2026-10-10)
- 26 V.S.A. 902 Master electrician license (checked 2026-10-10)
- Code of Virginia 54.1-1100 Definitions (checked 2026-10-10)
- RCW 19.28.041 Electrical contractor license (checked 2026-10-10)
- W. Va. Code 30-42-3 Definitions (checked 2026-10-10)
- DSPS: Electrical Contractor (checked 2026-10-10)
- Wyoming State Fire Marshal: Electrical Licensing (checked 2026-10-10)