Electrical license requirements by state
Whether you need an electrical license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
41States with a state license
4Partly, or registration only
5Leave it to cities and counties
Electrical licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Electrical Contractor (Master Electrician) license |
| Alaska | Yes | Electrical Administrator license with electrical contractor registration |
| Arizona | Yes | R-11 Electrical (residential), C-11 Electrical (commercial) or CR-11 Electrical (dual) |
| Arkansas | Yes | Master Electrician license |
| California | Yes | C-10 Electrical Contractor |
| Colorado | Yes | Master Electrician license with Electrical Contractor registration |
| Connecticut | Yes | E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor |
| Delaware | Yes | Master Electrician |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Master Electrician (and an Electrical trade contractor license for the business) |
| Florida | Yes | Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) |
| Georgia | Yes | Electrical Contractor, Class II (unrestricted) or Class I (restricted) |
| Hawaii | Yes | C-13 Electrical Contractor (plus a Supervising Electrician license) |
| Idaho | Yes | Electrical Contractor license |
| Illinois | No, local only | None at state level |
| Indiana | No, local only | None at state level |
| Iowa | Yes | Electrical Contractor license (you are, or employ, a Class A or B master electrician) |
| Kansas | No, local only | None at state level |
| Kentucky | Yes | Electrical Contractor license |
| Louisiana | Partly | Commercial license with the Electrical classification |
| Maine | Yes | Master Electrician license |
| Maryland | Yes | Master Electrician license |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Master Electrician (A) license |
| Michigan | Yes | Electrical Contractor license (with a Master Electrician license) |
| Minnesota | Yes | Electrical Contractor license (with a Master Electrician as responsible licensed individual) |
| Mississippi | Yes | Residential Electrical (home work) or the commercial Electrical major classification (commercial jobs over $50,000) |
| Missouri | No, local only | Statewide Electrical Contractor License (optional) |
| Montana | Yes | Electrical Contractor License (unlimited, with a Master Electrician as responsible electrician) |
| Nebraska | Yes | Electrical Contractor License |
| Nevada | Yes | C-2 Electrical (or the C-2a Electrical Wiring subclassification) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Master Electrician |
| New Jersey | Yes | Electrical Contractor License plus Business Permit |
| New Mexico | Yes | EE-98 Electrical (residential and commercial) |
| New York | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Electrical Contractor License (Limited, Intermediate or Unlimited) |
| North Dakota | Yes | Master Electrician (Contracting Master) |
| Ohio | Partly | Electrical Contractor (OCILB) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Electrical Contractor (unlimited, residential or limited) |
| Oregon | Yes | Electrical Contractor (C) license |
| Pennsylvania | No, local only | None at state level |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Electrical Contractor license, Class A |
| South Carolina | Yes | Residential Electrical Contractor license (residential) or Mechanical Contractor, Electrical classification (commercial) |
| South Dakota | Yes | Electrical Contractor license |
| Tennessee | Partly | Contractor license with the CE (electrical) classification, or the Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) for jobs under $25,000 |
| Texas | Yes | Electrical Contractor license, with a Master Electrician of record |
| Utah | Yes | E200 General Electrical Contractor (or E201 Residential Electrical Contractor), qualified by a Master Electrician |
| Vermont | Partly | Master Electrician (EM) |
| Virginia | Yes | Class A, B or C contractor license with the ELE classification, qualified by a Master Electrician |
| Washington | Yes | Electrical contractor license (general 01 or specialty), with an assigned administrator or master electrician |
| West Virginia | Yes | Master electrician license (State Fire Marshal), plus a contractor license with the Electrical classification |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Electrical Contractor license, with a licensed Master Electrician |
| Wyoming | Yes | Electrical Contractor license, with a Master Electrician as master of record |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
LicensingHVAC license by stateHeating, cooling and refrigeration work. Some states license it through a mechanical board, some leave it to cities.LicensingPlumbing license by stateWater, drain and gas piping. Many states license plumbers through a state board, often in apprentice, journeyman and master steps.LicensingRoofing license by stateRoof replacement and repair. Some states have a roofing license of their own, others fold it into the contractor license or leave it to cities.LicensingGeneral Contractor license by stateBuilding, remodeling and home improvement. The rules swing from a full state exam to a city permit desk.LicensingHandyman license by stateSmall repairs and odd jobs. Most states draw a dollar line, and above it you need a contractor license.