- Four years of practical experience as a journeyman electrician in charge of jobs, or four years of experience in the design and construction of electrical systems.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every year. Electrical contractors must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years.
Do you need a state license in Alabama?
Alabama licenses electrical work at the state level through the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Alabama license types for electrical work
Alabama splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Electrical Contractor | Plans, lays out and supervises electrical installations; may also be called master electrician |
| Journeyman Electrician | Installs wiring and equipment working under a master or state certified electrical contractor |
Steps to get licensed in Alabama
- Gain four years as a journeyman in charge of jobs or in electrical design and construction.
- Send the paper electrical contractor exam application with the $165 fee.
- Pass the exam.
- Submit forms EC-1 and EC-2 with the $150 license fee.
- Renew every year and complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Four years of practical experience as a journeyman electrician in charge of jobs, or four years of experience in the design and construction of electrical systems.
The license to apply for. Electrical Contractor (Master Electrician) license.
Alabama electrical exams
Trade exam. Yes. An electrical contractor exam ($165) or journeyman exam ($115).
Business and law exam. Yes. Reciprocity applicants must pass the board's Business and Law exam through Prov.
What it costs in Alabama
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electrical contractor exam | $165 |
| Electrical contractor license | $150 |
| Journeyman electrician exam | $115 |
| Journeyman electrician license | $35 |
| Reciprocity processing fee | $315 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year. Electrical contractors must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years.
Reciprocity. Available for holders of a license from an equivalent exam in Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio or Louisiana (contractor only) or Texas (contractor or journeyman). The NASCLA electrical contractor exam is also accepted. No reciprocity with Georgia.
Good to know in Alabama
- Unlicensed electrical contracting can bring an administrative fine of up to $5,000.
- No new provisional (local) electrical contractor licenses have been issued since May 15, 2024.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for an electrician near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how electrical contractors run on Koira.