Electrical license requirements by state
What your state asks of a electrician before the first paid job. Pick a state below for the license and what it costs, the least insurance you must carry, whether you need a bond, when to charge sales tax, and the deadlines that protect your right to be paid.
| State | License you need | Insurance you must carry | Workers' comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | R-11 Electrical (residential)Renews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as you regularly employ one worker |
| California | C-10 Electrical ContractorRenews every two years for an active license | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredas soon as you have one employee |
| Colorado | Residential WiremanRenews every three years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| Florida | Certified Electrical ContractorRenews every 2 years | $100,000plus $500,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you have one employee (the rule for construction trades) |
| Georgia | Statewide Class I Electrical ContractorRenews every two years | — | Requiredonce you regularly employ three or more people, full time or part time |
| Illinois | No state electrical license | $100,000plus $50,000 for property damage | Required |
| Indiana | Master Electrical Contractor (Indianapolis)Renews every two years | $500,000plus $100,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you have an employee |
| Maryland | Apprentice ElectricianRenews every two years | $300,000plus $100,000 for property damage | Required |
| Massachusetts | Journeyman Electrician, Certificate BRenews every three years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| Michigan | Electrical Apprentice registrationRenews every year | — | Requiredonce you meet Michigan's employee thresholds |
| Missouri | Statewide Electrical Contractor licenseRenews every three years | $500,000liability, at least | Requiredonce you have one employee, because wiring buildings is construction work |
| Nevada | C-2 Electrical contractorRenews every two years | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
| New Jersey | Licensed Electrical ContractorRenews every three years | $300,000liability, at least | Requiredas soon as anyone other than the owner works for the business for pay |
| New York | Licensed Master Electrician (New York City)Renews every year | $1,000,000liability, at least | Required |
| North Carolina | Limited (L) electrical contracting licenseRenews every year | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Requiredonce you have three or more employees on a regular basis |
| Ohio | Electrical Contractor (state license, also called a master license)Renews annual | $500,000liability, at least | Required |
| Oregon | CCB contractor license (the business license every contractor needs)Renews every two years | $300,000liability, at least | Requiredas soon as you pay one worker who is not an independent contractor |
| Pennsylvania | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, statewideRenews every two years | $50,000plus $50,000 for property damage | Requiredas soon as you have one employee, full time or part time |
| South Carolina | Mechanical Contractor, electrical classification, Contractor's Licensing BoardRenews every two years | — | Requiredonly once you cross both thresholds |
| Tennessee | Contractor License, electrical classificationRenews not published | $100,000liability, at least | Requiredas soon as you have one employee |
| Texas | Apprentice ElectricianRenews every year | $300,000liability, at least | Your choicenot required in this state |
| Utah | General Electrical Contractor (E200)Renews every two years | $1,000,000liability, at least | Requiredif you have employees |
| Virginia | Class A Contractor license, specialty Electrical (ELE)Renews not published | — | Requiredonce you regularly have more than two workers, part-time or full-time |
| Washington | General Electrical Contractor License (01) | None. L&I encourages an electrical contractor to carry liability insurance but does not require it and keeps no record of itliability, at least | Requiredas soon as you hire one employee |
| Wisconsin | Electrical Apprentice (also Industrial and Residential versions)Renews annual | No state minimumcustomers usually ask for $1,000,000 | Required |
A state appears here the day a person has checked every figure on its electrical page. Not seeing yours yet? It is on the list.