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Does North Carolina have a journeyman electrician license?

No. North Carolina has no statewide journeyman license. The NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors licenses electrical contracting, and G.S. 87-43.1 exempts electricians who work as bona fide employees of a licensed contractor. Ask your local inspections department about any local requirements where you work.

Related FAQs

How long does it take to become a licensed electrician in North Carolina?

It depends on the license class. You need 3,000 hours of experience to test for a Limited license, 5,750 for Intermediate and 9,000 for Unlimited, under 21 NCAC 18B .0201. The board counts 2,000 hours as a year, so that's about 1.5, 3 and 4.5 years of full-time work before you can sit for the exam.

Does North Carolina have a journeyman electrician license?

No. North Carolina has no statewide journeyman license. The NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors licenses electrical contracting, and G.S. 87-43.1 exempts electricians who work as bona fide employees of a licensed contractor. Ask your local inspections department about any local requirements where you work.

How much does an electrical license cost in North Carolina?

The NCBEEC exam fee is $125 for every class. After you pass, the yearly license fee is $100 for Limited, $150 for Intermediate, $200 for Unlimited and $100 for each special restricted class, according to the NCBEEC licensing page. Renewals that arrive after the license expires carry a $25 late fee.

Is the North Carolina electrical contractor exam open book?

Yes. You can use your National Electrical Code book, NFPA 72 and the NASCLA contractors guide for North Carolina during the exam, according to the NCBEEC. The Limited, Intermediate and Unlimited exams have 100 multiple-choice questions, a six-hour limit and a passing score of 70, and you take them on a computer at a PSI test center.

Can you get an electrical license in North Carolina with a felony?

Yes, it's possible. Under G.S. 93B-8.1, a North Carolina licensing board can't automatically deny a license over a criminal record, and it can deny one only when the conviction directly relates to the work or was for a violent or sexual crime. The board has to weigh factors like how serious the crime was, how long ago it happened and your record since then.

Read the full guide
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in North Carolina (2026 Guide)