Georgia Electrical Contractor License Reciprocity: What Changed in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Georgia stopped offering electrical contractor licensure by reciprocity effective May 2026, according to the state board's FAQ.
• Contractors from Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee now apply for licensure by exam like everyone else.
• You need 3 years (Class I) or 4 years (Class II) of documented experience, sworn supervisor affidavits, 3 references and a passing score of 70 on the exam for your class.
• North Carolina and South Carolina still list Georgia licenses on their side, but Alabama and Tennessee don't.

Georgia no longer offers electrical contractor licensure by reciprocity. The Georgia Board of Electrical Contractors FAQ says the state "does not currently offer licensure by Reciprocity at this time (effective May 2026)." Contractors licensed in Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina or Tennessee used to skip the Georgia exam, but out-of-state applicants now go through licensure by exam.

What Is License Reciprocity?

License reciprocity lets electrical contractors use an out-of-state license to get a license in another state without taking that state's exam. Georgia's board rule still allows these agreements (Rule 121-2-.03), but the board isn't offering any right now, so experience from another state helps you qualify for the Georgia exam instead of replacing it.

What Changed in May 2026

Until May 2026, Georgia had reciprocity agreements for electrical contractor licenses with five states.

• Alabama
• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

Contractors with a current license from one of those states, earned by exam and free of violations, could get a Georgia license without the Georgia exam. The board's FAQ now says Georgia stopped offering reciprocity effective May 2026, and partner boards show the same change. The Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors says it "no longer shares reciprocity with Georgia," and South Carolina's waiver agreement list notes that Georgia no longer accepts South Carolina waiver applicants.

Some Georgia pages, such as the electrical contractor How-To Guide, still show a reciprocity application section, so go by the board's FAQ and confirm with the board before you file.

How Out-of-State Contractors Get Licensed in Georgia Now

Out-of-state contractors apply for licensure by exam, the same route Georgia applicants use. Georgia offers two statewide electrical contractor licenses under Rule 121-3-.01.

• Class I (Restricted). Covers single-phase installations up to 400 amperes at the service drop or service lateral, on residential multifamily buildings of up to two levels or single-family homes of up to three levels, under Senate Bill 553 (effective July 1, 2026).
• Class II (Non-Restricted). Covers all electrical contracting, and applicants need at least 2 years of experience on three-phase systems.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for either class must meet these requirements.

• Document at least 3 years (Class I) or 4 years (Class II, with 2 or more on three-phase systems) of full-time experience installing electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code, with 2,000 documented hours counting as 1 year
• Submit 3 references who can attest to your electrical experience, with at least 1 from a licensed electrical contractor, plus a sworn affidavit from each supervising contractor (or a licensed architect or engineer)
• Score at least 70 on the exam for your license class

Work you did under another state's license can count toward the experience requirement, as long as you document it.

Required Documents

The board's checklist for licensure by exam includes these documents.

• Completed, signed, and notarized application with the $110 fee
• Background check from your local law enforcement agency
• Work experience documentation and 3 reference forms
• A secure and verifiable document and an affidavit of citizenship, plus immigration documents if they apply
• Court documents and a letter of explanation if you have any disciplinary actions or sanctions

Application Steps

1. Register and log in to the GOALS (Georgia Online Licensing System) license portal
2. Choose the Class I (Restricted) or Class II (Non-Restricted) electrical contractor application
3. Gather all required documents and upload them to the system
4. Submit the application with the required fee
5. Wait for the board to review your application and approve you to sit for the exam
6. Pass the exam, and the board issues your license

Applications are usually processed within 20 business days of receipt. Applications must be complete at least 15 days before a board meeting to be included on that meeting's agenda.

Do Other States Still Accept a Georgia License?

Some partner states still list Georgia on their side, so check each board before you apply.

• North Carolina. The NC electrical board's Georgia page still lists a Georgia unlimited license as eligible for NC licenses by reciprocity.
• South Carolina. The waiver list still accepts a Georgia unrestricted electrical license for South Carolina's Electrical classification.
• Alabama. The Alabama board no longer accepts Georgia licenses by reciprocity.
• Tennessee. Georgia isn't on Tennessee's trade exam waiver list.

You can apply online and find current requirements on the Georgia Secretary of State's electrical contractor guide at https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-electrical-contractors and check the board's FAQ for the latest on reciprocity.