Licensing Guides
Alaska Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in Alaska
Electrical, AK
April 10th, 2026
Deborah Goldman
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Alaska?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrical License in Alaska?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrical Contractors License in Alaska?
How Can I Prepare for the Electrical License Exam in Alaska?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrical License in Alaska?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in Alaska?
Working with electricity is a dangerous and demanding job, but with the right education and training you can learn how to do it right and become an electrical professional in Alaska.
Everyone needs an electrician at some point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 818,700 electricians nationwide and 1,820 in Alaska.
The national number is predicted to grow 10% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 80,000 to the ranks of this important workforce. That growth rate in Alaska is projected at 13%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in Alaska in July 2025 totaled 19,600, an increase of 1,400 (7.7%) from July 2024 and an increase of 2,800 or 17% from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Alaska
Is a license required to be an electrician in Alaska? Yes.
But it's called certification, not a journeyman license or residential electrician license as in most states. However, to run your own business as an electrical administrator, you need to have that electrical administrator certification or hire someone who has one.
To perform electrical work in the state of Alaska, journeyman and residential electricians must obtain a certificate from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Then, if you want to become an independent electrical contractor to run your own business, you must take an extra step and obtain professional licensing from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. However, before you can begin the certification and licensing process, you must register as an apprentice with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Steps to Get an Electrical License in Alaska
Must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license, a high school diploma or GED, and pass an online Algebra 1 class or a Work Keys placement test.
Enroll in an electrical apprenticeship.
Register as an apprentice with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and pay the $50 apprentice licensing fee. (The apprenticeship license must be renewed each year until you complete your apprenticeship.)
Complete hours of experience and classroom training required for your level of licensure — 8,000 hours for journeyman and 4,000 hours for residential.
Take the exam required to obtain certification as a journeyman or residential electrician.
Apply for a Certificate of Fitness through the Alaska Department of Labor.
Consider becoming licensed as an electrical administrator to own your own electrical contractor business or to become an independent electrical contractor.
How to Become an Electrician in Alaska
To become an electrical apprentice in Alaska you must find an apprenticeship program or employer willing to sponsor you. You can start on the state website, which offers several ways to begin. For assistance finding an open apprenticeship program that’s right for you, it says you can contact people ready to help:
By email at apprenticeship@alaska.gov
In person or by phone at your local Job Center,
Search “apprentice” in “Alaska” through AlaskaJobs.
You can also review registered apprenticeships in Alaska using USDOL’s Apprenticeship Finder: Apprenticeship Finder | Jobs in Alaska and Apprenticeship Finder | Alaska Programs & Sponsors.
So to recap you must find an employer to sponsor you in the Registered Apprenticeship Program (Federal DOL) and submit your trainee application found on the Mechanical Inspection Forms, Alaska Department of Labor page to MI@ALASKA.GOV. There will be a 7-10 business day processing time, and you will receive your certificate via email.
Alaska's primary union apprenticeship training program is the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT). Those who wish to become an electrical apprentice in this union must first submit an application to the AJEATT. Potential applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Alaska driver's license and a copy of their driving record, an official copy of their high school transcript, and pass an Algebra 1 class or a Work Keys placement test with the State of Alaska Job Center. Once those requirements are met, an application should be submitted to the AJEATT. If accepted into its program, the AJEATT will place you with an employer.
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska offers non-union apprenticeships. The process is roughly the same. If you are selected to be part of its program, you will be placed with a member employer.
COMPLETE NECESSARY TRAINING: In Alaska, apprentice electricians are required to complete 4,000 hours of hands-on experience for a residential electrician license or 8,000 for a journeyman license. Department of Labor apprenticeships also require 576 hours of classroom education. Classroom instruction covers a variety of topics including: electrical theory, algebraic equation manipulation for electric circuits, AC/DC currents, welding, motors and transformers, blueprint reading, first aid/safety/OSHA regulations, and electric code standards.
APPLY FOR JOURNEYMAN OR RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICIAN CERTIFICATION: Once you have completed the apprenticeship requirements, you can apply for either a journeyman electrician or residential electrician certificate. A journeyman certificate allows you to work on both commercial and residential properties. A residential certificate means you can perform only residential electrical work.
To apply for residential certification, you must have 4,000 hours of work experience, and 500 hours of classroom training time can count toward that total. Next, submit a residential application. Once you are approved, you can take the residential certification exam.
To apply for a journeyman certification, you must have 8,000 hours of work experience. Of those 8,000 hours, 6,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial properties. No more than 2,000 hours can be in residential settings. You can use 1,000 hours of classroom work toward the 8,000 hours required. Once those requirements are met, you can apply for journeyman certification. Once approved, you can take the journeyman certification exam.
TAKE THE PROFESSIONAL LICENSING CERTIFICATION EXAM: The certification exam costs $50. There is a four-hour exam time limit for both residential and journeyman certification. The exams are open book, and cover subjects such as circuits, conductors, grounding, lighting, safety, electricity categories, conduit supports and fittings, and electrical installation for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. A passing score is 70% or higher.
OBTAIN YOUR ELECTRICIAN CERTIFICATION: Electrical licenses are issued by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. A $200 application fee is required to obtain your electrician license. Residential certifications need to be renewed every two years, and there are no continuing education requirements. Journeyman certifications also need to be renewed every two years. Journeymen are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education, eight of which must be a review of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
BECOME A LICENSED ELECTRICAL ADMINISTRATOR: Before you can become a licensed independent electrical contractor in Alaska and operate your own business, you either need an electrical administrator license or to hire someone who has this status. To become an electrical administrator, you need to fill out an application, selecting a specific category of administration. Available categories include: unlimited commercial wiring, residential wiring, controls and control wiring, inside communications, outside communications, or unlimited line work outside. Your application must also include your resume, three references, and official school transcripts. Once the application is submitted, you must pass the electrical administrator exam administered by PSI Exams and obtain an Alaska business license.
ELECTRICIAN INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: Alaska requires workers' compensation insurance if you employ even one person on a regular basis. Alaska law also states all business-owned vehicles must carry commercial auto insurance. It is also a good idea to consider a business owner's policy, which combines general liability insurance with commercial property insurance.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Alaska
Alaska offers five types of electrical licenses/certifications:
Electrical Trainee: In Alaska, before you can begin the electrical certification and licensing process, you must register as an apprentice with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Electrical Journeyman: A certified journeyman can work on residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Electrical Residential: Certified residential electricians can work only on residential properties.
Journeyman Power Lineman: Professionals who maintain electrical power and telecommunications systems. They are responsible for installation, repairs, and maintenance.
Power Lineman Trainee: A total of 960 hours of classroom training. Must complete an eight-week training school, with two additional eight-week sessions of on-the-job training. Classes are held at the Electrical Training Centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and meet eight hours per day, five days per week.
Licensed independent electrical contractors who possess an electrical administrator's license may operate their own businesses.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Alaska
There are many benefits to pursuing Alaska electrician professional licensing:
Most important, it is required by law in Alaska to be certified through the state to legally perform electrical work.
Licensed electricians in Alaska have high earnings potential, depending on their skill level and area of expertise.
A trade certification is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed electricians can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
Having a certification protects your company and customers.
It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Alaska?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Alaska is $83,520 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An electrician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median electrician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.59% for entry-level workers, 3.24% for intermediate level, and 3.15% for senior level electricians. In Alaska those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $62,300
Intermediate (2-4 years): $73,100
Senior (4-7 years): $78,800
Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an electrical business, this blog can give you an idea of how to improve your profit margins.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
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How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrical License in Alaska?
The cost of a license in Alaska is the same for trainees and journeymen. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee and a $200 certificate fee for a total of $250. For electrical administrators the total fees are a little higher. There’s a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $170 license fee for a total of $320 paid to the state. The exam administered by PSI is another $150.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Electrical Contractors License in Alaska?
It will take a minimum of 4 years to complete a registered apprenticeship or the 8,000 hours of required hours of experience to become licensed at the journey level in Alaska.
Once you have received your journeyman license, you may apply to take the examination to become an electrical administrator. Applicants who are approved to take the test have one year from the date on the eligibility letter to pass the exam.
The great news is that as an apprentice you begin earning a wage from the very beginning and that compensation goes up each year as you acquire more training and knowledge until you are fully licensed at the journeyperson level.
As a licensed contractor you can start your own electrical business, be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want. And we have a tool to help you!
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Alaska Electrical Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs and trade schools to get the training you need to become an electrician in Alaska.
There are several programs that offer the training you will need to become an electrical contractor professional in Alaska. Whether you join a union apprenticeship program or seek independent electrical schooling, there are plenty of options.
The union's Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT) hosts four training locations:
The Tom Cashen Training Center in Anchorage: (907) 337-9508
The Kornfeind Training Center in Fairbanks: (907) 479-4449
The IBEW Local 1547 location in Juneau: (907) 586-3050
The IBEW Local 1547 location in Ketchikan: (907) 225-1547
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska offer non-union apprenticeships with member employers all over the state.
Several independent electrical schools exist in Alaska:
AVTEC — Alaska’s Institute of Technology Seward Campus: 809 2nd Ave., Seward, AK 99664; (907) 224-3322
Ilisagvik College 100 Stevenson St., PO Box 749, Barrow, AK 99723; (907) 852-3333
Alaska Technical Center 834 4th St., Kotzebue, AK 99752; (907) 442-1502
Alaska also has pre-apprenticeships through its Career and Technical Education in high schools and the Alaska Works Partnership.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will gain an understanding of electrical standards, as well as math and scientific principles. Electricians need keen eyesight and good hand-eye coordination, as well as proper time management skills. They also have to possess good customer service skills, work independently, exhibit good physical endurance, and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.
For more detailed information about electrical school options in Alaska, check out our post — Electrician Schools in Alaska: The Ultimate Guide.
Alaska Electrical Licensing Exam Details
Alaska requires an examination for each level of licensing.
Residential Exam candidates must: Have 4,000 hours of work experience, and 500 hours of classroom training time can count toward that total. Next, submit a residential application. Once you are approved, you can take the residential certification exam.
Journeyman Exam candidates must: Have 8,000 hours of work experience. Of those 8,000 hours, 6,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial properties. No more than 2,000 hours can be in residential settings. You can use 1,000 hours of classroom work toward the 8,000 hours required. Once those requirements are met, you can apply for journeyman certification. Once approved, you can take the journeyman certification exam.
Each of those certification exams cost $50. There is a four-hour exam time limit for both residential and journeyman certification. The exams are open book, and cover subjects such as circuits, conductors, grounding, lighting, safety, electricity categories, conduit supports and fittings, and electrical installation for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. A passing score is 70% or higher.
An individual who holds the appropriate trainee certificate of fitness may request an appointment to take the examination at the offices of the division in Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. An applicant may request that an examination be made available at a different location. If the department can accommodate that, it may refer the applicant to an approved third-party testing facility, and the applicant is responsible for the expense. An applicant who fails to pass the examination either administered by the department or conducted by proctor under this section is eligible to retake the examination 30 days after the date of the failed examination. A union based in the state may administer its own examination to an applicant under this section if an agreement on examination standards is in place between the union and the department. The union must provide documentation to the department that the applicant passed the examination with a score of not less than 70 percent by providing a sworn affidavit by a union official on a form provided by the department.
The Electrical Administrator exams are offered through a third-party testing company called PSI. The Candidate Information Bulletin outlines all of the details of the various administrator examinations including how to schedule, exam site locations, content covered and references to study.
How Can I Prepare for the Electrical License Exam in Alaska?
At each level, you must complete a certain amount of training before being permitted to sit for the exam.
DOL Registered Apprentices must successfully complete an approved U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program and work through the program director to submit a letter attesting that the apprentice is successfully progressing toward completion of the program and has completed 8,000 hours of OJT as well as 576 classroom hours or a copy of your U.S, Department of Labor apprenticeship completion certificate.
Your apprenticeship classes will help prepare you for the examination. You will want to study the National Electrical Code (NEC) as well as the Alaska Electrical Code. The test is open book and allows for you to have permanent tabs in the NEC so you can easily navigate it during the exam. You can also take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and timing. Get plenty of rest the night before the test.
Who Issues Electrical Licenses in Alaska?
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Office issues and renews all electrician’s licenses in the state.
Does My Alaska Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
Yes, your Alaska electrical license will allow you to become licensed in several other states. Alaska has reciprocal licensing agreements for Electrical Journeyman with Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Alaska no longer has a reciprocal agreement with the state of Utah. Your Alaska license will serve as evidence of your experience and successfully passing the examination.
You will still need to fulfill administrative steps to apply for a license if you choose to work in any of those states and possibly some additional requirements.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrical License in Alaska?
As stated above, the state of Alaska has reciprocal agreements for Electrical Journeyman with the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.To apply for a reciprocal electrical journeyman's license in Alaska you must supply the following information in addition to the application:
A copy of the current Electrical Journeyman License from one of the reciprocal states. You must have held this license for at least one year, and the license must be active at the time of reciprocation. You must have tested for the license you are using to reciprocate.
A copy of a current picture ID (driver's license, state ID, etc.).
Passport or digital photo at least 2”x2”. Must be a clear head and shoulders view, taken against a white or very light colored background.
Required fees. Total of $250 ($50 application fee and $200 2-year license fee).
You can find the details on the website.
National Electrical Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The main national electrical certifications are:
Independent Electrical Contractors certification
National Fire Protection Association certification
Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Are There Electrical Scholarships in Alaska?
Yes.The Alaska Power Association offers a couple of different scholarships. Local electric cooperatives like Kotzebue Electric Association and Barrow Utilities and Electric Cooperative Inc., and the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative offer scholarships. They have specific eligibility requirements, often including being a member of the co-op or a family member of one. Many smaller, local electric cooperatives offer their own scholarships to members. Look into cooperatives in your specific area of Alaska.
How Can Someone Verify My Electrical License in Alaska?
Your electrical license can be verified by potential clients or employees in Alaska through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) Division of Occupational Licensing website, which has a professional license search tool. They can also check with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as they issue the electrician certifications.
When Can an Electrical License Be Suspended in Alaska?
A suspended electrical license means that the license holder is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. An electrical license in Alaska can be suspended for various reasons related to professional or ethical conduct such as:
Performing substandard or unsafe work
Violating state laws
Failure to comply with department orders
Suspension can also stem from criminal and administrative issues like:
Criminal convictions, especially those related to the electrical trade
Failure to renew a required business license
Failure to maintain insurance
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Alaska electrician and electrical contractor license regulations you can refer to the state website.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in Alaska?
Penalties for unlicensed electrical work in Alaska can include significant fines, jail time, and civil liability. A third or subsequent violation can lead to:
Jail time of 90 days up to one year
Fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, or 20% of the contract price
Plus court-ordered restitution and civil penalties for damages to consumers
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For a detailed explanation of this process refer to the state website.
Continuing Education
Residential certifications need to be renewed every two years, and there are no continuing education requirements. Journeyman certifications also need to be renewed every two years. Journeymen are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education, eight of which must be a review of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Electrical Administrators must complete eight of continuing education from an approved provider before renewing his/her license every two years.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive electrician business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
