Licensing Guides

North Carolina Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in North Carolina

category-iconElectrical, NC

Table of Contents
  1. License Requirements for Electricians in North Carolina

  2. Steps to Get Electrician Certification in North Carolina

  3. How to Become an Electrician in North Carolina

  4. Types of Electrical Licenses in North Carolina

  5. Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in North Carolina

  6. What is the Mean Wage for an Electrician in North Carolina?

  7. How Much Does It Cost for Electrician Licensing in North Carolina?

  8. How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in North Carolina?

  9. North Carolina Electrician Training Programs and Schools

  10. North Carolina Electrician Licensing Exam Details

  11. Who Issues Electrician Licenses in North Carolina?

  12. Does My North Carolina Electrical License Work in Any Other State?

  13. National Electrician Certifications

Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 21,900 work in North Carolina. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, adding almost 50,000 to the ranks of this skilled workforce. That growth rate is expected to be more than double that in North Carolina — projected at 17%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.

The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.

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License Requirements for Electricians in North Carolina

Is a state license required to be an electrician in North Carolina? Yes.

Electrical work performed in the state of North Carolina requires a license. The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) issues electrical contractor licenses. However, local municipalities are responsible for issuing lower-level electrician licenses, such as journeyman licenses.

Steps to Get Electrician Certification in North Carolina

  1. Gain necessary work experience and classroom training.

  2. Earn a journeyman electrician license, or its equivalent, through your local jurisdiction

  3. Become a licensed electrical contractor

How to Become an Electrician in North Carolina

GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: In North Carolina, individual municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, therefore experience requirements vary. 

Raleigh, for example, requires a minimum of two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman electrician. Otherwise, potential Raleigh licensees must complete 36 semester hours at an electrical school accredited by the City of Raleigh Electrical Examination Board.

The city of Greensboro, on the other hand, requires a minimum of four years of primary experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman electrician.

Apprenticeship programs offer another way to gain the required experience. North Carolina offers several union-based apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) and the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC).

Union apprenticeships are also available through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Cities that offer apprenticeship programs include Raleigh, Asheville, Charlotte, and more.

EARN A JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE: In North Carolina, local municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, so check with your local licensing board for specific details. Even though journeyman licenses are not regulated at a statewide level, most North Carolina counties have similar general statutes when it comes to licensing requirements.

For example, in Mecklenburg County, which is home to Charlotte, the Code Enforcement Department issues journeyman licenses. Potential licensees must work for a licensed electrical contractor and have four years of experience under the supervision of an electrical contractor. After passing the journeyman license exam, you will need to renew your journeyman license each year. Additionally, many jurisdictions require continuing education for license renewal.

BECOME AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Having your electrical contractor's license and owning an electrical contracting business can increase your lifetime earnings potential. 

After gaining the necessary work experience, you will become eligible to apply for your electrical contracting license via the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC). 

Intermediate or unlimited electrical contractor applicants will need to submit an insurance bond to the BEEC before performing any work. Licensing fees are $95 for limited electrical contractors, $140 for intermediate electrical contractors, and $190 for unlimited electrical contractors. North Carolina requires annual license renewal and continuing education.

Types of Electrical Licenses in North Carolina

In North Carolina, local municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, while the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors issues electrical contractor licenses.

North Carolina offers three types of electrical contracting license classifications:

  • Limited License: Requires four years of experience and licensees can work only on projects under 600 volts or $50,000.

  • Intermediate License: Requires six years of experience and has no voltage limitations. The licensee can work on electrical contracting projects under $130,000.

  • Unlimited License, or Unlimited Classification: Requires five years of experience, along with two electrician experience vouchers. Unlimited electrical contractors do not have project value or voltage limitations.

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in North Carolina

There are many benefits to pursuing a North Carolina electrician license:

  • Most important, North Carolina requires a license to legally perform electrical work. Properly trained electricians throughout the United States are well-versed in fire prevention measures, as well as electrical distribution systems.

  • A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.

  • Only certified electricians can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits, pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.

  • A license protects your company and customers.

  • Licensure gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.

  • It also increases your earning potential.

What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrician in North Carolina?

The annual mean wage for electricians in North Carolina is $53,610 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.

  • Electrician Apprentice: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $18.78 per hour in North Carolina and $6,000 overtime per year.

  • Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $24.89 per hour in North Carolina and $9,438 overtime per year.

  • Master Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $32.55 per hour in North Carolina.

Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly. 

ServiceTitan features:

  • SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.

  • Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.

  • Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.

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  • Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.

  • Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.

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How Much Does It Cost for Electrician Licensing in North Carolina?

Tuition at most North Carolina community colleges and technical schools costs about $2,700 per year, plus the cost of books and other study materials, as well as exam and licensure fees. Potential electricians must also be prepared to pay exam fees and licensure fees. Electrical contractor license fees range from $94 to $190, depending on the license classification.

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How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in North Carolina?

The training requirements for obtaining a journeyman electrician license in the state of North Carolina vary, depending on the local municipality. Generally speaking, you can earn a journeyman license in about four years. Becoming a licensed electrical contractor takes more time and experience, depending on the electrical contractor classification. An unlimited electrical contractor, for example, requires at least five years of licensed electrical trade experience.

North Carolina Electrician Training Programs and Schools

North Carolina is home to several community colleges, trade schools, and technical and vocational schools that provide the necessary training to become an electrical professional in North Carolina. You can find training opportunities all over the state, including bigger cities like Charlotte, as well as smaller communities.

Training at most electrical trade schools, vocational schools or community colleges includes:

  • National Fire Alarm Code (NFAC)

  • National Electrical Code (NEC)

  • Electrical Theory

  • AC/DC Circuits

  • Blueprints

  • Electrical Construction Calculations

  • Commercial and Residential Wiring

  • Electrical Motor Controls and Transformers

  • Industrial Safety/First Aid/OSHA

  • Data Communication Systems

  • Alarm and Fire Systems

  • Electrical Installation and Maintenance (residential, commercial, and industrial)

  • Electrical Machines and Equipment

Some North Carolina electric schools include:

  • Durham Technical Community College in Durham offers a construction electrician certificate program, as well as an associate degree program in electrical systems technology.

  • Randolph Community College in Asheboro offers both a certificate program and an associate degree program in electrical systems technology.  

  • Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte offers a certificate program in electrical systems technology and an associate degree program in electrical engineering technology.

Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary. Most programs, however, require you to be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and pass an aptitude test.

On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you'll 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 and project management skills. They also need good customer service skills, be able to work independently, have good physical endurance, and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.

North Carolina Electrician Licensing Exam Details

Local municipalities in North Carolina issue journeyman electrician license exams or any similar qualifying examinations. Therefore, the testing process varies by jurisdiction.

In Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractors administers exams. After submitting an application, you must wait for approval before scheduling the exam and paying the $40 exam fee. The exam is open-book, though applicants may not use a cellphone or other communication device during the exam. The testing center will provide code books, calculators, scrap paper, and other materials. You must earn at least 70% to pass.

Those taking the electrical contractor exam for any licensure classification must pay a $90 exam fee. The exams contain 100 questions and you get six hours to complete the test. An examination information handbook is available for study purposes, which includes aspects of the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC).

The exam covers the following topics:

  • Bonding and Grounding

  • Overcurrent Protection

  • Wiring Methods and Terminations

  • Boxes and Fittings

  • Service Entrance and Equipment

  • Motors and Control Wiring

  • Special Occupancies and Hazardous Locations

  • Load Calculations

  • Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting

  • Laws, Rules, Basic Business Practices

Who Issues Electrician Licenses in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, local municipalities issue journeyman electrician licenses, while the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC) issues electrical contractor licenses.

Does My North Carolina Electrical License Work in Any Other State?

Yes. North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with several states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

National Electrician Certifications

While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates into more job opportunities and higher pay.

These include the Independent Electrical Contractors Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) distinction, certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among dozens of additional electrician certifications available.

Electrician Resources

You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways: