Licensing Guides
Oklahoma Electrical License: How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Oklahoma
Electrical, OK
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Oklahoma?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in Oklahoma?
Does My Oklahoma Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
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 7,220 work in Oklahoma. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 adding almost 50,000 to the ranks.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 60% of firms in the U.S. and 67% of firms in Oklahoma had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
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Licensing Requirements for Electricians in Oklahoma
Is a license required for electricians in Oklahoma? Yes.
The Oklahoma Construction and Industries Board (CIB) issues electrician licenses in the state of Oklahoma.
Steps to Get an Electrician License in Oklahoma
Register as an electrician apprentice and gain the necessary work experience to apply for your journeyman electrician license exam.
Pass the electrical journeyman license exam.
Gain the required experience to become an electrical contractor.
Pass the electrical contractor exam.
How to Become an Electrician in Oklahoma
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: Prospective electricians in Oklahoma can gain the necessary work experience by completing on-the-job training through an apprenticeship program. You must apply for an apprentice registration card and work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
An unlimited electrical journeyman license requires 8,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work, with 4,000 hours being commercial/industrial work. Formal electrical education may substitute for 2,000 hours of experience requirements.
A residential electrical journeyman license requires 4,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work. Formal electrical education may substitute for 1,000 hours of experience requirements.
PASS THE ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN LICENSE EXAM: Before scheduling your journeyman electrician exam with PSI, you must submit an application form, pay $75, and obtain approval from the licensing board. You may use any edition of Ugly's Electrical Reference and the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). The exam comprises 100 questions, and you must score 75% to pass. After successfully completing the journeyman exam, you will earn your journeyman license. To keep your journeyman license in good standing, you need to renew it each year and fulfill six hours of continuing education every three years.
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE TO BECOME AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Oklahoma offers several classifications of electrical contractor licenses and each as specific training requirements.
Unlimited electrical contractors have no limits on the type of electrical contracting they can perform. They must have:
12,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work
Proof of 4,000 hours and two years of experience working as a licensed unlimited electrical journeyman under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor
6,000 hours must include commercial industrial work
Formal electrical education may substitute for a maximum of 2,000 hours
Residential electrical contractors can work on wiring in one- and two-family dwellings. They must have:
8,000 verifiable hours total in electrical construction work under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor
4,000 hours as a residential or unlimited journeyman electrician under the employment and supervision of an electrical contractor
4,000 hours as a registered apprentice, or 3,000 hours as a registered apprentice and 1,000 hours of formal electrical education
Limited electrical contractors must be an owner, partner, or officer in an electrical firm and may not engage in the work of an apprentice or journeyman electrician. They must have:
A degree in electrical engineering from an accredited college or university and 8,000 hours of electrical experience in field construction, electrical estimating, electrical project management in commercial/industrial electrical work, or show verification of 16,000 hours of experience in the electrical trade performing electrical work, estimating or project management in commercial/industrial work.
PASS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR EXAMS: You must submit an application form, pay $330 and gain approval prior to scheduling your electrical contractor exam with PSI.
The electrical contractor exam covers general electrical knowledge, includes 100 questions, and requires a passing score of 75%. The exam is open-book, and you can use Ugly's Electrical Reference and the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC).
A second exam covers business and law and also requires a passing score of 75%. The test includes 50 questions on the following topics:
Bidding
Estimating
Project management
Contracts
Risk management
Personnel
Payroll
Payroll taxes
Licensing requirements
After successfully completing the exams and providing proof of bonding and insurance, you will earn your electrical contractor's license. You need to renew your license each year and complete six hours of continuing education every three years to keep your license current.
BOND AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: Contractors need to carry a $5,000 corporate surety bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, including original signatures, seals, and power of attorney. The bond must be continuous, in the individual licensee's name and provide a 30-day cancellation notice. Contractors must provide a certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $50,000 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a certificate of general liability. The individual licensee's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Oklahoma
What are the different types of electrician licensing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma offers several options for electrician licensing:
Registered apprentice
Unlimited electrical journeyman
Residential electrical journeyman
Unlimited electrical contractor
Residential electrical contractor
Limited electrical contractor
Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Contractor in Oklahoma
There are many benefits to pursuing an Oklahoma electrician license:
Most important, Oklahoma requires a state license to legally perform electrical work.
A trade license provides proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed electricians can: work independently as an electrical contractor, operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance and bonding, pull electrical permits, pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
A license protects your company and customers.
An electrician license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential as an electrician.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrician in Oklahoma?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Oklahoma is $59,750 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 $19.57 per hour in Oklahoma and $6,000 overtime per year.
Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $24.66 per hour in Oklahoma and $9,438 overtime per year.
Master Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $26.92 per hour in Oklahoma.
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.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Oklahoma?
Apprentice electricians pay $25 per year for registration. Journeyman electricians pay $75 for both initial licensing and renewal. Electrical contractor licenses cost $330 initially and $200 per year to keep the license current. All licensing includes additional costs for testing fees. Overall cost may vary depending on your choice of preliminary electrical education.
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How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in Oklahoma?
Obtaining a residential journeyman license in Oklahoma takes a minimum of two years, or 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience. More advanced licenses require additional training.
Oklahoma Electrician Programs and Schools
Many community colleges, trade schools, technical and vocational schools offer the necessary training to become an electrical professional in Oklahoma. They're located all over the state, including in bigger cities and smaller communities.
Acquiring a certificate, associate, or similar degree in electrical technology offers numerous benefits. These apprenticeship-type programs provide training and qualify you to begin entry-level electrician jobs.
Courses typically taught at electrical school include:
Electrical fundamentals
Wiring
Motors
Blueprints
National Electrical Code (NEC)
OSHA safety
Transformers
Low-voltage systems
Advanced control systems
Oklahoma trade schools
Metro Technology Centers (Oklahoma City): The majority of students enroll in a two-year program. Tuition and fees cost around $6,679 per year plus learning materials.
OSU Institute of Technology (Okmulgee): Most students participate in four-year programs. Tuition is approximately $3,836 annually for in-state students plus the cost of supplies and books. Overall price may vary depending on the program.
Northeast Tech (Afton, Kansas, and Pryor): Typically, students complete the program within one year. Tuition runs between $1,800 and $2,150 annually.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs
Tulsa Electricians JATC (Union)
IEC-OKC (Non-union)
ABC-Oklahoma chapter (Non-union)
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) issues Oklahoma electrician licenses.
Does My Oklahoma Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
Yes. Oklahoma maintains reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming. You must have had a license for a minimum of one year to reciprocate, provide detailed work history, and complete an application.
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.
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 an electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s Toolbox for the Trades podcast.
