Licensing Guides
Utah Electrical License: How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Utah
Electrical, UT
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Utah?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in Utah?
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 711,200 electricians nationwide and 10,100 work in Utah. The national number is predicted to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. That growth rate is expected to be much higher in Utah — projected at a whopping 52%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
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 73% of firms in Utah 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 Utah
Is a license required for electricians in Utah? Yes.
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) is responsible for issuing electrician licenses in the state of Utah.
Steps to Get an Electrician License in Utah
Gain necessary hands-on work experience and required classroom training to become a journeyman electrician.
Apply for your journeyman license and pass the journeyman exam.
Obtain a master electrician license.
How to Become an Electrician in Utah
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: In order to become eligible for the full journeyman electrician license, you need to complete a formal trade school program and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or complete 16,000 hours (eight years) of verified work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
To qualify for the residential journeyman electrician license, you need to complete a formal trade school program and obtain two years (4,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or complete 8,000 hours (four years) of verified work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
Utah offers three paths to gaining the work experience you need to become a licensed journeyman electrician:
On-the-job training with a local employer
Trade school
Apprenticeship
Regardless of the path you choose, you need to register as an apprentice with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to begin logging your training. The application costs $110.
TAKE JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN EXAM: After gaining the necessary experience, you can apply for licensure as a full journeyman electrician or residential journeyman electrician.
In addition, you must provide evidence of verified work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician along with your official transcripts showing completion of an approved apprenticeship program.
Next, you can register for the Utah Electrical Licensing Theory, Code and Practical Examination, administered by Prov Exams. Register by going to the following link: https://provexam.com/scheduler and select "Self Registration." Select the certifying body "UT-Electrical," then select the appropriate exam class.
The journeyman licensing exam covers three topics:
Code Exam: You have three hours to answer 80 questions and need to score at least 75% to pass.
Theory Exam: You have 100 minutes to answer 50 questions and need to score at least 75% to pass.
Practical Exam: Involves wiring projects for motors, transformers, and light switches. You have 90 minutes to complete and can only pass or fail the exam.
Consult the Utah Electrical Candidate Information Bulletin for sample questions, practice tests, and other resources.
You will need to renew your journeyman license in even-numbered years and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education. A minimum of 12 hours must cover the National Electrical Code (NEC).
OBTAIN MASTER ELECTRICIAN LICENSE: You can qualify for the master electrician license in three ways.
Work as a licensed journeyman electrician for a minimum of four years
Earn an associate of applied science degree from an electrical trade school and prove at least two years (4,000 hours) of electrical experience as a journeyman electrician
Earn a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program and demonstrate one year of experience as a journeyman electrician
To qualify for the residential master electrician license, you need two years of experience working as a journeyman electrician.
After gaining the necessary experience, you can apply for licensure as a master electrician or residential master electrician. In addition, you must provide evidence of verified work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician and pay a $110 fee.
Next, you can register for the Utah Electrical Licensing Theory, Code and Practical Examination, administered by Prov Exams.
Similar to the journeyman exam, the master electrician exam consists of three tests: code, theory, and practical.
Code Exam: You have three hours to answer 80 questions and need to score at least 75% to pass.
Theory Exam: You have 100 minutes to answer 50 questions and need to score at least 75% to pass.
Practical Exam: Measures practical experience and involves wiring projects for motors, transformers, doorbells, bending, and light switches. You have 90 minutes to complete and can only pass or fail the exam.
You will need to renew your master electrician license in even-numbered years and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education, including the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Types of Electrician Licenses in Utah
Utah offers five classifications of electrical licensing:
Apprentice electrician
Journeyman electrician
Residential journeyman electrician
Master electrician
Residential master electrician
The state of Utah does not offer an electrical contractor license.
Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Utah
There are many benefits to pursuing a Utah electrician license:
Most important, Utah 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.
Licensure 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 Utah?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Utah is $57,200 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 $22.72 per hour in Utah and $6,000 overtime per year.
Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $28.91 per hour in Utah and $9,438 overtime per year.
Master Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $35.12 per hour in Utah.
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 Utah?
Apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, and master electricians all pay $110 to apply for licensure. In-state tuition at many Utah trade schools averages between $2,000 and $3,000 per year.
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How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in Utah?
Obtaining a residential journeyman license in Utah takes a minimum of two years, or 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience. More advanced licenses require additional training and time.
Utah Electrician Training Programs and Schools
Utah is home to community colleges, trade schools, and technical and vocational schools offering the necessary training to become an electrical professional. You can find training opportunities all over the state, including in bigger cities and smaller communities.
Some Utah training locations include:
Bridgerland Applied Technology College, Logan, Utah: Most students enroll in two-year programs. Tuition fees and supplies cost around $5,500 per year, depending on the program.
Davis Applied Technology College, Kaysville, Utah: Many students participate in two-year programs. Tuition and supplies cost about $3,600 per year.
Mountainland Applied Technology College, Lehi, Utah: Most students enroll in two-year certificate programs. Annual cost for tuition and study materials is around $3,000.
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College (Ogden) A majority of students take part in two-year programs. Tuition costs roughly $4,500 per year.
Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City: Many students participate in two-year associate programs. Tuition and supplies for in-state students cost about $5,000.
Utah State University, Logan, Utah: This is a four-year public college. In-state students pay around $4,000 per semester.
Weber State University, Ogden, Utah: This is a four-year public college. In-state students generally pay about $7,000 annually for tuition fees and study materials.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Utah electricians.
The Independent Electrical Contractors of Utah, a non-union trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
For more information on Utah apprenticeship programs, visit the Utah Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee website.
Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary by license type. 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 skills. They also need good customer service skills, independence, good physical endurance, and logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Utah?
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) is responsible for issuing electrician licenses in the state of Utah.
Does My Utah Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
No. Utah's licensing board does not recognize reciprocity with other states.
However, Utah does allow licensed electricians from the states listed below to apply for a license without taking the Theory and Code portions of the licensing exam. Applicants still need to pass the Utah Practical Examination and provide documentation showing they held an electrician license for at least one year.
Journeyman Electrician: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, or Wyoming
Master Electrician: Idaho, Oregon, or Wyoming
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.
