- Nebraska has over 6,368 electrician jobs projected by 2032.
- Average wages for electricians are around $59,890 annually.
- To become licensed in Nebraska, you must gain 4 years of experience & pass the Journeyman exam.
- Both Metropolitan & Southeast Community College offer classroom learning & hands-on experience.
- Nebraska has reciprocity with states like Texas, South Dakota & Minnesota.
In Nebraska, the electrical trade is in high demand. The Nebraska Department of Labor ranks electricians as a high-wage, high-demand occupation, projecting roughly 6,368 electrician jobs by 2032. According to the BLS, electricians in the state earn a mean annual wage of about $64,890. And if you become a union electrician, you will earn even more. For example, Lincoln’s IBEW Local 265 journeymen earn a base rate of $35.30 per hour, which is roughly $63,400 per year, along with benefits.
From the figures that we mentioned above, it can be easily concluded that becoming an electrician in Nebraska is both lucrative and stable. However, to legally perform electrical work, the Nebraska State Electrical Division requires you to be properly licensed. To achieve a Nebraska electrical license, you need to go through years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction and pass the state examination. And after obtaining your journeyman electrician license, you need more work experience to become a master electrician and finally obtain your electrical contractor license.
In this guide, we will break down the steps involved in becoming a licensed electrician, the licensing requirements, reciprocity agreements, local training programs, mean wages, permits, and more.
Table of Contents
What Are The Different Types Of Electrician Licenses In Nebraska?
The Nebraska Electrical Division issues several license types to legally perform different electrical work in the state. Here is a detailed breakdown of each of them:
Electrician Apprentice
Before performing electrical wiring, you must be registered by the Nebraska State Electrical Board as an electrician apprentice. You will work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. There are no formal education prerequisites, but you should be 18 years of age, have at least a high school diploma or GED, and have a valid driver’s license.
Journeyman Electrician License
A journeyman electrician license allows you to work independently on electrical systems without any supervision. However, you have to work for a licensed electrical contractor. To qualify for the journeyman license, you must accumulate at least four years of work experience performing installations and troubleshooting, and certain hours of classroom instruction. You also need to pass the state journeyman electrician license exam.
Class B Journeyman Electrician License
A Class B Journeyman Electrician License is limited to residential electrical installations and systems with a capacity up to 400 amperes. As a residential journeyman electrician, you get to work independently on single or multi-family dwellings of four or fewer units. You are required to accumulate 3 years of work experience in this field and pass the residential electrician exam.
Class A Master Electrician License
A Class A Master Electrician license allows you to work on and supervise all types of electrical systems, even on large-scale projects. You should work at least 1 year as a licensed journeyman electrician to qualify for the Class A Master Electrician License.
Class B Master Electrician License
The Class B Master Electrician License is more limited in the work scope. You can plan and supervise electrical work in residential dwellings of four units or fewer, and the systems must not exceed the capacity of 400 amperes. You are required to have at least 2,000 hours of experience in planning, layout, and supervision as a licensed journeyman and pass the state Master Electrician License Exam to qualify for this license.
Electrical Contractor License
The Electrical Contractor License allows you to own an electrical contracting business, pull permits, and bid on any type of electrical projects, be it industrial, residential, commercial, or institutional.
Class B Electrical Contractor License
The Class B Electrical Contractor License work scope is limited to residential electrical projects. You can pull permits and bid on projects restricted to residential properties of four units or fewer. You are required to have a minimum $10,000 surety bond and carry a general liability insurance of $500,000.
Specialty Licenses
There are other Nebraska Electrician licenses like Residential Wireman, Fire Alarm Installer, Heating and Air Conditioning, Sign and Irrigation System Installer, etc., for niche work, but the vast majority of field electricians hold the standard Journeyman or Contractor licenses.
Does Nebraska Require A Contractor License?
Yes. Nebraska requires a contractor license. If you want to offer electrical installation services to the public, you must be licensed as an electrical contractor. You cannot legally operate an electrical contracting company, sign electrical permit applications, or supervise work on jobs unless you hold the appropriate contractor license.
To qualify for the contractor license, you must have a 4-year accredited college degree in Electrical Engineering and at least one year of experience as a licensed journeyman or at least 1 year of experience as a licensed Nebraska journeyman electrician or five years of verifiable experience in planning and supervising electrical installation.
How To Become A Licensed Electrician in Nebraska?
Becoming a licensed electrician in Nebraska involves a step-by-step process, including schooling or technical training, apprenticeship, exams, and continuing education. The most typical pathway is starting as an apprentice, then moving forward to journeyman, and finally becoming a Master Electrician or Electrical Contractor.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the steps and requirements:
Step 1: Register as an Apprentice Electrician
If you have a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license, you can start your career by registering with the Nebraska State Electrical Division as an apprentice electrician. The state does not require you to give an entrance exam for this. You simply have to submit an application and pay a registration fee of $20. Once your application is approved, you will be legally allowed to work under supervision. Nebraska law mandates that each licensed electrician may supervise up to 3 apprentices at a time. During the apprenticeship, you learn basic electrical theory, National Electrical Code (NEC) principles, safety, and practical wiring skills both on the job and often through related classroom training. There are many community colleges and technical schools in Nebraska that offer apprenticeship-related courses or certificates. For example, Western Nebraska Community College’s Electrician Apprentice program provides 180 hours of instruction and only costs about $1,100, including materials to get you started.
Step 2: Complete the Required On-the-Job Training
As mentioned above, to become a journeyman electrician, Nebraska requires you to accumulate 4 years of verifiable work experience under a licensed electrical contractor. You need to work full-time in the electrical trade, perform installations, troubleshoot, and learn advanced skills. However, if you have a two-year associate degree in electrical technology, the Board will grant a one-year credit, and the need experience will be reduced to 3 years. After each year, your supervising contractor can report hours earned to the State Electrical Board. If you have less than 4 years of experience, the Board may issue you a Restricted Journeyman license, but that restricts reciprocal privilege.
Step 3: Apply for the Journeyman Electrician Exam
Once you have the required experience or college credit and have worked for a minimum of 4 years, you may apply for the Nebraska Journeyman Electrician Exam. First, submit your application to the State Electrical Division along with proof of hours and pay the exam fee of $60. After it is approved, you will receive a notice to schedule your exam.
Previously, Nebraska’s journeyman exam used to be a 50-question and 3-hour open-book test and required you to score 76% to pass. But after its switch to PSI testing, you should check the candidate bulletin for the latest format, but it still covers the NEC, electrical theory, safety, wiring practices, and Nebraska State Electrical Act rules.
The exam typically tests your knowledge of residential and commercial wiring, code requirements, blueprint reading, fire alarm circuits, and safety. Once you pass the exam fee, you have to pay the initial journeyman license fee of $25 for a two-year period, after which you have to renew it.
Step 4: Maintain Continuing Education and Renewal
Nebraska requires licensed electricians to renew their credentials every two years. All licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires you to complete 12 hours of continuing education, with at least 6 hours covering NEC updates, in each two-year cycle. Approved providers, often local JATC programs or community colleges, offer these courses. You must submit proof of training at renewal; otherwise, your license will lapse. The renewal fee for a journeyman license is $25 for the two-year renewal.
Step 5: Advance to Master Electrician Or Electrical Contractor License
After you have obtained a journeyman license, you have to gain experience and responsibility on the job. To be eligible for the Nebraska Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician license, you need additional qualifications. You either need to have a 4-year electrical degree plus one year of journeyman experience, or at least one year as a licensed journeyman, or five years of approved supervisory or planning experience in electrical work. Once qualified, you can apply and pass the electrical contractor exam. This exam is also open book, 50 questions, and 3 hours. You need to score a minimum 75% to pass the exam and pay the contractor license fee of $125 for the two-year term. The electrical contractor license lets you legally bid, plan, and supervise electrical contracting for any project in Nebraska.
Step 5: Advance to Master Electrician Or Electrical Contractor License
After you have obtained a journeyman license, you have to gain experience and responsibility on the job. To be eligible for the Nebraska Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician license, you need additional qualifications. You either need to have a four-year electrical degree plus one year of journeyman experience, or at least one year as a licensed journeyman, or five years of approved supervisory or planning experience in electrical work. Once qualified, you can apply and pass the electrical contractor exam. This exam is also open book, 50 questions, and 3 hours. You need to score a minimum 75% to pass the exam and pay the contractor license fee of $125 for the two-year term. The electrical contractor license lets you legally bid, plan, and supervise electrical contracting for any project in Nebraska.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed Electrician in Nebraska?
It takes a minimum of four years to become a licensed electrician. The fastest way to become a licensed electrician in Nebraska is usually through an apprenticeship combined with any allowable education credit. In the best-case scenario, if you take a 2-year electrical technology degree, then you can complete the 3-year experience requirement and then pass the Journeyman exam around the age of 21 to 22. However, the standard path is about four years as an apprentice and then another year as a journeyman for a contractor license.
How Much Does an Electrician School Cost in Nebraska?
The cost of an electrician school can vary. For example, the Western Nebraska CC apprentice course is $1,100, but if you are going for a full 2-year AAS program like SCC’s, it can cost about $10,095. If you are a registered apprentice, then your employer typically covers schooling. Even the licensing fees are relatively low. The journeyman license fee is $25 biennially, and the contractor license is $125 biennially. Compared to many professions, these are modest expenses given the earning potential.
Are Electricians In Demand In Nebraska?
Yes. The Department of Labor projects a steady growth in construction and infrastructure, which in turn will drive electrician job openings. In fact, Nebraska’s labor forecasts show electricians climbing in demand rank. They moved from rank 14 between 2012 and 2022 to rank 6 in projected demand for 2022 to 2032. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth for electricians from 2023 to 2033. With a statewide emphasis on building, manufacturing, renewable energy, and technology, skilled electricians are consistently needed. In short, Nebraska offers both stable job prospects and attractive pay for qualified electricians.
How Much Does An Electrician Make in Nebraska?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average salary of Nebraska electricians is about $60,440. If you are a member of the IBEW, you can often earn more. For example, the journeyman base wage of Lincoln’s IBEW Local 265 is $35.30 per hour plus an additional $19 in benefits per hour. Nationally, Nebraska’s union pay is among the highest IBEW rates. Of course, what you earn depends on the region and the experience you have, but in general, Nebraska electricians earn very competitive salaries. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the mean wages based on the license type:
Apprentice Electrician: The average pay of an apprentice electrician is $22.46 per hour in Nebraska.
Journeyman Electrician: The average pay of a journeyman electrician is $32.04 per hour. Nebraska
Master Electrician: The average wage of a master electrician is $39.65 per hour
Electrical Contractor: The pay of an electrical contractor depends on how much profit the business is making. However, the average pay of an electrical contractor is $29 per hour in Nebraska.
Can I Do Electrical Work Without a License In Nebraska?
Under no circumstances can you perform electrical work for others without being licensed. According to Nebraska law, a proper type of State Electrical License is required to install any electrical work on any project within the jurisdiction. The only exception is if you are a homeowner working on your own home with a permit. Otherwise, all other paid electrical work must be done by a state-licensed journeyman or contractor.
Who Can Pull Permits For Electrical Work In Nebraska?
A person who has an electrical contractor license can pull permits only. Both permits and inspections are tied to the contractor license. Any contractor pulling an electrical permit must list a licensed contractor on the job, and the business must show proof of insurance. If you start work without submitting the required inspection permit form, the State will penalize you.
Can Homeowners Do Their Own Electrical Work?
Yes, but with limits. Nebraska law explicitly allows a homeowner to install wiring and equipment in their own primary residence without holding a license. To do so, you must still apply for a Homeowner Electrical Permit and follow all codes and inspections just as a contractor would. The homeowner cannot do this work in someone else’s house, nor can they pull permits for tenants’ or relatives’ homes. Basically, you can work on your own house as a “homeowner electrician” if you meet the criteria. For any other project, you need a licensed electrician or contractor.
What States Reciprocate With a Nebraska Electrical License?
Nebraska has formal reciprocal agreements with several other states for electrician licenses.
If you hold a valid journeyman license in certain states, Nebraska will grant you a comparable Nebraska license without retaking the journeyman exam. The State Electrical Board lists these reciprocal journeyman states as Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. These states also recognize Nebraska journeymen. As long as your out-of-state license was obtained by exam and you have at least one year of work experience on it, you can apply in Nebraska by submitting your license history and verification.
However, Nebraska’s reciprocity for contractor licenses is more limited. Under current rules, Nebraska has reciprocal contractor agreements with Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Texas. This means an out-of-state master electrician from those states can often convert to a Nebraska contractor license by submitting paperwork and possibly one year of Nebraska experience. States not on these lists require you to fully meet Nebraska’s contractor requirements.
How To Apply For Reciprocity In Nebraska?
To apply for reciprocity in Nebraska, you typically have to file the standard licensure application to the State Electrical Board, but mark it as a reciprocity application. You must include verification of your existing license, proof of passing the original state’s exam, and documentation of experience. The Nebraska board then reviews and, if approved, issues the equivalent Nebraska license (journeyman or contractor). However, if your Nebraska license lapses and goes unrenewed for more than 2 years, you can’t reactivate it by reciprocity.
Nebraska Electrician Licensing Exam Details
In Nebraska, there are two main licensing exams: the Journeyman Exam and the Electrical Contractor Exam. The journeyman exam covers NEC code, theory, safety, wiring methods, and special equipment. The Electrical Contractor exam adds project planning, management, and estimating topics. You should also study the Nebraska Electrical Act and Rules.
Both of these exams are open-book, and you may bring the NEC code book and reference materials. When you register for the exam, PSI will provide a candidate bulletin detailing the exact number of questions, time limit, and topics.
Nebraska Training Schools And Programs
Most electricians in Nebraska follow an apprenticeship path. However, there are alternative training routes. For example, the IBEW/JATC apprenticeship programs combine paid on-the-job training with college courses. Schools like Metropolitan Community College (Omaha), Southeast CC (Lincoln), Northeast CC (Norfolk), and Western Nebraska CC (Scottsbluff) all offer electrical apprenticeship programs that award you certificates or AAS degrees. These programs typically last 4 to 5 years, including 8,000 on-the-job training hours and involve hundreds of classroom hours. For example, MCC’s electrical apprenticeship (AREAO) is a 4-year program with evening classes, and Southeast CC’s IBEW program is a 5-year program requiring 900 hours of classroom study.
No matter what path you take, the apprenticeship will provide the required experience for licensure, and, upon completion, you will be prepared to take Nebraska’s journeyman exam.
Conclusion
Becoming a licensed electrician in Nebraska takes commitment. You have to register as an apprentice, complete the required training, pass the journeyman exam, and then get to work. Once you have accumulated 8,000 hours of experience and classroom instruction, the state will grant you a journeyman license. From there, you can grow into a contracting role by gaining experience or additional education. Nebraska’s electricians enjoy relatively high wages and strong job security, and with the right preparation and license, you can be part of that in-demand workforce.
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