How To Get Your Alabama Electrical Contractor License

June 2, 2025
9 Min Read

Key takeaways

Alabama’s electrical jobs are expected to grow by 16.7% in 10 years.
Licensed Journeyman earn $55,000 annually & contractors up to $66,900.
You need 8,000 work hours to qualify for the journeyman exam.
You can skip 2,000 hours with a 2-year tech degree.
Licensing costs range from $35 to $150 annually.
Alabama has reciprocity with seven states, which lets you take your license on the road.

The electrical industry in Alabama has tremendous opportunities for professionals who are willing to invest in their career development. With the electrical trade making the Alabama Department of Labor’s list of most in-demand jobs that require an associate’s degree or less, and projection showing the number of electrician jobs in the state to increase by 16.7% during the ten-year period, there’s never been a better time to pursue an electrical career in the Heart of Dixie.

Honestly, becoming a licensed electrical contractor in Alabama isn’t just about complying with the law. Holding an Alabama electrical contractor license signals professionalism and expertise, allowing you to bid on larger projects, manage a crew, and often command higher pay. The state is booming with construction projects and workforce shortages, and having a license will position you for growth and stability.

In this guide, we will explain exactly what the Alabama electrical contractor license is, who needs it, and how you can obtain it step by step. We will also cover related topics like required education and training programs, exam details, salary statistics, reciprocity with other states, and more. By the end, you will have a clear roadmap for going from zero experience to a fully licensed electrical contractor in Alabama.

What Are The Different Types Of Electrical Licenses In Alabama?

Alabama has no licensure requirements for electrician apprentices. The Alabama Electrical Contractor Board essentially has two main levels of electrical licenses for practicing electricians. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the Alabama electrical license:

Journeyman Electrician License

A journeyman electrician license is the entry-level license for someone who has completed an apprenticeship or equivalent training. With this license, you can perform electrical work independently without being supervised and pull permits. You typically need to report to a higher-level contractor.

Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician License

An electrical contractor license holder is sometimes informally called a master electrician, and he has full authority to start and run an electrical contracting business. He can bid on any job, hire other electricians, and supervise all aspects of electrical construction. Electrical contractors must also handle business, safety, and legal aspects of a contracting company.

Both the journeyman license and contractor license come from the same state board (Alabama Electrical Contractor Board). You need to provide proof of significant supervisory experience and have broader knowledge in business law, safety, etc., before applying for the electrical contractor exam.

In addition to these state licenses, Alabama also has a Provisional Electrical License. However, this is a temporary, limited license that allows someone who recently passed a local exam to work only within the county or city limits of their local license for up to 12 months. It is mainly for electricians who are transitioning between local licensing and the statewide license.

As mentioned earlier, if you are an electrician apprentice, you do not need any state license to begin training. Alabama explicitly requires no license for an electrician apprentice. You can gain experience on the job under licensed supervision while completing classroom instruction, and once you have enough experience and education, you can then apply to take the journeyman electrician exam.

How To Become An Electrical Contractor In Alabama?

In order to become an electrical contractor in Alabama, you need to gain experience, apply for and pass the journeyman licensure exam, work additional hours, and apply for and pass the electrical contractor exam. Here is a step-by-step process of the typical path one follows to become an electrical contractor in Alabama:

Step 1: Begin As An Apprentice

If you have little or no experience, your first step is to enter the trade through training. But, you must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED to do so. Most people start with a formal apprenticeship program or a technical school in electrical technology. Apprenticeships are often run by unions or trade groups like the IBEW/NECA JATCs, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters, or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and they often combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You can also join an electrical union that helps novice electricians find entry-level jobs and apprenticeships in their local area. A typical Alabama electrical apprenticeship lasts 4-5 years, requires about 10,000 hours of work, and hundreds of hours of classroom learning. You can even take a second path by attending college. There are many community colleges in Alabama that offer electrical technology certificates or degrees. You can complete a two-year program, which will substitute for 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. However, in all cases, you must accumulate 8,000 total hours of relevant electrical work to qualify for the journeyman license, though up to 2,000 of those hours can be credited through education.

Step 2: Apply For The Journeyman License

Once you have 8,000 hours of supervised electrical work or 6,000 hours plus an electrical certificate, you can apply to the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors (ABEC) for the Journeyman Electrician Exam. You have to submit the documentation of your work history, which would usually include signed affidavits from employers attesting to your hours and training. The Board usually requires a minimum of 8,000 hours installing wiring, equipment, and fixtures under supervision. After your application is approved, you will need to pay the exam fee of $115, and you will have 90 days after that to schedule your test. Exams are offered at testing locations statewide and are computer-based.

Step 3: Pass The Journeyman Exam

The Journeyman exam is based on the latest National Electrical Code (the 2023 edition) and covers practical electrical knowledge. It is administered as a computer test by a private testing agency. The Board currently allows either the NASCLA Electrical Contractors exam or the PROV exam. The test is open-book; you may bring only specified reference materials, like the NEC codebook, and the test typically consists of multiple-choice questions. You must score at least 75% to pass, and once you pass, you will receive your state journeyman license from the Board.

Step 4: Accumulate Contractor-Level Experience

After you have earned a journeyman license, your next goal is the Electrical Contractor License, which is typically the Master Electrician license. Alabama requires you to show another 8,000 hours of experience, and you need to spend these years working as a journeyman on various projects and taking on leadership responsibilities. The maintenance work usually does not count toward this total, and you need experience that shows you have planned, designed, and directly supervised electrical construction projects. You can also substitute up to 2,000 hours via additional electrical schooling.

Step 5: Apply For The Electrical Contractor Exam

When you have completed the required experience, you need to submit an Electrical Contractor Exam application to the Board. You need to submit detailed affidavits of your supervisory experience, and once your application is approved, you have to pay the contractor exam fee of $165. The electrical contractor exam covers everything on the journeyman test, plus additional topics like business law, safety regulations, insurance requirements, and tax law related to running a contracting business. It is also open-book, using the 2023 NEC and an approved exam reference list. You need to score 75% in order to pass the exam. After you pass, you will be issued an Alabama Electrical Contractor License, and you will be able to run your own electrical contracting business statewide.

Throughout this process, it is important to note that continuing education is required for contractors. Licensed electrical contractors in Alabama must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years for renewal. Journeyman licenses currently do not have a CE requirement to renew, but contractors need to budget time and money for approved CE courses offered by organizations such as the Alabama Division of IAEI, Schneider Electric, and others.

How Much Work Can You Do Without A Contractor License In Alabama?

By default, anyone engaging in electrical contracting or performing work as a master or journeyman electrician must hold the appropriate license. That means if you want to operate as an independent electrician or supervise electrical projects in Alabama, you will need to be licensed by the state or by the city/county where the work is done. Even if you are freelance contractors working at a homeowner’s site, you typically need a journeyman or contractor license, unless an exemption applies.

Alabama law does carve out a few exemptions where a license isn’t required. Here are the cases where one can perform electrical work without a license:

Homeowner Working On Their Own Homes

If you own your property, you can legally perform electrical work on it without an electrician’s license. This exemption also extends to your full-time W-2 employee (for example, a maintenance person) doing work on your property. However, you still need building permits for many projects, and the electrical work must meet code.

Agricultural And Residential Systems

There are certain farm-related wiring and single-family residential wiring that can be handled under local exemptions. But if that wiring crosses municipal boundaries, you must have a state license.

Low-Voltage Systems

Systems like doorbells, landscape lighting, or thermostat wiring that runs at 25 volts or less are exempt from the electrical contractor law. You do not need an electrical license to install or service these low-voltage systems.

Utility Installations

Utility companies and their contractors installing power generation or distribution equipment that is regulated under the National Electrical Safety Code are exempt. Also exempt are telephone/signal installations by a telephone utility and municipal cable TV installers.

Appliance Installations By Vendors

Retail merchants and their employees may install and service appliances they have sold without an electrical license. For example, a store’s appliance delivery technician can hook up a washing machine without an electrician’s license.

Satellite And Special Electronics

The installation of direct broadcast satellite systems and other specialized communication systems is exempt.

In all other cases, to legally perform electrical work like wiring, panel installation, lighting work, etc, on a residential, commercial, or industrial project, an electrician must hold either a journeyman or contractor license.. If you or your business is hired to do any electrical contracting outside the homeowner exception, Alabama law requires you to be licensed. Local jurisdictions may also impose their own licensing rules in addition to the state law. So you should always check with the city/county building codes before starting any job.

Does Alabama Require A Contractor License?

Yes, Alabama absolutely requires licensing for electrical contractors. To perform electrical work in the state of Alabama, both electrical journeymen and electrical contractors must hold an Alabama Electrical License Board.

If a person, corporation, or business engaged in electrical contracting violates any of the provisions of the law, the Board will investigate the activities, and it may lead to denial of licensure applications, administrative fines up to $5,000, cease and desist orders, and court enforcement actions.

Education and Training Programs In Alabama

There are many routes that you can take to gain the experience and education you need in Alabama. Here are the common pathways people in Alabama take to enter the trade and work toward licensure:

Electrical Apprenticeships

The local joint apprenticeship programs combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Here are some of the programs that you might consider:

IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs): There are many local chapters across the state that offer IBEW electrician union apprenticeships. For example, North Alabama Huntsville IBEW/NECA, Birmingham IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) JATC, Gulf Coast, Montgomery JATC, etc These typically last five years and require about 10,000 hours of work, and around 800-900 hours of classroom instruction and include paid work with a union contractor and night classes.
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Programs: Non-union IEC chapters like IEC Central Alabama, Birmingham, and IEC Georgia have training programs for apprentices. For example, IEC Central Alabama offers a 4-year apprenticeship and even awards a certificate of completion through the U.S. Department of Labor. IEC apprenticeships are similar to union ones and may be more flexible in scheduling classes.
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Apprenticeships: The Alabama chapters of ABC run registered electrical apprenticeships. For example, Eastern Alabama in Birmingham, North Alabama in Huntsville. These programs also involve several years of training and are overseen by the Alabama Department of Labor. ABC apprenticeships are typically open to anyone willing to work with a participating contractor
Construction Technology Consortia: Organizations like the “Skilled Trades of West Alabama” collaborate with local schools and industry to place students into electrical trades training.

You need to apply for this apprenticeship program, and often need to pass an aptitude test and an interview. You would work full-time for a contractor and attend a few nights of paid classroom instruction each week. Employers in these programs often cover tuition. After a few years, you may even be eligible to take the journeyman exam early.

Technical And Community College Programs

Alabama has several colleges with accredited electrical or engineering technology programs. Some of the common examples are:

Schools like Wallace State Community College, Bevill State Community College, John C. Calhoun State Community College, Shelton State Community College, and Gadsden State Community College offer Electrical Systems Technology or Engineering Technology degrees. If you complete one of these two-year programs, you would earn 2,000 hours of work experience, and you would only need 6,000 more on-the-job hours to qualify. They cover topics like circuitry, motors, and the National Electrical Code in classroom and lab settings.
Many trade schools and community colleges provide shorter certificate programs of 6-12 months. These give general education courses, but you can only earn a few hours.
Some high schools and career centers, especially those aligned with NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), offer electrical pre-apprentice training. If you succeed here, you can enter an apprenticeship at a higher level or test out of early classroom hours.

The advantage of a college program is that you can gain up to 2,000 hours toward the 8,000-hour requirement. However, even after finishing school, you still need paid on-the-job hours to meet the total. There are many students who do part-time work or get hired as helpers while in school. The community colleges in Alabama are generally affordable. You would require around $5,000-$6,000 for two years of in-state tuition.

Working For A Contractor Without Any Formal Training

In some areas, you can even start working for a licensed electrical contractor immediately, even without formal training. Programs like the Construction Workforce/Credentialed Entry track allow motivated individuals to earn hours on the job and advance by passing skill evaluations. You may need to pass a basic test and work full-time, advancing to journeyman by hours and proficiency exams rather than attending eclasses. This path is less structured but gets you paid work quickly.

Whatever route you take, you must document your hours. Keep detailed records like affidavits, logbooks, pay stubs, etc, of your work. By the time you apply for a license exam, you will need third-party verification of your 8,000 or 6,000 hours. Always talk to your apprenticeship director, training coordinator, or employer early so you are sure your hours are being tracked in accordance with Board rules.

How Do I Become An Independent Contractor In Alabama?

Transitioning from employee to business owner requires some additional consideration beyond technical skills.

You have to register your business with the Alabama Secretary of State, obtain a federal EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, apply for local business licenses, and set up an appropriate business structure like an LLC, Corporation, etc. Also, set up a business bank account and understand the state sales tax, income tax, payroll tax, etc.

Currently, you do not need any electrician insurance to apply for a license in the State of Alabama, but you should carry general liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation insurance. Most contractors have general liability insurance of a minimum of $1-$2 million, workers’ compensation if they have employees, commercial auto insurance, and tools and equipment coverage. As your own boss, you will need to renew your license and CE credits on time, keep your continuing education records, maintain corporate filings, and manage payroll or taxes for any employees.

It is important to know that Alabama law requires an additional general contractor license for any job over $50,000, even for electrical projects. That means if you bid on a large commercial electrical contract exceeding $50,000, you must also be licensed by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. Many electrical contractors who do big jobs maintain both an electrical contractor license and a general contractor license to comply with this rule.

How Much Does An Electrician Apprentice Make In Alabama?

According to the current job market data, entry-level apprentices earn around $19.38 per hour in Alabama. That translates to roughly $40,000 per year full-time plus $6,000 per year for overtime. Apprentices generally start lower than licensed journeyman, but wages rise quickly with experience and certification.

How Much Does A Journeyman Electrician Make In Alabama?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama employed about 10,250 electricians statewide, with a mean annual wage of roughly $54,490. According to the reports, the average salary of a journeyman electrician is about $55,670 per year. But depending on the experience and region, a journeyman often earns between $50,000 and $60,000.

How Much Does A Master Electrician Make In Alabama?

Master electricians or electrical contractors are the highest-paid electricians in the state. The median wage of a master electrician is $66,900 annually. Independent contractors who run their own business potentially earn more by taking on overhead projects, though they also incur business expenses.

Compared to national averages, Alabama’s wages are modestly below some high-cost states like California, but the cost of living here is also lower. The national median for electricians is about $62,350, and the demand for electricians is surging. So, experienced master electricians can often negotiate premium rates, especially for industrial or specialized work.

What States Accept An Alabama Electrical License?

A benefit of the Alabama license is that Alabama is part of a regional licensing reciprocity system. If you hold an Alabama electrical contractor license in good standing, certain other states will waive their exam or fast-track your application. Alabama’s Board recognizes licenses from neighboring states like Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. These are NASCLA reciprocity states or have bilateral agreements.

For example, a master electrician licensed in Tennessee could apply by reciprocity in Alabama, submitting proof of exam scores and a license verification letter. Conversely, an Alabama licensee can move to those states and apply for licensure without retesting. You should always check each state’s current reciprocity list. Most of them require that you have passed their exam or a NASCLA exam, and that your Alabama license is active and in good standing. Alabama still requires an Alabama Business and Law exam to be taken as part of the contractor licensing process.

Cost Of Alabama Licensure And Ongoing Expenses

The costs involved in getting a license depend on the type of license you are applying for, whether it is for a journeyman or electrical contractor license. Here is a breakdown of the key costs:

Exam Fees: $115 for the Journeyman exam and $165 for the Contractor exam.
License Insurance Fees: Once you pass, the state charges $35 for a journeyman license and $150 for a contractor license.
Renewal Fees: Alabama’s renewal is annual. It is $35 for a journeyman license and $150 for a contractor license.
Continuing Education: As a contractor, you must do 14 CE hours every two years. The course money often costs between $100 and $300 in total.
Application Fee: The electrical contractor license application itself costs $150, not including the exam, and the journeyman application is $35
Reciprocity Fee: If you are applying by reciprocity from another state, there’s a $315 fee.
Business and Other Licenses: As mentioned above, becoming a contracting business means a corporate filing fee. It takes approximately $200 for LLC registration in Alabama, and there are other city business licenses. For high-dollar projects, a general contractor license costs around $250-$300 with its own requirements.
Insurance and Bonding: You will need general liability insurance, as most clients and projects demand it. The cost varies widely by coverage.

Bringing It All Together

Obtaining an Alabama electrical contractor license is a multi-year commitment that pays off in opportunity and credibility. As a licensed electrician, you will gain legal authority to take on big projects, hire teams, and build a thriving electrical business. You have to accumulate apprenticeship hours, earn a journeyman license, gather more supervisory experience, and then earn the contractor license. Along the way, you will engage with the robust training programs from union JATCs to community colleges and pass state exams based on the latest electrical codes.

The demand for skilled and licensed electricians in Alabama has never been higher. And following the core path and staying focused on your goals, you can take full advantage of this demand. Good luck on your journey to becoming a licensed Alabama electrical contractor!

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How To Get Your Alabama Electrical Contractor License (2025)