The Complete Guide To Getting Your Alaska Electrical License In 2025

June 2, 2025
9 Min Read

Key takeaways

Alaska has a 97% craft job vacancy rate, making it a high-demand state for electricians.
Electricians in Alaska earn an average of $75,500 annually.
You need 8,000 on-the-job hours to qualify for the journeyman exam.
Electrical trainee certificates last for 6 years.
Reciprocity exists with 13 states, but contractors must pass Alaska’s own Administrator exam.

Alaska is not just known for its rugged wilderness and icy extremes. It is also one of the most lucrative and opportunity-rich states for skilled trades. According to a 2022 industry survey, 97% of Alaska firms reported unfilled craft positions such as electricians. With new residential, commercial, and industrial development surging in areas like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the North Slope oil field, the demand for certified electricians is outpacing the supply. Additionally, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports the average wage for electricians in Alaska is roughly $75,500 per year, which is higher than the average wage of the nation. In short, these figures show that electricians in Alaska earn well above average pay and experience good job prospects.

However, you can’t legally perform electrical work or pull a permit in Alaska without a proper electrician license, and the process is not something you want to get wrong. Whether you are starting out as an apprentice electrician or you are a master electrician who wants to become an electrical contractor, you must understand the Alaka electrical license process. Becoming a licensed electrician in Alaska requires completing an apprenticeship program, passing state exams, and obtaining the proper certification.

In this blog, we will walk you through everything you will need to become a licensed electrician in Alaska, from training schools, licensure exam details, and costs, to reciprocity agreements, licensing timelines, and what kind of electrical work you can do without a license.

What Are The Different Types Of Electrical Licenses In Alaska

Alaska does not issue a license in the traditional sense for journeyman electricians. Instead, electricians earn certificates of fitness issued by the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. If you want to run your own electrical contracting business, you must also hold an Electrical Administrator License from the Alaska Department of Commerce. These certificates act like electrician licenses in other states.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the categories of electrical certification Alaska provides:

Electrical Trainee (ET)

If you are starting out your electrical career, you must register yourself as an apprentice electrician to begin your training. You won’t need any prior experience, and the electrical trainee certification is valid for 6 years.

Journeyman Electrician License

An electrical journeyman license allows you to independently perform electrical work on commercial and residential properties. You need to document 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (6,000 hours in commercial and industrial electrical work and 2,000 hours in residential) plus classroom training hours to apply for the license. Furthermore, you need to pass the journeyman licensure exam to obtain the license. The license will be valid for 2 years, after which you must renew it.

Residential Electrician Certification

A certified residential electrician can only perform single-family residential work. You must have 4,000 on-the-job hours with up to 500 classroom instruction hours and pass the state exam. The renewal period for this certification is 2 hours.

Journeyman Power Lineman

The journeyman power lineman certification allows you to work on electrical power and telecommunication systems. The requirements are typically similar to 8,000 hours focused on power and telecommunication systems. You need to renew the certification every 2 years and go through continuing education (CE) for the renewal requirements.

Power Lineman Trainee

If you want to become a lineman, you must register as a lineman apprentice. You won’t need any prior hours for this, and the trainee certificate is valid for 6 years.

Electrical Administrator License

An electrical administrator is like an electrical contractor license that allows you to run your own business, pull permits, and hire electricians. You need to fill out the application, select the specific category of administration, like unlimited commercial wiring, residential wiring, controls and control wiring, inside communications, outside communications, or unlimited line work outside.

The “Electrical Trainee” or “Power Lineman Trainee” certificates allow unlicensed individuals to work as apprentices under supervision. Journeyman and residential electricians must earn certificates by completing an apprenticeship and passing a state exam. If you plan to supervise or bid on contractor work, an Electrical Administrator license is also required. In short, to perform electrical work in Alaska, you must have the appropriate certificate or license for your trade.

How To Get An Electrical License In Alaska?

There are several steps that are involved in getting an electrician certification in Alaska. You will need to meet the basic entry requirements, complete an apprenticeship, pass the required exams, and apply for your certification. Here is a more detailed breakdown of these steps:

Step 1: Meet The Basic Requirements

You need to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license. You must also pass an Algebra I qualifying test or WorkKeys placement test, which are prerequisites for starting an electrical training program.

Step 2: Register As An Apprentice

Get yourself enrolled in an approved electrical apprenticeship program. The main apprenticeship pathway in Alaska is the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT), run by IBEW Local 1547 and the NECA contractors. You must also officially register your apprentice status with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and pay the apprentice fee (which is currently $50).

Step 3: Complete Apprenticeship Training

You have to work under a licensed electrician to gain hands-on experience. Alaska requires you to complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training to apply for the journeyman certificate. Of these, at least 6,000 hours must be commercial or industrial work. However, you are allowed to count up to 1,000 classroom hours toward those 8,000 hours. Residential certification requires 4,000 hours of experience with up to 500 classroom hours. In any case, these apprenticeships are paid training, which means you earn wages while you learn.

AVTEC offers a popular one-year pre-apprenticeship certificate of 1,080 hours that covers much of the basic electrical training, like the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and hands-on labs. Other programs at UAA, Prince William Sound College, and union-run JATCs offer similar curricula. In Alaska, classroom hours are typically spread over multiple years, which is about 576-1,400 total hours. On top of coursework, you will also pair up with an experienced journeyman on the job so that you can apply what you learn.

Step 4: Pass The Certification Exam

Once you have completed the required hours, you must pass a state certification exam. There are separate exams for Residential and Journeyman certifications. Each exam is 4 hours long and open-book. You must score at least 70% to pass the exam. The exam covers subjects like electrical circuitry, wiring methods, safety, grounding, conduit, and both residential and commercial code topics. The exam fee is $50, and you must schedule the exam through the state after your application is approved.

Step 5: Apply For Certificate Of Fitness

After you have passed the exam, submit your application for the Certificate of Fitness through Alaska’s Labor Department. This typically includes verifying your experience and exam results. Once this application is approved, you will receive your journeyman or residential electrical certificate. This certificate is issued by the state, and it allows you to legally perform electrical work in Alaska under that classification.

Step 6: Apply For Electrical Contractor Licensing

If you want to become an independent electrical contractor, you must also obtain an Electrical Administrator license from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. You need to submit an application for this, specify which category (unlimited, residential, inside commercial, etc), and pass the Alaska Administrator Exam. Only one person on an electrical contracting team needs this Administrator license assigned.

How Long Does It Take To Become An Electrician In Alaska?

Becoming an Alaska electrician typically takes about 4-5 years of combined work and schooling. Very driven apprenticeships can sometimes be completed in 3.5 years by training year-round, but most people follow the 4-year plan.

Alaska Electrical Certification Exam Details

The Alaska electrical certification exam is also called the Certificate of Fitness exam. It is a 4-hour, written, and open-book exam. You have to pass it in order to earn your Journeyman or Residential certification. The questions are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) and Alaska-specific amendments. The topics include wiring methods, circuitry, safety, grounding, motors, and code standards for homes, commercial buildings, and industrial systems.

You need to score 70% or higher in order to pass, and the exam fee is $50. If you fail, you can retake the exam by paying the fee again.

If you want to become an electrical contractor, there is a separate Electrical Administrator exam in Alaska for each specialty, like Unlimited Commercial Wiring, Residential Wiring, Line Work, etc. The Administrator exam also emphasizes NEC codes but focuses on supervisory and contractor-level knowledge. Once you pass the exam, you will get the Electrical Administrator license required for running an electrical contracting business in Alaska.

What States Reciprocate With The Alaska Electrical License?

Alaska has limited reciprocal agreements with other states for its electrical certifications. As of 2025, Alaska will accept an out-of-state journeyman license only from Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. It no longer reciprocates with Utah.

If you hold a Journeyman Electrician license from one of these states mentioned above and have held it for at least one year, with an active status, you can apply to waive Alaska’s exam and certify as an Alaska journeyman with fewer requirements.

It is important to know that the reciprocity applies to the journeyman level only. Residential-only licenses or lineman certifications typically are not covered by reciprocity. Also, an Electrical Administrator license is not reciprocal. If you are a contractor, you must pass Alaska’s own Administrator exam. The reciprocity agreements can change, so you must always verify the current list on Alaska’s official Mechanical Inspection page before moving.

Education And Training Programs In Alaska

There are several paths you can take in order to get the classroom education and apprenticeship experience you need to start out in your career. Here are some of the most common routes taken by people:

The main path is through the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT), run by IBEW Local 1547 in partnership with NECA contractors. This electrician union apprenticeship provides all 8,000 required work hours and classroom training. You must pass an aptitude test (algebra and reading) and meet the entry criteria, which include being 18 years old, having a high school diploma, and having a driving record.
AVTEC in Seward offers a full-time Industrial Electricity program of 1,080 hours that is designed to prepare students for apprenticeship and the journeyman exam. UAA’s Community and Technical College and rural campuses like Prince William Sound College also offer electrical technology certificates or associate degrees. These programs typically cover basic wiring, codes, and theory. You can shorten your apprenticeship time after earning credits from here.
You can also opt for an electrician trade school or a non-union member like ABC of Alaska’s apprenticeship program, which is NCCER- and DOL-registered. The Alaska Center for Construction Education and Training (ACET) and small contractor academies offer industry-recognized courses that can be good for supplemental training. However, all apprentices must still register with the state and complete the 8,000 hours under supervision to qualify for certification.

What Electrical Work Can Be Done Without A License In Alaska

According to the Alaska law, unlicensed electrical work is prohibited. If you perform electrical installations without the appropriate certificate or contractor license, you will be cited for violations. However, there are a few exceptions in some non-commercial situations:

If You Are An Apprentice

If you are an apprentice electrician and registered as an electrical trainee, you can perform electrical work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.

If You Are A Homeowner

There are many building departments that allow homeowners to obtain a permit and do minor electrical work on their own single-family residence, like replacing fixtures or outlets. However, this is completely regulated by local jurisdiction, and substantial installations typically require a licensed electrician or permit oversight.

If You Are A Volunteer Or An Employee Maintaining A Property

If you are an unpaid volunteer or an employee maintaining property that you own, you may perform some work without a license. For example, a homeowner working on their own house with a permit or a hospital maintenance worker.

Restrictions On Handyman

An unlicensed handyman cannot legally perform electrical work as per Alaska’s handyman rules. An unlicensed person cannot volunteer work, work on their own property, or even assist a licensed electrician except as an apprentice. If you are getting paid to do electrical wiring and installations, you must have a proper Alaska certification.

Do Electricians Make Good Money In Alaska?

Yes, electricians make good money in Alaska. As mentioned earlier, nearly all contractors in Alaska struggle to fill positions. The statewide construction industry is projected to grow about 8% between 2018 and 2028, boosting the need for skilled tradespeople, including electricians. Additionally, there will be specialized demand for remote locations and harsh climates. For example, linemen for off-grid power or technicians for oil or gas facilities.

According to Alaska Labor Statistics, the average wage of an electrician is about $36.34 per hour, with a median of $36.58, which is roughly around $75,000 per year for a full-time journeyman. Many electricians earn even more in higher-cost areas of Alaska, especially with overtime or shift differentials in camps and rural jobs.

Here is a table of the electrician’s wages based on their experience:

Electrician Category	Mean Wage
Journeyman Electrician	$36.34 per hour
Electrician Apprentice	$21-$27 per hour

If you have specialized skills in solar systems, industrial automation, or high-voltage linework, you can demand higher pay. According to Indeed reports, senior electricians in Alaska have an average salary of $93,000-$129,000.

Cost And Renewal Of Alaska Electrical Licenses

The initial certification fee is $200 plus the $50 exam fee. Even for reciprocity, an Electrical Journeyman certificate is $250 total.

Both Journeyman and Residential certificates must be renewed every two years via Alaska’s professional licensing portal. Additionally, while renewing a Journeyman certificate, Alaska requires 16 hours of continuing education during each 2-year cycle. Residential certificates require renewal every 2 years but have no CE mandate.

Alaska periodically updates its rules. In 2024, SB 204 extended trainee certificate validity to 6 years and explicitly set journeyman renewals to 2 years. In March 2025, Alaska’s Mechanical Inspection division warned that you must use the new July 1, 2025, forms and that they won’t accept old application formats.

Conclusion

The process of becoming a professional electrician in Alaska is more than just flipping a few switches. To earn your Alaska electrical license, you will need to fulfill the requirements, including documented on-the-job training, formal education, and state-approved exams. But every hour you spend in apprenticeship or classroom training directly impacts your expertise and income potential, especially if you are aiming for independent contractor or master licensure down the line.

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How To Get Your Alaska Electrical License In 2025