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LICENSE LOOKUP

Electrician License Lookup by State

Master, journeyman, and apprentice electricians

ALAlabamaAlabama Electrical Contractors BoardAKAlaskaAlaska Electrical License SearchAZArizonaArizona ROC Electrician SearchARArkansasArkansas Labor Electrician LicensingCACaliforniaCalifornia DIR Electrician SearchCOColoradoColorado DORA Electrician SearchCTConnecticutConnecticut Electrician License SearchDEDelawareDelaware Electrician License SearchFLFloridaFlorida DBPR Electrician SearchGAGeorgiaGeorgia Construction Industry License BoardHIHawaiiHawaii Board of Electricians and PlumbersIDIdahoIdaho Division of Building Safety ElectricalILIllinoisIllinois IDFPR Electrician SearchINIndianaIndiana Electrician LicensingIAIowaIowa Electrician License SearchKSKansasKansas Board of Technical Professions ElectricalKYKentuckyKentucky Electrician LicensingLALouisianaLouisiana State Electrical BoardMEMaineMaine Electrician Examining BoardMDMarylandMaryland Board of Master ElectriciansMAMassachusettsMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansMIMichiganMichigan LARA Electrician SearchMNMinnesotaMinnesota Electrical LicensingMSMississippiMississippi State Board of Contractors ElectricalMOMissouriMissouri Electrician License SearchMTMontanaMontana Electrician License SearchNENebraskaNebraska Electrician License SearchNVNevadaNevada State Electrical BoardNHNew HampshireNew Hampshire Electrician LicensingNJNew JerseyNew Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical ContractorsNMNew MexicoNew Mexico Electrical BureauNYNew YorkNew York Electrician License SearchNCNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina Electrical Licensing BoardNDNorth DakotaNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardOHOhioOhio Construction Industry LicenseOKOklahomaOklahoma Construction Industries Board ElectricalOROregonOregon Building Codes Division ElectricalPAPennsylvaniaPennsylvania Bureau of Professional LicensingRIRhode IslandRhode Island Electrician License SearchSCSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina Electrician License SearchSDSouth DakotaSouth Dakota Electrical CommissionTNTennesseeTennessee Electrical Contractor LicensingTXTexasTexas TDLR Electrician SearchUTUtahUtah Electrician LicensingVTVermontVermont Board of ElectriciansVAVirginiaVirginia DPOR Electrician SearchWAWashingtonWashington L&I Electrician SearchWVWest VirginiaWest Virginia State Electrical BoardWIWisconsinWisconsin Electrician License SearchWYWyomingWyoming Electrical Board
Electrician licensing guide

Who needs a electrician license

Electrical work is licensed in most states because errors create fire and shock hazards. Licensing is usually tiered: apprentices work under supervision while gaining hours, journeymen can perform work independently, and master electricians can supervise others and in many states pull permits. Electrical contractors, the businesses that bid and contract for work, often need a separate contractor license or registration in addition to the individual licenses held by their electricians.

In some states electrical licenses are issued by a state board or department, while in others cities and counties handle licensing. Requirements also vary by type of work, with specialty categories for residential wiring, low-voltage systems, signs, or solar installation. Before hiring, confirm both the business license and the license of the electrician who will supervise the job, because permits and inspections depend on them.

How to look up a electrician license

  1. Ask for the electrical contractor's license number and the name and license number of the supervising master or journeyman.
  2. Choose your state above and open the electrical board or licensing agency search. If the state does not license electricians, contact the local building department.
  3. Confirm the license level and any specialty category match the work, such as residential, commercial, or low-voltage.
  4. Check the expiration date and any listed disciplinary actions or citations.

What license status terms mean

Active
The electrician or contractor is authorized to perform work at the license level shown.
Inactive
The license is held but not in use, for example when the holder is not employed in the trade or no longer qualifies a business.
Lapsed or expired
The renewal was not completed, often because continuing education or fees were outstanding. Work should not be performed or permitted under a lapsed license.
Suspended
The licensing body has temporarily revoked authority, typically after code violations, complaints, or failure to meet a board order.

Renewal and continuing education

Electrical licenses are renewed on cycles set by the state or local authority, often every one to three years. Many jurisdictions require continuing education focused on changes to the National Electrical Code and on safety, because code editions are updated regularly. Contractor licenses may also require proof of insurance or a bond at renewal. Check the licensing authority for current requirements.

A practical verification tip

When comparing bids, ask each contractor who will obtain the permit and schedule the inspection. A licensed electrician should be comfortable pulling the permit in their own name. Requests to skip the permit, or to have the homeowner pull it, are common red flags. Inspections protect you, your insurer, and a future buyer of the property, and permit records often surface during a home sale or a refinance appraisal. Keep the final inspection record with your property documents. For larger projects, such as a service panel upgrade, generator, or EV charger installation, ask whether the utility must also approve the connection, and confirm who will coordinate that step before work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

What is the difference between a journeyman and a master electrician?
A journeyman can typically do electrical work independently. A master has additional experience and testing and can usually supervise others and qualify a contracting business.
Do electricians need a license for small jobs?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Some places allow limited homeowner or minor work without a license, but most paid electrical work requires a licensed electrician and a permit.
Is a contractor license enough?
Often both are needed: the business may hold an electrical contractor license, while the work is performed or supervised by licensed electricians. Verify both if you can.
Can I check whether a permit was pulled?
Permits are usually issued by the local building department. Many departments offer online permit searches by address.