Licensing Guides
Alabama Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in Alabama
Electrical, AL
Table of Contents
1. Licensure Requirements for Electricians in Alabama 2. Steps to Get an Alabama Electrical License 3. Types of Electrical Licensure in Alabama 4. Benefits of Getting an Electrician License in Alabama 5. Alabama Electrical Programs and Classroom Instruction 6. Who Issues Electrician Licensure in Alabama? 7. Does My Alabama Electrical License Work in Any Other State? 8. Resources
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.
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The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience!
Licensure Requirements for Electricians in Alabama
Is a license required for electricians in Alabama? Yes.
To perform electrical work in the state of Alabama, both electrical journeymen and electrician contractors must hold an Alabama electrical license by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board. However, electrician apprentices and helpers do not need a license to start working, but may need to pass an aptitude test to get hired.
Steps to Get an Alabama Electrical License
You must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. In some cases, a passing grade in Algebra classes is required, along with a driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Find an electrician willing to mentor you, pass an aptitude test, and complete an interview to be accepted for an apprenticeship.
Get work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor.
Get certification from your employer.
Apply for a license (or licenses, depending on the skill level desired).
Take the necessary journeyman and electrical contractor exams.
Register your license with the State of Alabama.
OBTAIN NECESSARY HOURS OF EXPERIENCE: Gain 8,000 hours of experience (four to five years) at an apprenticeship and 576 hours of technical learning through classroom instruction, or enroll in a two-year technical school program and work 6,000 hours (three years) at an apprenticeship. Get a signed affidavit from your employer stating you have met the required hours and schooling.
APPLY FOR A JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE: Submit the affidavit and the required application to the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board to apply for an Alabama Journeyman Electrician License. Once the application is approved, schedule the exam required to become a journeyman within 10 days and pay the $115 fee.
TAKE THE JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICAL LICENSING EXAM: The journeyman electrician licensure exam contains 80 questions that must be answered within four hours. You can use the 2014 National Electric Code (NEC) and the American Electricians Handbook during the exam.
The following topics are covered during the exam:
General Electrical Knowledge
Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
Grounding and Bonding
Conductors and Cables
Raceways and Boxes
Electrical Wiring
Special Occupancies and Equipment
Electrical Power
Motors
Low Voltage
Lighting
Illuminated Signs
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Safety Information
Overcurrent Protection
REGISTER YOUR ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN LICENSE WITH STATE: Once you pass the journeyman Alabama electrical license examination, you must pay the $35 registration fee and pick up your license. You must renew your license each year using this form.
APPLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE: If you plan to own your own business as an electrical contractor, not only do you have to pass an exam, you also have to show managerial experience and fill out a contractor application, and pay the $165 exam fee.
TAKE THE ALABAMA ELECTRICAL LICENSE EXAM: Once the application is approved, you must take the exam within 90 days. The Alabama electrical contractor license exam can be taken as many times as necessary to pass within a two-year period, as long as you pay the exam fee each time the test is taken.
The electrical contractor exam contains 110 questions that must be answered within five hours. The following books can be used during the exam: 2014 National Electric Code (NEC), The American Electricians Handbook, Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, and the Alabama Electrical Contractors Supplement to the Contractors Guide.
Topics covered during the electrical contractor exam include:
General Electrical Knowledge
Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
Grounding and Bonding
Conductors and Cables
Raceways and Boxes
Special Occupancies and Equipment
Electrical Wiring and Power
Motors
Low Voltage
Lighting
Illuminated Signs
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Safety Information
Overcurrent Protection
Business Organization
Risk Management
Project Management
Estimating
Safety and Environmental
Labor Laws
Tax Laws
Financial Management
Contracts
Lien Law
Licensing Law
REGISTER YOUR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE WITH THE STATE: You must pay the $150 registration fee and pick up your license. You must renew your license each year and complete continuing education requirements.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE: Currently, you do not need insurance to apply for an electrical license in the State of Alabama. However, it is advisable to carry general liability insurance, as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
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Types of Electrical Licensure in Alabama
What are the different types of an Alabama electrical license you can pursue?
There are two different types of electrical licenses in Alabama: an electrical journeyman license and an electrical contractor license. Both require annual renewal to maintain. An electrical contractor license is required for someone to own their own business, and independent electrical contractors holding that license must complete continuing education requirements set forth by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board before the license will be renewed each year.
Benefits of Getting an Electrician License in Alabama
There are many benefits you’ll see from getting your Alabama Electrician license. First, electrician apprentices and helpers do not need a license to start working, but may need to pass an aptitude test to get hired for an apprenticeship program.
An Alabama electrical license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market. The Alabama Department of Labor predicts that the number of electricians in the state will grow by 12.9% through 2024.
It also increases your earning potential in the construction industry. Licensed electricians in Alabama make good money, depending on their skill level and area of expertise. For instance, residential electricians earn an average of $45,000 per year, while specialty electricians could earn more than $70,000 per year.
Most importantly, it is required by Alabama law to be licensed through the state to legally perform electrical work. An electrical trade license is proof of your experience and skill. Having a license also protects your company and customers.
Only licensed electricians can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
Alabama Electrical Programs and Classroom Instruction
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrical contractor in Alabama, located all over the state, in major cities such as Montgomery and Birmingham to smaller communities such as Tanner.
Lawson State Community College has a Birmingham campus with an electronics/electrical technology certificate program. Tuition for in-state students is about $4,440 per year, with study materials costing about $1,600.
The JF Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville offers an electrical technology certificate program. Tuition for in-state students is about $4,410 per year, with another $2,000 in study materials.
John C Calhoun State Community College in Tanner offers both a certificate program and associate program in electrical technology. In-state tuition averages $4,520, with books and supplies costing about $1,500.
To become a union Alabama electrical contractor, you’ll need to apply through a local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) to find an electrical contractor to work under.
There are several JATCs located throughout the state, which are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The IBEW and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) offer JATCs through the National Training Alliance.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will gain 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 to have good customer service skills, be able to work independently, have good physical endurance, and be capable of using logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.
Who Issues Electrician Licensure in Alabama?
The Alabama Electrical Contractors Board issues licenses in the state.
Does My Alabama Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
Yes! If you are a licensed electrical contractor in Alabama, there are reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electric industry news several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends and get marketing tips.
Listen to top electrician podcasts, like ServiceTitan’s Toolbox for the Trades podcast.
