Quick Reference Table
License Feature | Details |
|---|---|
License Types | Electrical Contractor (Master), Journeyman Electrician |
Regulating Agency | Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors (AECB) |
Required Experience | Contractor: 8,000 hours supervisory; Journeyman: 8,000 hours technical (past 8 years) |
Required Exam | Yes, Prov, Inc. (75% passing score on trade exam) |
License Renewal | Annually (all types) |
Continuing Education | 14 hours every 2 years (effective 2026) |
Application Fees | Contractor Exam: $165; Contractor License: $150; Journeyman Exam: $115; Journeyman License: $35 (as of Jan–Feb 2026) |
Renewal Fees | Contractor: $150; Journeyman: $35 (annual, as of 2026) |
Reciprocity Fee | $315 (as of Feb 2026, for contractors) |
Official URL |
Who Needs a License in Alabama?
In Alabama, anyone performing electrical contracting or journeyman electrician work must have a valid license from the AECB, regardless of job value or the type of building. This means you need a license even for small residential work or large commercial jobs. No statewide project dollar threshold or exemption exists based on job size.
Electrical Contractors oversee, plan, and manage installation of electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial sites. Journeyman Electricians install wiring and equipment under supervision. In addition, if you are working as an employee (not a contractor), you still need a journeyman license for installation work. Contractors must hold the electrical contractor license to bid and contract electrical jobs of any size statewide.
Exemptions are narrow. Utility company employees, telephone/signal system workers, owner-builders (for their own residence in some cases), and low-voltage work under 25 volts may be exempt under state law. However, local authorities can still require separate permits or additional licensing. Always check with the relevant city or county about local permit or bond rules even if exempt from state license requirements. For details on scope, see this Alabama statute.
Electrical License Requirements in Alabama: License Types
There are two primary license types recognized statewide under the electrical license requirements in Alabama: Electrical Contractor (sometimes labeled Master Electrician) and Journeyman Electrician. Each has its own eligibility, experience, and examination requirements.
Electrical Contractor (Master Electrician): This license allows you to design, plan, supervise, and contract for electrical construction activities. It authorizes bid and permit rights for residential, commercial, and industrial work, including unlimited voltage and project amount. You can certify additional business entities for contracting if you meet board approval and pay the additional fee.
Journeyman Electrician: This license covers performing actual installation of wiring, lighting, heating, and power equipment. Journeymen must work under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. This license does not allow you to contract jobs or pull electrical permits independently.
Inactive and Provisional Licenses: Both Contractor and Journeyman licenses can be placed in inactive status or issued as provisional credentials under certain circumstances, as detailed in AECB board rules.
Reciprocal Licenses: The AECB offers reciprocal licensing for out-of-state contractors and (with Texas only) journeymen who qualify. See Reciprocity below.
Each license is issued to individuals. However, the Electrical Contractor may also certify a separate business entity if ownership and control requirements are met by submitting additional documents for board approval. Journeyman licensees cannot supervise jobs or operate independently as contractors.
How to Get Licensed in Alabama
To meet the electrical license requirements in Alabama, you must follow a multi-step process set by the AECB. Here’s how you become licensed:
Identify the license type you need: Electrical Contractor or Journeyman Electrician.
Document the required work experience: You need 8,000 hours. Education or apprenticeship credits may substitute up to 2,000 hours; see AECB Administrative Code.
Prepare and submit the exam application: Complete the right form (see Forms below), attach supporting documents (ID, proof of citizenship, affidavits, transcripts, etc.), and pay the exam fee. Applications must be received at least 14 days before a scheduled Board meeting.
Wait for Board approval to sit for exam: You receive eligibility notice from the AECB, after which you have about 90 days to schedule and take your exam through Prov, Inc.
Pass the required exam: You must score at least 75% on the Electrical Contractor, NASCLA Electrical, or Journeyman test.
Submit post-exam licensing documents: After passing, complete license forms (EC-1 and, for contractors, EC-2), attach relevant documentation (for business entity certification, if needed), and pay the initial license fee.
Check your license status: Verify that your active license appears on the public roster before bidding, contracting, or performing any electrical work.
Processing and Timelines
The AECB processes applications at quarterly Board meetings. Only complete applications received at least 14 days before the meeting are considered. No fingerprint or background check is required by state rules. Exams are scheduled after Board approval and typically must be taken within 90 days of authorization. For detailed step-by-step form guides, visit the board’s official Forms and Applications page.
Application Requirements
You must meet and prove specific requirements to satisfy electrical license requirements in Alabama. These involve personal eligibility, work documentation, and form completion.
Experience and Age Requirements
For both Electrical Contractor and Journeyman Electrician:
You must document at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience (detail in next bullet).
For Contractors, hours must include hands-on and supervisory activity (such as design, planning, layout, management).
Journeyman experience must be technical (installing, connecting, maintaining wiring or electrical equipment) within the past 8 years.
Education and apprenticeship may substitute for up to 2,000 hours; submit official transcripts or apprenticeship certificates for credit.
You must be at least 18 years old and legally eligible to work in the U.S. Submit government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship or authorized presence in the U.S.
Documentation and Forms
Submit completed application forms (EA-1 or EA-2 for exam application; EC-1 for license; EC-2 for contractor business entity certification if applicable).
Attach signed and notarized employment affidavits (JCE-1, JCE-4, or other board-specified forms).
Attach W-2s, 1099s, or other employment records to verify experience.
If applying using education/apprenticeship hours, submit course transcripts or apprenticeship program evidence.
Bond and Insurance
The state of Alabama does not require a contractor license bond at the state level. However, some local governments (counties, municipalities) may require a bond, usually ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. State-level liability insurance is not explicitly required by the board for licensure or exam, but some local agencies may require proof of liability insurance to pull permits. Always check local rules before starting work.
Background Check and Federal Certifications
There is no Alabama state-level fingerprinting, background check, or EPA 608 refrigerant certification requirement for either license type. However, specific project types, such as HVAC or restricted government work, may involve other federal requirements not outlined by the electrical board. Always check with the AECB if you are unsure.
Exams
Passing a board-approved exam is a central requirement under electrical license requirements in Alabama. Here are the exam types and details:
Electrical Contractor Exam or NASCLA Electrical Contractors Exam: Both are accepted for contractor licensure. If you are using a reciprocal application, you may be required to take an additional Alabama Business & Law exam.
Journeyman Electrician Exam: Covers technical knowledge of wiring, equipment, safety, and code.
Exam Format and Provider
All exams are open-book and administered by Prov, Inc. at approved test centers statewide or via their online proctored exam process.
Electrical Contractor: 110 questions (5 hours). Restricted Contractor: 90 questions (4 hours). NASCLA: 110 questions (4.5 hours). Journeyman Exam: 80 questions (4 hours). Business & Law for reciprocity: 40 questions (2 hours).
Passing score is 75 percent for all exams.
If you fail or your eligibility period expires, you must reapply and pay a new fee to retake the exam. No waiting period after failure, unless specified in your eligibility letter.
Providers and bulletins are listed on the NASCLA’s Alabama page.
Fees
The following fees are set in the state administrative code and sourced directly from the AECB. All amounts are current as of January and February 2026. If you need recent changes or a full breakdown, review the official fee schedule for details.
Electrical Contractor Exam Fee: $165 (as of January 17, 2026)
Journeyman Electrician Exam Fee: $115 (as of January 17, 2026)
Contractor License Fee (initial and renewal): $150 (as of January 17, 2026)
Journeyman License Fee (initial and renewal): $35 (as of January 17, 2026)
Electrical Contractor restoration (late renewal) fee: $50 per year (as of January 17, 2026)
Journeyman restoration (late renewal) fee: $15 per year (as of January 17, 2026)
Inactive certificates: Contractor $75, Journeyman $15
Replacement card fee: $25
Provisional License: $75; Provisional Renewal: $75
Reciprocal Contractor License: $315 (as of February 14, 2026)
Statewide, no bond fee or requirement applies. Still, check your local city or county as many require municipal or county bonds of $5,000 to $10,000.
Continuing Education Provider Fee: $250 (as of January 17, 2026)
Renewal and Continuing Education
Electrical license requirements in Alabama mandate that all licenses must be renewed every year and that 14 hours of continuing education be completed in every two-year cycle.
Renewal Cycle and Late Fees
All licenses expire annually on a set date (usually December 31).
Renewal fees must be paid each year: Contractor $150, Journeyman $35 (as of January 17, 2026)
Late renewal (restoration) fee: Contractor $50/year, Journeyman $15/year
If you fail to renew in time, your license status becomes inactive. You may pay the restoration fee to reactivate within the administrative window.
If you remain expired too long, you may be required to fully reapply and retest.
Continuing Education (CE)
All licensees must complete 14 hours of AECB-approved CE each two-year period.
There is no partial credit; CE must be obtained from a board-approved provider. The board lists approved courses on its official forms and testing page.
CE content usually involves National Electrical Code (NEC) updates, safety, law, and technical skills.
You must submit proof of completed CE hours when renewing in applicable years.
Failure to complete CE can result in disciplinary action, denied renewals, or requirement to reapply as a new applicant.
Reciprocity
Alabama recognizes out-of-state electrical contractor licenses (and, for Texas, journeyman) from select states under formal reciprocity agreements. This can help you meet Alabama’s electrical license requirements faster if you are already licensed elsewhere.
States with Reciprocity: Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas (Contractor; Texas also covers Journeyman)
Process: You must pass the Alabama Business & Law exam, submit a completed and notarized reciprocity application along with license verification from your current state, and pay the $315 reciprocity fee (as of February 14, 2026; see AECB forms).
License Scope: Reciprocity only applies to the Electrical Contractor license (and Texas for Journeyman). You must demonstrate you are in good standing in your home state and have passed a similar qualifying exam.
Limitations: Reciprocal licenses do not allow you to skip the Alabama Business & Law exam. Temporary or provisional licenses may not be granted unless you complete the official reciprocity process.
There is no blanket endorsement from other states not listed above. Local Alabama requirements may still apply on top of your reciprocal state credential.
Official Links
AECB Administrative Code: Experience and Exam Qualifications
For license lookup or online renewal, go to the AECB homepage and use "Licensee Search" or "Online Renewal"
For more electrical licensing resources and helpful tools, visit the CloseCrew electrical licensing hub.
