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Becoming an electrician in Nebraska is an exciting journey — you are starting a career working on the very systems that power the world each day. 

In the state of Nebraska, all professional electricians must obtain a license from the Nebraska State Electrical Division. There are a few types of licenses available, and the one you choose will depend on what type of buildings and projects you would like to work on.

Types of Electrician Licenses

There are three major types of electrician licenses available in Nebraska:

• Residential electrical journeyman license: Install electrical wiring and equipment for residential buildings
• Journeyman electrical license: Install electrical wiring and equipment for all types of buildings
• Electrical contractor license: Bid, plan, lay out, or supervise installations

Nebraska does offer an apprentice electrician license. You must work under the supervision of a licensee, and it is sometimes a required first step for a full license. Once you obtain your license, you must also renew it every odd numbered year by completing 12 hours of continuing education.

Requirements for Obtaining Nebraska Electrical Licenses

To be licensed as a residential journeyman electrician (also referred to as a residential journeyman wireman) in the state of Nebraska, you must register as an apprentice electrician and obtain three years of acceptable experience in the electrical trade. 

The board may allow one year of experience credit for completing an approved two-year post-high school electrical course.

To pass the open-book exam for this license, you must complete 100 questions in 270 minutes and get 70 correct. Some topics include: 

• Theory 
• Personal and job site safety 
• Project design 
• Estimating and management 
• Grounding and bonding 
• Tools and test equipment 
• Circuit protection and installation 
• Wiring methods and practices

To obtain a journeyman electrical license, you must:

• Gain four years (8,000 hours) of verifiable experience in the electrical trade under the supervision of an electrical contractor
• Be registered as an apprentice electrician during this time

You can gain one year of work experience credit for completing a two-year post-high school course in which you obtained an associate’s degree in electrical technology. You can also gain credit for qualified electrical experience in the military. 

The exam for this license consists of 100 questions over the course of 300 minutes, 70 of which must be correct for a passing score. It covers the following topics, among others: 

• Interpreting plans and specifications 
• Testing and troubleshooting 
• General code requirements 
• Special occupancies and equipment

Those who want an electrical contractor license must take things a step further by completing one of the following:

• Graduation from a four-year electrical course at an accredited college or university and one year of acceptable experience as a licensed journeyman
• Five years of experience planning, laying out, supervising, and installing electrical light, heating, and power writing or equipment

The NASCALA Electrical Contractor Exam consists of 100 total questions, 75 of which you must answer correctly to pass. It covers project design and management, wiring and protection, writing methods and materials, and other advanced topics.

Exam Prep Courses Help Propel You Into Your Future Career

Exam prep courses from an approved provider help give you the knowledge and confidence you need to pass your electrical contractor exam and be licensed as an electrician in Nebraska. 

RocketCert is here to help with tabbed books and online exam prep. You get calculation lessons, highlighting guides, quizzes, and even a practice exam, all with 24/7 availability. If you’re ready for a rewarding career full of excitement, contact RocketCert today to learn more about how you can prepare for success.