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If you’re intent on making electrical work your career, you will need to obtain either a Journeyman Electrician or Electrical Contractor license in Alabama. Both of these licenses are held by professionals and are required by the state before any work is offered, agreed upon, or performed.

Which Alabama Electrical License Is Right for You?

Which license you should aim for depends on your current experience and licensure and what you want to achieve with your career.

Journeyman Electrician License

This Alabama license is for those with the necessary training and qualifications to install lighting, electrical wiring, heating, or power equipment. These license holders are capable of following plans and specifications while keeping the standards, laws, and rules of master and state-certified professionals.

Electrical Contractor License

This license qualifies the holder to be engaged in business to install, repair, or solicit electrical power systems and control systems. They may lawfully maintain or alter these systems in addition to any electrical equipment, wiring devices, or apparatus.

Requirements for Getting an Alabama Electrical License

For the Journeyman Electrician license, you will need to demonstrate a minimum of 8,000 hours of experience, and you will be required to submit proof that you have performed a significant amount of work in industrial, commercial, or residential settings under the supervision of a certified electrician.

In addition, to sit for the licensure exam, you will need to submit an application that has been signed and notarized. An electrical examination could substitute for one year of education in an approved curriculum or apprenticeship program. This applies to 1,000 hours of electrical experience and a maximum of 2,000 toward the required 8,000 hours. 

If you participated in an apprenticeship or similar education program, you must submit verification. Finally, you must pass the state Electrical Journeyman Examination.

If you aim to earn the Electrical Contractor license, your application must be signed, notarized, and submitted. You’ll need to demonstrate 8,000 hours of experience designing and planning electrical construction activities and installing electrical components.

Just as with the Journeyman license, you can substitute one year of education in electrical curriculum for a maximum credit worth 2,000 of the required 8,000 hours of experience. As you might guess, you’ll need to supply your transcript, certificate, or diploma.

Finally, you must obtain a passing score on the state Electrical Contractor Examination.

The Alabama Electrical Exams

Currently, the NASCLA Electrical Exam is accepted by many licensing boards as an alternative to the state trade exams. This test has 100 questions; you are given 270 minutes to complete it. You must get at least 75 questions correct to pass, and it is an open-book test.

The Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam contains 110 questions; you must get 70% (77) of them correct to pass. Test-takers have five hours to complete this exam, and it is open-book.

Finally, the Alabama Electrical Journeyman Exam contains 80 questions; you must get 56 correct to pass. You will have four hours for this test, which is also open-book.

Obtaining Your Electrical License in Alabama

You’ll need to properly prepare for these exams to ensure no delays in granting your electrical license in Alabama. Your best bet is to sign up with RocketCert now and gain access to guides, practice quizzes, professional tips, and more. Sign up today!