North Carolina was #3 in population growth from 2022 to 2023, behind Texas and Florida (U.S. Census Bureau). This increasing demand for housing creates an equal demand for electricians, making it a great time to become an electrician in North Carolina, as this steady growth rate means job security and better pay.
Whether you work in new construction or retrofit old or outdated electrical systems, now is an excellent time to begin your career. This article will walk you through the steps to becoming a licensed electrician in North Carolina.
Overview of the NC Electrician Career Path
Generally, electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical components and systems. They are expert troubleshooters
Electricians work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings as apprentices, journeyman and master electricians. The type of work you do day-to-day depends on where you are in your career path and what specialty you choose. .
Electricians first begin their careers as apprentices before becoming journeyman electricians. Working as a journeyman electrician is the first step to becoming a master electrician or electrical contractor.
Steps to Obtain an Electrical Contractor’s License in North Carolina
You’re required to have a license to work as an electrician in North Carolina. Licensees must meet minimum education and experience requirements before taking the electrical contractor’s licensing exam.
Step 1: Work Experience
All license types require experience in the field under a licensed electrician. The state classifies experience as Primary and Secondary. Primary experience is any work governed by the National Electrical Code (NEC), such as installation of electrical wiring or use of special equipment mandated by code. All license types require a minimum number of years of primary experience.
Some examples of primary experience include:
- Journeyman electrician or electrician mechanic
- Electrical foreman
- Electrical superintendent
- Estimator for a licensed electrical contractor
Secondary experience includes any work or training related to the installation of electrical wiring and equipment pursuant to the NEC. A few examples of secondary work experience include:
- Apprenticeship electrician training
- Working as an apprentice
- Satisfactory completion of courses at a college, university, technical, or vocational school
Not all experience carries the same weight. For example, one year of vocational school equates to 1,000 hours of secondary experience compared to one year in an apprenticeship program, which counts for 2,000 hours or one year of secondary experience.
Step 2: Apprenticeship and Education
There are distinct differences between attending an apprenticeship program versus a technical college or university. Electrical apprenticeship programs carry more weight; thus, you are able to complete your secondary experience requirements more quickly than if you attend a vocational or technical college.
Union apprenticeships are offered throughout the state including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), and the Carolina’s Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. Apprenticeships programs include classroom hours and paid work experience.
Local colleges, technical colleges, and vocational programs are another way to get started in the industry. Certificate programs take between three and six months to complete, junior colleges take two years, and a bachelor’s program will take four to five years.
Step 3: Pass the Electrical Contractor’s License Examination
For limited, intermediate, and unlimited license types, you’re required to pass a 100-question multiple choice exam. You need 70% to pass and you have six hours to complete the open book test.
References can be softbound, spiral, or hardbound. No loose-leaf materials are permitted in the exam room. All references must be pre-marked, highlighted, and tabbed, using permanent tabs.
Specialty-restricted examinations for SP-SFD, SP-PH, SP-ES, EP-EL, and SP-WP contain 40 questions with a three-hour time limit. The fire alarm/low voltage specialty exam has 50 questions and a three-hour time limit, and the swimming pool restricted exam has 25 questions and a one-hour time limit.
The exam covers the following topics:
- Bonding and Grounding (10-11 questions)
- Overcurrent Protection (9 questions)
- Wiring Methods and Terminations (10 questions)
- Boxes and Fittings (7-9 questions)
- Service Entrance and Equipment (9-11 questions)
- Motors and Control Wiring (7-9 questions)
- Special Occupancy and Hazardous Locations (6-9 questions)
- Load Calculations (11 questions)
- Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting (7 questions)
- General (3 questions)
- Laws, Rules, Basic Business Practices, and Practical Applications (15-18 questions)
Exam preparation courses are designed to help you pass the exam—the lessons cover the topics you will find on the test and simulated practice exams. Test prep centers like the Center (CTC) teach you how to take a timed exam. CTC also provides pre-tabbed, highlighted, and bound material you can take with you on exam day.
Some states offer reciprocity with North Carolina, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Licensed electrical contractors in these states may request a waiver of examination.
Step 4: Apply for Your NC Electrical Contractor License
Once you pass your exam, you can apply for your electrical contractor’s license. A $60,001 bond or line of credit is required for an intermediate license and a $150,001 bond or line of credit is required for an unlimited license. All licensees are required to complete a background check and pay the required licensing fee.
Types of Electrical Licenses in North Carolina
The type of license stipulates the type of work you can perform as an electrician in the state. North Carolina has three broad categories: limited, intermediate, and unlimited. Each of these allows the licensees to work on residential, commercial, or industrial electrical projects. Contractors are only restricted by the value of the project and experience in the field.
North Carolina has seven restricted licenses. An electrician who holds a restricted license is only permitted to work within the scope of that license.
Here are more details about the different license types and the scope of work permitted under each:
- Limited (L): With this license, you’re limited to working on projects valued under $10,000. To qualify for this license, you must have at least two years of work experience, with at least one year of primary experience, or specific experience in electrical contracting.
- Intermediate (I): This license type requires four years of experience with two and a half years of primary experience. With this license, you’re permitted to work on electrical projects valued up to $50,000.
- Unlimited (U): With the unlimited license, you are not restricted by project value. This license requires five years of professional work experience with at least four years of experience specifically in electrical contracting.
- Residential Single-Family Dwelling (SP-SSFD): This is a restricted license that permits electrical work on single-family residences only. To qualify for this designation, you need a minimum of two years of hands-on experience with at least one year of primary experience.
- Fire Alarm/Low Voltage (SP-FA-LV): With this license, electricians are permitted to install, repair, and maintain low-voltage wiring systems and fire alarm systems. This license requires a minimum of two years of hands-on experience with one year of specific experience.
In addition to these licenses, contractors who own or work exclusively for elevator, plumbing and HVAC, groundwater pump, electric sign, and swimming pool businesses can earn restricted electrical licenses to perform the electrical work related to their specialty.
Each of these requires two years of work experience with one of those specifically working with the electrical systems in their business.
How long does it take to earn your electrician license in North Carolina?
The length of time required varies but usually takes between 2 and 4 years to complete your education and training.
Continuing Education and License Renewal
Continuing education (CE) is an excellent way to remain current with industry trends, and it’s required to renew your electrical contractor’s license in North Carolina each year. Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited license holders must complete eight hours of CE; four of those can be completed online. Restricted license holders much complete four hours of CE, two of those hours can include online courses.
The Contractor Training Center offers several courses to fulfill North Carolina’s CE requirements, including the mandatory two-hour course produced by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
The Career Outlook for Electricians in North Carolina
There are many benefits to becoming an electrical contractor, including financial stability and job opportunities. Emerging technologies, such as smart homes and renewable energy, offer niche markets, and specializations offer job variety and growth. For those that want to run their own show, becoming an electrical contractor is the first step to opening your own business.
Electricians are in demand in every state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an 11% job growth through 2033 nationwide, which is five percentage points higher than other construction trades. According to the BLS, electricians earn an annual median wage of $50,950 in North Carolina, and Indeed reports a salary range between $34,132 and $93,820.
Why Choose Our Electrician Licensing Exam Prep School?
Becoming an electrician is a rewarding and exciting career choice. The steps to get licensed in North Carolina include a minimum of two years of work experience and passing the electrical contractor’s exam. When it comes to preparing for your exam, should be at the top of your list.
We offer professional preparation, confidence building and test-taking skills, comprehensive study materials, and pre-tabbed and highlighted materials you can bring with you to the open book exam. With consistently higher pass rates, CTC offers the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Exam Prep and the NASCLA Accredited Exam for Residential Electrical Contractors.
We’re here to help you every step of the way, so reach out with any questions you have about our program or the licensing process in North Carolina, or schedule a 30-minute start-up consultation with one of our experts who can help walk you through the application process.