Becoming a licensed electrician in Florida can take four to five years; it’s a long road but worth the effort. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the field will grow 6% over the next decade. Florida has one of the highest demands for electricians, and having an electrical license is required.
In Florida, you will find certified electricians who can work state-wide and registered electricians who are restricted to work within local jurisdictions. Florida does not have a single set of electrician licensing requirements; however, the initial licensing process generally includes an apprenticeship followed by an exam. Within this state, obtaining the correct license based on your career goals is important.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Florida
Whether you choose to work as a certified or registered electrician—which depends solely on whether you want to work in one area or throughout the state—the requirements to become a licensed electrician are mostly the same.
Journeyman Electrician License
Getting your journeyman electrician license in Florida is the first step toward a rewarding career as an electrician, but there are a few steps to make it happen, including:
- Completing high school or taking the GED.
- Working as an apprentice.
- Passing an exam.
You may also need to pass an aptitude test and an oral interview. In all cases, you should be physically fit enough to do the job.
Most municipalities require a minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice, roughly four years, and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Some counties substitute classroom hours for on-the-job experience, so it is imperative that you check with the local government offices in the city or county where you want to work.
The two-part exam covers business topics and technical and safety components of working in the electrical industry. Each part is timed, and you need 75% to pass. The best thing you can do to prepare is take an exam preparation course. Exam prep courses are designed to help you pass the exam by honing in on the topics covered on the test and giving you ample practice tests so you're ready for exam day.
Master Electrician License
A master electrician has the highest level of licensure in the state. Master electricians create electrical blueprints and building designs, solve complex electrical issues and system failures, train apprentices, and plan and execute projects as part of a larger team of contractors, architects, and owners.
To become a master electrician, you must have at least two years under your belt as a journeyman or 4,000 hours. You are also required to pass another exam covering the same general topics with at least a score of 75% — again, taking a preparatory course is your best bet for passing the exam.
Certified Electrician License
To work as a licensed electrician in Florida, you can be licensed to work in local cities or counties (municipalities), or you can be licensed to work throughout the state. If you work statewide, your title is certified licensed electrician. If you work locally, your title is registered licensed electrician. You can hold both license types, but only if each is different. For example, you can be a certified electrical contractor and a registered alarm or specialty contractor. These distinctions are the same whether you are a journeyman or a master electrician.
In either case, you will take an exam—the same exam you take to become a journeyman or master electrician. You just take the exam consistent with your business goals. If your business and career goals include working throughout the state, you will take the certified electrician license exam covering statewide electrical contracting topics.
The registered electrician license exam is required if your career goal is to work within a local area. It deals more specifically with local government rules and regulations. Registered electrician licensees can only perform work in the locality where they are registered, but they can register in multiple areas.
Exam preparation courses can prepare you to pass either exam.
Alarm and Specialty Contractor Licenses
Electricians with expertise in a specific type of electrical work can get a specialty contractor's license. Specialty contractors are allowed to work anywhere in the state. Specialties include alarm system contractors, residential, utility, sign, limited energy, and two-way radio communication enhancement systems. Electrical contractors choosing a specialty license can also choose to become certified or registered.
Alarm and specialty electrical contractors are required to take seven hours of CE every two years to maintain their licenses. Each specialty has its own examination requirements.
Certified Electrical or Alarm Contractor
You need additional experience and licensing to sit for the exam to become a certified electrical or alarm contractor to equal a total of 6 years of experience within 8 to 12 years of taking the exam. Your experience can come from working as a professional electrical engineer for three years, having management experience in the trade for six years, and 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor in the military. Comprehensive training and technical education for six years with an electrical contracting business or with the armed forces also counts.
Steps to Obtain an Electrician License in Florida
Step 1: Education Requirements
You must be 18 or over, have either a high school diploma or GED, and 144 hours of classroom instruction per year while working as an apprentice. In some municipalities, additional classroom time can be counted toward your apprenticeship.
Technical and vocational training schools are one way to gain experience and education under one roof. Their primary benefit is simplifying the entire process. Most programs will walk you through everything you need to take and pass the exam, including classroom hours, apprenticeship, and exam prep. Their downside is tuition costs. But if you’re someone who needs a little hand-holding to get started, the benefits outweigh the cost.
Step 2: Complete an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are offered through technical schools or union or non-union electrical apprenticeship programs. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATPs) are union-based programs affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. You will likely be required to join the union to participate. There are seven JATC facilities in the state, covering Miami, Florida’s east coast, central Florida, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville.
An advantage of most apprenticeships is that they’re paid—you begin making money from day one. Tuition to attend a technical college ranges from $3,000 to $13,000 and takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete. However, most technical schools provide apprenticeship placement services.
In both cases, you need to complete 8,000 hours or four years of apprenticeship training. During your apprenticeship, you will work under a master electrician to learn the technical aspects of your job as well as get qualified classroom hours. You can expect to learn the components of an electrical system, troubleshooting, installing, and maintaining electrical systems, reading blueprints, safety procedures, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes.
Step 3: Pass the Journeyman Exam
At the end of your apprenticeship, you can apply to take the journeyman exam. Part one of the exam covers business topics. There are 50 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. Part two covers the technical and safety components of working as an electrician. There are 100 questions with a 5-hour time limit.
The business portion of the exam has questions like estimating and job bidding, contracts, insurance, contracting laws, and NEC. Part two includes questions covering basic electrical concepts, code compliance, practical application, and safety. The passing score is 75% for each part individually.
Preparing for the two-part exam is essential, especially if you don’t have experience taking timed tests. Exam prep courses are designed specifically to help you pass the exam. In Florida, the exam is open book. Highlighting and tabbing your study materials is the easiest way to find what you’re looking for quickly. The Contractor Training Center offers a pre-tabbed and highlighted book bundle as an essential study guide.
Step 4: Gain Work Experience
Each step in the process requires qualified work experience and education. Your apprenticeship requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 classroom hours per year. To qualify to sit for the master electrician license, you need an additional two years of work experience (4,000 hours) and 11 or 7 hours of CE hours, depending on whether your license is broad or specialized.
The state requires documentation to prove your experience is in the category for the license you’re seeking. Evidence of work experience includes W2 forms, employment verification signed by your employer(s), and job lists.
Step 5: Obtain the Master Electrician License
Transitioning from journeyman to master electrician requires four years (4,000 hours) of work experience as a journeyman electrician and 11 hours of CE. CE units can be completed online, and 7 hours can be taken through home study courses.
All electrical licensing exams in Florida have two parts. Part one covers the business aspects of working as an electrician, and part two covers the practical aspects. In part one, you can expect more detailed questions regarding running an electrical business, such as bookkeeping, OSHA regulations, contracts, and contracting laws. Part two covers the NEC, electrical theory and calculations, safety practices, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair, and Florida building code electrical provisions.
Part one has 50 multiple-choice questions, and part two has 100. Both parts are timed, with 2.5 hours allocated for part one and 5 hours for part two. You must get a 75% or higher on each part to pass.
Step 6: Obtain the Electrical Contractor License
To become an electrical contractor, you need six years of supervisory and business experience and pass the certified electrical contractors exam. The contractor’s exam is similar to both the journeyman and master electrician exams, except that it contains more details on the business and technical aspects of owning and running an electrical company.
In addition to gaining experience and passing the exam, you must also provide a personal credit report and a business financial statement showing a net worth of at least $10,000 and maintain personal, property, and worker’s compensation insurance.
Continuing Education and License Renewal
Florida requires CE every two years. You must take 11 hours if you are a certified or registered journeyman electrician, a master electrician, or an electrical contractor. You only need 7 hours of CE if you hold a specialty license. You cannot renew your license if you have not taken continuing ed.
CE topics include worker’s compensation, workplace safety business practices, Florida laws and building codes, and technical courses. CE requirements for specialty licenses are similar; the technical courses are related to the specific specialty. A complete list can be found on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website. As well, you can find a list of approved providers on the website using the “Find a CE Course” tool.
FAQs
What is the difference between a certified and registered electrician?
You need to pass the state licensing exam to become a certified electrical contractor. A certified contractor can work anywhere in the state. Registered electricians register with local counties or municipalities based on a certificate of competency issued by the Electrical Contractor’s Licensing Board. Registered contractors can only work where they are registered.
Can I hold both license types at the same time?
Yes, you can, but only in different categories. For example, you can hold a certified electrical contractor’s license and a registered specialty contractor's license.
What type of licenses does the electrical board offer?
The Electrical Contractor’s Licensing Board offers licenses for certified and registered electrical contractors, certified and registered alarm contractors, and certified and registered electrical specialty contractors.
What are the different electrical specialties?
Electrical contractors can specialize in residential, utility lines, signs, and limited energy. Within these specialties, you can choose to register locally or become certified to work throughout the state. Certification requires passing the Certified Electrical Specialty Contractor exam.
Conclusion
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, offering incredible opportunities for electrical workers. However, navigating its licensing requirements takes some finesse. Generally, the steps include getting your education, working as an apprentice, and taking and passing your electrical exam. The most important thing to remember is to check with the jurisdiction where you want to work to ensure you meet their requirements.
For more information about taking the next step in your career, explore our NASCLA Residential Electrical courses to enhance your specialization. If you’re considering expanding your skills beyond electrical work, learn more about how to become a general contractor in Florida. To find the best preparation for your exams, check out our full range of Florida courses designed to help you succeed.
When you are ready, explore the Contractor Training Center’s exam prep courses to help pass your Florida electrical license exams. If you have questions, we’re happy to help. Reach out today to get started in this exciting and sustainable career.