According to the Construction Education Foundation, the construction industry in Colorado is expected to grow by 26% with a 28% rise in specialty contractors, like electricians.
A license is required to work as an electrician in the state. Colorado issues three types of licenses: residential wireman, journeyman, and master electrician. The field offers stability and plenty of opportunities for growth. Salaries are on par with other trades, with top earners making over $100,000 annually.
Here we’ll cover the steps necessary to become a licensed electrician in Colorado.
Types of Electrician Licenses in Colorado
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) issues three electrical licenses: Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician. If you would like to own your own electrical company, you’re also required to obtain an independent electrical contractor license.
Residential Wireman (RW)
To become a residential wireman, you must have 4000 hours (two years) of residential-only experience. Residenital wireman earn an average annual salary of $48,160. Top earners make $57,833.
Journeyman Electrician (JW)
This level requires 8,000 hours (four years) of experience. Half of that experience must be in commercial and industrial work. Additionally, 288 hours of documented classroom education are required. At the journeyman level, the average salary is $71,565 a year.
Master Electrician (ME)
To become a master electrician, you must document experience in one of the following ways:
- Graduate from an accredited college or university with a degree in electrical engineering and have at least 2000 hours (one year) of experience.
- Graduate from a trade school or community college and have 8000 hours (four years) of documented work experience.
- Meet the requirements of a journeyman electrician and an additional 2000 hours (one year) where some of those hours are in planning and layout, and some are supervisory while in possession of a journeyman electrician license.
Supervisory hours do not count if you are performing work alongside supervisees. Additionally, if you are using experience to qualify for the master license, you must obtain a journeyman license first.
Master electricians earn an average salary of $84,054, with top earners making $133,017.
Independent Electrical Contractor
To work for yourself or hire electricians to work under you, you must be a licensed electrical contractor registered in Colorado. To become a licensed electrical contractor, you must hold or employ a licensed master electrician who acts as the responsible party for the company.
You are also required to carry unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance. It is also possible you will need to meet local city or county government regulations, such as obtaining a local business license.
Education Requirements
To become a licensed journeyman or master electrician in Colorado, you must obtain at least 288 hours of classroom instruction. There are several options to earn your hours, including apprenticeships, technical schools, and community colleges. Most programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Additionally, taking coursework in basic math, science, and problem solving will give you a leg up.
The option you decide should match your career goals. If your goal is to obtain a four-year degree, a community college program in electrical engineering gives you the foundational courses you need to transfer to a university. You will also meet the educational hours needed to take the exam to get your journeyman license.
Trade schools offer a combined approach of education and apprenticeship. Units earned at a trade school can also transfer to four-year colleges. Trade schools are typically more expensive than community colleges and standard apprenticeships.
If your goal is to begin working—and earning—immediately, an apprenticeship is your best bet. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offers apprenticeship opportunities throughout Colorado.
Experience Requirements for Licensing
In addition to classroom hours, each license requires a certain level of hands-on experience. Field experience must be documented using the Affidavit of Experience form. Work experience must be completed under the supervision of a licensed electrician and documented by your employer.
Residential wiremen are required to have 4000 hours of residential wiring experience. Journeymen are required to get 8000 hours, with half of that in commercial and industrial settings.
Master electricians can use a combination of advanced education and experience. To become a master electrician, select one of the three options below:
Master Electrician (select one):
1. Show 10,000 hours of experience including at least 4,000 of commercial/industrial experience.
- Experience must include planning and layout, and supervision experience.
- Supervision experience must be gained while holding an active journeyman electrician license.
2. Hold an electrical engineering degree from an accredited college or university.
- Also show 2,000 hours of practical experience as a registered electrical apprentice.
3. Hold a community college or trade school degree in electrical construction or a related field.
- Also show 8,000 hours of practical experience as listed for journeyman electrician license.
Electrician Licensing Process in Colorado
To become a licensed electrician in Colorado, you’re required to complete the application, pay the application fee, and upload the requisite documents, including education and experience documentation, criminal history, and endorsement or reciprocity requests. Reciprocity is only available at the journeyman level.
Applications are valid for one year. Within that time, you must take and pass the licensing exam for your appropriate license. PSI Services, Inc. proctors all three exams. The 2023 National Electrical Code book and Formula Page are provided to you at the testing center for use during the