How to become an electrician in Alabama

8,000 hours of supervised work, then the state exam.² Alabama licenses electricians through the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors.¹

8,000hours of work before the exam

Pick your way in

Every route ends at the same place: 8,000 logged hours and the state exam.

A program hires you, pays you on the job and runs your classes.

Learn the basics, then find work to log your hours.

Get hired as a helper by a licensed electrical contractor and log hours on the job.

Journeyman license from the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors.

Start as an apprentice or trainee
Join a registered apprenticeship, take a trade school program, or work as a helper for a licensed contractor.
Issued by
Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors
Compare the ways in
Log 8,000 hours8,000 hrs
About 4 years of full-time work under a licensed electrician. Keep your own log of hours and pay stubs.
Issued by
Your employer signs off
Time
8,000 hrs
What counts as hours
Pass the journeyman exam$115 exam
Apply to the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors with your hours, then book the exam.
Issued by
Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors
Cost
$115 exam
Exam, fees and code book
Keep it currentEvery year$35 renewal
Renew every year. 14 hours every 2 years for electrical contractor licenses; the law's continuing education requirement applies to contractor licenses, and none is stated for journeymen
Issued by
Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors
Time
Every year
Cost
$35 renewal
Renewal and continuing education
Run your own shop
To bid and contract on your own you need a electrical contractor license or registration.
Issued by
Electrical Contractors Board
Alabama contractor license