District of Columbia electrician license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
Examination paths: journeyman four years/8,000 hours; master eight years/16,000 hours.
Exam
Journeyman examination may be waived with proof of completion of a nationally certified apprenticeship.
Renewal
Regardless of when they were obtained, all licenses expire November 30 on odd-numbered years.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
A trade contracting company needs a designated DC-licensed master responsible for supervising work; there is no separate contractor-license exam.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
SELECT A DESIGNATED MASTER - A designated master or qualifier is required. This individual must be a DC licensed master tradesperson and is responsible for supervising the work and individuals associated with a project. There is no exam required to obtain a contractor’s license.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARD OF INDUSTRIAL TRADES
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Ready to apply? Visit the Board of Industrial Trades (https://dlcp.dc.gov/industrialtrades)
Official sourceCheck the qualifications
Required hours
Examination paths: journeyman four years/8,000 hours; master eight years/16,000 hours.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Journeyman Exam 4 years/8,000 work hours Master Exam 8 years/16,000 work hours
Official sourceEducation
Journeyman and master examination applicants provide tax records, employment verification, and an NEC code-class certificate taken within two years.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Tax Records, Employment Verification Letter and NEC Code Class Certificate taken within 2 years
Official sourceExam
Journeyman examination may be waived with proof of completion of a nationally certified apprenticeship.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
With proof of completion of a nationally-certified apprenticeship program, you may waive the journeyman exam.
Official sourceBond
Regular-voltage electrical contractor: company bond 4,000 USD and master bond 2,000 USD; low-voltage: 2,000 and 1,000 respectively.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Electrical (Regular Voltage) $4000 $2000 November 30 (Odd Year) Electrical (Low Voltage) $2000 $1000 November 30 (Odd Year)
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
NEW APPLICANTS – Begin your online application (https://govservices.dcra.dc.gov/newoplalicenses)
Official source
Reciprocity
Journeyman: Virginia only. Master: Maryland or Virginia. Provide an active state license and good-standing letter from the state of examination explicitly stating licensure by exam.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Reciprocity Valid/Active state-issued license Letter of good standing (Virginia Only) Reciprocity Valid/Active state-issued license Letter of good standing (Maryland/Virginia Only) The letter must explicitly state that you obtained your license by examOfficial source
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARD OF INDUSTRIAL TRADESOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Ready to apply? Visit the Board of Industrial Trades (https://dlcp.dc.gov/industrialtrades)Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
NEW APPLICANTS – Begin your online application (https://govservices.dcra.dc.gov/newoplalicenses)Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Journeyman Exam 4 years/8,000 work hours Master Exam 8 years/16,000 work hoursOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Tax Records, Employment Verification Letter and NEC Code Class Certificate taken within 2 yearsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
With proof of completion of a nationally-certified apprenticeship program, you may waive the journeyman exam.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Electrical (Regular Voltage) $4000 $2000 November 30 (Odd Year) Electrical (Low Voltage) $2000 $1000 November 30 (Odd Year)Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Regardless of when they were obtained, all licenses expire November 30 on odd-numbered years.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Reciprocity Valid/Active state-issued license Letter of good standing (Virginia Only) Reciprocity Valid/Active state-issued license Letter of good standing (Maryland/Virginia Only) The letter must explicitly state that you obtained your license by examOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
SELECT A DESIGNATED MASTER - A designated master or qualifier is required. This individual must be a DC licensed master tradesperson and is responsible for supervising the work and individuals associated with a project. There is no exam required to obtain a contractor’s license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (2)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.