North Carolina electrician license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
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Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
Qualified individuals take a written exam covering the NEC as incorporated into the state building code, electrical plans and specifications, estimating, and electrical installation fundamentals.
Renewal
Renewal applications and fees shall be due 30 days prior to the license expiration date.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Electrical contracting businesses must have the applicable state license. Electrical contracting includes installing, maintaining, altering or repairing electrical work, wiring, devices, appliances or equipment.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Electrical contracting shall be defined as engaging or offering to engage in the business of installing, maintaining, altering or repairing any electric work, wiring, devices, appliances or equipment. No person, partnership, firm or corporation shall engage, or offer to engage, in the business of electrical contracting within the State of North Carolina without having received a license in the applicable classificationOfficial source
Agency guidance
Each business location must have a listed qualified individual on active duty to supervise and direct its electrical work.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
In each separate place of business operated by an electrical contractor at least one listed qualified individual shall be regularly on active duty and shall have the specific duty and authority to supervise and direct all electrical wiring or electrical installation work done or made by such separate place of business.Official source
Agency guidance
The state electrical-contracting article exempts a person working as a bona fide employee of a Board licensee.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
To any person in the course of his work as a bona fide employee of a licensee of this Board.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
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors shall provide for the written examination of all applicants for certification as a qualified individual
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Age
18
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Applicants for certification as a qualified individual must be at least 18 years of age
Official sourceExam
Qualified individuals take a written exam covering the NEC as incorporated into the state building code, electrical plans and specifications, estimating, and electrical installation fundamentals.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The examination to be given for this purpose shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate provisions of the National Electrical Code as incorporated in the North Carolina State Building Code, the analysis of electrical plans and specifications, estimating of electrical installations, and the fundamentals of the installation of electrical work and equipment.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
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Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (9)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors shall provide for the written examination of all applicants for certification as a qualified individualOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Electrical contracting shall be defined as engaging or offering to engage in the business of installing, maintaining, altering or repairing any electric work, wiring, devices, appliances or equipment. No person, partnership, firm or corporation shall engage, or offer to engage, in the business of electrical contracting within the State of North Carolina without having received a license in the applicable classificationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
In each separate place of business operated by an electrical contractor at least one listed qualified individual shall be regularly on active duty and shall have the specific duty and authority to supervise and direct all electrical wiring or electrical installation work done or made by such separate place of business.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
To any person in the course of his work as a bona fide employee of a licensee of this Board.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Applicants for certification as a qualified individual must be at least 18 years of ageOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
The examination to be given for this purpose shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate provisions of the National Electrical Code as incorporated in the North Carolina State Building Code, the analysis of electrical plans and specifications, estimating of electrical installations, and the fundamentals of the installation of electrical work and equipment.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
all licenses issued by the Board shall expire one year after the date of issuance.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
all licenses issued by the Board shall expire one year after the date of issuance. Licenses shall be renewed by the Board, subject to G.S. 87-44.1 and G.S. 87-47, after receipt and evaluation of a renewal application from a licensee and the payment of the required fee. The application shall be upon a form provided by the Board and shall require such information as the Board may prescribe. Renewal applications and fees shall be due 30 days prior to the license expiration date.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
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- California
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
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- Illinois
- Indiana
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- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
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- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- 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 (4)
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-42.html
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-43.html
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-43.1.html
- https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-44.html
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.