Georgia Electrician License: How to Get Certified as an Electrician in GA

Do you need an electrician license in Georgia?

Yes, you need to get a license to work as an electrician in the state of Georgia. It’s against the law to perform any contracting work, including electrical, without a license. 

Licensing is overseen by the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors, a division of the Secretary of State’s Office. 

As a licensed electrician, you can perform the following types of installation, maintenance, and repair work:

• Raceway systems
• Conductors, flexible cords, cables, splices, taps, terminations, etc.
• Service entrances, metering devices, switchboards, etc.
• Motors and generators
• Switches, disconnects, and controls
• Special occupancy materials and equipment

Types of electrician licenses in Georgia

The state board refers to electricians as electrical contractors, which are separated into two categories based on the type of work they perform. The category depends on the type of wiring and the strength of the voltage at the point where the building connects to the utility lines (service drop). 

Georgia electrician license requirements

According to the code outlining statewide electrical contractor licensing, you need to meet specific experience requirements and pass an examination before you qualify for the Class I or Class II license. 

The state board breaks down work, education, and other training experience into three main categories:  

• Primary experience: Experience gained through direct installation of electrical system types covered by the National Electrical Code
• Secondary experience: Work or training experience related to electrical contracting and systems, including code theory, site inspection, engineering designs, project management and estimating, etc.
• Education: Completion of a two-year (minimum) academic diploma or certificate program from a vocational-technical school

For a full explanation of the eight different categories of electrical contractor work, check out chapter 121-2 of the state code.

How do I get an electrician license in Georgia?

The electrical contractor board outlines the following steps you need to take to get your Class I or Class II electrical contractor license in Georgia:

1. Meet the four-year experience requirements through a combination of primary, secondary, and educational experience
2. Fill out the electrical contractor application for licensure by examination, checking off your status as either restricted or unrestricted, and get it notarized
3. Complete a background check with local law enforcement
4. Provide a list of work experience with at least three references, one of which must be from a licensed electrical contractor
5. Fill out an Affidavit of Citizenship form
6. Write the electrical contractor license exam, passing with a score of at least 70%

All forms can be submitted electronically or mailed to the Division of Electrical Contractors at the following address: 

237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217

Georgia electrician license exam

Both Class I and Class II electrical contractor applicants need to write and pass an exam for licensure in the state of Georgia. The state board currently uses PSI as its testing vendor. 

The exams are 140 questions and come in two sections. Applicants have four hours to complete each section. To be eligible for the electrical contractor license, you will need to score at least 70%. 

The two parts of the exams and the question topics you’ll see in each are listed below: 

The breakdown of topics by number of questions changes in the technical functions section between the Class I and Class II exams. For more information about writing the Georgia electrical contractor exam, you can check out the candidate information bulletin.

Does Georgia reciprocate electrician licenses?

Reciprocal licenses let contractors with out-of-state licenses apply directly for an equivalent one in another state.

Georgia currently reciprocates electrical licenses with the following states: 

• Alabama
• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

For more information on getting a reciprocal electrical contractor license in Georgia, check out the State Board’s how-to guide.

How much does an electrician license cost in Georgia?

From application through to your first renewal, you can expect to pay around $115–$140, depending on whether you renew your license on time.

Georgia electrician license renewal

Renewal for Georgia electrical contractor licenses happens every two years, with the deadline set at June 30th of even-numbered years. Late renewals can be sent in throughout the month of July, along with the $25 late fee. 

In addition to submitting a renewal form, the state code requires that all electrical contractors complete four hours of continuing education per year. 

You can process your renewal online through Georgia’s online licensing site. 

What happens if my electrician license expires? 

If you think your electrical contractor license has expired, the first thing you need to do is stop all work immediately. Anyone who violates the state code is guilty of a misdemeanor and could face fines up to $1,000 and even jail time. 

You can verify the status of your license using the state’s professional license search tool. Next, you should go to the online licensing site, enter your login information, and check the status of your license. From there, you can complete the renewal and pay the applicable renewal fees and late fees.

If a license has been expired for longer than one month, an applicant will have to apply for reinstatement. There are also additional continuing education requirements to reinstate a license that has lapsed for longer than one month but less than three years.

How to start an electrician business in Georgia

Once you’ve gained the necessary experience, passed the licensing exam, and secured your status as a Class I or Class II electrical contractor, you’re ready to take the next step toward a secure financial future: starting your own business. 

The Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporate Division has a First Stop information document outlining some key steps in the business creation process: 

• Apply for any necessary municipal, state, or federal business licenses
• Develop a detailed business plan
• Select the type of legal entity you want for your business 
• Select and reserve a business name for your entity
• Submit your tax information to the relevant state and federal departments

There are also some practical considerations for starting an electrician business, including:

•  coming up with an electrical company name
• setting up business accounting
• purchasing electrical equipment
• learning how to estimate jobs
• choosing the best apps, including electrician business software.

See our free electrical contractor resources to get all the information and tools you need to start and run a successful business.

Does an electrical license in Georgia increase your earning potential? 

Yes, having an electrician’s license will increase your earning potential over time and legitimize your credentials to future employers and clients.

When you first get into the industry in New York, you can expect to earn about $41,000 annually. But as you gain more experience, that amount can increase to nearly $70,000. And if you decide to start your own business, you can earn beyond these averages.

If you’re interested in learning more about this lucrative field, continue reading How to run a successful electrical business.