Last updated: March 2026

The electrical trade in Georgia is a powerhouse of opportunity. From the sprawling skyline of Atlanta to the industrial hubs of Savannah and the growing residential corridors across the state, skilled electricians are the backbone of Georgia’s infrastructure. If you are looking for a career that offers high pay, job security, and the satisfaction of building something tangible, becoming an electrician in the Peach State is a strategic move.

However, the path to licensure in Georgia is unique. Unlike many other states, Georgia does not issue a “Journeyman” license at the state level; instead, the state focuses its regulatory oversight on Electrical Contractors. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from your first day as an apprentice to obtaining your unrestricted contractor’s license.

---

Before you can pull wire or install a breaker, you must meet the basic entry requirements. Georgia has no apprentice electrician requirements in its governing documents, but most apprenticeship programs have similar requirements.

To enter most training programs or apprenticeships in Georgia, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old for an apprenticeship (though some may accept an applicant as young as 16).
• Possess a High School Diploma or GED.
• Have successfully completed at least one year of High School Algebra with a passing grade.
• Pass a basic aptitude test (covering reading comprehension and math) and a drug screen.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation.
• And, of course, not to be colorblind, as the distinction between wire colors could save – or end – your life.

While not strictly required, many aspiring electricians begin at one of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)campuses. Programs such as an Associate Degree in Electrical Systems Technology or a Diploma in Electrical Control Systems provide a controlled environment to learn theory before stepping onto a job site.

The Benefit: Completing a two-year diploma or certificate program can often be credited as two years of experience toward your state licensing requirements.

---

To become a licensed professional, you need “Primary Experience.” This is hands-on work performed under the supervision of a licensed Electrical Contractor. There are two primary routes to gaining this experience.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), in partnership with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), offers the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) programs. These are often considered the “gold standard” of training.

• Structure: A 4-to-5-year program involving 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and roughly 600 hours of classroom instruction.
• Pay: You “earn while you learn,” with wage increases every year as you gain skills.
• Cost: Tuition is typically covered by the union, though you may pay for books and tools.
• Key Georgia Locations:
  • Atlanta: Atlanta Electrical JATC (Local 613)
  • Augusta: Augusta Electrical JATC (Local 1579)
  • Savannah: Savannah Electrical JATC (Local 508)

The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) offer similar apprenticeship programs for those who prefer to work in non-union merit-based shops.

• Structure: A 4-year program that combines full-time employment with an IEC/ABC member contractor and weekly classroom sessions.
• Flexibility: These programs are highly prevalent in Georgia’s suburbs and rural areas, potentially making access easier.
• Resource: IEC Atlanta & Georgia Chapters
• Resource: ABC Georgia Chapter

---

Once you have completed your apprenticeship and reached the age of 21, you are eligible to apply for a state license. Georgia offers two primary classifications for electrical contractors (all details are available in Rule 121-3-.01 of Georgia’s Rules and Regulations), but both of them have the same basic requirements:

• Submit a completed, signed, and notarized application.
• You must document 4 years of experience in the electrical field.
• Pass the required test with a score of 70% or higher.
• Pay required fees.
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a licensed Electrical Contractor.

With that established, let’s look at the differences between the two licenses.

This license is designed for residential and light commercial work.

• Scope: Restricted to single-phase electrical installations that do not exceed 200 amperes at the service drop or service lateral.
• Section 7 of Rule 121-3 lists 8 different categories of electrical work, which you must demonstrate you have experience in at least 5 of them.

This is the “Master” level license that allows you to work on any project, regardless of size or complexity.

• Scope: Unrestricted. You can work on three-phase power, high-voltage industrial systems, and large-scale commercial builds.
• More Required Experience:
  • In addition to your 4 years of experience, you must also demonstrate experience with installations exceeding single-phase 200-ampere systems.
  • Those 8 categories of electrical work mentioned previously? You must show experience in all 8 of them.

---

Georgia utilizes the GOALS (Georgia Online Analytical Licensing System) portal for all professional license applications. You no longer mail in paper stacks; everything is digital.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1. Create an Account: Register on the Georgia Secretary of State GOALS Portal. (All of the following information and forms are available in this How-To Guide.)
2. Submit the Exam Application: You must first be approved by the Board to sit for the exam. The application fee is $40 ($30 application fee + $10 processing fee).
3. Document Your Experience: You must provide notarized affidavits from your employers or the licensed contractors you worked under. They must attest to your 8,000 hours (4 years) of work.
4. Provide References: You need three references from individuals who can vouch for your character and technical ability. As previously stated, at least one must be a licensed electrical contractor.
5. Background Check: You must obtain a criminal background check from your local law enforcement agency and upload it to the portal.
6. Citizenship Verification: You must provide a “Secure and Verifiable Document” (like a driver’s license or passport) and a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship.

---

Once the Board reviews your application and confirms your experience, you will receive an Exam Approval Letter. Georgia uses PSI Services as its testing provider. They provide a useful information handbook that explains everything about the test. Once you know the format, our free NEC practice test is a good way to build the open-book lookup speed the exam rewards.

• Format: The exam is computer-based, multiple-choice, and open-book.
  • NOTE: 7 books are allowed for this test. They are:
    • American Electricians’ Handbook
    • Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management – Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board
    • Employer’s Tax Guide, Circular E
    • Code of Federal Regulations Title 29, Part 1926 (OSHA)
    • Georgia State Electrical 2023 National Electrical Code OR
      National Electrical Code Handbook
    • Printreading Based on 2020 NEC
    • Ugly’s Electrical References, 2023
    • (Affiliate links, fyi.)
• Time Limit: You have 8 hours total to complete the test, 4 hours per section.
• Passing Score: You must score at least 70%.
• Content: There are 140 questions total in two sections:
  • Part 1 (Business and Law): Covers Georgia state laws, tax requirements, workers’ compensation, and OSHA safety regulations.
  • Part 2 (Technical): Deep dive into the National Electrical Code (NEC), load calculations, grounding and bonding, motors, and transformers. Some of the questions in this section differ between the Class I and Class II level licenses; see the information handbook for further details.
• Fee: The cost for either test is $288.

Congratulations! You are now a licensed electrical contractor (restricted or unrestricted) and can legally work in the state of Georgia! Keep it on you and at the ready, and go out there and start powering the future of the great state of Georgia!

---

Don’t get too carried away, though. Getting your license is a major milestone, but the work doesn’t stop once you’ve obtained it. You must maintain your credentials to stay legal in Georgia.

• Renewal Cycle: Licenses expire on June 30th of even-numbered years.
• Continuing Education (CE): You are required to complete 4 hours of CE per year, totaling 8 hours for each two-year renewal cycle. Georgia uses the services of CE Broker, where you must create an account and log your CE hours.
• Fee: The renewal fee is approximately $75 if completed on time. (You can check the current fee schedule here.)

If you intend to pull permits and run your own business, a license is only the first step.

1. General Liability Insurance: While the state board has specific minimums, most general contractors and clients will require at least $500,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage.
2. Workers’ Compensation: In Georgia, if you have three or more employees, you are legally required to carry Workers’ Comp insurance.
3. Local Business License: You must still obtain a local business license (occupational tax certificate) in the city or county where your business is based. Check with your local government office or website.

---

Reciprocity in Georgia

Moving to Georgia? Currently, Georgia offers reciprocity for Non-Restricted Electrical Contractors with the following states: Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, & Tennessee. Minus the test, you still have to submit all the required documents as listed back in Phase 3 of this guide. Check your current state’s reciprocity guidelines for further insight.

---

Important Industry Insights for 2026

As of 2026, Georgia’s construction industry is leaning heavily into renewable energy and EV infrastructure. While the core licensing requirements remain focused on the National Electrical Code, aspiring electricians should consider supplemental certifications to increase their market value:

• EVITP Certification: The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program is becoming a requirement for many federal and state-funded charging station projects in Georgia.
• NABCEP Certification: If you plan to work in Georgia’s booming solar industry, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) credential is highly regarded.

---

Becoming an electrician in Georgia is a journey of precision and persistence. It requires four years of hard labor in the Georgia heat, a commitment to learning complex mathematical formulas, and the discipline to navigate state bureaucracy. However, the reward is a near-recession-and-AI-proof career where your skills are always in demand.

Whether you are crawling through an attic in Alpharetta or wiring a data center in Lithia Springs, you are performing work that keeps the modern world moving. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be a pro in no time. Godspeed!