There is no national electrician license. Every state answers to a different authority — and nine of them never license individual electricians at all. Find yours below.
The short version. Licensing is decided by your state, not by Washington, and the states do not agree on who should hold a license. In 31 states a state agency licenses individual electricians. In 9 states the state licenses only electrical contractors — the businesses — so there is no state journeyman or master card to earn. 6 states leave it entirely to cities and counties, and 4 states run a state license with a separate local requirement on top. The table below gives every state’s answer and links straight to the body that decides it.
Last updated: September 2026
What each answer means
- State — a state agency examines and licenses individual electricians, usually at journeyman and master level. One license works across the whole state. (31 states)
- Contractors only — the state licenses electrical contracting businesses, not the people doing the work. There is no state journeyman or master card; where those exist they are county or city credentials. (9 states)
- City / county — the state stays out of it entirely and each local government sets its own rules. A license in one city may be worthless in the next. (6 states)
- State + local — you need the state license and a separate local license or registration wherever you work. (4 states)
We have published in-depth guides for 26 states so far, linked in the last column. For the rest, the authority link goes straight to the board that issues the license, which is where the current fees, hours and exam details live.
This page is for informational purposes only. Licensing rules change, and local requirements can differ from the state picture. Always confirm current requirements with the authority listed for your state before making decisions about your career.