How To Become a Licensed Electrician in Kentucky

To become an electrician or perform electrical work — that is nonexempt in the state of Kentucky — you must hold a state-issued electrical license by the Electrical Division of the Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction. Other general contractors and plumbers in the state of Kentucky must also meet state-level qualifications of licensure.

There are three types of electrical licenses available in Kentucky:

• Electrical contractor. When contracting to the public, you must hold an electrical contractor license; only licensed electrical contractors may request electrical permits.
• Master electrician. All electrical contractors must employ at least one master electrician. Master electricians are responsible for all electrical work performed under their supervision.
• Electrician license. In order to work unsupervised, you must hold an electrical license. The electrician license in the state of Kentucky is equivalent to a journeyman license. All electrical work must be performed by or under the supervision of a master electrician or a licensed electrician.

Master and electrical licensure will depend on meeting the years of experience, completion of approved training, and proof of passing test results. Electrical contractors must provide a Certificate of Liability insurance, and worker’s compensation or notarized waiver.

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[mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”yewhmhuvdj6pgjovaxjr” ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1684248406/mgyzlwlzzc2qfvcgakfx.jpg” title=”How To Become a Licensed Electrician in Kentucky” volume=”70″] Electrical work that is exempt from licensure includes:

• Electrical utilities and their employees;
• Maintenance workers performing routine maintenance on electrical systems.
• Farmers and homeowners performing work on their own property.
• Retailers installing appliances purchased from a retail establishment.
• Coal preparation plants and workers in coal mines.
• Workers installing or repairing telecommunication systems of 50 volts or less.
• Factory-authorized representatives installing medical equipment devices.
• Factory engineers and third-party companies that have equivalent training.

Kentucky Electrical License Reciprocity

Kentucky state electrical licensing reciprocity requirements have varying agreements with the following states:

• Ohio 
• Louisiana 
• Virginia
• West Virginia 

Each state may have specific needs to gain reciprocity, so it is important to ensure that you have the correct needs with the new application checklist. Applicants seeking reciprocity for the state of Kentucky must fill out a Reciprocity Electrical License Application and include the following:

• Passport size photograph;
• Copy of valid license from the participating state;
• Copy of a valid driver’s license;
• For contractor reciprocity, proof of insurance indicating $500,000 or more liability insurance by an authorized Kentucky insurer, and proof of compliance from an approved insurance provider with the Kentucky Department of Insurance.
• A non-refundable fee made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

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For further information, contact the Electrical Division of the Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction by one of the following:

• Physical address:
  Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
  Electrical Licensing Section
  101 Sea Hero Rd, Suite 100
  Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
• Email address:
  licensing@ky.gov
• Telephone Number:
  (502)-573-2002
• Fax:
  502-573-1598

Electrical Contractor License Requirements

If you wish to contract with the public to perform electrical work, or to request electrical permits, you must have an electrical contractor license. To become an electrical contractor in the state of Kentucky, you must meet the following requirements:

• Complete an Electrical Contractor’s License Application;
• Provide proof of passing the Business and Law Exam No. 231;
• Hold a Certificate of Liability Insurance with a minimum of $500,000 general liability;
• Pay the application fee;
• Provide a passport-sized colored photo.

A non-refundable application fee must also be submitted at the time of the application. All application fees are subject to the prorated fee schedule.

The application, Certificate of Insurance Liability, and fee must be submitted to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

Kentucky Electrical License Exams

The licensing exam for all Kentucky electricians, including masters, journeymen, and electrical contractors, is proctored by Pearson Vue. For further information, contact them through their customer service for test-takers portal. 

Master License Requirements

Every electrical contractor must employ at least one master electrician. The master electrician is responsible for all electrical work performed under their supervision. To become a master electrician, you must meet and submit the following requirements:

• Complete and submit an Electrical License Application;
• Applicants must pass the Master Electrician’s Exam No. 701;
• Applicants must submit a copy of passing test results;
• Provide a notarized letter from former employment that can verify a minimum of 8 years, or 96 months, or 16,640 hours, of full-time work as an electrician. The notarized letter must contain examples of work performed. (or);
• You may submit 8 years of the last page of a 1040 tax form that includes your name and job title stating you are an electrician. (or);
• Proof of 6 years of experience with the completion of an approved apprenticeship program that includes 576 hours of classroom work. (or);
• Proof of 5years of experience in addition to an associate’s degree or diploma in electrical technology from within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
• Applicants must submit a passport-sized color photo;
• Provide a copy of a valid driver’s license and copy of a birth certificate.

The application and fee must be submitted to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

Electrical License Requirements

All electrical work must be performed by, or under the supervision of a licensed electrician or master electrician. In order to work unsupervised, you must hold an electrical license and be a licensed electrician. An electrical license is equivalent to a journeyman license in the state of Kentucky.

• Complete and submit an Electrical License Application;
• Applicants must pass the Journeyman’s Electrical Exam No. 703;
• Applicants must submit a copy of passing test results;
• Provide a notarized letter from former employment that can verify a minimum of 6 years, or 72 months, or 12,480 hours, of full-time work as an electrician. The notarized letter must contain examples of work performed. (or);
• You may submit the 6 years of the last page of a 1040 tax form that includes your name and job title stating are an electrician. (or);
• Proof of 4 years of experience with the completion of an approved apprenticeship program that includes 576 hours of classroom work. (or);
• Proof of 3 years of experience in addition to an associate’s degree or diploma in electrical technology from within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
• Applicants must submit a passport-sized color photo;
• Provide a copy of a valid driver’s license and copy of a birth certificate.

The application and fee must be submitted to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

Electrical Apprenticeship Requirements

There are three ways to gain the experience needed to become a licensed electrician. 

• Become an electrical apprentice with a formal union or gain a non-union apprenticeship.
• Apply to a licensed electrical contractor for an assistant or technician position.
• Enroll in an electrical program at a technical college and transition into the workforce.

An electrical apprenticeship includes classroom hours and on-the-job training, and may be gained through the following organizations:

• The Independent Electrical Contractors Association of Bluegrass, Electrical Apprenticeship.
• The Independent Electrical Contractors Association of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Electrical Apprenticeship.
• The Louisville Electrical JATC Electrical Apprenticeship.
• The IBEW Local 1701 Labor Union in Owensboro, Kentucky, Electrical Apprenticeship.
• The Paducah Electrical JATC Electrical Apprenticeship.

In general, apprenticeship applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age, with a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and have evidence of completion of one full year of Algebra 1 with a passing grade. Applicants should also be able to physically perform the job requirements and have reliable transportation to classrooms and job sites.

Kentucky Electrical Apprentice Jobs

On-the-job training without a formal apprenticeship program may be completed by working in and gaining experience from an entry-level job. This can be done alone or in tandem with individual courses at a local community college or electrical trade school.

On-the-job positions can be gained by searching “electrical apprentice, Kentucky” on job board pages such as Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor. Look for job postings that reference “helpers” and “apprentices.”

Consider applying to larger contracting companies, which may include:

• Beacon Electric Service, Inc.
• Caye Electric Company
• Relco Electric Inc.

Electrical Trade Schools in Kentucky 

Experience and classwork gained through an electrical trade school can supplement experience gained through on-the-job training and accelerate the progression of electrical certification and licensure. Consider the following technical schools to gain classroom experience:

• Ashland Community & Technical College
  • Location:
    • 1400 College Dr.
      Ashland, KY 41101;
  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour;
  • Contact: (606) 326-2000.
• Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
  • Location:
    • 1845 Loop Dr.
      Bowling Green KY 42101;
  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour;
  • Contact: (270) 901-1000.
• Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
  • Location:
    • 600 College Street Road;
      Elizabethtown, KY 42701;
  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour;
  • Contact: (270) 769-2371.
• Bluegrass Community & Technical College
  • Location:
    • 470 Cooper Drive;
      Lexington, KY 40506;
  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour;
  • Contact: (855) 246-2477

Kentucky Professional License Search

When applying for a job to receive on-the-job training, it is important to ensure that the company holds the correct license to oversee your work. It is also good practice to check the license of any contractors working on, or bidding for a project. Utilize the Public Protection Cabinet licensure search to verify electrical licenses in the state of Kentucky.

 

 

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here. 

For information on other trades in Kentucky, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:

• Kentucky General Contractor License Requirements
• How to Become a Plumber in Kentucky
• Kentucky Handyman License Guide
• Kentucky Welding Schools and Career Guide
• How to Get an HVAC License in Kentucky

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