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How To Become an Electrical Contractor in Alabama: License Requirements and Trade Schools

Each state in the U.S. has different requirements for those looking to do contract work. While there are certain training and licensing requirements for general contractors in Alabama, those in specific niches like plumbing may have different requirements in order to begin working in the state.

In order to become an electrical contractor, you’ll need to follow strict guidelines. After earning experience through an apprenticeship and/or trade school, you’ll need to take an exam and fill out an application to become a journeyman electrician. To learn more about your options and the trajectory you’ll need to take to become licensed to do electrical contract work in Alabama, peruse information and resources below:

A photograph of the Vulcan statue, the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama.

Alabama Electrical License Reciprocity

If you are certified in another state and meet Alabama’s eligibility requirements (see the “Alabama Electrical Journeyman License Requirements” section below), you may be able to take advantage of Alabama’s electrical contractor reciprocity agreement. Eligible states are:

In addition to filling out the application, applicants looking to take advantage of the reciprocity agreement need to include:

  • A copy of your license showing you have an applicable and current electrical contractor’s license;
  • A letter from the state board confirming that you have an unrestricted license and that you’ve completed the required exam;
  • A reciprocity fee of $315.00 in either a cashier’s check or money order.

Alabama Electrical Journeyman License Requirements

All electricians working in Alabama must become eligible and then apply to become a journeyman electrician. State law defines a journeyman electrician as:

“A person who possesses necessary qualifications, training, and technical knowledge to install electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment lighting, heating, or power or control covered by this chapter. He or she shall work under a master or state certified electrical contractor and shall be capable of doing work according to plans and specifications furnished to him or her and in accordance with standard rules and regulations governing such work.”

Seems simple enough — but how do you become eligible? There are two major aspects to consider:

  • Getting the necessary field experience;
  • Completing the journeyman electrician exam.
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You’ll need to get four to five years of hands-on experience as an electrical apprentice, as well as 576 hours of classroom instruction, to become eligible. Alternatively, if you complete a two-year program at a technical school, you’ll only have to complete 6,000 hours of field experience — roughly three years. You can get the necessary field experience and classroom instruction through either a trade school or an approved apprenticeship (see more on both of these below).

Electrical Journeyman Exam

As you’ll find in the Candidate Information Bulletin, provided by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB), you must complete a specific computer-based exam to apply to become an electrical journeyman in Alabama. The exam is administered by Prov, Inc., but you must apply through the AECB in order to receive an authorization letter to schedule a time to take it. This application will include:

  • An outline of your experience;
  • A work affidavit;
  • A copy of your proof of citizenship (a driver’s license or birth certificate, for example) or proof of lawful presence as a non-citizen (such as your green card — your proof of lawful permanent residence).

Once you have your authorization letter, you’re ready to schedule your exam. The cost to take the exam is $115, which can be paid via money order or cashier’s check (payable to “AL Electrical Contractors Board”). You can find the next application deadline on the AECB website. Note that the authorization letter will only be viable for 90 days, so you’ll need to be mindful to avoid repaying this fee.

You can either schedule your exam online here, or call Prov, Inc. at (866) 720-7768. There are testing locations in Auburn, Birmingham, Enterprise, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Sheffield, and Tuscaloosa. Whichever location you schedule your exam at, be sure to bring your proof of identity with you. You can arrive at least 30 minutes early to the exam. Doing so is highly recommended; if you are late, you’ll forfeit the $115 you paid and will have to arrange to take the exam all over again.

Once you complete the test, you’ll need to pay a $35 electrician license fee to the AECB. Once you’ve done this, you’ll officially be a journeyman electrician in Alabama.

Alabama Electrical Insurance Requirements

The state of Alabama does not require licensed electricians to carry any form of insurance. However, it is highly encouraged to carry general liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation insurance.

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Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements

In order to complete any work in the state of Alabama in which you’ll “bid, install, maintain, alter, or repair any electric wiring devices or equipment,” you must meet specific training and education standards. Unless you are licensed in a state with a reciprocal agreement with Alabama, or wish to start with training at a trade school, the first stage in your new career as an electrical contractor will be an apprenticeship.

In return for receiving classroom instruction and hands-on experience, you must work with the company as an apprentice for a predetermined length of time — usually five years.

There aren’t any fees associated with becoming an apprentice; in fact, you won’t need to get licensed through the state in order to become one. All you need to do is seek out an electrical apprentice job or trade school to set yourself on the right track.

Alabama Electrical Apprentice Jobs

Finding an apprenticeship is much like seeking out a job. You’ll want to find businesses that are willing to take you on as an apprentice by demonstrating your skills and passion for the work. A good place to start your search is the Apprenticeship Finder, a tool provided by the Department of Labor. Further, job search sites like Monster, Indeed, and CareerBuilder can reveal some good leads.

Alternatively, you can seek out a local union to set you up with an apprenticeship. Unions often have large networks that enable them to find apprentice positions that you may otherwise be unable to access. Some notable electrical worker unions in Alabama include:

Electrical Trade Schools in Alabama

Another route to becoming a journeyman electrician is to find a trade school to get some structured learning and hands-on experience. The following schools will help you earn the skills needed to succeed as an electrical contractor in Alabama:

Alabama Professional License Search

Interested in authenticating a contractor’s license with the AECB? Check out the Licensee Search tool. Using an individual’s last name, license number, business name, and county, you can search through all statewide unlimited electrical contractors and journeymen, as well as individuals with restricted provisional electrical licenses. 

 

 

For More License and Career Guides

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

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

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