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

Within the state of Georgia, in order to be awarded a Georgia Electrical Contractor license by the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, you need to meet an array of requirements (shadowing hours, classroom education, on-the-job training) and you need to pass the state licensing examination. Georgia offers three different types of electrician licenses:

• Electrical Contractor Class I: This classification of electrician license allows individuals to work on single-phase systems that are 200 amperes or less. In order to qualify you need four years of adequate work-related experience. If you learn better in an academic setting, you can replace one year of direct work experience with two years of formal classroom training;
• Electrical Contractor Class II: This classification of electrician license allows individuals to work on all types of electrical systems without any restrictions. In order to qualify you need four years of adequate work-related experience (including experience with installing systems greater and less than 200 amperes). If you learn better in an academic setting, you can replace one year of direct work experience with two years of formal classroom training;
• Low Voltage Contractor: This classification of electrician license allows individuals to work on alarm systems, telecommunications, and general electrical systems. There are no experience requirements in order to become a low voltage contractor, but you are required to submit an application (that costs $50)  and take a test (that costs $133) at one of the Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) testing centers within the state. 

Georgia Electrical License Reciprocity

If you are already licensed as a journeyman/master/apprentice within the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, or South Carolina your license will be recognized in the state of Georgia. In order to have your license honored from on these states, you will need to reapply, pay the application fees, and submit a license verification form from the respective state that you hold your license in to prove that you have adequate training and that you have passed the state examination. If your license is from a state other than the five states listed above, you must retake the examination, and you may have to go through extra training to mitigate the gaps that are created by training in one state versus another.

Georgia Electrical Journeyman License Requirements

The journey to becoming a licensed electrical contractor in Georgia differs from many other states. The licensing process — according to the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board — does not require individuals pursuing the industry to go through a journeyman licensing process. Although it is recommended that you consider working as a journeyman electrician prior to obtaining your electrical contractor’s license, the experience needed to become an electrical licensed contractor only requires that individuals complete an apprenticeship and technical training (in-class education). Since becoming a journeyman is required in more states than not, it is important to consider becoming a journeyman in order to align with national standards since it would limit your work availability in other states. 

Electrical Contractors License Exam

There are two types of electrical contractor’s license exams: class I and class II. While the license and the test itself are different between the two, both have universal requirements such as:

• Completing the application;
• Being 21 years of age;
• Submitting four years of electrician experience;
• Submitting a background check;
• Submitting three references (one has to be a licensed electrical contractor).

If you choose to fill out an application via mail, applications must be sent to:

Georgia Board of Construction Industry, Division of Electrical Contractors
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440

The class I exam has 155 multiple-choice questions while the class II exam has 162 multiple-choice questions. Although the class I exam differs from the class II exam, they cover the following industry subject areas:

• Laws, Regulations, and Administrative Functions:
  • Compliance with laws;
  • Compliance with regulations;
  • Compliance with administrative requirements;
  • Planning and organizing work.

• Technical Functions:
  • Maintaining basic electrical circuits;
  • Installing and maintaining electrical controls and devices;
  • Installing and maintaining DC and AC rotating equipment;
  • Installing, sizing, and maintaining transformers;
  • Installing and maintaining interior electrical systems;
  • Special equipment (conditions and locations).

Both exams require a passing score of 70% and there are options for test delivery. The options include:

• Proctored online exams;
• Unproctored (on-demand) exams;
• Testing Centers:
  • PSI Premier PLUS;
  • AMP Assessment Center Network;
  • PSI Authorized Test Center Network;
  • PSI Authorized-International Test Center Network;

The price of testing varies from state to state, but in Georgia, the cost of the exam is $133. The tests can be paid for via check, or credit card. Checks can be made out to the Georgia Board of Construction Industry.

Georgia Electrical Insurance Requirements

The state of Georgia requires all electricians to be insured before performing any electrical work. If self employed, electricians must obtain their own liability insurance. If employed, employer must provide insurance to cover employees.

Use the tool below to request a FREE insurance quote from our partner’s:

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Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements

Since Georgia has a different timeline towards becoming an electrician than most states, it is important to understand the requirements surrounding the apprenticeship. Georgia follows the same apprenticeship standards as the US Department of Labor which says that apprenticeship programs should include the following components:

• Work-based learning and training (8,000 hours);
• Classroom-based learning and training (minimum of 576 hours);
• Mentorship (under a licensed contractor);
• Industry-recognized credentials (accredited program).

The requirements to apply for an apprenticeship program are as follows:

• Valid Georgia driver’s license;
• Birth Certificate;
• Social Security Card;
• Diploma/GED;
• Proof of prior experience if applicable.

To improve your education prior to applying for apprenticeship programs, you can consider a pre-apprenticeship training at a trade or vocational school.

Georgia Electrical Apprentice Jobs

Becoming an electrician apprentice helps creates the foundation for a successful career as an unsupervised electrician. You can find an apprentice job through simple online research, but it is always smart to speak with someone that is actively practicing the trade, or your regional representative. Other resources to help find electrician apprentice jobs are:

• Online job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, Ziprecruiter, and Linkedin;
• Utilizing career centers within an electrician trade school;
• Cold-calling electrician businesses.

Electrical Trade Schools in Georgia

The beginning of the journey towards becoming an Electrician in Georgia starts with formal education within a trade school. Aside from 8000 hours of work experience, individuals are required to have a minimum of 576 hours of classroom education alongside gaining work experience. There are plenty of options to choose from including:

Atlanta Electrical JATC:
Institution – Union
Location – 6601 Bay Circle Norcross, GA 30071
Contact – (404) 523-5400

Macon Electrical JATC:
Institution – Union
Location – 1046 Patterson Street Macon, GA 31204
Contact – (478) 743-7017

SELCAT:
Institution – Union
Location – 90 Newman South Industrial Drive Newman, GA 30263
Contact – (678) 423-1338

CSRA Electrical JATC:
Institution – Union
Location – 1248 Reynolds Street Augusta, GA 30901
Contact – (706) 722-4100

IEC Atlanta:
Institution – Non-Union
Location – 4500 Winters Chapel Road Atlanta, GA 30360
Contact – (770) 242-9277

Georgia Professional License Search

In order to keep your license valid, every even year you need to renew your license. Aside from renewing your license, continuing education requirements are necessary. In order for employers to validate that electrical contractors are following state and national guidelines, they will utilize the Georgia Professional Licensing tool.

 

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 Georgia, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:

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