How to get an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness in Alaska

Alaska licenses electricians statewide through the Mechanical Inspection Section (MI).¹ For the Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness you need at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training² and a passing score on the Electrician journeyman examination³. The board lists $50 for the application³ and $200 for the initial license³, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years¹ and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education².

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 15 official sources

Who issues it

Mechanical Inspection Section (MI)

Training and experience

Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²

Exam

Electrician journeyman examination³

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $50³
Initial license fee: $200³

Renewal

Every 2 years¹, at least 16 hours of continuing education²

From another state

Reciprocity agreements and Temporary license or permit⁴ Details

On this page

Alaska electrician licenses
Rules shared by several license levels
Who needs an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness
Requirements for an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness
How much an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness costs
How to apply
Renewal and continuing education
Moving to Alaska with a license from another state
Electrician and Power Lineman Trainee Certificate of Fitness
Power Lineman Journeyman Certificate of Fitness
Residential Wireman Certificate of Fitness
Electrical Administrator
City and county rules
Laws and rules
Rule changes since January 2024
Common questions
Electrician licenses in other states

Alaska electrician licenses

Alaska issues 5 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

License	What it covers	Training or experience	Exam	Application or license fee
Electrician and Power Lineman Trainee Certificate of Fitness	Electrical work under direct supervision of a certified journeyman or wireman; at most two trainees per certified journeyman/wireman (or per power lineman journeyman) on a job site.⁵	–	No³	$50⁵
Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness	Electrical work within buildings and property lines from the secondary side of the transformer under the National Electrical Code (not pole/tower linework). May also work as a trainee on National Electrical Safety Code projects.³	Experience 8,000 hours²	Yes³	$50³
Power Lineman Journeyman Certificate of Fitness	Primary distribution systems outside buildings (apparatus, wires, cables, supports, conductors, outdoor substations, up to setting transformers) under the National Electrical Safety Code; counts as trainee-level on commercial NEC sites.³	–	Yes³	$50³
Residential Wireman Certificate of Fitness	Residential electrical systems from the service point of attachment, limited to residences with no more than four units on a common foundation; trainee-level on commercial sites.³	Experience 4,000 hours²	Yes³	$50³
Electrical Administrator	The person responsible for electrical installations or repairs (or for certifying code compliance) for a registered contractor; licensed by category: Unlimited Linework Outside, Outside Communications, Inside Communications, Unlimited Commercial Wiring, Controls and Control Wiring, Residential Wiring. Must personally inspect work except simple jobs under 24 man-hours.⁶	Experience 4 years⁷	Yes⁶	$150⁸

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Alaska electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level except Electrical Administrator

How to apply

Application form: Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)⁹⁵

Renewal

Renewal fee: $200¹⁰¹

2. Every license level except Electrician and Power Lineman Trainee Certificate of Fitness

Renewal

How often: Every 2 years¹¹¹

3. Every license level except Electrician and Power Lineman Trainee Certificate of Fitness and Electrical Administrator

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to
Duplicate or replacement license	$25¹	MI

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

Renewal

When it expires: Certificate valid two years; may be renewed without re-exam up to two years after expiration; it is invalid for work from the expiration date.¹
Late renewal: Late renewal fee: $50¹⁰ (renewal more than 90 days after expiration)
If it expires: Renewals more than two years after expiration require retesting.¹⁰
Renew online: labor.alaska.gov¹⁰

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military occupational specialty (MOS/AFSC) experience may count, at up to 500 hours per full year of service and up to half of the hours required, proved with a DD Form 214.²

4. Every license level except Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness and Electrical Administrator

Requirements

Social Security number: SSN required.²

How to apply

Processing time: 7-10 business days.⁵⁹

Who needs an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness

Electrical work within buildings and property lines from the secondary side of the transformer under the National Electrical Code (not pole/tower linework). May also work as a trainee on National Electrical Safety Code projects.³

Work that does not need this license:

Employees of an electric utility with no part of a city/municipality over 2,500 population in its service area are exempt.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

Electrical maintenance within 8 AAC 70.035 limits is not work requiring a certificate.²

Requirements for an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Education or training: Optional: classroom hours in a USDOL registered apprenticeship or accredited electrical program may replace up to 1,000 hours of experience.²
Experience: At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Work experience under the National Electrical Code, gained while holding an Alaska trainee certificate (or legally in another state); at most 2,000 residential hours, 1,000 power-lineman hours, 4,000 military/vocational hours; no maintenance hours.³
Supervision: Experience counts only if legally performed: for a licensed contractor, under direct supervision of a journeyman, and (in Alaska) while holding a trainee certificate.³
License you must hold first: Electrician trainee certificate of fitness while gaining Alaska hours.³
Exam: Electrician journeyman examination³
Given by: Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection (offices in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks); approved third-party testing facility or proctor on request; or an Alaska union exam under agreement²
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: Must hold the appropriate trainee certificate of fitness to request an exam appointment (except third-party/union routes).²
Retakes: Wait 30 days after a failed exam.²
Social Security number: SSN required on the application.²
Also required: Carry a print or digital copy of the certificate while working.²
Also required: Out-of-state applicants must submit their home-state license or a state letter saying no license is required.³

How much an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness costs

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$50³	MI	Electrician Journeyman. Not refundable
Initial license fee	$200³	MI	Electrician Journeyman; charged after testing; prorated if issued for less than two years

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Get an Electrician Trainee certificate of fitness (requires indenture in a USDOL-registered apprenticeship) before counting Alaska hours.³
Log 8,000 hours (within the residential, lineman, classroom and military caps) and get notarized experience verification forms from employers or a union affidavit.²
Email or mail the Electrical and Plumbing Certificate of Fitness application with the experience forms and the $50 application fee to Mechanical Inspection ([email protected], 1251 Muldoon Road, Suite 113, Anchorage).⁹ Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)⁹
Once approved, take the exam at a DOLWD office (Juneau, Anchorage or Fairbanks) and score at least 70%; pay the $200 certificate fee on issue.²

Temporary or provisional license: Provisional Electrician Journeyman certificate for out-of-state journeymen.³
Processing time: Allow 7-10 business days for processing.⁹

Renewal and continuing education

Continuing education: At least 16 hours each renewal period²
Required topics: At least 8 hours on significant changes or updates to the National Electrical Code; no more than 8 hours industry-related.²
Approved courses: Courses approved by DCCED under 12 AAC 39.420, or submitted to the director at least 30 days before training; completion certificate required.²
Exemptions: Waiver for circumstances beyond the applicant's control, by written request.²

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Alaska Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Moving to Alaska with a license from another state

These are the routes MI publishes for the Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route: Reciprocity agreements
What the board says: Reciprocal Electrician Journeyman certificate (8 AAC 90.111), no exam: hold the listed journeyman license from an accepted state, held for a full year before applying. Fees: $50 application + $200 certificate; valid 2 years; then renews as a regular Electrician Journeyman. Local-jurisdiction licenses from states without a state license are reviewed case by case.⁴
States on Alaska's list: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming⁴
This is the list of states whose licenses Alaska accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Alaska license.
Condition for Alabama: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Arkansas: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for California: Accepted license: General Electrician Certification (Journeyman‑Equivalent)⁴
Condition for Colorado: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Connecticut: Accepted license: E‑2 Unlimited Journeyperson Electrician; Unlimbed Electrical Contractor⁴
Condition for Delaware: Accepted license: Journeyperson Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Hawaii: Accepted license: Journey Worker Electrician⁴
Condition for Idaho: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Iowa: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician (Class A)⁴
Condition for Kentucky: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Maine: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Maryland: Accepted license: Journeyperson Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Massachusetts: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Michigan: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Minnesota: Accepted license: Class A Journeyworker Electrician⁴
Condition for Montana: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Nebraska: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for New Hampshire: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for New Mexico: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician (JE)⁴
Condition for North Dakota: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Oklahoma: Accepted license: Unlimited / Residential Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Oregon: Accepted license: General Journeyman Electrician (J)⁴
Condition for Rhode Island: Accepted license: journeyperson Electrician (Class B)⁴
Condition for South Dakota: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Texas: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for Utah: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Vermont: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician (Type J)⁴
Condition for Virginia: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Washington: Accepted license: General Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician⁴
Condition for West Virginia: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Wisconsin: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Condition for Wyoming: Accepted license: Journeyman Electrician⁴
Conditions: Alaska's general test: the other state requires an apprenticeship, about 4 years or 8,000 hours of OJT, and an exam.⁴
Fee: $250³
Form: Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)¹²

Route: Temporary license or permit
What the board says: Provisional Electrician Journeyman certificate (8 AAC 90.112): for holders of a current journeyman license from another jurisdiction held a full year, even if that state is not on the reciprocity list. No test; $50 + $100; valid up to 1 year (or until the home license expires); not renewable; cannot supervise apprentices; must carry both licenses. It is processed as a reciprocity application; if the home state is not substantially similar, proof of hours and an exam are needed for the full certificate.⁴
Fee: $150²
Form: Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)¹²

Electrician and Power Lineman Trainee Certificate of Fitness

Electrical work under direct supervision of a certified journeyman or wireman; at most two trainees per certified journeyman/wireman (or per power lineman journeyman) on a job site.⁵

Requirements

Exam: Not required³
Also required: Must be indentured in a USDOL Office of Apprenticeship registered electrician apprenticeship; submit the Davis-Bacon letter printed from RAPIDS.⁵

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$50⁵	MI	Not refundable
Initial license fee	$200⁵	MI	Paid at application ($250 total)

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

Enroll in a USDOL-registered electrician apprenticeship, then email or mail the Trainee application with your Davis-Bacon letter and $250 ($50 application + $200 certificate) to Mechanical Inspection.⁵ Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)⁵

Renewal

How often: Every 6 years¹

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: No reciprocity for trainee certificates.⁴

Military service members, veterans and spouses: No work hours are required for a trainee certificate. Military MOS/AFSC experience (up to 500 hours per full year, at most half the hours a certificate requires, proved with a DD Form 214) counts toward the journeyman-level certificates that need hours, not toward the trainee certificate.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 4 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Power Lineman Journeyman Certificate of Fitness

Primary distribution systems outside buildings (apparatus, wires, cables, supports, conductors, outdoor substations, up to setting transformers) under the National Electrical Safety Code; counts as trainee-level on commercial NEC sites.³

Requirements

Education or training: Optional: up to 1,000 classroom hours (USDOL apprenticeship or accredited program).³
Experience: Work under the National Electrical Safety Code while holding a trainee certificate; up to 4,000 military/vocational hours and up to 1,000 electrician hours may count.³
Exam: Power lineman journeyman examination³
Given by: Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection (offices in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks); approved third-party testing facility or proctor on request; or an Alaska union exam under agreement²
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: Must hold the appropriate trainee certificate of fitness to request an exam appointment (except third-party/union routes).²
Retakes: Wait 30 days after a failed exam.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$50³	MI	Power Lineman Journeyman. Not refundable
Initial license fee	$200³	MI	Power Lineman Journeyman; charged after testing; prorated if issued for less than two years

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Work 8,000 hours under the NESC while holding a Power Lineman Trainee certificate, then apply on the Electrical and Plumbing COF application with experience verification and the $50 fee; pass the exam (70%) and pay the $200 certificate fee.⁹ Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)⁹

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: Alaska reciprocity covers only plumber and electrician journeyman licenses, not specialty licenses such as lineman.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Residential Wireman Certificate of Fitness

Residential electrical systems from the service point of attachment, limited to residences with no more than four units on a common foundation; trainee-level on commercial sites.³

Requirements

Education or training: Optional: up to 500 hours of trade-related classroom training.³
Experience: At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Residential/commercial work while holding a trainee certificate; up to 2,000 military/vocational hours; no maintenance hours.³
Exam: Residential wireman examination³
Given by: Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection (offices in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks); approved third-party testing facility or proctor on request; or an Alaska union exam under agreement²
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: Must hold the appropriate trainee certificate of fitness to request an exam appointment (except third-party/union routes).²
Retakes: Wait 30 days after a failed exam.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$50³	MI	Residential Wireman. Not refundable
Initial license fee	$200³	MI	Residential Wireman; charged after testing; prorated if issued for less than two years

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Work 4,000 hours while holding an Electrician Trainee certificate, then apply on the Electrical and Plumbing COF application with experience verification and the $50 fee; pass the exam (70%) and pay the $200 certificate fee.⁹ Form (PDF, labor.alaska.gov)⁹

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: No reciprocity for specialty licenses; only journeyman electrician/plumber.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Electrical Administrator

The person responsible for electrical installations or repairs (or for certifying code compliance) for a registered contractor; licensed by category: Unlimited Linework Outside, Outside Communications, Inside Communications, Unlimited Commercial Wiring, Controls and Control Wiring, Residential Wiring. Must personally inspect work except simple jobs under 24 man-hours.⁶

Requirements

Education or training: Optional route (Unlimited Commercial Wiring): an accredited electrical engineering degree plus 1 of the last 3 years as a journeyman electrician or field engineer in inside commercial wiring.⁷
Experience: At least 4 years⁷
Unlimited Commercial Wiring: journeyman electrician in inside commercial wiring, or field superintendent (or a combination), for at least 4 of the 6 years before applying (other routes: EE degree, PE registration, inspector/instructor).⁷
License you must hold first: Journeyman-level experience (the application asks whether you hold a journeyman certificate in any state).¹¹
Experience: At least 2 years⁷
Residential Wiring: journeyman residential wireman for at least 2 of the 4 years before applying.⁷
Experience: At least 4 years⁷
Unlimited Linework: journeyman lineman in outside linework (or construction management) for at least 4 of the 6 years before applying.⁷
Experience: At least 2 years⁷
Controls and Control Wiring: must already be a licensed mechanical administrator plus 2 of 4 years installing low-voltage controls (48 V or less) or equivalent.⁷
Exam: Electrical administrator examination (by category)¹¹
Given by: PSI Services, LLC¹¹
Passing score: 70%⁷
Retakes: No more than three attempts at the written exam in 12 months.⁷
Time limit: Passing score must be within the 12 months before the application.⁷
Exam waived: Exam waived for applicants licensed as an electrical administrator (or equivalent) in another state who passed an equivalent exam (licensure by credentials).⁶
Business requirements: Must be assigned to one licensed/registered contractor (or hold an "unassigned" license); report employer changes within 15 days on form 08-4901.¹¹
Also required: Keep a signed record of supervised work for at least three years.⁷

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$150⁸	Electrical Administrators program	Each license category applied for separately. Not refundable
Initial license fee	$170⁸	Electrical Administrators program	–

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI Services, LLC¹¹, when you schedule.

How to apply

Ask CBPL to approve you for the exam, then contact PSI to schedule. You must score at least 70%.¹¹
Mail the paper application #08-4898 (pages 1-7) with $320 ($150 non-refundable application + $170 license) and any official transcripts. Faxed or emailed applications are not accepted.¹¹ Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)¹¹
Be assigned to a licensed/registered contractor (one only).¹¹

Application form: Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)¹¹
Processing time: Renewals: plan on 4-6 weeks.¹³

Renewal

Renewal fee: $170⁸
Required topics: NEC for inside communications, unlimited commercial wiring, controls and residential wiring; NESC for outside communications and unlimited linework.⁷
Exemptions: Not needed if a licensing exam on the code was passed during the period.⁷
Waiver for circumstances beyond the licensee's control.⁷
If it expires: A lapsed license may be reinstated with unpaid fees and proof of competency unless lapsed over two years; after two years, re-examination is required.⁶
Renew online: commerce.alaska.gov¹³

From another state

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Licensure by credentials: current license in another state (verified directly by that state) plus verification of an equivalent exam passed there; same $150 + $170 fees; form #08-4899.⁷
Fee: $320¹⁴
Form: Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)¹⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

City and county rules

Electrical AdministratorStatewide certificate of fitness from the Alaska Department of Labor (Mechanical Inspection). In the Municipality of Anchorage, the state has handed electrical inspection to local inspectors by agreement.¹⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

August 8, 2025: 8 AAC 90.160(g) and 90.165(e) repealed.²

Common questions

How long does it take to get an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness in Alaska?

The rules set at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training² before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Allow 7-10 business days for processing.⁹

Can I transfer my electrician license to Alaska?

MI publishes these routes for the Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness: reciprocity agreements⁴ and temporary license or permit⁴. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew an Electrician Journeyman Certificate of Fitness in Alaska?

Every 2 years¹. Continuing education: at least 16 hours². The renewal fee is $200¹⁰.

Electrician licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

AS 18.62 Certificate of fitnessAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
8 AAC 90 Certificates of fitnessAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
Licenses and RequirementsAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated November 2, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
MI ReciprocityAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated October 21, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
Certificate of Fitness trainee applicationAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated August 28, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
AS 08.40 Electrical and mechanical administratorsAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 32 Electrical and mechanical administratorsAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 02.210 Electrical administrators feesAlaska State Legislature (Alaska Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
Certificate of Fitness application (electrical/plumbing)Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated September 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Certificate of Fitness renewal applicationAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated September 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Electrical Administrator License by Examination application #08-4898Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Electrical Administrators)Dated June 25, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Certificate of Fitness application (reciprocal/provisional)Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionDated August 28, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Electrical Administrator renewal #08-4295Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Electrical Administrators)Dated October 23, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Electrical Administrator License by Credentials application #08-4899Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Electrical Administrators)Dated June 25, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
Mechanical Inspection homeAlaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection SectionChecked November 7, 2026