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How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Colorado

Colorado licenses electricians statewide through the State Electrical Board.1 For the Journeyman Electrician license you need at least 288 classroom hours2 of training, at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2 and a passing score on the Colorado journeyman electrician examination1. You renew every 3 years2 and complete 24 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 4 official sources

Who issues it

State Electrical Board

Training and experience

Training: at least 288 classroom hours2
Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2

Exam

Colorado journeyman electrician examination1

Renewal

Every 3 years2, 24 hours of continuing education2

From another state

License by endorsement and Reciprocity agreements2 Details

On this page
  1. Colorado electrician licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license
  4. Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Moving to Colorado with a license from another state
  8. Electrical Apprentice
  9. Residential Wireman
  10. Master Electrician
  11. Electrical Contractor
  12. Check a license or report a problem
  13. Laws and rules
  14. Rule changes since January 2024
  15. Common questions
  16. Electrician licenses in other states

Colorado electrician licenses

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

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExam
Electrical ApprenticeElectrical work only under direct supervision of a licensed electrician (max three apprentices per electrician on a job site), employed by a registered electrical contractor.1––
Journeyman ElectricianWires for, installs and repairs electrical apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat and power.1Training 288 classroom hours2
Experience 8,000 hours2		Yes1
Residential WiremanWires and installs electrical apparatus and equipment in one- to four-family dwellings only.1Experience 4,000 hours2Yes1
Master ElectricianPlans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of wiring for electric light, heat and power; needed to qualify an electrical contractor.1Experience 10,000 hours2Yes1
Electrical ContractorBusiness registration to contract for electrical installation work; must be qualified by a licensed master electrician.1––

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Colorado 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 (all 5)

Requirements

Background check
Licensees and registrants must report felony convictions to the Board.2

How to apply

Renewal

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military education, training or service is credited if substantially equivalent; military-spouse license types exist.2

2. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years2

3. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice and Electrical Contractor

How to apply

  1. Gather Board experience verification forms signed by the master electrician or employer (you cannot verify your own hours), plus sealed transcripts for any education credit.2
  2. After approval, take the state exam with photo ID; a 30-day temporary work permit may be issued on approval.2
  3. After passing and paying the license fee, the Division issues the license.1
Temporary or provisional license
30-day temporary work permit on approval for the exam.1

Renewal

When it expires
Three-year cycle; DPO dataset lists expiration 30-Sep.4
Continuing education
24 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
At least 4 hours on National Electrical Code changes; the rest from grounding and bonding, wiring methods, theory and calculations, or safety (max 4 hours safety).2
Approved courses
Courses must come from a provider on the Board’s Attesting Providers list.2
Exemptions
First renewal after a license obtained by exam is exempt.1
Inactive licenses need no CE.2
CE for the most advanced license held covers lesser licenses.2
If it expires
60-day grace period with a delinquency fee; after that the license is expired and must be reinstated.2
Expired over 60 days but under two years: reinstate with 24 CE hours; over two years: pass the exam or show an equivalent license.2

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
License by endorsement for holders of an equivalent active license from another state who completed an apprenticeship or the required experience/training and a comparable written NEC-based exam.2
Conditions
Experience can be accumulated in several states.2

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license

Wires for, installs and repairs electrical apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat and power.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • No license needed for work on your own property or residence if inspected (not for sale/rental property).1

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 288 classroom hours2
The board's words

“shall provide documented written evidence of at least 288 hours of electrical training”


Who may teach it: Accredited college/university, established industry training program, or other provider meeting Board rules; Board does not pre-approve courses.2
Experience
At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Four years of apprenticeship or practical experience (8,000 hours in no less than four years), at least two years commercial/industrial.2
Supervision: Apprentice work must be under direct supervision of a licensed electrician (physically present at the same address).1
Substitute: Electrical engineering or approved trade school/community college graduate: one year of credit.1
Substitute: Other or non-accredited electrical education: up to one year of credit.2
Substitute: Out-of-country experience: up to three years toward journeyman.2
Exam
Colorado journeyman electrician examination1
Passing score: Set by the Board; results reported pass/fail only.2
When you can take it: After the Board approves the experience/education evidence.2

How to apply

  1. Apply for the journeyman electrician license through the DPO online portal with the application fee; incomplete applications are kept one year.2 apps2.colorado.gov3

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Colorado with a license from another state

These are the routes the State Electrical Board publishes for the Journeyman Electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Journeyman license by reciprocity for current journeyman/master licensees from NERA member states or states with a reciprocity agreement; not for grandfathered licenses.2
States on Colorado's list
The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.

Electrical Apprentice

Electrical work only under direct supervision of a licensed electrician (max three apprentices per electrician on a job site), employed by a registered electrical contractor.1

Requirements

Also required
Employer must register the apprentice within 30 days of hire and remove them within 30 days of termination.2
Also required
Apprentices registered six or more years must sit the journeyman exam at least every three years until they pass.1
Also required
A residential wireman working on a commercial site must also register as an apprentice.2

How to apply

  1. The employing electrical contractor registers the apprentice with the Board within 30 days of hire.1 apps2.colorado.gov3
  2. Work only under direct supervision of a licensed electrician; the employer keeps hour records for later experience verification.2

Renewal

When it expires
Does not renew (DPO dataset).4

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Registration is employer-based; no out-of-state pathway.1

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Wireman

Wires and installs electrical apparatus and equipment in one- to four-family dwellings only.1

Requirements

Experience
At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Two years of accredited training or practical experience wiring one- to four-family dwellings; Board counts this as 4,000 hours in no less than two years.1
Substitute: Electrical engineering graduate or approved trade school/community college graduate: one year of credit.1
Exam
Colorado residential wireman examination1
Passing score: Set by the Board; results reported pass/fail only.2
When you can take it: After the Board approves the experience/education evidence.2

How to apply

  1. Apply for the residential wireman license through the DPO online portal with the application fee; incomplete applications are kept one year.2 apps2.colorado.gov3

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Master Electrician

Plans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of wiring for electric light, heat and power; needed to qualify an electrical contractor.1

Requirements

Experience
At least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training2
One year of planning/layout/supervising experience beyond the journeyman requirement (Board: 10,000 hours in no less than five years); or EE degree + 1 year; or trade school/community college graduate + 4 years.1
Substitute: Graduate electrical engineer with one year of construction experience.1
Substitute: Trade school or community college graduate with four years of experience.1
Substitute: Out-of-country experience: up to four years toward master.2
Exam
Colorado master electrician examination1
Passing score: Set by the Board; results reported pass/fail only.2
When you can take it: After the Board approves the experience/education evidence.2

How to apply

  1. Apply for the master electrician license through the DPO online portal with the application fee; incomplete applications are kept one year.2 apps2.colorado.gov3

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
A master license cannot be granted by reciprocity (endorsement only).2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical Contractor

Business registration to contract for electrical installation work; must be qualified by a licensed master electrician.1

Requirements

Experience
An owner holding a master license, or at least one employed full-time master electrician in charge of all work; a master may qualify only one contractor.1
License you must hold first: Colorado Master Electrician (co-electrician-master).1
Insurance
Proof of compliance with Colorado workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws.1
Business requirements
Qualifying master must notify the Board within 15 days of leaving; a temporary master permit may cover the gap.1

How to apply

  1. Name a licensed master electrician (owner or full-time employee) who is not qualifying another contractor.1
  2. Register with the Board through the DPO portal with proof of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance compliance and the fee.1 apps2.colorado.gov3

Renewal

When it expires
Three-year cycle; expiration 30-Sep per DPO dataset.4
If it expires
60-day grace period with a delinquency fee; after that the license is expired and must be reinstated.2

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity for registrations; an out-of-state firm registers like any other, qualified by a Colorado master electrician.2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Colorado, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Colorado is on the Colorado license lookup page.

Look up a license
apps2.colorado.gov3
File a complaint
dpo.colorado.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • September 22, 2026: Current 3 CCR 710-1 also regulates "photovoltaic installer" registrants (renewed every three years like contractors).2

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Colorado?

The rules set at least 288 classroom hours2 and at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my electrician license to Colorado?

The State Electrical Board publishes these routes for the Journeyman Electrician license: license by endorsement2 and reciprocity agreements2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journeyman Electrician license in Colorado?

Every 3 years2. Continuing education: 24 hours2.

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.

  1. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 3 CCR 710-1 State Electrical Board Rules and RegulationsColorado Secretary of State (Code of Colorado Regulations)Dated September 22, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations Homepage | Divisions of Professions and OccupationsColorado Division of Professions and Occupations Homepage | Divisions of Professions and OChecked November 7, 2026
  4. DPO license types datasetColorado Information Marketplace (data.colorado.gov), DORA Division of Professions and Occupations license types datasetChecked November 7, 2026