How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in District of Columbia
District of Columbia licenses electricians statewide through the Board of Industrial Trades.1 For the Journeyman Electrician license you need at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1, a passing score on the DC Journeyman Electrician examination (PSI)2 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $65 for the application4 and $110 for the initial license2, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years2.
Who issues it
Board of Industrial Trades
Training and experience
Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1
Exam
DC Journeyman Electrician examination (PSI)2
Renewal
Every 2 years2
On this page
- District of Columbia electrician licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license
- Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license
- How much a Journeyman Electrician license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to District of Columbia with a license from another state
- Apprentice
- Master Electrician
- Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage)
- Electrical Contractor license
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Electrician licenses in other states
District of Columbia electrician licenses
District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Registered without exam; works only under the direct personal supervision of a licensed master electrician or master electrician specialist.1 | – | No1 | $654 |
| Journeyman Electrician | Licensed electrician (regular or low voltage, low voltage = 49 volts and below).5 | Experience 8,000 hours1 | Yes5 | $654 |
| Master Electrician | Lays out, directs and supervises the work of other electricians; a DC master must be designated by every electrical contractor.6 | Experience 4 years1 | Yes5 | $654 |
| Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage) | Master-level license limited to low-voltage work (49 volts and below).5 | Experience 8,000 hours1 | Yes5 | $654 |
| Electrical Contractor (Trade Contractor License) | Business license for firms installing, repairing or maintaining electrical wiring and equipment; work must be supervised by a designated DC-licensed master.7 | – | No7 | $654 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the District of Columbia 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)
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $654 | Board of Industrial Trades |
How to apply
- Apply online
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years2
- When it expires
- All electrician licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years.7
- If it expires
- An expired license can be reinstated within 5 years by meeting renewal requirements and paying the reinstatement fee; after 5 years you must apply as a new applicant.8
- Renew online
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov9
2. Every license level except Electrical Contractor (Trade Contractor License)
Requirements
How to apply
- The Board reviews the application, credentials and payment for eligibility and approval.10
3. Every license level except Apprentice and Electrical Contractor (Trade Contractor License)
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old3
- Education or training
- Class on Title 12C DCMR (DC Construction Codes) or an equivalent code within 2 years before applying; the DLCP sheet calls it an NEC Code Class Certificate.1
Fees
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI2, when you schedule.
How to apply
- Schedule the DC exam directly with PSI ("test first"); passing does not by itself give you a license.10
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- The Board must waive the exam for applicants licensed in good standing in a state with standards at least as high as DC's that admits DC licensees in a like manner.3
4. Every license level except Journeyman Electrician and Apprentice
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1202 | Board of Industrial Trades |
5. Journeyman Electrician and Apprentice
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1102 | Board of Industrial Trades |
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $1104
6. Journeyman Electrician and Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage)
Requirements
- Experience
- At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1
Apprentice electrician work, 8,000 hours over at least 4 years (or an electrical-engineering degree plus 2 years certified practical experience, or Board-approved equivalent).1
Supervision: Hours verified by employment verification letters signed by the master.5
Substitute: Degree in electrical engineering from an accredited college plus 2 years practical experience certified by a licensed master electrician.1
7. Apprentice and Electrical Contractor (Trade Contractor License)
Requirements
8. Master Electrician and Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage)
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $1554
Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license
Licensed electrician (regular or low voltage, low voltage = 49 volts and below).5
Work that does not need this license:
Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.
- Exam
- DC Journeyman Electrician examination (PSI)2
Given by: PSI2
When you can take it: Experience must be shown before sitting the exam, although candidates may schedule with PSI first.5
Open-book exam; DLCP study references: National Electrical Code (2011) and Ugly's Electrical Reference.5
Exam waived: Exam waived with a certificate from a national certifying organization (trade organization or labour union) designating you a journeyman, or proof of completing a nationally-certified apprenticeship.5
How much a Journeyman Electrician license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary license or permit | $1102 | Board of Industrial Trades | Valid for up to 60 days |
| Inactive Status: Journeyman (All types) | $1102 | Board of Industrial Trades | – |
| Duplicate or replacement license | $302 | Board of Industrial Trades | – |
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
- Apply for the journeyman electrician license online (Access DC account) with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.2 govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
- Temporary or provisional license
- Temporary journeyman license, $110 for up to 60 days.2
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your District of Columbia Journeyman Electrician license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to District of Columbia with a license from another state
These are the routes the Board of Industrial Trades 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 and master electricians licensed by examination in Maryland or Virginia, with a current active license in good standing, can be licensed in DC without the exam.2
- States on District of Columbia's list
- Maryland and Virginia2
This is the list of states whose licenses District of Columbia accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a District of Columbia license. - Conditions
- Upload a letter of good standing/verification from the home state showing the license was obtained by exam.2
- Fee
- $17512
Apprentice
Registered without exam; works only under the direct personal supervision of a licensed master electrician or master electrician specialist.1
Requirements
- Experience
- No experience required; show employment verification or school enrollment.5
How to apply
- Apply for the apprentice license online (Access DC account) with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.2 govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
From another state
- Route
- No reciprocity
- What the board says
- Apprentices are registered without examination, so no reciprocity pathway is needed or published.1
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.
Master Electrician
Lays out, directs and supervises the work of other electricians; a DC master must be designated by every electrical contractor.6
Requirements
- Experience
- At least 4 years1
Meet the journeyman requirements and then work as a journeyman electrician for at least 4 years (DLCP instructions: 8 years / 16,000 work hours in total).1
Supervision: Proven by employment verification letters, tax records and the NEC class certificate.5
License you must hold first: Experience as a journeyman electrician.1 - Exam
- DC Master Electrician examination (PSI)2
Given by: PSI2
When you can take it: Experience must be shown before sitting the exam, although candidates may schedule with PSI first.5
Open-book exam; DLCP study references: National Electrical Code (2011) and Ugly's Electrical Reference.5 - Surety bond
- $2,0009 (Only when designated as master for an electrical contractor company)
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive Status: Master (All types) | $1552 | Board of Industrial Trades |
How to apply
- Apply for the master electrician license online (Access DC account) with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.2 govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
From another state
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Journeyman and master electricians licensed by examination in Maryland or Virginia, with a current active license in good standing, can be licensed in DC without the exam.2
- States on District of Columbia's list
- Maryland and Virginia2
This is the list of states whose licenses District of Columbia accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a District of Columbia license. - Conditions
- Upload a letter of good standing/verification from the home state showing the license was obtained by exam.2
- Fee
- $18512
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.
Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage)
Master-level license limited to low-voltage work (49 volts and below).5
Requirements
- Exam
- DC Master Electrician Limited (Low Voltage) examination (PSI)2
Given by: PSI2
When you can take it: Experience must be shown before sitting the exam, although candidates may schedule with PSI first.5
Open-book exam; DLCP study references: National Electrical Code (2011) and Ugly's Electrical Reference.5 - Surety bond
- $1,0007 (When designated as master for a low-voltage electrical contractor)
How to apply
- Apply for the master electrician limited (low voltage) license online (Access DC account) with a 2x2 photo, government ID, your experience documents and card payment.2 govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.
Electrical Contractor license
Business license for firms installing, repairing or maintaining electrical wiring and equipment; work must be supervised by a designated DC-licensed master.7
Requirements
- Experience
- No individual experience; the company must designate a DC-licensed master electrician.7
- Surety bond
- $4,0007 (Regular voltage; low voltage company bond $2000)
- Business requirements
- Register with DLCP Corporations Division and hold a certificate of good standing.7
- Business requirements
- Surety bonds for both the company and the designated master, with insurer power of attorney.7
- Business requirements
- A master may be responsible for only one contractor.13
How to apply
- Register the business with DLCP Corporations Division (CorpOnline) and get a certificate of good standing.7
- Select your designated DC-licensed master, who must accept the designation in their own account.7
- Upload company and master surety bonds (with power of attorney) and pay the fees online.7 govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
- Application form
- Form (PDF, dlcp.dc.gov)14
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $1804
From another state
- Route
- No reciprocity
- What the board says
- No exam is required, so out-of-state firms apply the same way: DC good standing, a designated DC-licensed master and bonds.7
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 4 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire an electrician in District of Columbia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in District of Columbia is on the District of Columbia license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- govservices.dcra.dc.gov2
- File a complaint
- dcra.kustomer.help2
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.91 (scope of practice for electricians)
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.92 (eligibility requirements)
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.12 (license criteria; waiver)
- 17 DCMR § 3500.2(g)
- 17 DCMR ch. 2 (Electrical Licensing and Bonding)
- 17 DCMR § 218 (Electrician's license)
- 17 DCMR § 206 (Apprentices)
- 17 DCMR §§ 210, 216 (bonding; master electrician)
- 17 DCMR §§ 208, 210 (business license; bonding)
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Journeyman Electrician license in District of Columbia?
The rules set at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1 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 District of Columbia?
The Board of Industrial Trades publishes these routes for the Journeyman Electrician license: reciprocity agreements2 and license by endorsement3. Conditions and forms.
Electrician licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- D.C. Code 47-2853.92Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- Board of Industrial TradesDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- § 47–2853.12. License, certification, and registration criteria; waiver. | D.C. Law LibraryCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 3500 FeesOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Checked November 8, 2026
- Electrician License (Low and Regular Voltage) - Application InstructionsDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated December 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 299 (Chapter 2 Electrical Licensing and Bonding)D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCRegs)Checked November 7, 2026
- Trade Contractor Licensing (All Trades) Application InstructionsDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated December 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- D.C. Code 47-2853.15Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- Electrician License Renewal Notice ReminderDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Test First Examination Process NoticeDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated July 18, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 204 (Chapter 2 Electrical Licensing and Bonding)D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCRegs)Checked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Reciprocity NoticeDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 208 (Chapter 2 Electrical Licensing and Bonding)D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCRegs)Checked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Bond FormDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionDated October 21, 2022Checked November 7, 2026