Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get an Electrical Contractor Class I license in Georgia

Georgia licenses electricians statewide through the Division of Electrical Contractors.1 For the Electrical Contractor Class I license you need at least 4 years2 of experience, a passing score on the Georgia Electrical Contractor Class I examination1 and a criminal background check3. Georgia does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians1; see what applies instead. You renew every 2 years3 and complete at least 4 hours of continuing education4.

Last checked · 10 official sources

Who issues it

Division of Electrical Contractors

Training and experience

Experience: at least 4 years2

Exam

Georgia Electrical Contractor Class I examination1

Renewal

Every 2 years3, at least 4 hours of continuing education4

From another state

No reciprocity route5

On this page
  1. Georgia electrician licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs an Electrical Contractor Class I license
  4. Requirements for an Electrical Contractor Class I license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Moving to Georgia with a license from another state
  8. Electrical Contractor Class II
  9. No state license for journeyman electricians
  10. City and county rules
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Electrician licenses in other states

Georgia electrician licenses

Georgia issues 2 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 Contractor Class I–Experience 4 years2Yes2
Electrical Contractor Class IIUnrestricted electrical contracting.2Experience 4 years2Yes2

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Georgia electrician license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age
21 years old2
Experience
At least 4 years2
At least 4 years of Primary experience (direct installation of electrical systems covered by the NEC); up to 1 year may be Secondary experience (credited at 50%) or education.2
Supervision: Three references attest to the experience; at least one must be a licensed electrical contractor.2
Substitute: 6 years of electrical contracting experience can replace Primary installation experience (education credited at 50%, max 2 years; one reference from an architect or engineer).2
Substitute: Education: a 2-year academic diploma or a 2-year vocational-technical certificate program may be applied as experience (rule text says 2 years, while (5) caps Secondary/Education credit at 1 year).2
Background check
Background check required3
Applicants must report felony and misdemeanor findings or pleas (misdemeanors over 5 years old only on request) and submit court documents and a letter of explanation.6
Residency or citizenship
Lawful presence must be verified: affidavit of citizenship plus a secure and verifiable document.5
Social Security number
SSN requested on the application5
Business requirements
A partnership, LLC or corporation may do electrical contracting only with a full-time licensee regularly connected with it; the qualifying licensee may qualify only one business and must supervise the work.7
Business requirements
The business must notify the division within seven days when its qualifying licensee leaves.1
Also required
A separate statewide low voltage contractor license is needed to contract for low voltage work.5

How to apply

  1. Create a GOALS account and choose the Electrical Contractor license type (Restricted = Class I, Non-Restricted = Class II).3 goals.sos.ga.gov3
  2. Upload the checklist documents: notarized application, local law-enforcement background check, work experience, three references, a secure and verifiable document and the affidavit of citizenship; pay the fee.3
  3. Wait for Board approval to sit for the exam (applications are processed in about 20 business days; complete files must be in 15 days before a Board meeting).3
Apply online
goals.sos.ga.gov3

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years3
When it expires
Licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years (next June 30, 2028); late renewal July 1–31 of even years.3
Renewal fee
$758
Continuing education
At least 4 hours each renewal period4
Required topics
Courses related to electrical contracting as prescribed by the division; credit is one hour per hour of instruction.4
Approved courses
Accredited colleges, TCSG-type post-secondary institutes, trade/professional organizations, public utilities or equipment manufacturers (not product promotion); since January 1, 2026 SOS licensees with CE must record it in CE Broker.4
Exemptions
First renewal: licensed one year or less = no CE; licensed more than 1 but less than 2 years = 4 hours.4
The Division may waive CE for documented hardship, disability or illness.4
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $1008
Reinstatement fee: $1508 (lapsed 3+ years; exam required)
If it expires
Lapsed less than 3 years: reinstatement application with CE; lapsed 3 years or more: reinstatement and passing the exam again.3
Renew online
goals.sos.ga.gov3

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military spouses and transitioning service members get expedited processing; veterans may get exam preference points; former service members may seek expedited Class I licensure based on military training (statute committee process).6

Who needs an Electrical Contractor Class I license

Work that does not need this license:

  • Exempt: utility/public service work up to the meter, NESC utility systems, CATV technicians, and regular full-time employees working on their employer's premises; owners may wire their own residence (code and permit rules still apply).1

Requirements for an Electrical Contractor Class I license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Experience
Class I applicants document experience in at least five of the listed installation areas (a)-(g), plus load calculations (h).2
Exam
Georgia Electrical Contractor Class I examination1
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application.3
Retakes: After failing twice, an applicant must complete a board-approved review course before testing again; no further courses after a third failure.6

How to apply

  1. Pass the Class I examination with a score of at least 70, then pay the license fees; do not work until the license is active.3

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Georgia Electrical Contractor Class I license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Division of Electrical Contractors publishes for the Electrical Contractor Class I license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity route is listed for the Class I (Restricted) license; the reciprocity application is only for a Class 2 Non-restricted license.5
Conditions
Out-of-state contractors can still apply by examination; Rule 121-2-.03 allows reciprocity only by formal agreement.6

Electrical Contractor Class II

Unrestricted electrical contracting.2

Requirements

Experience
Class II applicants document experience with installations above single-phase 200-ampere systems and in all listed areas (a)-(h).2
Exam
Georgia Electrical Contractor Class II examination1
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application.3
Retakes: After failing twice, an applicant must complete a board-approved review course before testing again; no further courses after a third failure.6
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity applicants licensed by exam in AL, LA, NC, SC or TN (Class II only).5

How to apply

  1. Pass the Class II examination with a score of at least 70, then pay the license fees; do not work until the license is active.3

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Class II (Non-Restricted) by reciprocity, without the exam, for holders of a current license obtained by exam in AL, LA, NC, SC or TN.3
States on Georgia's list
Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee5
This is the list of states whose licenses Georgia accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Georgia license.
Conditions
Other state's license must be current, obtained by passing that state's exam (not grandfathering, endorsement or conversion), with no penalties; a sealed verification letter from that board and 3 notarized references (one from a licensed electrical contractor) are required.5
The other state must have substantially equal exams and requirements and offer Georgia licensees the same privilege.6
Fee
$405

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

No state license for journeyman electricians

Georgia does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians.1

The official wording

“…shall not include an individual who is an employee of an electrical contractor and who receives only a salary or hourly wage for performing electrical contracting work.”1

Office of the Governor of Georgia (2025 Signed Legislation)

City and county rules

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
Gwinnett CountyCommercial electrical work must be done by a State-licensed electrical contractor; homeowners who hire someone must use a State-licensed electrician.9Official page9
DeKalb CountyElectrical permit application asks for the State License # and local business license #; minimum permit fee $120.10Official page10

Counties require permits to be pulled by State-licensed electrical contractors.9

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get an Electrical Contractor Class I license in Georgia?

The rules set at least 4 years2 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 Georgia?

No reciprocity route is listed for the Class I (Restricted) license; the reciprocity application is only for a Class 2 Non-restricted license.5 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew an Electrical Contractor Class I license in Georgia?

Every 2 years3. Continuing education: at least 4 hours4. The renewal fee is $758.

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. Senate Bill 125 (2025), AS PASSED - revises O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 14 (electrical contractors,…Office of the Governor of Georgia (2025 Signed Legislation)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-3 Application for Licensure (Electrical Contractors)Georgia Secretary of State (State Construction Industry Licensing Board rules)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. How-To Guide: Electrical ContractorsGeorgia Secretary of State, State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-4 License Issuance, Renewal, Reinstatement, Expiration, and ActivationGeorgia Secretary of State (State Construction Industry Licensing Board rules)Checked November 7, 2026
  5. 44 Application - Electrical RECIPROCITY (Revised 06-22)Georgia Secretary of State, State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-2 Qualifications for LicensureGeorgia Secretary of State (State Construction Industry Licensing Board rules)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 121-6 Business RegistrationGeorgia Secretary of State (State Construction Industry Licensing Board rules)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. 44 Electrical - Fee Schedule (Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board)Georgia Secretary of State, State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
  9. BPR-42 Electrical Reconnection GuidelinesGwinnett County Department of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Electrical Permit Application (Revised 01012025)DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability (Building Permits)Checked November 7, 2026