How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Nebraska

Nebraska electrician licenses

Nebraska issues 6 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Nebraska 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 6)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Applicants must sign the United States Citizenship Attestation form (lawful presence, Neb. Rev. Stat. 4-108 to 4-114) and send two forms of identification.¹⁰

Social Security number

Social Security number required on all license and registration applications.¹

How to apply

Apply online

nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com¹¹

Application form

Form (PDF, electrical.nebraska.gov)³

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

When it expires

All licenses and registrations expire on 31 December of each even-numbered year. The next expiry is December 31, 2026. Renewal opens 1 October; renew by 30 November to avoid the late fee.¹

If it expires

The 2026 reciprocity rule is one-time only. If you let a Nebraska license obtained by reciprocity lapse, you must take the exam to get it back.⁴

Renew online

nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com¹¹

2. Every license level except Apprentice Electrician (Apprentice Registration)

Fees

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

How to apply

1. Create an account on the NSED Tyler online portal (launched April 13, 2026), or use the mail-in application PDF.¹¹ nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com¹¹
2. Submit the exam application with the application fee, your verifiable work history (employer letters on company letterhead), any degree you use for experience credit, and the U.S. Citizenship Attestation form with two IDs.³ Form (PDF, electrical.nebraska.gov)³
3. Pass the exam (75%). Return the State Act / Board Rules quiz, then pay the license fee to get your license.¹²

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 12 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

At least 6 of the 12 contact hours on the National Electrical Code. The rest may be electrical theory, blueprints, motors, controls and similar electrical subjects. One contact hour = 50 minutes of classroom attendance.¹

Approved courses

Courses must be approved by the State Electrical Board. Attach the attendance certificates to the renewal (online renewals too). Certificates are issued only if you attend at least 90% of classroom hours.¹

Exemptions

License held for only 1 year of the 2-year cycle: 6 hours instead of 12. Passing a license exam earns 6 CE hours.¹³

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Work experience credit may be given for qualified electrical experience gained in military service (stated on the journeyman page; no other license-specific military rule found).²

3. Every license level except Apprentice Electrician (Apprentice Registration) and Electrical Contractor

Fees

Renewal

Renewal fee

$75¹⁴ (2027-2028 two-year renewal (renewal form SED 9-L 7/26))

4. Every license level except Apprentice Electrician (Apprentice Registration) and Special Electrician License (Special Installer: Irrigation Systems, Sign Installer, Heating/AC/Refrigeration)

From another state

5. Journeyman Electrician, Residential Journeyman Wireman (Residential Journeyman Electrician, Type RW) and Electrical Contractor

How to apply

1. Wait for approval. The Division sends your eligibility to PSI, and PSI emails you a link to schedule and pay for the exam at a PSI test center.¹²

6. Journeyman Electrician and Fire Alarm Installer

Fees

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

7. Fire Alarm Installer and Special Electrician License (Special Installer: Irrigation Systems, Sign Installer, Heating/AC/Refrigeration)

How to apply

1. Wait for approval. The NSED Licensing Desk will contact you to schedule the specialty exam.¹²

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license

Installs electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment, and supervises apprentices (up to 3 per licensee), anywhere in Nebraska, while employed by a licensed electrical contractor.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Homeowners may do their own wiring on a principal residence (single-family) or farm property, but not commercial, industrial or public-use installations.¹
• Employees of utilities, public power districts, railroads, telephone companies and manufacturers doing work for their employer do not need a license.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Electrical work done "for another" needs a license; working without one is a Class IV felony.¹⁵

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Experience

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Four years (8,000 hours) of verifiable electrical-trade experience acceptable to the Board, normally gained as a registered apprentice working for an electrical contractor.²
Supervision: Experience while registered as an apprentice with the Board and employed by an electrical contractor.¹⁶
Substitute: One year of experience credit for a two-year post-high-school electrical course (Associate's degree in electrical technology), minimum 700 contact hours. Enclose a copy of the degree.⁵
Substitute: Experience credit may be given for electrical experience in military service.²
Substitute: If less than 4,000 hours of your experience is in Nebraska, you get a "Restricted" license that cannot be reciprocated to other states.²

Exam

Nebraska State Electrical Board examination: Journeyman Electrician³
Given by: PSI (computer-based, at PSI test centers; no at-home testing)¹⁷
Passing score: 75%⁵
When you can take it: The Division must approve your exam application (experience verified) before you can schedule. A new exam application is needed for each attempt.¹²
At least 50 questions covering the National Electrical Code (2023), basic electricity, the Nebraska State Electrical Act, blueprint reading and emergency/fire alarm circuits. Open NEC allowed; a non-programmable calculator is allowed; 3 hours maximum.⁵
After approval you also get a short quiz on the State Act and Board Rules to return after passing. Passing earns 6 hours of CE credit toward renewal.¹⁸
Retakes: If you fail, reapply (re-exam fee equals the original fee). You have 90 days per approval to test. After 3 attempts (270 days) you must wait 90 days, so at most 3 tests a year.⁵
Time limit: Approved applicants who miss three consecutive exams, or do not take the exam within 90 days, forfeit the exam fee and must reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity licenses) and for holders of a city license obtained by passing a Board-approved municipal exam with at least 75%.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to Nebraska with a license from another state

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

Apprentice Electrician registration

Registered apprentices may do electrical work only under direct on-the-job supervision, at the same project location as a licensee. A licensee may supervise up to 3 apprentices. Apprentices must also take Board-approved related classroom training.⁶

Fees

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

1. Register online through the NSED portal ("Electrician Apprentice Online Registration") or by mail-in application, giving your current employer, plus the U.S. Citizenship Attestation form.³ nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com¹¹
2. Pay the registration fee ($35 in even-numbered years, $70 in odd-numbered years). No exam is needed.⁶
3. Work only under direct supervision of a licensee at the same job site. Renew every even-numbered year so your hours count toward a journeyman (8,000 h), residential (6,000 h) or fire alarm (4,000 h) exam.⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$70¹⁴ (2027-2028 two-year renewal (renewal form SED 9-L 7/26))

From another state

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

Fire Alarm Installer

Plans, lays out and installs wiring and equipment only for fire alarm system components operating at 50 volts or less. Supervises only apprentices on that work.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years⁷
Two years (4,000 hours) of experience acceptable to the Board in planning, laying out and installing fire alarm systems, as a registered apprentice employed by a fire alarm installer or electrical contractor.⁷
Substitute: Up to one year of credit may be applied under Board Rule 8 (two-year electrical course) or Policy 32.¹⁶

Exam

Nebraska State Electrical Board examination: Fire Alarm Installer³
Given by: Nebraska State Electrical Division (the Licensing Desk schedules specialty exams after approval)¹²
Passing score: 75%⁵
When you can take it: The Division must approve your exam application (experience verified) before you can schedule. A new exam application is needed for each attempt.¹²
At least 50 questions covering the National Electrical Code (2023), basic electricity, the Nebraska State Electrical Act, blueprint reading and emergency/fire alarm circuits. Open NEC allowed; a non-programmable calculator is allowed; 3 hours maximum.⁵
After approval you also get a short quiz on the State Act and Board Rules to return after passing. Passing earns 6 hours of CE credit toward renewal.¹⁸
Retakes: If you fail, reapply (re-exam fee equals the original fee). You have 90 days per approval to test. After 3 attempts (270 days) you must wait 90 days, so at most 3 tests a year.⁵
Time limit: Approved applicants who miss three consecutive exams, or do not take the exam within 90 days, forfeit the exam fee and must reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity licenses) and for holders of a city license obtained by passing a Board-approved municipal exam with at least 75%.⁵

Business requirements

Lincoln requires a City of Lincoln fire alarm installer registration ($100 a year or $200 biannual).¹⁹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Journeyman Wireman

Wires and installs electrical equipment for residential installations only (single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwellings up to three stories) and supervises apprentices. Clubhouses at multi-family complexes need a Type JA journeyman.⁸

Requirements

Experience

At least 3 years¹
Three years (6,000 hours) of electrical-trade experience acceptable to the Board, as a registered apprentice employed by an electrical contractor.⁸
Supervision: Registered apprentice employed by an electrical contractor.¹⁶
Substitute: One year of credit for a two-year post-high-school electrical course with a degree in electrical technology (2 years experience + degree).³

Exam

Nebraska State Electrical Board examination: Residential Journeyman Electrician, Type RW³
Given by: PSI (computer-based, at PSI test centers; no at-home testing)¹⁷
Passing score: 75%⁵
When you can take it: The Division must approve your exam application (experience verified) before you can schedule. A new exam application is needed for each attempt.¹²
At least 50 questions covering the National Electrical Code (2023), basic electricity, the Nebraska State Electrical Act, blueprint reading and emergency/fire alarm circuits. Open NEC allowed; a non-programmable calculator is allowed; 3 hours maximum.⁵
After approval you also get a short quiz on the State Act and Board Rules to return after passing. Passing earns 6 hours of CE credit toward renewal.¹⁸
Retakes: If you fail, reapply (re-exam fee equals the original fee). You have 90 days per approval to test. After 3 attempts (270 days) you must wait 90 days, so at most 3 tests a year.⁵
Time limit: Approved applicants who miss three consecutive exams, or do not take the exam within 90 days, forfeit the exam fee and must reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity licenses) and for holders of a city license obtained by passing a Board-approved municipal exam with at least 75%.⁵

Fees

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

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Special Electrician License

Limited-class licenses. Irrigation systems: from the first point of overcurrent. Sign installer: branch-circuit conductors and sign apparatus only. Fire alarm: not the branch-circuit supply conductors. None may wire on the line side of the disconnect. Pre-1993 special licenses also covered air conditioning and refrigeration.⁵

Requirements

Experience

Experience acceptable to the Board in each limited class of work. No hour figure is published.¹

Exam

Nebraska State Electrical Board examination: Special Installer³
Given by: Nebraska State Electrical Division (the Licensing Desk schedules specialty exams after approval)¹²
Passing score: 75%⁵
When you can take it: The Division must approve your exam application (experience verified) before you can schedule. A new exam application is needed for each attempt.¹²
At least 50 questions covering the National Electrical Code (2023), basic electricity, the Nebraska State Electrical Act, blueprint reading and emergency/fire alarm circuits. Open NEC allowed; a non-programmable calculator is allowed; 3 hours maximum.⁵
After approval you also get a short quiz on the State Act and Board Rules to return after passing. Passing earns 6 hours of CE credit toward renewal.¹⁸
Retakes: If you fail, reapply (re-exam fee equals the original fee). You have 90 days per approval to test. After 3 attempts (270 days) you must wait 90 days, so at most 3 tests a year.⁵
Time limit: Approved applicants who miss three consecutive exams, or do not take the exam within 90 days, forfeit the exam fee and must reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity licenses) and for holders of a city license obtained by passing a Board-approved municipal exam with at least 75%.⁵

Also required

Special exams (fire alarm, sign, irrigation, HVAC) are scheduled by the NSED Licensing Desk after approval. NSED posted specialty exam dates of 16 September and October 14, 2026.¹²

Fees

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

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical Contractor

May bid, plan, lay out, install and supervise the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment anywhere in Nebraska, and employ journeymen and apprentices. Electrical contractor and journeyman are the main levels. No new Class A master, Class B contractor or Class B journeyman licenses have been issued since September 9, 1993; existing ones may still be renewed.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 1 year⁹
At least one year (2,000 hours) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, employed by an electrical contractor; or a four-year electrical (engineering) degree plus one year as a journeyman.⁹
License you must hold first: Licensed journeyman electrician (for the experience year)⁵

Exam

Nebraska State Electrical Board examination: Electrical Contractor³
Given by: PSI (computer-based, at PSI test centers; no at-home testing)¹⁷
Passing score: 75%⁵
When you can take it: The Division must approve your exam application (experience verified) before you can schedule. A new exam application is needed for each attempt.¹²
At least 50 questions covering the National Electrical Code (2023), basic electricity, the Nebraska State Electrical Act, blueprint reading and emergency/fire alarm circuits. Open NEC allowed; a non-programmable calculator is allowed; 3 hours maximum.⁵
After approval you also get a short quiz on the State Act and Board Rules to return after passing. Passing earns 6 hours of CE credit toward renewal.¹⁸
Retakes: If you fail, reapply (re-exam fee equals the original fee). You have 90 days per approval to test. After 3 attempts (270 days) you must wait 90 days, so at most 3 tests a year.⁵
Time limit: Approved applicants who miss three consecutive exams, or do not take the exam within 90 days, forfeit the exam fee and must reapply.⁵
Exam waived: Exam waived for reciprocity licenses) and for holders of a city license obtained by passing a Board-approved municipal exam with at least 75%.⁵

Insurance

Contractor license holders who own and operate an electrical contracting firm must carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 each person, $300,000 each accident and $100,000 property damage (one license holder per firm).⁵

Business requirements

Only a licensed electrical contractor (or legacy Class B contractor / Class A master) may plan, lay out or supervise electrical installations for another, and journeymen must work for one.¹

Business requirements

Lincoln also requires a City of Lincoln master contractor registration ($125 a year or $250 biannual) and a certificate of insurance before it issues permits.¹⁹

Fees

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

Renewal

Renewal fee

$375¹⁴ (2027-2028 two-year renewal (renewal form SED 9-L 7/26))

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Apprentice Electrician (Apprentice Registration)A Nebraska state license lets you work anywhere in the state. Some cities and counties run their own inspection programs and permits instead of the state. Lincoln also requires master contractors and fire alarm installers to hold a City of Lincoln registration before it issues electrical permits. A city license covers work only inside that city.¹

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com¹⁰

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2101 to 81-2144 (State Electrical Act)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2118
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2117.01 (continuing education)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2120 (licenses without examination; reciprocity)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2121 (exemptions, incl. city license holders and homeowners)
• State Electrical Board Rules (April 2024), Rules 1, 7, 8, 9 and 11

Rule changes since January 2024

• April 13, 2026: NSED moved all applications, permits and renewals to a new online licensing and permitting system (Tyler portal).¹¹
• August 1, 2024: Exams and permits moved to the 2023 National Electrical Code on August 1, 2024.¹⁰

Common questions

Electrician licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
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• Hawaii
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