How to Become an Electrician in Kentucky, KY


Check Electrician Schools in Kentucky, KY

In most states, including Kentucky, a license is required to work as an electrician. There are 3 electrician licences options in Kentucky:

Kentucky Contractor Electrician License

If you want to work as an electrician while not being supervised by a Master Electrician or a Contractor, you need to have a license. Works than can be done without a license can be found at the first question of FAQ.

Description of contractor electrician (quote from FAQ):

When contracting with the public to perform electrical work an electrical contractor license is required. Only licensed electrical contractors may request electrical permits”.

The licence is provided by Division of Building Codes Enforcement.

Search Electrician Programs

Get information on Electrician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

In order to apply for the contractor electrician license, you will have to complete the following steps:

  • Prior to applying, you need to either have a master electrician’s license or employ one.
  • You will first need to pass the Kentucky Business and Law 231 exam. The test consists of 30 multiple choice questions and it is open book. The maximum time limit is one and a half hour and you have to score 70% or more in order to pass. The approved reference is Kentucky Contractors Business and Law, 5th Edition. The field of the questions can be found at page 18 of candidate information bulletin.
  • The exam cost is $60.00. This amount can be paid either by credit/debit card or electronic check at the time of reservation and not on the exam date. If you prefer, you can also pay by using a voucher. Details of the payment methods can be found at page 15 of the candidate bulletin.
  • Changes can be made to all of the above, so please double check these steps with the information presented here.
  • Before taking the exam, please also read section 5 of 815 KAR 35:060.
  • After successfully passing the test, you will have to fill the appropriate application, obtain a colored photograph of yourself (passport size) and an insurance certificate indicating $500.000 or more, liability insurance. The certificate holders must read as follows:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

If you do not have employees, you may submit a notarized workers compensation waiver. It must state you are the sole proprietor and have no employees. Either the waiver or worker’s compensation insurance must be submitted.

For more information on these prerequisites, you can also check the application checklist, section 2 and 7 of 815 KAR 35:060 and the FAQ.

  • The cost of the application varies depending on the factor of the date you apply and the date you were born. For more information, please visit the fee schedule. You have to pay the nonrefundable fee via a check, made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”.
  • Then, you will have to mail all of the above (exam results, complete application, photograph, certificate of liability insurance, check and the notarized waiver or worker’s compensation) in one package to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

  • Upon receiving your license, you will have to renew it annually at the price of $200.00 and submit your renewal application with the check or money order made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”. Before your first renewal, your license will be valid for at least 12 months. After that, renewal must occur at or before the last day of the licensee’s birth month. For business entities, you will have to renew your license 1 year after receiving it.

Please note that if you fail to renew it on time, there will be a $50.00 extra fee as penalty. You can read more about renewal issues, at section 8 of 815 KAR 35:060 and at FAQ.

  • You will also be subject to Continuing Education (CE). You will need to attend 6 hours per year, per licence (you possess), from one of the institutions that offer Continuing Education programs. These can be found both on calendar’s months and at the bottom left of that page, depending on your license. You will have to submit the verification of those 6 hours, at least 10 days before the Committee’s meeting. There are also online providers. You can read more about Continuing Education at 815 KAR 35:100, FAQ and at the renewal application.

Kentucky is in reciprocity with the following states: Ohio, Louisiana and West Virginia (or Commonwealth of Virginia). For more information on the requirements for reciprocity, please read near the end of the application checklist. You will also need to complete a reciprocity application.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Kentucky.

Useful Links

Kentucky Master Electrician License

If you want to work as a master electrician under a contractor, you need to have a license. Works than can be done without a license can be found at the first question of FAQ.

Description of master electrician (quote from application):

A master electrician means any individual licensed to assume responsible charge, supervision, or direction of an electrician engaged in the construction, installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring used to furnish heat, light or power. A master electrician can only be associated with one contractor. If they become dissociated they must contact the department immediately as they will still be responsible for work performed under the contractor until the office is notified”.

The licence is provided by Division of Building Codes Enforcement.

In order to apply for the master electrician license, you will have to complete the following steps:

  • Before taking the test, you must have 8 years of practical experience, or 6 years of practical experience, plus 576 hours (or more) of classroom training in an approved training program.
  • You will have to pass the Master Electrician’s Exam No. 701. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions and it is open book. The maximum time limit is 5 hours and you have to score 70% or more in order to pass. The approved reference is 2011 National Electrical Code. The field of the questions can be found at page 19 of candidate information bulletin.
  • The exam cost is $100.00. This amount can be paid either by credit/debit card or electronic check at the time of reservation and not on the exam date. If you prefer, you can also pay by using a voucher. Details of the payment methods can be found at page 15 of the candidate bulletin.
  • Changes can be made to all of the above, so please double check these steps with the information presented here.
  • After successfully passing the test, you will have to fill the appropriate application, obtain a colored photograph of yourself (passport size) and verification/documentation of your prior experience (as listed in the application). Experience received while being under 16 years old, will not count towards the requirements.

For more information on these prerequisites, you can also check the application checklist, section 2 and 4 of 815 KAR 35:060 and the FAQ.

  • The cost of the application varies depending on the factor of the date you apply and the date you were born. For more information, please visit the fee schedule. You have to pay the nonrefundable fee via a check, made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”.
  • Then, you will have to mail all of the above (exam results, complete application, photograph, verification/documentation of your previous work experience, and check) in one package to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

  • Upon receiving your license, you will have to renew it annually at the price of $100.00 and submit your renewal application with the check or money order made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”. Before your first renewal, your license will be valid for at least 12 months. After that, renewal must occur at or before the last day of the licensee’s birth month.

Please note that if you fail to renew it on time, there will be a $50.00 extra fee as penalty. You can read more about renewal issues, at section 8 of 815 KAR 35:060 and at FAQ.

  • You will also be subject to Continuing Education (CE). You will need to attend 6 hours per year, per licence (you possess), from one of the institutions that offer Continuing Education programs. These can be found both on calendar’s months (in the link above) and at the bottom left of that page, depending on your license. You will have to submit the verification of those 6 hours, at least 10 days before the Committee’s meeting. There are also online providers. You can read more about Continuing Education at 815 KAR 35:100, FAQ and at the renewal application.

Kentucky is in reciprocity with the following states: Ohio, Louisiana and West Virginia (or Commonwealth of Virginia). For more information on the requirements for reciprocity, please read near the end of the application checklist. You will also need to complete a reciprocity application.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Kentucky.

Useful Links

Kentucky Electrician License

If you want to work as an electrician under a contractor, you need to have a license. Works than can be done without a license can be found at the first question of FAQ.

Description of electrician (quote from application):

An electrician means any person licensed by the office, who is employed by an electrical contractor and is engaged in the construction, alteration or repair of any electrical wiring used for the purpose of furnishing heat, light or power”.

The licence is provided by Division of Building Codes Enforcement.

In order to apply for the master electrician license, you will have to complete the following steps:

  • Before taking the test, you must have 6 years of practical experience, or 4 years of practical experience, plus 576 hours (or more) of classroom training in an approved training program.
  • You will have to pass the Journeyman’s Electrical Exam No. 703. The test consists of 80 multiple choice questions and it is open book. The maximum time limit is 4 hours and you have to score 70% or more in order to pass. The approved reference is 2011 National Electrical Code. The field of the questions can be found at page 19 of candidate information bulletin.
  • The exam cost is $100.00. This amount can be paid either by credit/debit card or electronic check at the time of reservation and not on the exam date. If you prefer, you can also pay by using a voucher. Details of the payment methods can be found at page 15 of the candidate bulletin.
  • Changes can be made to all of the above, so please double check these steps with the information presented here.
  • After successfully passing the test, you will have to fill the appropriate application, obtain a colored photograph of yourself (passport size) and verification/documentation of your prior experience (as listed in the application). Experience received while being under 16 years old, will not count towards the requirements.

For more information on these prerequisites, you can also check the application checklist, section 2 and 4 of 815 KAR 35:060 and the FAQ.

  • The cost of the application varies depending on the factor of the date you apply and the date you were born. For more information, please visit the fee schedule. You have to pay the nonrefundable fee via a check, made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”.
  • Then, you will have to mail all of the above (exam results, complete application, photograph, verification/documentation of your previous work experience, and check) in one package to:

Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Rd Suite 100
Frankfort KY 40601

  • Upon receiving your license, you will have to renew it annually at the price of $50.00 and submit your renewal application with the check or money order made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”. Before your first renewal, your license will be valid for at least 12 months. After that, renewal must occur at or before the last day of the licensee’s birth month.

Please note that if you fail to renew it on time, there will be a $50.00 extra fee as penalty. You can read more about renewal issues, at section 8 of 815 KAR 35:060 and at FAQ.

  • You will also be subject to Continuing Education (CE). You will need to attend 6 hours per year, per licence (you possess), from one of the institutions that offer Continuing Education programs. These can be found both on calendar’s months (in the link above) and at the bottom left of that page, depending on your license. You will have to submit the verification of those 6 hours, at least 10 days before the Committee’s meeting. There are also online providers. You can read more about Continuing Education at 815 KAR 35:100, FAQ and at the renewal application.

Kentucky is in reciprocity with the following states: Ohio, Louisiana and West Virginia (or Commonwealth of Virginia). For more information on the requirements for reciprocity, please read near the end of the application checklist. You will also need to complete a reciprocity application.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Kentucky.

Useful Links