Oklahoma Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
If you want to work as an electrician in Oklahoma, you need a state-issued license from the Construction Industries Board (CIB). Oklahoma's energy sector, wind farm construction, and growing metro areas in Oklahoma City and Tulsa drive consistent demand for licensed electricians. This guide covers every requirement, exam detail, and fee you need to know, verified directly against CIB and PSI sources.
For a quick overview, see the Oklahoma electrician license summary page, or check our general electrician exam guide for NEC study strategies that work in every state.
Licensing Authority: Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) regulates all electrical licensing statewide. CIB handles applications, exams, renewals, inspections, and enforcement for the electrical trade.
Office: 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 2F, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 Website: oklahoma.gov/cib
Note: Older references to the "Office of Inspections and Enforcement" (OIEF) or the ok.gov/oief domain are outdated. CIB is the current licensing authority.
Oklahoma Electrician License Types
Oklahoma does not issue a separate "master electrician" license. The licensing ladder runs from Apprentice to Journeyman to Contractor.
| License Type | Scope of Work |
|---|---|
| Electrical Apprentice | Entry-level; must work under a licensed Journeyman or Contractor at all times |
| Unlimited Electrical Journeyman | Commercial, industrial, and residential electrical work |
| Residential Electrical Journeyman | Residential wiring only (one- and two-family dwellings per NEC definition) |
| Unlimited Electrical Contractor | All types of electrical contracting; can pull permits and supervise journeymen |
| Residential Electrical Contractor | Residential electrical contracting only |
| Limited Electrical Contractor | Scope defined by engineering degree or extensive trade experience |
Experience Requirements
Unlimited Electrical Journeyman
- 8,000 verifiable hours as a registered apprentice under a licensed Journeyman or Contractor
- 4,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial work
- Up to 2,000 hours may be credited for formal electrical education or verified military electrical installations
Residential Electrical Journeyman
- 4,000 verifiable hours as a registered apprentice
- Up to 1,000 hours may be credited for formal electrical education
Unlimited Electrical Contractor
- 12,000 verifiable hours total in electrical construction
- 4,000 hours as a licensed Unlimited Journeyman (minimum 2 years)
- 6,000 hours in commercial or industrial work while employed by a licensed contractor
- Up to 2,000 hours may be credited for formal electrical education
Residential Electrical Contractor
- 8,000 verifiable hours total
- 4,000 hours as a licensed Residential or Unlimited Journeyman
Limited Electrical Contractor
- Electrical engineering degree plus 8,000 hours in field construction, estimating, or project management, OR
- 16,000 hours total in the electrical trade
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Try Free Questions →Oklahoma Electrician Exam Format
Oklahoma uses PSI Services as its third-party exam vendor. All exams are administered at PSI testing centers.
Journeyman Exam (Unlimited)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 |
| Time limit | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Format | Open book |
| NEC edition | 2023 (required as of 12/15/2024) |
Permitted References
You may bring the following into the exam:
- 2023 National Electrical Code (softcover, tabbed and highlighted)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 for Contractors (highlighted and tabbed)
- Ugly's Electrical Reference, 2023 revised edition
Contractor Exam (Unlimited)
The contractor exam has two parts:
| Part | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trade | 100 | 240 minutes |
| Business & Law | 50 | 120 minutes |
Both parts require a 70% passing score.
If you fail, you may retake the exam 30 days after your previous attempt.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Register as an Apprentice Submit an apprentice application to CIB with the $25 fee ($20 registration + $5 application).
Step 2: Accumulate Your Hours Work under a licensed Journeyman or Contractor. Document all hours carefully, as CIB requires verifiable work history. If a previous employer is deceased or out of business, tax records or a Social Security "Work History Report" may substitute.
Step 3: Submit Your License Application Download the Electrical License Application from oklahoma.gov/cib. Submit it with supporting documentation and the appropriate fee ($75 for Journeyman, $330 for Contractor).
Step 4: Schedule Your PSI Exam Once CIB approves your application, PSI will provide scheduling details. Register at candidate.psiexams.com or call PSI at (800) 733-9267.
Step 5: Pass the Exam Bring your code books and two forms of ID. Score 70% or higher.
Step 6: Receive Your License CIB issues your license after you pass. Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month and must be renewed annually.
Oklahoma Electrician License Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apprentice registration | $25 |
| Journeyman license fee (application + processing) | $75 |
| Contractor license fee (application + processing) | $330 |
| PSI exam fee (per exam) | $92 |
| Journeyman annual renewal | $75 |
| Contractor annual renewal | $200 |
| CE requirement | 12 hours every 3 years (cost varies by provider) |
Continuing Education
Effective January 1, 2026, all Journeymen and Contractors must complete 12 hours of CE every 3 years to renew:
- 6 hours maximum covering code updates from the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission
- 6 hours minimum covering electrical theory, safety (NFPA 70E), control systems, alternative energy, or regulatory topics
Apprentices must complete 3 hours of CE annually (waived if enrolled in an approved electrical program).
Study Plan for the Oklahoma Electrician Exam
1. Learn the 2023 NEC Table of Contents
Know the structure before you open the code book on test day. Chapters 1 through 4 cover the bulk of the exam. Spend your first week mapping the Table of Contents to real-world wiring scenarios.
2. Tab and Highlight Your Code Book
The exam is open book, but 100 questions in 240 minutes gives you roughly 2.4 minutes per question. You will not have time to search from scratch. Build a tabbing system that covers Table 310.16, Article 250 (grounding and bonding), Article 314 (boxes), Table 300.5, and Chapter 9.
3. Focus on High-Yield Articles
Article 250 (grounding and bonding), Article 210 (branch circuits), Article 220 (calculations), and Article 430 (motors) appear heavily on the exam. Practice code lookups in these sections daily.
4. Simulate Real Time Pressure
Take timed practice exams that match the 100-question, 4-hour format. If you consistently finish with time to spare, you are ready.
5. Use NEC 2023-Aligned Practice Questions
Older materials aligned to the 2020 or 2017 NEC will not match the current exam. Practice with 1,600+ NEC 2023-aligned questions at getlicenseready.com.
Get Started
Build your exam readiness now. Start with 25 free practice questions at getlicenseready.com/demo, built for Oklahoma electricians preparing for the PSI exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) issues all electrician licenses in the state, including Journeyman, Contractor, and Apprentice registrations.
What NEC edition does Oklahoma use for the electrician exam?
Oklahoma uses the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). As of December 15, 2024, only the 2023 NEC is accepted as a reference during the PSI exam.
What is the passing score for the Oklahoma electrician exam?
70%. This was reduced from 75% under HB 3215, effective November 1, 2024.
What types of electrician licenses does Oklahoma offer?
Oklahoma offers Unlimited Electrical Journeyman, Residential Electrical Journeyman, Unlimited Electrical Contractor, Residential Electrical Contractor, and Limited Electrical Contractor licenses.
How many experience hours do I need for an Oklahoma journeyman license?
The Unlimited Electrical Journeyman license requires 8,000 verifiable hours, with 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial work. The Residential Journeyman requires 4,000 hours.
Is the Oklahoma electrician exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the 2023 NEC (softcover, tabbed and highlighted), OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and Ugly's Electrical Reference (2023 edition) into the exam.
Related Guides
- What's on the Electrician License Test? - A breakdown of exam topics, question formats, and what to expect on test day
- How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try - An 8-week study plan, NEC navigation tips, and exam-day strategy
- NEC Article 250: Grounding and Bonding - Deep dive into the most heavily tested NEC article
- Texas Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & Reciprocity - Texas and Oklahoma have a reciprocal licensing agreement for Journeymen
- Browse all state electrician requirements - Compare licensing requirements across all 50 states
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