Alaska Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
Everything you need to know about the Alaska electrician license: requirements, exam format, fees, and how to prepare
Note: Our practice questions are based on NEC 2023. The exam format details below are specific to Alaska.
Quick Answer
For the Alaska electrician license exam, expect 100 questions with a limit of 240 minutes, 70% to pass, open book, aligned to NEC 2023. The exam is delivered by PSI and the fee is $50. Alaska electricians earn about $86,060 per year ($41.38 per hour), per the BLS.
Last verified: March 26, 2026 • Sources: Alaska Licensing Board, PSI Testing Portal
Exam Format
Journeyman Electrician
- Vendor:PSI
- Questions:100
- Time Limit:240 minutes (4 hours)
- Passing Score:70%
- Exam Fee:$50
- Format:Open-book (NEC reference allowed)
What's Covered on the Exam
- Grounding & Bonding (NEC Article 250)
- Wiring Methods (Conduit, Cable, Raceways)
- Load Calculations (Article 220)
- Motors & Controllers (Article 430)
- Box Fill & Conduit Fill
- Overcurrent Protection (Article 240)
- Special Occupancies (Hazardous Locations)
- Services & Feeders (Article 230)
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Alaska Electrician License Overview
Alaska licenses electricians through the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL). Alaska issues statewide journeyman and master electrician licenses. Alaska's remote geography, extreme working conditions, and dependence on natural resource extraction (oil and gas on the North Slope, mining, and fishing industry facilities) create some of the most unique, and highest-paying, electrical employment conditions in the country. Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau are the main urban markets.
Alaska Electrician License Types
Alaska Journeyman Electrician
Statewide license for electrical work under master supervision.
Requirements: 8,000 hours of supervised OJT. Must pass the Alaska Journeyman exam (open book, NEC-based, 70% passing score). Apply through Alaska DCBPL.
Alaska Master Electrician
Can supervise journeymen, pull permits, and take full charge of electrical work.
Requirements: Must hold an Alaska Journeyman license. Additional experience. Must pass the Master exam.
Electrical Contractor
Business license for electrical contracting in Alaska.
Requirements: Qualifying party must hold a Master license. Meet DCBPL registration requirements.
Experience & Education Requirements
Journeyman Requirements
8,000 hours of supervised OJT under a licensed Alaska master electrician.
Master Requirements
Must hold a valid Alaska Journeyman license. Pass the Master exam.
Apprenticeship Programs
Alaska has IBEW apprenticeship programs in Anchorage (IBEW Local 1547). Given Alaska's remote geography, apprenticeship options are concentrated in Anchorage with satellite instruction for rural areas.
License Reciprocity
Alaska participates in limited reciprocity with some states. Contact Alaska DCBPL at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl to confirm current eligibility.
License Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
2 years (biennial)
Continuing Education
Verify current CE requirements at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl
Renewal Fee
Verify current fees at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl
Important Notes
Alaska electrical licenses renew biennially.
AlaskaElectrician Salary & Job Outlook
Average Salary
$86,060/year
$41.38/hr
Salary Range
Entry-level: $58,730 (10th percentile)
Experienced: $114,720 (90th percentile)
Alaska employs approximately 3,000 electricians. The state consistently ranks as one of the highest-paying states for electricians due to the remoteness premium on North Slope oil and gas work, mining site electrical contracts, and the high cost of living in Alaska urban areas. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and associated facilities require ongoing electrical maintenance.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
How to Register for Your Exam
- Confirm Your Eligibility: Check with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development for current requirements (work experience, education, etc.)
- Submit Your Application: Apply through the state licensing board
- Schedule Your Exam: Once approved, register with PSI at https://candidate.psiexams.com/
- Prepare: Use GetLicenseReady to practice with Alaska-aligned questions
- Pass Your Exam: Show up confident and ready on exam day
Alaska Electrician License FAQ
Why do electricians in Alaska earn so much more than other states?
Alaska's high wages reflect the remoteness premium for North Slope oil and gas work, the high cost of living in Alaska generally, and the technical demands of working in extreme cold conditions. Electricians working at North Slope facilities often earn $100,000–$115,000+ with the overtime common in rotational schedules.
Does Alaska have a statewide journeyman license?
Yes. Alaska DCBPL issues statewide Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses valid throughout the state.
Is the Alaska electrician exam open book?
Yes. Alaska exams are open book and NEC-based. The passing score is 70%.
How much do electricians make in Alaska?
The statewide average is about $86,060/year, among the highest in the nation. North Slope and remote site electricians earn even more.
Can electricians from Washington or Oregon transfer their license to Alaska?
Alaska participates in limited reciprocity with some Pacific Northwest states. Contact DCBPL to confirm current eligibility.
Common Questions About the Alaska Electrician License
How much does the Alaska electrician license exam cost?
The Alaska electrician exam fee is $50, paid to PSI when you register.
Who administers the Alaska electrician license exam?
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development oversees electrician licensing in Alaska, and the exam is delivered by PSI.
How much do electricians make in Alaska?
Alaska electricians earn about $86,060 per year ($41.38 per hour). Entry level pay is around $58,730 (10th percentile) and experienced electricians earn up to $114,720 (90th percentile). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
How long does it take to become a licensed electrician in Alaska?
8,000 hours of supervised OJT under a licensed Alaska master electrician.
Does Alaska have electrician license reciprocity?
Alaska participates in limited reciprocity with some states. Contact Alaska DCBPL at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl to confirm current eligibility.
Compare Exam Requirements
See how Alaska's electrician exam compares to nearby states:
Exam Prep Guides
Alaska Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply (2026)
DCCED/DCBPL requirements, PSI exam, fees, and reciprocity for Alaska licensed electricians.
What to Expect on the Electrician License Test
Exam format, NEC topics covered, passing scores, and how to prepare.
How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try
The 10 most-tested NEC topics and a proven 8-week study plan.
NEC Code Study Guides
Deep-dive guides on the NEC articles tested most on the Alaska exam.
NEC Article 110, Electrical Installations
Working space clearances (Table 110.26), temperature ratings (110.14), interrupting ratings, and workmanlike execution.
NEC Article 210, Branch Circuits
GFCI, AFCI, circuit ratings, outlet spacing, and the continuous load rule.
NEC Article 220, Load Calculations
Step-by-step residential standard and optional methods with worked examples.
NEC Article 230, Services
Overhead clearances, 6-disconnect rule, minimum 100A service, and disconnect location.
NEC Table 310.16, Wire Sizing & Ampacity
Temperature columns, correction factors, adjustment factors, and NEC 240.4(D).
NEC Article 430, Motors
Conductor sizing, SCGF protection at 250%, overload protection, and disconnect rules.
NEC Article 240, Overcurrent Protection
Standard breaker ratings, 240.4(D) small conductors, and the 10-foot and 25-foot tap rules.
NEC Article 250, Grounding & Bonding
Grounding electrode system, bonding jumpers, and equipment grounding conductors.
NEC 314.16, Box Fill Calculations
Five volume categories, cubic-inch table, and exam-style worked examples.
NEC Chapter 9, Conduit Fill
Tables C1–C12, 40% fill rule, and how to size conduit for mixed wire bundles.
Electrician Exam Math: Complete Formula Guide
Ohm's Law, power wheel, voltage drop, three-phase power, and transformer calculations with worked examples.
NEC Article 300, Wiring Methods
Physical protection, burial depths, 6-inch free conductor rule, boxes at splices, and plenum wiring.
NEC Articles 404 & 406, Switches & Receptacles
15A vs 20A receptacle rules, tamper-resistant requirements, wet/damp location covers, and snap switch grounding.
NEC Article 334, NM Cable (Romex)
Permitted uses, 4½-foot support intervals, 12-inch box rule, 1.25-inch edge clearance, and where Romex is prohibited.
NEC 2023 vs NEC 2020, Key Changes
What changed between editions: new AFCI/GFCI locations, EV charging rules, and 2023-specific exam prep notes.
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