Alabama Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
Everything you need to know about the Alabama 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 Alabama.
Quick Answer
For the Alabama electrician license exam, expect 80 questions with a limit of 240 minutes, 75% to pass, open book, aligned to NEC 2023. The exam is delivered by Prov and the fee is $115. Alabama electricians earn about $47,010 per year ($22.60 per hour), per the BLS.
Last verified: March 26, 2026 • Sources: Alabama Licensing Board
Exam Format
Journeyman Electrician
- Vendor:Prov
- Questions:80
- Time Limit:240 minutes (4 hours)
- Passing Score:75%
- Exam Fee:$115
- 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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Alabama Electrician License Overview
Alabama licenses electrical contractors through the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB). Alabama issues contractor licenses at the state level and also has a journeyman/master licensing system administered through local jurisdictions and the AECB. Alabama's construction market is anchored by Birmingham, Huntsville (the nation's fastest-growing metro by some measures), and Mobile. Huntsville's aerospace and defense sector (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal) and Alabama's automotive manufacturing (Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai) create strong industrial electrical demand.
Alabama Electrician License Types
Journeyman Electrician
State-level license for electrical work under licensed contractor supervision.
Requirements: 8,000 hours of supervised OJT. Must pass the AECB Journeyman exam (open book, NEC-based, 70% passing score).
Master Electrician
Can supervise journeymen, pull permits, and take full charge of electrical work.
Requirements: Must hold an Alabama Journeyman license. Additional experience. Must pass the Master exam.
Electrical Contractor (AECB)
Business license for electrical contracting in Alabama.
Requirements: Qualifying party with master credentials. Pass AECB contractor exam. Meet insurance requirements.
Experience & Education Requirements
Journeyman Requirements
8,000 hours of supervised OJT under a licensed Alabama master electrician.
Master Requirements
Must hold a valid Alabama Journeyman license. Pass the Master exam.
Apprenticeship Programs
Alabama has IBEW apprenticeship programs in Birmingham (IBEW Local 136), Huntsville (IBEW Local 558), and Mobile (IBEW Local 505). Programs run 4–5 years.
License Reciprocity
Alabama participates in reciprocity arrangements with some neighboring states. Contact the AECB to confirm current eligibility.
License Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
1 year (annual)
Continuing Education
Verify current CE requirements with the AECB
Renewal Fee
Approximately $40–$80 annual renewal (verify with the AECB)
Important Notes
Alabama electrical licenses renew annually. CE requirements apply.
AlabamaElectrician Salary & Job Outlook
Average Salary
$47,010/year
$22.60/hr
Salary Range
Entry-level: $30,820 (10th percentile)
Experienced: $66,250 (90th percentile)
Alabama employs approximately 14,000 electricians. Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing metros in the Southeast, the defense, aerospace, and tech sectors are driving significant commercial and industrial construction. Automotive manufacturing facilities (Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda-Toyota) create ongoing industrial electrical maintenance demand.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
How to Register for Your Exam
- Confirm Your Eligibility: Check with the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board for current requirements (work experience, education, etc.)
- Submit Your Application: Apply through the state licensing board
- Schedule Your Exam: Once approved, register with Prov
- Prepare: Use GetLicenseReady to practice with Alabama-aligned questions
- Pass Your Exam: Show up confident and ready on exam day
Official Resources
Alabama Electrician License FAQ
Does Alabama have a statewide journeyman license?
Yes. Alabama issues statewide Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses through the AECB.
Is the Alabama electrician exam open book?
Yes. AECB exams are open book and NEC-based. The passing score is 70%.
How much do electricians make in Alabama?
The statewide average is about $47,010/year. Huntsville area electricians, working on aerospace, defense, and tech projects, earn more, with experienced electricians earning $60,000–$66,000+.
Does Alabama have reciprocity with Georgia or Tennessee?
Alabama participates in reciprocity arrangements with some neighboring states. Contact the AECB to confirm current terms.
How long does it take to get an Alabama journeyman license?
Plan on 4 years (8,000 hours) of supervised OJT, typically through an IBEW or ABC apprenticeship program.
Common Questions About the Alabama Electrician License
How much does the Alabama electrician license exam cost?
The Alabama electrician exam fee is $115, paid to Prov when you register.
Who administers the Alabama electrician license exam?
The Alabama Electrical Contractors Board oversees electrician licensing in Alabama, and the exam is delivered by Prov.
How much do electricians make in Alabama?
Alabama electricians earn about $47,010 per year ($22.60 per hour). Entry level pay is around $30,820 (10th percentile) and experienced electricians earn up to $66,250 (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 Alabama?
8,000 hours of supervised OJT under a licensed Alabama master electrician.
Does Alabama have electrician license reciprocity?
Alabama participates in reciprocity arrangements with some neighboring states. Contact the AECB to confirm current eligibility.
Compare Exam Requirements
See how Alabama's electrician exam compares to nearby states:
Exam Prep Guides
Alabama Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply (2026)
AECB requirements, PSI exam, fees, CE hours, and reciprocity, all in one place.
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 Alabama 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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