Georgia Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
Everything you need to know about the Georgia 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 Georgia.
Quick Answer
For the Georgia electrician license exam, expect 162 questions with a limit of 480 minutes, 70% to pass, open book, aligned to NEC 2023. The exam is delivered by PSI and the fee is $30. Georgia electricians earn about $50,840 per year ($24.44 per hour), per the BLS.
Last verified: July 15, 2026 • Sources: Georgia Licensing Board, PSI Testing Portal
Exam Format
Journeyman Electrician
- Vendor:PSI
- Questions:162
- Time Limit:480 minutes (8 hours)
- Passing Score:70%
- Exam Fee:$30
- 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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Detailed Explanations
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Georgia Electrician License Overview
Georgia issues electrical contractor licenses through the Georgia Secretary of State's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). The state offers two classes of electrical contractor license, Class I (Restricted, limited to single-phase installations not exceeding 200 amperes at the service drop or lateral) and Class II (Non-Restricted, no scope limitations). Georgia's licensing system is entirely contractor-focused at the state level; there is no statewide journeyman license. Atlanta's booming construction market, combined with strong industrial growth across the state, makes Georgia one of the Southeast's top markets for licensed electricians.
Georgia Electrician License Types
Class I Electrical Contractor (Restricted)
Restricted state contractor license. Limited to electrical contracting involving single-phase electrical installations that do not exceed 200 amperes at the service drop or service lateral (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 121-3-.01).
Requirements: Must be at least 21, have 4 years of verifiable electrical experience, submit references, and pass the Georgia Class I exam (PSI, two parts, open book, minimum score of 70 on each part).
Class II Electrical Contractor (Non-Restricted)
The unrestricted statewide electrical contractor license. Authorizes all types of electrical work, residential, commercial, and industrial, anywhere in Georgia with no scope limitations.
Requirements: Same baseline as Class I: at least 21 years old, 4 years of verifiable electrical experience, references, and a passing score of 70 on each part of the two-part PSI exam.
Local Journeyman License
Some Georgia municipalities (including Atlanta) issue local journeyman cards for electricians working as employees under a licensed contractor.
Requirements: Varies by jurisdiction. Atlanta requires 8,000 hours of documented experience and a local exam. Verify with the specific city or county building department.
Experience & Education Requirements
Journeyman Requirements
Georgia does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Local cards (where available) typically require 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job experience. Atlanta issues its own journeyman license through the city's Office of Buildings.
Master Requirements
The Georgia Class II (Non-Restricted) Electrical Contractor license functions as the top-level credential, authorizing unrestricted electrical contracting statewide. Requires 4 years of qualifying electrical experience.
Apprenticeship Programs
Georgia has IBEW apprenticeship programs in Atlanta (IBEW Local 613) and other markets. ABC of Georgia also operates accredited apprenticeship programs. Programs typically run 4–5 years combining OJT and classroom instruction.
License Reciprocity
Georgia participates in reciprocity arrangements with several neighboring states. Reciprocity eligibility depends on equivalent experience and examination standards. Contact the Georgia CILB at sos.ga.gov to verify current reciprocity terms before applying.
License Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
1 year (annual)
Continuing Education
6 hours per year, including code-related coursework
Renewal Fee
$100–$200 depending on license class
Important Notes
Georgia CILB licenses renew annually. CE must be completed through a CILB-approved provider before renewal. Failure to complete CE results in license lapse and may require reinstatement fees.
GeorgiaElectrician Salary & Job Outlook
Average Salary
$50,840/year
$24.44/hr
Salary Range
Entry-level: $33,510 (10th percentile)
Experienced: $72,380 (90th percentile)
Georgia employs approximately 28,000 electricians. Atlanta's commercial construction, data center development (major tech campuses from Google, Microsoft, and others), manufacturing expansion (EV plants and battery facilities), and residential growth are all driving sustained 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 Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board 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 Georgia-aligned questions
- Pass Your Exam: Show up confident and ready on exam day
Georgia Electrician Exam Tips
State-specific guidance to help you prepare smarter for your Georgia exam.
💡What You Need to Know About Georgia
- Georgia issues a statewide Electrical Contractor license, but journeyman electrician licensing is primarily handled at the local (city/county) level.
- Atlanta and other major Georgia cities issue their own journeyman licenses, check with the local building department for specific requirements.
- The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GCOC) oversees contractor licensing; journeyman licensing varies by AHJ.
- Georgia requires documentation of qualifying work experience, typically verified by a licensed employer, before sitting for any local journeyman exam.
NEC Adoption & State Amendments
Georgia has adopted the NEC as part of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes. Check with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (https://www.dca.ga.gov/) for the current edition adopted statewide, and verify local amendments with your city or county.
⚠️Common Mistakes on the Georgia Exam
- Assuming a Georgia contractor license substitutes for a local journeyman card, they are different credentials with different scopes of work.
- Not checking local Georgia city requirements before scheduling an exam, cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta may have different vendors, fees, and eligibility requirements.
- Overlooking Georgia's hot and humid climate requirements, which affect conduit installation, conductor derating, and outdoor wiring methods tested on some local exams.
Georgia Electrician License FAQ
Does Georgia have a statewide journeyman electrician license?
No. Georgia's CILB licenses electrical contractors (Class I and Class II), not individual journeymen. Some municipalities like Atlanta issue local journeyman cards. If you work as an employee electrician in most of Georgia, no individual state license is required, your employer must hold the contractor license.
What is the difference between Class I and Class II in Georgia?
Class I is an unrestricted license covering all types of electrical work, residential, commercial, and industrial. Class II is limited to one- and two-family residential dwellings only. Most commercial electricians pursue Class I.
Is the Georgia electrical contractor exam open book?
Yes. The PSI-administered Georgia electrical contractor exams are open book. You may bring a tabbed NEC codebook. Study and tab your codebook thoroughly, knowing where to look quickly is critical to completing the exam in time.
How much do electricians make in Georgia?
The statewide average is about $50,840/year ($24.44/hr). Atlanta metro electricians earn more, experienced commercial electricians in Atlanta regularly earn $65,000–$85,000+. Union wages through IBEW Local 613 are among the highest in the Southeast.
Can I transfer my Florida electrical contractor license to Georgia?
Georgia has a reciprocity arrangement with Florida. Contact the Georgia CILB to confirm eligibility, required documentation, and whether any examination is still required under the current agreement.
Common Questions About the Georgia Electrician License
How much does the Georgia electrician license exam cost?
The Georgia electrician exam fee is $30, paid to PSI when you register.
Who administers the Georgia electrician license exam?
The Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees electrician licensing in Georgia, and the exam is delivered by PSI.
How much do electricians make in Georgia?
Georgia electricians earn about $50,840 per year ($24.44 per hour). Entry level pay is around $33,510 (10th percentile) and experienced electricians earn up to $72,380 (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 Georgia?
Georgia does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Local cards (where available) typically require 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job experience. Atlanta issues its own journeyman license through the city's Office of Buildings.
Does Georgia have electrician license reciprocity?
Georgia participates in reciprocity arrangements with several neighboring states. Reciprocity eligibility depends on equivalent experience and examination standards. Contact the Georgia CILB at sos.ga.gov to verify current reciprocity terms before applying.
Compare Exam Requirements
See how Georgia's electrician exam compares to nearby states:
Exam Prep Guides
Georgia Electrician License: Contractor Requirements & PSI Exam
Georgia Class I and Class II Electrical Contractor license requirements and exam.
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 Georgia 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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