Electrical license requirements in North Carolina
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors issues electrical licenses in North Carolina. Here's what each license level takes, from the official rules.
Issued by
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
Official siteRequirements checked October 21, 2026
License levels
In order, from the first license to the top one.
- 1
Limited
3,000 hours of experience, at least 2,000 of them primary experience. Then the exam.
Official source - 2
Intermediate
5,750 hours of experience, at least 5,000 of them primary experience. Then the exam.
Official source - 3
Unlimited
9,000 hours of experience, at least 8,000 of them primary experience. Then the exam.
Official source
Rules, fees and exam schedules change. Confirm the details with the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before you apply.
Electricians in North Carolina
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See a city for local wages and contractor counts.
- Electricians employed
- 21,640
- Median hourly wage
- $27.31
Electrical market data by city
Once you're licensed
Tradesman runs the business side for electricians: estimates, scheduling, invoicing and payments in one app.
Electrical licensing in North Carolina: common questions
Who issues electrical licenses in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. The license levels and what each takes are listed above, with a link to the official source for each.
What does the Unlimited license take in North Carolina?
9,000 hours of experience, at least 8,000 of them primary experience. Then the exam.
What's the first electrical license in North Carolina?
The Limited. 3,000 hours of experience, at least 2,000 of them primary experience. Then the exam.
Licensed and ready for more customers?
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