COLORADO · electrician
Journeyman Electrician
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies — State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations) →Scope
Colorado licenses individual electricians at the state level through the State Electrical Board inside the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) at the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The board issues three wireman-class licenses: Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician. Electrical contracting is a separate registration held by the firm. Source: Colorado DPO Electrical (https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical) and Colorado Revised Statutes Title 12 Article 115 (https://leg.colorado.gov/).
Experience
A Journeyman Electrician applicant must document a minimum of 8,000 hours of practical electrical wiring experience under the supervision of a Colorado Master or Journeyman electrician. Hours are counted only when performed legally in Colorado or, for out-of-state hours, when the candidate held a valid Colorado Residential Wireman license or was enrolled in a registered apprenticeship. The experience requirement is set by the board under CRS 12-115-110. Verify current hour definitions and supervision rules on the DPO Electrical application page before submitting.
Education
The board accepts a combination of practical hours and classroom instruction toward the total experience requirement. Graduates of an approved electrical program or a registered apprenticeship may receive limited hour credit for classroom time under board rule. Confirm current credit caps with the DPO Electrical rules page.
Exam
Administered by the board's contracted vendor (PSI or the current approved provider listed on the DPO Electrical site). The exam is based on the National Electrical Code edition currently adopted by Colorado, plus Colorado-specific law and rule. Passing score and current exam fees are published in the provider's Colorado Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin.
Reciprocity
Colorado evaluates out-of-state journeyman credentials on an endorsement basis under CRS 12-115-117. An applicant licensed in another state with equivalent requirements may qualify for endorsement without retesting, subject to board review. Confirm current endorsement posture on the DPO Electrical reciprocity page.
Renewal and CE
Colorado electrician licenses operate on a three-year renewal cycle under CRS 12-115-115. Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education each renewal, including the National Electrical Code update course required by the Colorado State Electrical Board. CE providers must be approved by the board. Failure to complete CE on time subjects the license to non-renewal. Source: DPO Electrical CE (https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical).
Background Check
The board may require fingerprint-based criminal-history checks for new applicants. Confirm current requirement on the DPO Electrical application page.
Scope Limits
A Journeyman Electrician performs installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical wiring under the general supervision of a Master Electrician. The journeyman cannot pull permits in the journeyman's own name; permits are pulled by a registered electrical contractor with a Master Electrician of record. Work in unincorporated areas is inspected by the State Electrical Board; work within a municipality with an adopted electrical code is inspected by that jurisdiction.