NORTH-CAROLINA · electrician
Electrical Contractor — Unlimited (U)
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) →No Statewide Journeyman License
North Carolina does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician license. Under G.S. Chapter 87, Article 4, the NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) licenses the contracting firm through a Qualified Individual who has passed the exam; individual electricians working for a licensed contractor are not separately licensed by the state. Some municipalities maintain their own local journeyman credentials, but none are recognized statewide. Source: NCBEEC Licensing (https://www.ncbeec.org/licensing/).
Scope
Three-tier Structure. NCBEEC issues three general classifications defined by the dollar value of a single project: Limited (L) covers single projects up to $60,000 on installations rated 600 volts or less; Intermediate (I) covers single projects up to $150,000; Unlimited (U) allows the licensee to engage in any electrical contracting project regardless of value. Source: NCBEEC Licensing (https://www.ncbeec.org/licensing/).
Special Restricted Classifications
NCBEEC issues seven Special Restricted licenses with scope limited to a specific installation type: Residential Dwelling (SP-SFD, single family detached), Fire Alarm / Low-Voltage (SP-FA/LV), Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning (SP-PH), Swimming Pool (SP-SP), Groundwater Pump (SP-WP), Electric Sign (SP-ES), and Elevator (SP-EL). Each Special Restricted license is limited to work within its defined classification. Source: NCBEEC Licensing (https://www.ncbeec.org/licensing/).
Experience
NCBEEC requires documented electrical experience for the Qualified Individual, verified through the Board's Employer Statement Form and Supervise and Direct Form. Specific hour or year thresholds by classification are set in the Examination Information Handbook and board rules (21 NCAC 18B); applicants should confirm current thresholds directly with NCBEEC before scheduling. Source: NCBEEC Forms & Documents (https://www.ncbeec.org/need-a-form/).
Exam
Administered by PSI Exams under contract with NCBEEC, scheduled at test-takers.psiexams.com/ncbeec. The Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited exams are 100 multiple-choice questions over a 6-hour session. Special Restricted classification exams are 40 multiple-choice questions over a 3-hour session. A minimum grade of 70 is required to pass. Applicants who fail must wait 90 days before retaking the same examination. The examination application fee is $125.00 per attempt. Source: NCBEEC Examinations (https://www.ncbeec.org/examinations/).
FEES
Annual license fees set by the Board: Limited $100, Intermediate $150, Unlimited $200, Special Restricted classifications $100. A $25.00 administrative late fee applies to renewals processed after the license expiration date. Source: NCBEEC Licensing (https://www.ncbeec.org/licensing/).
Insurance and Bonding
For Intermediate and Unlimited classifications, the applicant must submit a bonding-ability statement as part of the license application. Specific minimum bond amounts and insurance limits are governed by NCBEEC rules; applicants should verify current requirements with the Board before applying. Source: NCBEEC Licensing (https://www.ncbeec.org/licensing/).
Renewal and CE
All NCBEEC licenses expire one year after the date of issuance. Renewal notices are mailed 60 days before expiration. Continuing education is required each renewal cycle: 8 hours for Unlimited, Intermediate, Limited, and SP-SFD licensees (8 classroom hours OR 4 classroom + 4 online); 4 hours for the other Special Restricted licenses: EL, ES, FA/LV, PH, SP, and WP (4 classroom OR 2 classroom + 2 online). At least half of CE hours must be completed in person. Approved sponsors and instructors are searchable at arls-public.ncbeec.org. Source: NCBEEC Continuing Education (https://www.ncbeec.org/continuing-education/).