How to get an electrical license in Georgia: the official requirements
The Electrical Contractor (Class I Restricted or Class II Non-Restricted) license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors.
In Georgia, the statewide electrical license is a contractor license, issued by the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors. Georgia's statewide electrical license is the Electrical Contractor license: Class I is restricted to single-phase installations of no more than 200 amperes at the service drop or lateral, and Class II is unrestricted. The Board licenses electrical contractors, not electricians, and you may not legally perform services until you hold an active license. Experience and training: At least 4 years of primary experience in the electrical field (hands-on installation of electrical systems of a type covered by the National Electrical Code); up to one year can be credited from secondary experience or education. Class II applicants must also show experience with installations larger than single-phase 200-ampere systems. You submit three references, at least one from a licensed electrical contractor. Licensing exam: Pass the examination for your license class with a score of at least 70. The Board must first approve you to sit for the exam; the exam approval letter is valid for one year, and the testing vendor is PSI. If you fail twice, you must complete a Board-approved review course before retesting. How to apply: Apply online through the GOALS portal (paper applications are no longer accepted): complete the online application, upload the required documents and pay the fee. You must be at least 21.
Georgia electrical license requirements
| Requirement | Georgia |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | Georgia's statewide electrical license is the Electrical Contractor license: Class I is restricted to single-phase installations of no more than 200 amperes at the service drop or lateral, and Class II is unrestricted. The Board licenses electrical contractors, not electricians, and you may not legally perform services until you hold an active license. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors. |
| Experience and training | At least 4 years of primary experience in the electrical field (hands-on installation of electrical systems of a type covered by the National Electrical Code); up to one year can be credited from secondary experience or education. Class II applicants must also show experience with installations larger than single-phase 200-ampere systems. You submit three references, at least one from a licensed electrical contractor. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors. |
| Licensing exam | Pass the examination for your license class with a score of at least 70. The Board must first approve you to sit for the exam; the exam approval letter is valid for one year, and the testing vendor is PSI. If you fail twice, you must complete a Board-approved review course before retesting. |
| How to apply | Apply online through the GOALS portal (paper applications are no longer accepted): complete the online application, upload the required documents and pay the fee. You must be at least 21. |
| Background check | A background check from your local law enforcement agency is part of the application. |
| State fees | Application for licensure by exam (Restricted or Non-Restricted): $110, with the completed, signed and notarized application. |
| License term | Two years; licenses are renewed online by June 30 of even-numbered years. |
| Continuing education | 4 hours of approved continuing education each year (8 hours per two-year renewal), recorded in CE Broker. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Georgia
- Build at least 4 years of primary experience installing electrical systems.
- Line up three references, at least one from a licensed electrical contractor.
- Apply online in GOALS with your documents and the $110 fee.
- Once the Board approves you to sit for it, take the exam for your license class.
- Complete 4 hours of continuing education each year and renew by June 30 of even-numbered years.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
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Open →PayElectrician salary in GeorgiaWhat electricians earn.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State, How-To Guide: Electrical Contractors, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Board of Electrical Contractors FAQ, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State, Electrical Contractor Continuing Education, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Rules of the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Chapter 121-3 Application for Licensure (Rule 121-3-.01 Statewide Electrical Contractor License), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.