How to get an electrician license in Rhode Island: the official requirements
The Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B) license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation.
In Rhode Island, the state electrical license for individual electricians is issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. The journeyperson electrician's license (Certificate B), issued by the Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation, under the Board of Examiners of Electricians rules. Experience and training: At least 8,000 hours (4 years) of experience as a registered apprentice. Applicants submit a notarized letter from employers (or, for military experience, verification from the former military unit) stating the type and extent of their experience. Applicants must be at least 18. Licensing exam: A written examination based on the edition of the National Electrical Code adopted by the Rhode Island State Building Code Standards Committee; an overall exam grade of at least 70% is needed to obtain a license. Only approved applicants are admitted. How to apply: File an application for the license sought, on the forms available from the Division of Professional Regulation. Applications to take the examination must be received 15 working days before the exam date.
Rhode Island electrician license requirements
| Requirement | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The journeyperson electrician's license (Certificate B), issued by the Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation, under the Board of Examiners of Electricians rules. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. |
| Experience and training | At least 8,000 hours (4 years) of experience as a registered apprentice. Applicants submit a notarized letter from employers (or, for military experience, verification from the former military unit) stating the type and extent of their experience. Applicants must be at least 18. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. |
| Licensing exam | A written examination based on the edition of the National Electrical Code adopted by the Rhode Island State Building Code Standards Committee; an overall exam grade of at least 70% is needed to obtain a license. Only approved applicants are admitted. |
| How to apply | File an application for the license sought, on the forms available from the Division of Professional Regulation. Applications to take the examination must be received 15 working days before the exam date. |
| Background check | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. |
| State fees | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation. |
| License term | Two years; licenses are renewed on the licensee's birthday, and cannot be renewed while a penalty or fine is outstanding with the Department. |
| Continuing education | Certificate A and Certificate B electricians complete at least 15 hours of Board-approved continuing education as a condition of renewal. |
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 Rhode Island
- Work at least 8,000 hours (4 years) as a registered apprentice.
- Get a notarized letter from your employers stating the type and extent of your experience.
- File the Certificate B application with the Division of Professional Regulation at least 15 working days before the exam date.
- Pass the written examination with an overall grade of at least 70%.
- Renew every two years on your birthday, after 15 hours of approved continuing education.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become an electricianThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayElectrician salaryWhat electricians earn.
Open →CareerElectrician career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumeElectrician resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewElectrician interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
Open →Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Questions people ask
How do I get an electrician license in Rhode Island?
How many hours of experience do I need for a Rhode Island electrician license?
Is there an apprentice or trainee license in Rhode Island?
Do I need to pass an exam for a Rhode Island electrician license?
How long is a Rhode Island electrician license good for?
How much does a Rhode Island electrician license cost?
How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation 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 Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation'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 individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, sign, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Rhode Island Department of State, Code of Regulations: Board of Examiners of Electricians (260-RICR-30-15-7), Department of Labor and Training, active rule effective 01/04/2022, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.