Licensing Guides
Arizona Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in Arizona
Electrical, AZ
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Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trades in the construction industry to install and service their homes and businesses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 17,640 work in Arizona. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 adding more than 50,000 to the ranks. That growth rate is expected to be much higher in Arizona — projected at a whopping 35%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 60% of firms in the U.S. and 79% of firms in Arizona had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
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Licensing Requirements for Electricians in Arizona
Is it required to be a licensed contractor to operate as an electrician in Arizona? Yes.
Arizona does not offer an official journeyman license as do most states. Instead, Arizona issues contractor licenses. Arizona has several electrical contractor licenses, depending upon the type of work the electrician does: Residential (R-11), Commercial (C-11), or Electrical (K-11). The Arizona Registrar of Contractors classifies a “journeyman electrician” based on proven work experience. Arizona does not require a license or permit to become an electrical apprentice.
Steps to Get an Electrician License in Arizona
Must be at least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or GED.
Obtain 8,000 hours of hands-on training and 900 hours of classroom work.
Gain post-apprenticeship experience.
Apply for licensing through the state registrar.
Take the business management and trade exams.
How to Get an Electrician License in Arizona
OBTAIN NECESSARY TRAINING: To apply for an Arizona electrician license, you must have 8,000 hours of hands-on training and 900 hours of classroom work. You can accomplish this by enrolling in a technical school and a union/non-union apprenticeship.
GAIN POST-APPRENTICESHIP EXPERIENCE: Arizona does not have statewide requirements after completion of an apprenticeship. However, it is recommended you earn journeyman certification through a national program, even though the state of Arizona does not license journeymen specifically. Some specialty areas for additional years of experience may include commercial contractor and industrial installation, photovoltaics, and solar power or HVAC electric.
APPLY FOR CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM: The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues contractors licenses, with three options for electricians. Those options are Residential (R-11), Commercial (C-11), or Electrical—a combination of residential and electric (K-11). You must register to take two exams before you can obtain a license: a business management exam and trade exam.
TAKE LICENSING CONTRACTOR EXAM: The business management exam contains 80 questions that must be completed within 180 minutes. A passing score is 70%. The trade exam contains 110 questions that must be completed within 240 minutes. A passing score is 70%.
OBTAIN YOUR ELECTRICIAN LICENSE: After passing your exams, you must pay licensing fees to get your electrician license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The cost for a residential license is $720, while a commercial license is $580. Licenses must be renewed every two years. The state of Arizona does not require continuing education for electricians, although some specific counties might.
PROOF OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR INSURANCE: Electricians in Arizona must hold electrical contractors’ insurance, which includes liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. Other insurance options to include for added protection include Errors and Omissions insurance, which protects against negligent claims filed against you or those that suggest you failed to perform a promised service. Commercial property insurance can protect your business building and its contents.
Types of Electrical Contractor Licensure in Arizona
There are three different types of electrician licensing in Arizona:
Residential (R-11): A residential electrician licensee can install and repair electrical systems in residential properties only.
Commercial (C-11): The Arizona Registrar of Contractors states C-11 electricians can perform “installation, alteration, and repair of any wiring, related electrical material and equipment used in the generating, transmitting, or utilization of electrical energy less than 600 volts, including all overhead electrical wiring on public right-of-ways for signs and street decorations, and all underground electrical distribution systems of less than 600 volts serving private properties” as well as “installation, alteration, and repair on other than public right-of-ways of all outside, overhead, and underground electrical construction, and all wiring in or on any building of less than 600 volts.”
Electrical (K-11): K-11 electricians can do both residential electric work and commercial electric work associated with R-11 and C-11 licenses.
Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Arizona
There are many benefits to pursuing Arizona electrician licensing:
Most important, it is required by law in Arizona to be licensed through the state to legally perform electrical work.
An electrical contractor license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed electricians can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
A trade license protects your company and customers.
An electrical contractor license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrician in Arizona?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Arizona is $59,420 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
Electrician Apprentice: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $22.81 per hour in Arizona and $6,000 overtime per year.
Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $29.59 per hour in Arizona and $9,438 overtime per year.
Master Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $32.64 per hour in Arizona.
Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost for Electrician Licensing in Arizona?
The cost of an electrician license in Arizona varies based on the level of licensing.
Applicants for the Residential (R-11) and Commercial (C-11) electrical licenses can participate in the National Association of State Licensing Agency Electrical Examination Program. Through that program, the cost to take the business management and trade exams totals $116.
A Residential (R-11) electrician licensing fee is $720.
A Commercial (C-11) electrician licensing fee is $580.
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How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in Arizona?
It takes about four to five years to become a licensed electrician in Arizona. Most apprenticeship programs require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and around 900 hours of classroom instruction.
Arizona Electrical Contractor Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrical contractor professional in Arizona, and they are located all over the state, in major cities and smaller communities.
Arizona has two union-based joint apprenticeship and training programs (JATC): Tucson Electrical JATC and the Phoenix Electrical JATC. These programs are a partnership between local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW) and the Arizona Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Alliance.
Non-union programs include the Independent Electrical Contractors of Southern Arizona, the Independent Electrical Contractors of Arizona, and the Arizona Builders Alliance.
Tuition at most Arizona electrical schools costs $2,100 per year for in-state students. Study materials average another $1,000-$1,500 per year.
Some electrical schools in Arizona:
Pima Community College Electrician – Certificate Program, Electrician – Associate Program 4905C East Broadway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275 520-206-4500
GateWay Community College Electronics Technician – Certificate Program, Electricity – Associate Program 108 N. 40th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85034 602-392-5000
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Electrical Technology – Certificate Program 2626 E. Pecos Road Chandler, Arizona 85225-2499 480-732-7000
Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary. Most programs, however, require you to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED, a valid birth certificate, official and sealed copies of school transcripts, reliable transportation, and passing grades in math courses, such as algebra.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will gain an understanding of electrical standards as well as math and scientific principles. Electricians need keen eyesight and good hand-eye coordination, as well as proper time management skills. They also have to possess good customer service skills, work independently, exhibit good physical endurance and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.
Arizona Electrician Licensing Exam Details
In Arizona, to obtain either a residential electrician license or a commercial electrician license, you must pass both the business management and trade exams offered through PSI Testing If you fail the exams three times in a row, you may need to wait 180 days before retesting. Details can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
Business Management Exam: Contains 80 questions that must be completed within 180 minutes. A passing score is 70%. Some open-book reference materials may be used during the exam, such as the National Fire Alarm Code-2016, the National Electric Code-2017, and some chapters of the Code of Federal Regulations. For a specific list of materials permitted, visit PSI Online Store.
Topics covered on the exam include:
General electric knowledge
Service feeders and branch circuits
Grounding and bonding
Conductors and cables
Raceways and boxes
Special occupancies and equipment
Electrical devices
Motors
Low voltage
Lighting
Fire detection and alarm systems
Safety
Overcurrent protection
Photovoltaics
Trade Exam: Contains 110 questions that must be completed within 240 minutes. A passing score is 70%. Some reference materials may be used during the open-book exam, such as the National Fire Alarm Code-2016, the National Electrical Code (NEC)-2017, and some chapters of the Code of Federal Regulations. For a specific list of material permitted, visit PSI Online Store.
Topics covered on the electrician exam include:
General electrical knowledge
Service feeders and branch circuits
Grounding and bonding
Conductors and cables
Raceways and boxes
Special occupancies and equipment
Electrical devices
Motors
Low voltage
Lighting
Fire detection and alarm systems
Safety
Overcurrent protection
Photovoltaics
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Arizona?
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues electrician licenses.
Does My Arizona Electrical License Work in Any Other State?
No. Arizona does not have a formal reciprocity agreement with any other state. Incoming licensing applicants can, however, fill out a waiver request form for the trade portion of the licensing exam.
For R-11 and C-11 applicants, the Arizona state registrar does hold reciprocity agreements with the California State Contractor’s Board, the Nevada State License Board, and the Utah State License Board. Arizona does not accept licenses issued by other states.
National Electrician Certifications
While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates to more job opportunities and higher pay.
These include the Independent Electrical Contractors Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) distinction, certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among dozens of additional electrician certifications available.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s Toolbox for the Trades podcast.
