State Electrician Pathfinder

Oregon

Oregon licenses electricians through the Building Codes Division, and the Electrical and Elevator Board writes the exams. Oregon also has a long list of "limited" license types, so pick the one that matches the work you actually do.

Licensing agency: Building Codes Division (BCD), Dept. of Consumer & Business Services

License levels and required hours

• Limited Residential (LR): one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings, up to three floors above grade, under a general supervising electrician. Qualify with an approved Oregon apprenticeship; or 288 classroom hours plus 4,000 residential hours from outside Oregon; or 8,000 residential hours from outside Oregon. Source: BCD Individual licenses
• General Journeyman (J): any installation, under a general supervising electrician. Qualify with an approved Oregon apprenticeship; or 576 classroom hours plus 8,000 on-the-job hours from outside Oregon, with at least 1,000 each in residential, commercial and industrial; or 16,000 hours from outside Oregon. Source: BCD Individual licenses Source: BCD application instructions 440-2570i
• General Supervising (S): designs and lays out work and signs permits. Requires an Oregon J license plus 8,000 more hours of journeyman experience, or equal qualifications. Source: BCD Individual licenses
• Limited Energy Technician A and B, plus limited sign, maintenance, plant and other licenses: each has its own hours. See BCD Individual licenses.

The exam

The exam is written by Oregon's Electrical and Elevator Board and given by BCD. Your letter of authorization names your proctor site, and you have 60 days to schedule and test. J and LR exams are 3 hours, 52 questions, open book. BCD's materials list doesn't name an outside testing company. Source: BCD licensing FAQ Source: BCD Individual licenses Source: BCD exam guidelines (Rev. Sept. 2026)

Code book on the exam vs. the code in the field

On the exam

Not stated by BCD
BCD's approved-materials list says "NFPA 70 / National Electrical Code with Oregon amendments" but doesn't name an edition. Ask BCD which edition your exam uses before you buy a book. Source: BCD exam guidelines

In the field

2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (based on the 2026 edition)
The 2026 OESC took effect Oct. 1, 2026. It's based on the 2026 edition plus Oregon's amendment table. Source: BCD OESC adoption page

We couldn't confirm the exam edition from an official page, so confirm it before you buy a book.

Getting into an apprenticeship

State-registered programs: Oregon BOLI Apprenticeship and Training. Most licenses also let you qualify with an equivalent out-of-state apprenticeship, or with double the required hours. Source: BCD licensing FAQ

• Union route: inside-wireman apprenticeships run by joint labor-management training committees (JATCs). Find one through the Electrical Training Alliance.
• Non-union (merit shop) route: registered programs through Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters.
• Any registered program: search the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Before you sign up, check that your state recognizes the program for licensing. The state links above are the ones that count.

Reciprocity

General Journeyman (J): Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. General Supervising (S): Arkansas, Utah. Applicants must have qualified through 4 years of apprenticeship schooling (576 classroom hours minimum) and 8,000 supervised hours. Source: BCD Reciprocal licenses

Statewide or local?

Statewide. BCD issues individual electrical licenses for the whole state. Source: BCD

Good to know

The 300 percent rule caps how many hours in one category count toward the minimum. Source: BCD application instructions

What book to study for Oregon ↓

Idaho

Idaho keeps it fairly simple. Put in your apprentice hours with an approved course of instruction, or pile up double the hours, then pass the PSI exam.

Licensing agency: Idaho Electrical Board, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)

License levels and required hours

• Apprentice: registered with DOPL; 2-year term. Source: DOPL Electrical Board fee table
• Residential electrician: 4,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice, plus a two-year course of instruction approved by Idaho Career Technical Education and the Electrical Board. Requires an exam. Source: IDAPA 24.39.10.100.01
• Journeyman electrician: 8,000 apprentice hours plus an approved four-year course of instruction, or 16,000 hours of electrical experience. Requires an exam. No more than 2,000 hours from limited-installer or trainee work count. Source: IDAPA 24.39.10.100.02
• Provisional journeyman: for people with the 16,000 hours who haven't passed the exam yet; 6-month term. Source: IDAPA 24.39.10.100.02.b Source: DOPL fee table
• Master electrician: doesn't also need a journeyman license under the rules. Limited electrical installer: 4,000 hours in the same limited category. Source: IDAPA 24.39.10.100.03-04

The exam

Given by PSI. Register online through PSI's Idaho page. Source: DOPL Program Information and Exams

Code book on the exam vs. the code in the field

On the exam

Not stated on DOPL's page
DOPL's exam page doesn't list a code edition. Check your PSI candidate bulletin before you buy a book. Source: DOPL exams page

In the field

2023 edition, with Idaho amendments
Idaho's current rules adopt the 2023 edition, as amended. Source: IDAPA 24.39.10 (current rules PDF)

We couldn't confirm the exam edition from an official page, so confirm it before you buy a book.

Getting into an apprenticeship

DOPL publishes its Board Approved Apprentice Programs list.

• Union route: inside-wireman apprenticeships run by joint labor-management training committees (JATCs). Find one through the Electrical Training Alliance.
• Non-union (merit shop) route: registered programs through Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters.
• Any registered program: search the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Before you sign up, check that your state recognizes the program for licensing. The state links above are the ones that count.

Reciprocity

Oregon lists a journeyman reciprocity agreement with Idaho. Source: Oregon BCD For other states, check with DOPL. We haven't verified Idaho's full list yet.

Statewide or local?

Statewide. DOPL licenses journeyman and master electricians for the whole state. Source: DOPL

Good to know

Journeyman and master licenses run on 3-year terms. Source: DOPL fee table

What book to study for Idaho ↓

California

California certifies electricians who work for C-10 licensed contractors. A license from another state only gets you a seat at the exam. You still have to test, and there's no grace period.

Licensing agency: Dept. of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner's Office, Electrician Certification Unit

License levels and required hours

• General Electrician: 8,000 hours working for a C-10 contractor, spread over at least two work areas with caps per area, or completing a state-approved apprenticeship. Source: 8 CCR § 291.1 Source: DIR: Who needs to be certified
• Residential Electrician: 4,800 hours. Fire/Life/Safety Technician: 4,000. Voice Data Video Technician: 4,000. Nonresidential Lighting Technician: 2,000. Source: DIR: Who needs to be certified
• Starting from zero: register as an electrician trainee, enroll in a state-recognized school, and work under a certified electrician's direct supervision. For General Electrician, you can test after 8,000 hours plus 720 hours of related instruction. Registered apprentices can test in the last year of their program. Source: DIR: No experience, general electrician

The exam

For exams on or after June 1, 2026, CPS HR Consulting administers the exam and you schedule through Pearson VUE after DIR approves you. You need 70% to pass. The General Electrician exam is 100 questions in 4.5 hours. Reference books are provided on screen, and you can't bring your own. Source: DIR test information Source: Candidate Information Bulletin (Sept. 2026)

Code book on the exam vs. the code in the field

On the exam

2023 edition (provided on screen)
The candidate bulletin lists the 2023 code, NFPA 70E (2024) and the Cal/OSHA pocket guide as on-screen references. Source: Candidate Information Bulletin (Sept. 2026)

In the field

2025 California Electrical Code (based on the 2023 edition)
The 2025 Title 24 codes, including Part 3, the California Electrical Code, took effect Jan. 1, 2026. The state building standards commission points to the 2023 edition's changes for Part 3. Source: CA Building Standards Commission: Codes Source: 2025 Title 24 code changes

Here the exam edition and the field code's base edition match.

Getting into an apprenticeship

State-approved programs: DIR Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

• Union route: inside-wireman apprenticeships run by joint labor-management training committees (JATCs). Find one through the Electrical Training Alliance.
• Non-union (merit shop) route: registered programs through Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters.
• Any registered program: search the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Before you sign up, check that your state recognizes the program for licensing. The state links above are the ones that count.

Reciprocity

None. Out-of-state electricians must be certified before working in California, with no grace period. Another state's license makes you eligible to sit for the test. Source: DIR ECU FAQs

Statewide or local?

Statewide certification, required for electricians working for C-10 licensed contractors. Sole owners licensed in their own name and in-house plant or school district electricians are treated differently. Source: DIR ECU FAQs

What book to study for California ↓

Montana

Montana is strict about the apprenticeship. For journeyman, the board says hours outside a finished apprenticeship don't count as "legally obtained".

Licensing agency: Montana State Electrical Board, Dept. of Labor & Industry

License levels and required hours

• Journeyman electrician: you must complete an apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of legally obtained practical experience plus 576 hours of related instruction. Out-of-state applicants are judged under the laws of the state they're coming from. Source: MT Board: Journeyman Electrician
• Residential electrician: a separate license under MCA 37-68-305. Master electrician: to qualify for the master exam, a journeyman must gain commercial experience under a master who is responsible for an unlimited electrical contractor (ARM 24.141.515). Source: MT Board: Journeyman Electrician

The exam

Given by PSI after the board approves you. Open book, 70% to pass. Source: MT Board: Journeyman Electrician

Code book on the exam vs. the code in the field

On the exam

Not stated by the board
The rule lets you bring "an NEC code book applicable to the examination being given", plus a basic calculator, Montana's electrician laws and rules, and Hittinger's Printreading. It doesn't name an edition, so check your approval letter or PSI bulletin. Source: ARM 24.141.503(5)

In the field

2023 edition, effective Sept. 26, 2026
Montana's Building Codes program lists the 2023 edition as effective Sept. 26, 2026. Source: Montana Current Codes

We couldn't confirm the exam edition from an official page, so confirm it before you buy a book.

Getting into an apprenticeship

State-registered programs: Montana Registered Apprenticeship.

• Union route: inside-wireman apprenticeships run by joint labor-management training committees (JATCs). Find one through the Electrical Training Alliance.
• Non-union (merit shop) route: registered programs through Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters.
• Any registered program: search the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Before you sign up, check that your state recognizes the program for licensing. The state links above are the ones that count.

Reciprocity

Oregon lists a journeyman reciprocity agreement with Montana. Source: Oregon BCD Montana's own page says out-of-state applicants are evaluated under their home state's laws and rules. Source: MT Board

Statewide or local?

Statewide. The State Electrical Board licenses electricians for the whole state. Source: MT Board

Good to know

Renewal requires 16 hours of code education by July 15 of even-numbered years. New apprenticeship grads are exempt for their first cycle. Source: MT Board

What book to study for Montana ↓