How to Get an Electrical Contractor License in Georgia: Class I, Class II and the 2026 Changes
By BRIX Editorial Team · Updated
Georgia licenses electrical contractors statewide through the Construction Industry Licensing Board's Division of Electrical Contractors. Class I is restricted to single-phase residential-scale work; Class II is unrestricted. Applicants must be 21, document qualifying experience, score 70 on the exam and complete 4 hours of CE a year. SB 553, signed in 2026, rewrites the experience paths.
Key takeaways
- Two contractor classes: Class I (restricted, single-phase) and Class II (unrestricted).
- Current board rule 121-3-.01: age 21, four years of primary experience (up to one year credited from secondary experience or education), and a 70 on the exam.
- SB 553 (2026) sets new paths: Class I with three years, or a two-year program plus two years, or a DOL apprenticeship; Class II with four years including two of three-phase work.
- SB 553 also raises the Class I service limit to 400 amperes, from the 200 amperes in the current rule.
- Licenses renew every two years with 4 hours of CE for each year; fail the exam twice and you need a 6-hour review course.
Who licenses electricians in Georgia?
The Division of Electrical Contractors of the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, under the Secretary of State. It licenses electrical contractors statewide in two classes. Its rules, published on the Secretary of State's official rules site, describe contractor licensing only; we didn't find a statewide journeyman electrician license in them. Some Georgia cities and counties may have their own registration or permit rules, so check where you work.
What's the difference between a Class I and Class II electrical license in Georgia?
Under the current rule, Class I is "restricted to electrical contracting involving single-phase electrical installations that do not exceed 200 amperes" at the service drop or lateral, and Class II licenses are unrestricted (Rule 121-3-.01). SB 553 redefines Class I as work on "residential multifamily structures of not more than two levels or single-family dwellings of up to three levels" with single-phase installations that "do not exceed 400 amperes" (SB 553). Class II stays unrestricted.
| Item | Current board rule | SB 553 (2026) | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class I scope | Single-phase, up to 200 A (Rule 121-3-.01) | Single-phase up to 400 A; multifamily up to 2 levels or single-family up to 3 levels (SB 553) | See the Division |
| Class I experience | 4 years of primary experience; up to 1 year credited from secondary experience (at 50%) or education (Rule 121-3-.01) | 3 years full time; or a 2-year electrical program plus 2 years; or a DOL-approved apprenticeship (SB 553) | See the Division |
| Class II experience | 4 years of primary experience, including work above single-phase 200 A (Rule 121-3-.01) | 4 years with at least 2 on three-phase systems; or a 2-year program plus 4 years; or a DOL apprenticeship plus 1 year of three-phase work (SB 553) | See the Division |
| Age | 21 (Rule 121-3-.01) | See SB 553 | |
| Exam | Minimum score of 70 (Rule 121-3-.01) | Board-approved exam, minimum score of 70 (SB 553) | See the Division |
| Renewal and CE | Biennial renewal; 4 hours of CE per year (Rule 121-4-.02, 121-4-.05) | Biennial renewal with CE as the division prescribes (SB 553) | See the Division |
How do you get an electrical contractor license in Georgia, step by step?
- 1
Build hands-on experience under a licensed contractor
The current rule counts primary experience, meaning direct installation of electrical systems. Secondary experience or education can count for up to one year, at a 50% rate for secondary time (Rule 121-3-.01). SB 553 lists the experience areas you must show, from raceways and service entrances to load calculations (SB 553).
- 2
Pick Class I or Class II
If you'll stay in houses and small residential buildings, Class I is the shorter road. Commercial and three-phase work needs Class II.
- 3
Apply to the Division
Submit the Division's application with the required fee and documentation. The Division sets the fee separately, and it's non-refundable (Rule 121-2-.01). Disclose any criminal history the rule requires.
- 4
Pass the exam with a 70
If you fail twice, you must complete a board-approved review course of at least 6 hours of instruction before a third try (Rule 121-2-.06).
- 5
Renew every two years with CE
Licenses renew biennially. You need 4 hours of CE for each year since your last renewal; someone licensed one year or less before the first renewal doesn't need CE yet. Keep course records for five years (Rule 121-4-.02, 121-4-.05).
Does Georgia have electrical license reciprocity?
The rules allow it but don't list states. Divisions may sign written agreements with other states' boards whose exams and requirements are "substantially equal" and that offer Georgia licensees the same privilege, and an applicant with discipline in their home state can be denied (Rule 121-2-.03). Ask the Division whether your state has a current agreement.
Starting your own electrical contracting business in Georgia
- Plan for the rewrite: if you're mid-way through your hours, the SB 553 paths may get you to Class I sooner. Ask the Division which rules your application will be judged under.
- Business registration: the board's rules include a separate chapter, 121-6, on business registration (GA rules).
- Taxes: Georgia sales and use tax on materials and entity filing are covered in Georgia contractor taxes and licensing.
- Business setup: entity, insurance, pricing and first customers are in how to start an electrical business.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Class I electrical license in Georgia?
Under the board's current rule, Class I is restricted to single-phase electrical installations of 200 amperes or less at the service drop or lateral. SB 553 (2026) redefines it as single-phase work up to 400 amperes on multifamily buildings of up to two levels or single-family homes of up to three levels.
How many years of experience do you need for a Georgia electrical license?
The current rule requires four years of primary experience, with up to one year credited from secondary experience or education. SB 553 allows Class I with three years, or a two-year program plus two years, or a DOL-approved apprenticeship, and Class II with four years including two of three-phase work.
How old do you have to be for a Georgia electrical contractor license?
Rule 121-3-.01 requires applicants for a statewide Class I or Class II Electrical Contractor license to be at least 21 years old, along with meeting the experience requirements and scoring at least 70 on the exam.
How many CE hours do Georgia electrical contractors need?
Rule 121-4-.05 requires four hours of continuing education per year. Licenses renew every two years, and at renewal you show four hours for each year since the last renewal. Keep completion records for at least five years.
What happens if you fail the Georgia electrical exam twice?
Under Rule 121-2-.06, an electrical contractor applicant who fails twice must show the board they completed an approved review course, with at least six hours of instruction, before taking the exam a third time.
Does Georgia license journeyman electricians?
The Construction Industry Licensing Board's electrical rules cover contractor licenses (Class I and Class II), and we didn't find a statewide journeyman electrician license in them. Check with your city or county, which may have its own rules for electricians working under a contractor.
Related
- Electrician License Requirements by State: Who Licenses You, Hours, Exams and CEElectrician license requirements compared for Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina and Georgia: who licenses, hours, exams and CE, with board links.
- How to Get an Electrical License in North Carolina: NCBEEC Classes, Hours and ExamNorth Carolina electrical licensing by NCBEEC: Limited, Intermediate and Unlimited classes, project limits, experience hours, open-book PSI exam and CE.
- How to Get an Electrician License in Florida: Certified Contractors, Registered Contractors and Local JourneymenFlorida electrician licensing: certified vs registered electrical contractors, ECLB experience, exam, fees and CE, and local journeyman cards.
- How to Get an Electrician License in Texas: Every TDLR Tier, Hours and FeeTexas electrician license tiers from apprentice to contractor: TDLR hours, exams, fees, CE and insurance, each linked to the official TDLR page.
- Georgia Contractor Taxes and Licensing: Sales Tax, Licenses and Income TaxGeorgia contractor taxes: why every contractor registers for a sales tax number, separately stated labor, nonresident bonds, licenses and 4.99% income tax.
- Electrician Software for Panel Upgrades, EV Chargers, Permits and Progress BillingElectrician software that answers calls, books site visits for panels and EV chargers, tracks permits and license renewals, and progress-bills bigger jobs.
- Voltage Drop CalculatorFree voltage drop calculator for copper and aluminum, single and three phase: drop in volts and percent, plus the smallest wire size for a 3% target.
- AI Receptionist for Electricians: Screen the Hazards, Book the Site VisitAn AI receptionist for electricians that screens for safety hazards, qualifies panel, EV and generator quote calls and books the site visit while you work.
- Bookkeeping for Electricians: Progress Billing, Job Costing and QuickBooksBookkeeping for electrical contractors: progress billing and retainage, job costing a panel upgrade, crew hours, permits as job costs and QuickBooks setup.
- Electrical Leads: How Electricians Win More Panel, EV and Generator JobsHow electricians win more panel, EV charger and generator jobs: answer quote calls fast, follow up every estimate, build GC referrals and earn reviews.
Sources
- Georgia Rules — 121-3 Application for licensure (Rule 121-3-.01, electrical contractor) (checked October 24, 2026)
- Georgia Rules — 121-4 Renewal and continuing education (checked October 24, 2026)
- Georgia Rules — 121-2 Qualifications, exams and reciprocity (checked October 24, 2026)
- Georgia SOS — Division of Electrical Contractors (checked October 24, 2026)
- Georgia SB 553 (2026), as passed, Governor's signed-legislation list (checked October 24, 2026)
Change log
- : Page published from Georgia board rules 121-2, 121-3 and 121-4 and SB 553 (2026). Fees and exam vendor not verified (Division pages blocked automated checks).