How to Get an Electrical License in North Carolina: NCBEEC Classes, Hours and Exam
By BRIX Editorial Team · Updated
North Carolina licenses electrical contractors through the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC). Classes are set by project size: Limited (single projects up to $60,000), Intermediate (up to $150,000) and Unlimited. They need 3,000, 5,750 or 9,000 hours of experience, an open-book PSI exam with a 70 to pass, and 8 CE hours a year.
Key takeaways
- NCBEEC licenses electrical contractors and the qualified individuals behind them. Its license list doesn't include a journeyman license.
- Limited: projects up to $60,000 and 600 volts. Intermediate: up to $150,000. Unlimited: any value.
- Experience: 3,000 hours (Limited and SP-SFD), 5,750 (Intermediate) or 9,000 (Unlimited), mostly primary experience. 2,000 hours counts as one year.
- The PSI exam is open book with your NEC, costs $125 to apply, and takes a 70 to pass.
- Licenses renew every July 1 for $100–$200 with 8 CE hours (4 for special restricted).
Who licenses electricians in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC). Its mission is "to protect the life, health and property of the public through examination of applicants." What it licenses is electrical contracting: each license is held by a business or person and tied to a qualified individual, the person who passed the exam and whose name, signature and details go on the license application (NCBEEC). NCBEEC's license list has contractor classes only; it doesn't show a journeyman license, so electricians who work for a contractor aren't licensed separately by this board. Some cities may have their own rules, so check locally.
What are the North Carolina electrical license classes?
North Carolina sorts licenses by how big a single job can be, which is unusual. Pick the class that fits the largest project you'll bid, not the one that's quickest to qualify for.
| Class | Single-project limit | Experience (total / primary) | Exam | Annual license fee | CE per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited (L) | $60,000, equipment rated 600 volts or less (NCBEEC) | 3,000 / 2,000 hours (21 NCAC 18B .0201) | PSI, open book, 70 to pass (NCBEEC) | $100 (NCBEEC) | 8 hours (NCBEEC) |
| Intermediate (I) | $150,000 (NCBEEC) | 5,750 / 5,000 hours (21 NCAC 18B .0201) | PSI, open book, 70 to pass (NCBEEC) | $150 (NCBEEC) | 8 hours (NCBEEC) |
| Unlimited (U) | Any value (NCBEEC) | 9,000 / 8,000 hours, plus two written statements from knowledgeable persons (21 NCAC 18B .0201) | PSI, open book, 70 to pass (NCBEEC) | $200 (NCBEEC) | 8 hours (NCBEEC) |
| SP-SFD (single-family detached dwellings) | Residential dwelling work only (NCBEEC) | 3,000 / 2,000 hours (21 NCAC 18B .0201) | PSI (NCBEEC) | $100 (NCBEEC) | 8 hours (NCBEEC) |
| Other special restricted (fire alarm/low voltage, plumbing-heating-AC, pool, well pump, sign, elevator) | One limited phase of electrical work (NCBEEC) | 3,000 / 2,000 hours (21 NCAC 18B .0201) | PSI (NCBEEC) | $100 (NCBEEC) | 4 hours (NCBEEC) |
How do you get an electrical contractor license in North Carolina?
- 1
Work under an electrical contractor and count your hours
Under 21 NCAC 18B .0202, 2,000 hours of experience equals one creditable year (NCBEEC rules). Most of your hours must be primary experience, meaning hands-on electrical installation, so keep job records with dates and duties.
- 2
Choose your class
Limited needs 3,000 hours (about a year and a half full time), Intermediate 5,750 and Unlimited 9,000. You can test for a different classification right away if you meet its experience requirement.
- 3
Apply with the $125 exam fee
Send NCBEEC the completed application and the $125 examination fee (NCBEEC exams). Once approved, you schedule with PSI.
- 4
Pass the open-book exam
The computer-based exam is multiple choice and "open book"; you can refer to any part of your NEC. The board's study list names the 2020 NEC. A minimum grade of 70 passes (NCBEEC exams). Fail and you wait about three months to retake the same class; a failed-exam review costs $25.
- 5
Activate the license and list your qualified individual
Pay the annual fee for your class. Intermediate and Unlimited need a statement of bonding ability (NCBEEC).
- 6
Renew every year with CE
Licenses run July 1 through June 30 and renew in 12-month periods; renewal applications and fees are due 30 days before expiration (NCBEEC rules; NCBEEC CE). Every listed qualified individual completes CE each license year: 8 hours for L, I, U and SFD (8 in a classroom, or 4 classroom plus 4 online), 4 hours for the other special restricted classes.
Does North Carolina have electrical license reciprocity?
Yes, with ten states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The board may grant "the same or equivalent classification" without written examination (NCBEEC reciprocity). Contact NCBEEC for which of your home-state classes match. NCBEEC also links a NASCLA qualified licensing path from its licensing page.
Starting your own electrical contracting business in North Carolina
- Size the license to your bids: a Limited license tops out at $60,000 per project. If you plan to chase light commercial work, budget the hours for Intermediate.
- One qualifier, documented: adding or removing a qualified individual uses NCBEEC's add/drop form (NCBEEC).
- Taxes: North Carolina sales and use tax on materials and entity filing are covered in North Carolina contractor taxes and licensing.
- Business setup: entity, insurance, pricing and first customers are in how to start an electrical business.
Frequently asked questions
Does North Carolina have a journeyman electrician license?
NCBEEC's license list covers electrical contractor classes (Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited and special restricted), not a journeyman license. Electricians working for a contractor work under that contractor's license. Check with your city in case it has separate local rules.
What are the electrical license limits in North Carolina?
A Limited license covers single projects up to $60,000 with equipment rated 600 volts or less. Intermediate covers single projects up to $150,000. Unlimited covers projects of any value. Special restricted licenses cover one limited phase of work.
How many hours do you need for a North Carolina electrical license?
Under 21 NCAC 18B .0201, Limited and SP-SFD need 3,000 hours with 2,000 primary, Intermediate needs 5,750 with 5,000 primary, and Unlimited needs 9,000 with 8,000 primary plus two written statements. Two thousand hours equals one year.
Is the North Carolina electrical exam open book?
Yes. NCBEEC says the PSI exam is open book and you may refer to any part of your NEC. The board's study list names the 2020 edition. You need a minimum grade of 70, and you must wait about three months before retaking the same classification.
How much does an NC electrical license cost?
The exam application fee is $125. Annual license fees are $100 for Limited and special restricted classes, $150 for Intermediate and $200 for Unlimited. A review of a failed exam costs $25.
How many CE hours do NC electrical contractors need?
Every listed qualified individual needs CE each license year: 8 hours for Unlimited, Intermediate, Limited and SP-SFD licenses, and 4 hours for the other special restricted classes. Up to half can be online. The license year runs July 1 to June 30.
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 HVAC License in North Carolina: Heating Groups 1, 2 and 3North Carolina HVAC licensing: Heating Group 1, 2 and 3 contractor licenses, the 15-ton line, Class I vs II, 4,000 hours, PSI exam and yearly renewal.
- How to Get a Plumbing License in North Carolina: Contractor, Restricted and Technician LicensesNorth Carolina plumbing licenses: Class I and II contractor, restricted limited plumbing, fuel piping and technician licenses, hours, PSI exam and fees.
- How to Get an Electrical Contractor License in Georgia: Class I, Class II and the 2026 ChangesGeorgia electrical contractor licensing: Class I vs Class II, age 21, experience rules, 70% exam, 4 hours of yearly CE and the 2026 SB 553 changes.
- North Carolina Contractor Taxes and Licensing: RMI Sales Tax, Licenses and Income TaxNorth Carolina taxes repair, maintenance and installation labor on real property. RMI vs. capital improvement, Form E-589CI, licenses and 3.99% 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
- NCBEEC — Home (checked October 24, 2026)
- NCBEEC — Licensing (classes, limits, fees) (checked October 24, 2026)
- NCBEEC — Examinations (PSI, open book, fee, passing grade) (checked October 24, 2026)
- NCBEEC — Continuing education (checked October 24, 2026)
- NCBEEC — Reciprocity (checked October 24, 2026)
- NCBEEC — Title 21 NCAC 18B (experience and renewal rules) (checked October 24, 2026)
Change log
- : Page published. Classes, project limits, experience hours, exam, fees, CE, renewal and reciprocity verified against NCBEEC.