Electrical contractors in Georgia are regulated by the:
- Georgia Board of Electrical Contractors
There are 3 available classifications:
- Electrical Contractor Class I
- Electrical Contractor Class II
- Low Voltage Contractor
The state of Georgia defines an electrical contractor as:
“Any person who engages in the business of electrical contracting under express or implied contract or who bids for, offers to perform, purports to have the capacity to perform, or does perform electrical contracting services under express or implied contract. The term “electrical contractor” shall not include a person who is an employee of an electrical contractor and who receives only a salary or hourly wage for performing electrical contracting work”
Electrical Contractor Class I
- Allows work on single phase systems that are 200 amperes or less
- 4 years experience required
Electrical Contractor Class II
- Allows work on all electrical systems with no restrictions
- 4 years experience required
Low Voltage Contractor
“Low voltage means any electrical systems, other than alarm or telecommunication systems, involving low-voltage wiring, as defined in Code Section 43-14-2-10.3, including, but not limited to stand alone intercom systems and call alert systems (audio or visual); distribution wiring for alarm systems and telecommunications systems including local area network systems; sound systems; public address systems; the low voltage side of energy management systems; antenna systems and satellite dish systems”
See the complete guide to the Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License
Georgia Electrical License Requirements
You must meet the following requirements:
- 21 Years of Age
- Valid Drivers License OR USA Issued Identification
- Social Security Number
- Complete Background Check
You must also have:
- 4 years of experience
- Three work related references. One of which must be from a licensed electrical contractor in the state of Georgia
- No more than 1 year of your experience can be from secondary education
Journeyman Electrician Experience
Georgia does not explicitly use the term “journeyman” in reference to electrical contractor experience. However, you must have adequate experience in the electrical field to obtain an electrician license.
While different regions may have varying definitions for what a journeyman is, typically this is someone who:
- Can perform all of the duties associated with their trade
- Has worked un-supervised performing their trade
- Has supervisory level experience
- (in some cases) has completed a Journeyman certification
Georgia Electrical License Application Processing
Step 1:
Complete and submit your: Electrical Contractor License Application
Step 2:
Once you are approved by the Georgia state electrical board. You will then be notified on how to schedule your examination
Applications can be submitted to:
Georgia Board of Construction Industry, Division of Electrical Contractors237 Coliseum DriveMacon, Georgia 31217
How Much Does It Cost to get an Electrical License In Georgia?
- $30 Exam Fee (non-refundable)
- $75 Renewal Fee
- $100 Late Renewal
- $150 Reinstatement (if lapse after more than 3 years)
- See Complete Fee Schedule
Electrical License Exam in Georgia
All electrical contractors in Georgia must pass two examinations:
- Regulations, Laws, and Administrative Functions
- Technical Functions
- Electrical Contractor Class I – 155 Questions
- Electrical Contractor Class II – 162 Questions
- Computerized multiple choice exam
- 8 hours allowed
- Score of 70 required to pass
- See exam dates and deadlines
Georgia business and law exam
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment insurance
- Employer’s tax guide
- Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board
- State sales and use tax
- Business license
- Comply with Regulations
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1926 (OSHA)
- National Electrical Code (NEC)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or other National Testing
- Laboratory (NTL) certification
- Obtain necessary electrical permits and inspections
- Comply with Administrative Requirements
- Bonding and liquidated damages
- Insurance: liability, property damage, and auto
- Financing and cash flow
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Complete an accident or incident report
- Job cost estimating and bidding procedures
- Contracts and purchase orders
- Plan and Organize Work
- Interpret drawings and specifications for submittal process
- Inventory equipment, materials, and supplies
- Scheduling and project management
Georgia Electrical Exam (Class I)
Your test will cover your ability to perform the following tasks:
- Check and/or replace grounding systems and ground fault indicators
- Check overloaded and/or shorted circuits
- Connect batteries (in parallel and/or series)
- Connect simple circuits using schematic diagrams (parallel and series)
- Check wire terminations
- Make splices and repairs
- Check and/or replace meters and other wiring devices
- Install and Maintain the following
- Electrical Controls and Devices
- Control relay system
- Drum switches for motor control
- Magnetic and reduced voltage starter
- Overload relays in starting control circuit
- Pressure switches, temperature switches, and instrument transmitters
- Rheostat/potentiometer
- Temperature operated pilot device
- Time delay relay
- Limit switch, Selector, push button, HOA switches
- Surge protectors, Voltage regulators, and Programmable controllers
- Panels, circuit breakers, and disconnects
- Draw schematic diagrams from prewired circuits
- Motion detectors (e.g., infrared, lighting controls, EMS)
- Change direction of rotation of electrical motor
- Change speed of single-phase motor
- Connect single-phase A-C motor to run on different voltages
- Replace capacitor run/start motor
- Calculate motor loads and overload protection
- Interpret motor name plate data
- Draw diagrams of electrical motor and control circuits
- Size and install motor short circuit protection
- Size and install branch circuit wiring for motors
- Connect an auto-transformer to give a variety of voltages
- Connect power-supply distribution transformer to supply 115 and 230 volts
- Connect a single-phase transformer to give a higher output voltage
- Connect a single-phase transformer to give a lower output voltage
- Test transformer for output and performance under load
- Recognize harmonic problems in electrical systems
- Check emergency lighting system
- Correct the power factor on a system
- Installation of various electrical systems
Georgia Electrical Exam (Class II)
The electrical contractor class II exam will be based on everything listed under class I but also include questions on the following topics:
- Install over 600 volt electrical systems
- Install elevator electrical service
- Operational amplifier
- Solid state 3-phase rectifier
- Connect 3-phase A-C motor to run on different voltages
- Connect 3-phase motor stator for delta operation
- Connect 3-phase motor stator for star operation
- Install/Replace D-C compound motor
- Install/Replace D-C generator
- Install/Replace shunt motor
- Install/Replace repulsion-induction motor
- Install/Replace series motor
- Install/Replace shaded-pole motor
- Install/Replace split-phase motor
- Install/Replace synchronous motor
- Install/Replace 3-phase induction motor
- Install/Replace wound rotor motor
- Install fire pump system (NFPA 20)
- Check transformer oil for contaminants
- Clean power transformer
- Connect various electrical systems
Sample Questions
1. A licensed electrical contractor can qualify
A) 2 or more companies
B) only 1 company per county
C) only 1 company at any given time*
D) as many companies as the contractor registers
2. When used as a main building disconnect, a switch must be rated for
A) 200 ampere fuses
B) 600 volt service*=
C) service entrance equipment*
D) circuit breakers
3. What is the current draw of a 230 volt quick recovery residential water heater that has two 3000 watt elements?
A)13 amperes*
B) 18 amperes
C) 26 amperes
D) 30 amperes
NASCLA
The Georgia law & business exam currently references the NASCLA's business, project management, and law standards.
Preparing for the law & business section of the exam is a very important part of your overall state of Georgia electrical license test prep.
For more information, check out this complete guide to NASCLA
Georgia Business License
If you are looking to establish your electrician business in Georgia, the state licensing board will want you to be established as a business entity
This can be set up through the Georgia Secretary of State
You will choose a name and then select the type of entity you want. Typically, construction companies choose either:
- Sole Proprietor – License held through an individual
- Partnership – License held through a partnership
- LLC – License held through a company that exists as its own entity
- S-Corporation – License held through a corporate entity
Worker's Compensation laws for Georgia General Contractors
Georgia requires its electrical contractors to hold worker's compensation insurance.
This also includes LLCs. However, If you apply as a sole proprietorship and have no employees you may be exempt.
For information specific to your situation, you can refer to the Georgia State Board of Worker's Compensation
Georgia contractor license search
The Georgia Board for Electrical Contractor's number one responsibility is to protect the consumer public.
The agency not only governs construction contractors but also ensures that homeowners are not being overcharged by unlicensed contractors.
If you are looking to verify the status of an electrical license in the state of Georgia, you can check a license here
Renewing your contractor license
Once your Georgia electrical license is active, you will be responsible for meeting the specific renewal dates set by the board. There are also continuing education requirements for electricians in Georgia.
To review them you can check the link below
Georgia general contractor license renewal portal
Electrician Apprenticeships in Georgia
If you are beginning your career as an electrician you should absolutely consider an apprenticeship.
One of the best ways to build a solid foundation and position yourself to earn an excellent living in a short time frame is by investing in your education early.
Apprenticeships can provide you with valuable training in a variety of different trades including Electrical, Plumbing, Concrete, Landscaping, Painting, HVAC, Roofing, Carpentry, and much more!
If your goal is to one day get a Georgia electrical license, start by learning the law & business concepts as well as fundamental trade skills
Check out our online course library:
There are also several reputable trade schools in the state of Georgia:
Atlanta Electrical JATC:Institution – UnionLocation – 6601 Bay Circle Norcross, GA 30071Contact – (404) 523-5400
Macon Electrical JATC:Institution – UnionLocation – 1046 Patterson Street Macon, GA 31204Contact – (478) 743-7017
SELCAT:Institution – UnionLocation – 90 Newman South Industrial Drive Newman, GA 30263Contact – (678) 423-1338
CSRA Electrical JATC:Institution – UnionLocation – 1248 Reynolds Street Augusta, GA 30901Contact – (706) 722-4100
IEC Atlanta:Institution – Non-UnionLocation – 4500 Winters Chapel Road Atlanta, GA 30360Contact – (770) 242-9277
These schools can provide information on opportunities in this industry, electrician salaries, and how much a journeyman electrician makes in Georgia.
What You Need To Know About Contractor License Schools
If you are looking to prepare for your Georgia electrical contractors license exam, taking contractor classes could be a huge help.
Schools typically provide
- Home study materials
- Online classes taught by industry professionals
- Application assistance
- Insurance and Business services
Many tradesmen find themselves a bit confused when faced with questions about construction accounting, balance sheets, workers compensation, employee rights, job site safety and Georgia state construction law.
Georgia electrical license test prep and study guides breaking down everything you need to know can be found here.
Blueprint Reading Course
Blueprint reading is a critical skill for electricians, you will absolutely need to understand how to read blueprints.
Construction blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with blueprints is an invaluable skill especially for those looking to get into engineering or architecture.
See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
OSHA Regulations for electricians in Georgia
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between
Safety is taken very seriously by the Georgia Board of Electrical Contractors.
If your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business.
For employment with a licensed general contractor, you may be asked to complete some level of Georgia OSHA Training
Electrical Contractor's License Reciprocity
You may qualify for reciprocity:
If you hold an electrical contractor license in any of the following states:
Your license must be in good standing and you will also be required to bass the Georgia business and law exam.
If you are applying from out of state you must complete a license verification form. Applicants must also meet all of the basic licensing requirements for a Georgia construction license.
Learn more about Contractor License Reciprocity
Getting Started
Applying to the state licensing board for electrical contractors can be a huge first step up in starting your own business.
The construction industry is very lucrative. There will be more and more opportunities for skilled tradesmen in the future.
The key is to use the information you have now and take action from beginning to end.
If you are looking to get work in another state you can find information here about electrical contractor licenses in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida
If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.