Electrician license
Rhode Island electrician license
The Board of Examiners of Electricians in the Department of Labor and Training's Division of Professional Regulation licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide. Electrical work needs a state license and certificate, except in owner-occupied single-family homes. The licenses are Registered Apprentice Electrician, Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B), Electrical Contractor (Certificate A) and Limited Maintenance Journeyperson (Class M). Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Apprentice Electrician | Not set in hours | Not confirmed: check with the board | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B) | 8,000 hours | Yes | $75 exam fee and a $72 license fee; renewal is $72 every two years |
| Electrical Contractor (Certificate A) | Not set in hours | Yes | $75 exam fee and a $240 license fee; renewal is $240 every two years |
| Limited Maintenance Journeyperson (Class M) | 6,000 hours | Yes | Not confirmed: check with the board |
How to get each Rhode Island license
Registered Apprentice Electrician
Requirements. Register with the Division of Professional Regulation as soon as you are employed by a licensed electrical contractor. An apprentice works with and under the direct personal supervision of a licensed journeyperson, one apprentice per journeyperson.
Exam. Not confirmed: check with the board
Fees. Not confirmed: check with the board
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24: Apprentices, registration.
Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B)
Requirements. At least 8,000 hours over no less than four years as a registered apprentice, with 144 hours of related instruction each year in a Rhode Island registered apprenticeship program, then pass the Class B exam. Some vocational and trade school classroom hours can be credited, and a license from another state based on equal training may also qualify.
Experience. 8,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | The Division of Professional Regulation (state-run exam) |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Exam fee | $75 exam application fee |
Fees. $75 exam fee and a $72 license fee; renewal is $72 every two years.
A Class B journeyperson may work only as an employee of a Class A contractor or a Class C or D license holder, unless also licensed as a contractor.
Free practice. The journeyman electrician practice test with 2026 and 2023 NEC versions has 30 questions on code and calculations, scored by subject, with no account. It is general NEC practice, not built from the Rhode Island exam outline.
Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24: Apprentices, registration; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24.2: Apprentices, exam requirements (effective June 25, 2024); R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-16: License fees; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20: Expiration and renewal of certificates and licenses; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-9: Journeyperson's certificate/license; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-6: Rules, conduct of examinations; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-17: Application for examination, fee; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-13: Journeyperson and burnerperson restricted to work as employees.
Electrical Contractor (Certificate A)
Requirements. A Class A certificate is issued to a person, firm or corporation in the electrical contracting business; the person named on it (a member or officer) must pass the exam. It lets the holder run an electrical contracting business, not do the wiring personally.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | The Division of Professional Regulation (state-run exam) |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Exam fee | $75 exam application fee |
Fees. $75 exam fee and a $240 license fee; renewal is $240 every two years.
Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-8: Contractor's certificates/licenses; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-16: License fees; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-6: Rules, conduct of examinations; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-17: Application for examination, fee.
Limited Maintenance Journeyperson (Class M)
Requirements. At least 6,000 hours over no less than three years as a registered apprentice maintenance electrician, with 144 hours of related instruction a year in an approved apprenticeship program, then pass the journeyperson M exam.
Experience. 6,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | Not confirmed: check with the board |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Exam fee | $75 exam application fee |
Fees. Not confirmed: check with the board
Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24: Apprentices, registration; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-17: Application for examination, fee.
How to apply
Make a written application for the exam on the state form with the $75 fee to the Division of Professional Regulation, with transcripts of your related instruction and your employers' work record books or affidavits.
Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24.2: Apprentices, exam requirements (effective June 25, 2024); R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-17: Application for examination, fee.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every two years, on your birthday: journeypersons and other individual licensees born in odd years renew in odd years, those born in even years in even years. A license not renewed within two years of expiring is forfeited and you must retest. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | Class A and Class B electricians complete at least 15 clock hours of Board-approved continuing education on the currently adopted NEC and ICC codes for each renewal. |
Sources: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20: Expiration and renewal of certificates and licenses; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-16: License fees; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20.1: Mandatory continuing education.
Reciprocity with other states
Not confirmed: check with the board
Look up a Rhode Island electrician license
Not confirmed: check with the board
Good to know
Rhode Island also licenses burnerpersons, fire alarm installers and contractors, sign installers and contractors, and lightning-protection installers and contractors under the same chapter.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-16: License fees.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Rhode Island?
The Board of Examiners of Electricians in the Department of Labor and Training's Division of Professional Regulation licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide. Electrical work needs a state license and certificate, except in owner-occupied single-family homes.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Rhode Island?
Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B): At least 8,000 hours over no less than four years as a registered apprentice, with 144 hours of related instruction each year in a Rhode Island registered apprenticeship program, then pass the Class B exam. Some vocational and trade school classroom hours can be credited, and a license from another state based on equal training may also qualify. Make a written application for the exam on the state form with the $75 fee to the Division of Professional Regulation, with transcripts of your related instruction and your employers' work record books or affidavits.
How many hours do you need to become a journeyman electrician in Rhode Island?
8,000 hours for the Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B).
How often does a Rhode Island electrician license renew?
Every two years, on your birthday: journeypersons and other individual licensees born in odd years renew in odd years, those born in even years in even years. A license not renewed within two years of expiring is forfeited and you must retest. Continuing education: Class A and Class B electricians complete at least 15 clock hours of Board-approved continuing education on the currently adopted NEC and ICC codes for each renewal.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Rhode Island's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-2: Work for which license required, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24: Apprentices, registration, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-24.2: Apprentices, exam requirements (effective June 25, 2024), opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-9: Journeyperson's certificate/license, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-6: Rules, conduct of examinations, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-17: Application for examination, fee, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-16: License fees, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-13: Journeyperson and burnerperson restricted to work as employees, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-8: Contractor's certificates/licenses, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20: Expiration and renewal of certificates and licenses, opened November 11, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20.1: Mandatory continuing education, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.