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Pennsylvania electrician license renewal & CE requirements

When to renew, how many continuing-education hours you need, which topics are required, and where to find approved courses. Checked .

Quick answer

Renewal rules by license

Electrician license (local)

RenewalSet locally. Philadelphia and Allentown renew every year; Pittsburgh requires 8 CE hours in the 12 months before renewal. See the local table.Source: phila.gov · as of · Allentown: allentownpa.gov · Pittsburgh: pittsburghpa.gov
CE hours & topicsSet locally: e.g., Philadelphia 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework per license period; Pittsburgh 8 hours in the 12 months before renewal. See the local table.Source: phila.gov · as of · Pittsburgh: pittsburghpa.gov
FeesSet locally / not listedSource: phila.gov · as of · Set by each municipality; see the local table.

Local electrician licenses (by city)

Pennsylvania has no state electrician license, and the state keeps no list of which municipalities license. We checked the three largest cities below; anywhere else, ask the municipal code or building office.

Philadelphia

Office: Philadelphia Dept. of Licenses & Inspections (L&I)
Licenses journeymen?No separate journeyman license. The Electrical Contractor License is required to do electrical work in Philadelphia, including low-voltage wiring
FeesLicense (includes $60 non-refundable application fee): $262
Renewal: $202
RenewalEvery year. Renew in eCLIPSE. More than 60 days late: 1.5% of the license fee for each month since it expired
CE8 hours · 8 hours of coursework in the current or later NFPA 70 (NEC), earned in the previous license period (for a new license, within 12 months before applying), from a provider approved by PA Labor & Industry.
NotesAlso needs insurance (general liability $500,000 per occurrence, auto $300,000, workers' comp), current City taxes, and a Commercial Activity License. From July 1, 2026, permits that include an EV charger need an EVITP certification on the contractor's license.
Still openWhether employees of a licensed contractor need their own license
ContactPermit and License Center (311) · 311 or (215) 686-8686 (source)
Source: phila.gov · as of

Pittsburgh

Office: City of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Permits, Licenses & Inspections (PLI)
Licenses journeymen?No separate journeyman license found. The city requires an Electrical Trade License to do electrical work in Pittsburgh
FeesElectrical Trade License (initial): $90
Annual renewal: $90
Late fee (per license): $50
RenewalEvery year. Renew yearly with 8 hours of CE from the previous 12 months; a $50 late fee applies
CE8 hours · 8 hours of CE completed in the 12 months before the renewal date.
ContactPermits, Licenses & Inspections (source)
Source: pittsburghpa.gov · as of · 2026 fee schedule (effective Jan. 1, 2026): pittsburghpa.gov

Allentown

Office: City of Allentown, Building Standards & Safety (Electricians' Examining Board)
Licenses journeymen?Yes. The city licenses Master, Journeyman and Residential electricians (2026 application)
FeesApplication: $50
RenewalEvery year
CENot confirmed
NotesTo run a contracting company you need both a trades license and a city business license. License fees are in the Business Regulation and Tax Code (Art. 5 § 270-32).
Still openLicense and renewal fee amounts; CE
ContactTrade Licensing Office · (610) 437-7592 (source)
Source: allentownpa.gov · as of · 2026 application: allentownpa.gov

Not listed? Call your municipal code or building office and ask whether it requires an electrician or electrical contractor license.

Approved CE provider lists (official)

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

How often do you renew a Philadelphia electrical contractor license?

A Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License renews every year for $202, with proof of 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework from the previous license period and active insurance.

How many CE hours does a Pittsburgh electrician need?

Pittsburgh requires proof of 8 hours of continuing education completed in the 12 months before the Electrical Trade License renewal date.

Is there a statewide CE requirement for Pennsylvania electricians?

No. Pennsylvania has no state electrician license, so CE rules are set by each municipality that licenses electricians.

Not licensed yet? See how to get an electrician license in Pennsylvania.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.