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How to get an electrician license in Kentucky

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Kentucky, pulled from official KY sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Electrical licensing
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Kentucky licenses electricians (the journeyman level), master electricians and electrical contractors statewide (KRS 227A.060).)
  • Electrician: 8,000 hours of verifiable experience in the electrical trade since your 16th birthday. One of these replaces 4,000 hours: a department-approved electrical training course; 2 years of an approved 4-year training course (you must finish it within 4 years of getting the license); an associate degree or diploma in electrical technology; or 2 years of teaching electrical technology at an accredited college. Supervised military experience can also count.
  • Exam: open book, via Prov
  • Code edition: The Prov journeyman exam (bulletin effective October 24, 2026) uses NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition.

Requirements by license

Electrician

Experience8,000 hours of verifiable experience in the electrical trade since your 16th birthday. One of these replaces 4,000 hours: a department-approved electrical training course; 2 years of an approved 4-year training course (you must finish it within 4 years of getting the license); an associate degree or diploma in electrical technology; or 2 years of teaching electrical technology at an accredited college. Supervised military experience can also count.Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · Documents to send (employer letter, tax form or apprenticeship proof): dhbc.ky.gov
ExamProv. Open book. Journeyman Electrician exam: 80 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass, NEC 2023, open book. The DHBC checklist also accepts a passing result from NASCLA or Pearson VUE. A passing score stays valid for 3 years.Source: new.provexam.com · as of · Passing score validity: 815 KAR 35:060 (apps.legislature.ky.gov). Other exam vendors: dhbc.ky.gov
Fees
  • Application (2-year license): $100
  • Exam (paid to Prov): $80
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · The application fee may be prorated. Exam fee: new.provexam.com
RenewalEvery 2 years. Renew by the last day of your birth month in the second year. $100 to renew; $50 late fee if your papers are postmarked after the last day of the renewal month.Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of
CE to renew6 hours per year
  • Job safety (no more than 2 hours per year)
  • Codes related to the electrical industry
  • Subjects directly related to the electrical trade
Take the hours in the 12 months before renewal from an approved provider. Up to 12 extra hours can carry forward. Not needed for your first renewal if the license was issued within 12 months of it.
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · KRS 227A.100(7): at least 6 hours per year. Topics and timing: 815 KAR 2:010 (apps.legislature.ky.gov).

Master Electrician

Experience16,000 hours of verifiable experience in the electrical trade since your 16th birthday. An approved training course or 2 years of college teaching replaces 4,000 hours; an associate degree or diploma in electrical technology replaces 6,000 hours.Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · Checklist: dhbc.ky.gov
ExamProv. Open book. Master Electrician exam: 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass, NEC 2023, open book.Source: new.provexam.com · as of
Fees
  • Application (2-year license): $200
  • Exam (paid to Prov): $80
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · Exam fee: new.provexam.com
RenewalEvery 2 years. Renew by the last day of your birth month in the second year. $200 to renew; $50 late fee.Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of
CE to renew6 hours per year
  • Job safety (no more than 2 hours per year)
  • Codes related to the electrical industry
  • Subjects directly related to the electrical trade
Same rules as the electrician license.
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of · Topics: apps.legislature.ky.gov

License types in Kentucky

  • Electrician (journeyman level)
  • Master Electrician
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Provisional Electrician
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Kentucky grants reciprocity only under a written agreement. The DHBC application checklist (2/4/2025) lists two: Ohio electrical contractors get a Kentucky electrical contractor and master electrician license, and Virginia or West Virginia master or journeyman electricians get the matching Kentucky license. You send a copy of your active license, the application and fee, a photo and a letter of good standing (contractors also send proof of insurance).Source: dhbc.ky.gov · as of · Written-agreement rule: 815 KAR 35:060 (apps.legislature.ky.gov).

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

Does Kentucky have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. Kentucky licenses electricians at the journeyman level; you need 8,000 hours of verifiable experience since age 16 and a passing exam.

Is the Kentucky electrician exam open book?

Yes. The Prov journeyman exam is open book with the 2023 NEC, and it has 80 questions in 180 minutes with 70% needed to pass.

How much does a Kentucky electrician license cost?

The application fee is $100 for a 2-year license, and the Prov exam costs $80.

How do you become a master electrician in Kentucky?

You need 16,000 hours of verifiable experience, and training or a degree can replace part of it, then you pass the master exam.

Does Kentucky have electrician license reciprocity?

Only under written agreements. The DHBC checklist lists Ohio electrical contractors and Virginia or West Virginia master and journeyman electricians.

Already licensed? See Kentucky electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

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