With the employment of electricians expected to grow 9% this decade, thousands of openings in the field can be found in Delaware. The Division of Professional Regulation in DE oversees various electrical licenses: Master, Limited, Master Special, Limited Special, Journeyperson, Residential, and even an Apprentice License. Dive in below to learn about each license, what it requires, and how you can obtain it in the First State.
Do You Need an Electrical License in Delaware?
Anyone performing electrical services under the National Electric Code (NEC) in Delaware is required to hold a professional electrical license in the state. For more information as to the definition of NEC electrical work, see here.
If you are just beginning your electrical work experience through training or an apprenticeship, you’ll also need to apply for an Apprentice License. Be sure you are enrolled in a DE-approved apprenticeship program before applying for this license.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Delaware
After the apprentice license, there are 6 additional electrical licenses offered in Delaware.
- Residential Electrical License: Residential electricians can complete residential electrical work without having to work under the supervision of another licensed electrician. These electricians can only work within residential buildings that are not yet connected to the electrical grid and perform work to or beyond the fuse box and/or breaker panel in such buildings.
- Journeyperson Electrical License: A journeyperson electrician can complete electrical work under supervision. This position will provide the experience necessary to become a master, master special, limited, or limited special electrician in DE.
- Master, Limited, Master Special, and Limited Special Electrical Licenses: These licenses are some of the highest certifications offered for electricians in Delaware. These electricians can supervise journeyperson, residential, and apprentice electricians.
All electrical license applications in Delaware are completed online through the DELPROS government website. You can save and return to your application as many times as needed within 6 months of starting it. More information on creating your DELPROS account can be found here.
Delaware Journeyperson Electrical License
Journeyperson electricians must have:
- 8,000+ hours of electrical work experience as a full-time employee supervised by a special limited, limited, master, or master special electrician
- Those applying through reciprocity must prove 5+ years of full-time experience under the same supervision
Obtaining Your License
To become a journeyperson electrician in Delaware, you must choose between three application options.
- Apply for a license through a certificate: This is for those who have completed an approved apprenticeship program. These applicants do not have to take the journeyperson exam.
- Apply by reciprocity: This is for those who hold a journeyperson electrical license from another U.S. state or territory. Pennsylvania is the only state that is not accepted.
- Apply through an exam: This route is for those who do not have a current journeyperson license in another state nor have completed an apprenticeship program.
Once you have your DELPROS account, you can initiate your application online. You’ll need to attach:
- The Verification of Employment form
- If you are missing one for a period of employment, you can substitute it with your W-2 and a letter discussing why you can’t complete the form as well as what your job duties were in that position
- If applying by reciprocity, copies of or links to the laws of each state in which you hold a current Residential Electrical License
- Certificates of completion for apprenticeship program(s), if applicable
Once your application is approved you will have to pay for and sit for the Journeyperson Electrical Exam. Once you pass the exam you can pay for and receive your license.
Residential Electrical License in Delaware
To become a residential electrician, you must have:
- 4,000+ hours of experience under a master or limited electrician OR finished an approved apprenticeship program
Obtaining Your License
Once you have your DELPROS account, you can begin your online application.
You will need to attach or mail-in specific documentation, including:
- Copies of or links to the laws of each state in which you hold a current Residential Electrical License
- State Licensure Verification from each state where you hold or have held an electrical license mailed directly to the Board office
- The Verification of Employment form to prove you meet the required work experience
- If you are missing one for a period of employment, you can substitute it with your W-2 and a letter discussing why you can’t complete the form as well as what your job duties were in that position
- Your certificate of completion for a Board-approved apprenticeship program, if you completed one
Any documentation with a seal, notarization, or supervisor signature must be physically mailed to the Board office unless the online application directs otherwise.
Reciprocity
There are no reciprocity agreements with other states for this license. This means you must take and pass the Residential Electrical Examination even if you have your Residential Electrical License from another state.
Master Electrical Licenses in DE
Those who want a Master, Limited, Master Special, and Limited Special Electrical License in DE must have:
- At least $300,000 of general liability insurance
- Valid work experience:
- Master License: 6+ years of experience OR 4+ years under a master electrician AND 2+ years of technical training with an official transcript
- Limited License: 3+ years of experience under a master or limited electrician, full-time
- Master Special: 6+ years of experience of specialty under a master or master special electrician
- Limited Special: 3+ years of experience of specialty under a master or master limited/special electrician, full-time
- Transcripts, certificates of completion, official copies of licenses held, and Verification of Employment
As with other licenses, you’ll need to complete the application online, attach documentation, pay a fee, sit for the appropriate exam, and pay a licensing fee to receive your license.
Renewing Your Delaware Electrical License
Licenses must be renewed online by June 30th of every even-numbered year. For more information on renewals and Continuing Education requirements, read Section 7 of the Electrical Examiners Code.
License Fees
Every license application will incur a fee – usually around $100 – which covers your exam. After passing the exam, you’ll need to pay a licensing fee – usually around $99 – to receive your license.
