Over the last few years, Colorado has experienced a growth in electrical jobs that is three times higher than the national average. To take part in this large employment opportunity, electricians must be licensed to work on electrical wiring and systems in the state.
Colorado offers licenses for residential wiremen, journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical contractors. Even electrical apprentices should be registered with the state.
Do You Need an Electrical License in Colorado?
Colorado requires electricians to either be a registered electrical apprentice or be licensed as an electrician to work in the state. The Division of Professions and Occupations is responsible for electrician licensure.
Each license has different requirements that we will discuss below, but all require the individual to first complete training hours often acquired through an apprenticeship. While training as an apprentice, you should also register with the state.
Residential Wireman’s License in Colorado
Residential wiremen are electricians who work in residences and small commercial facilities.
Requirements
To become a residential wireman in Colorado, you must:
- Have worked as an electrician for 4,000 hours in residences for 2+ years
- This is submitted through an Affidavit of Experience form
- Complete the application online
- Take and pass the correlated PSI exam which costs $78.00
- Pay any additional fees for submission
Journeyman License in Colorado
Colorado journeyman electricians can wire, install, and repair electrical equipment in the state. This includes apparatus for electric light, power, heat, and other purposes.
Requirements
To become a journeyman electrician in Colorado, you must:
- Have worked as an electrician for 8,000 hours over 4+ years
- Half of those hours should have been worked in commercial or industrial settings
- Submit this experience through an Affidavit of Experience form
- Complete 288 of coursework If you were registered as a Colorado apprentice after January 1, 2011
- Submit proof of your education via a transcript or its equivalent
- Complete the application online
- Pay any additional fees for submission
- Take and pass the correlated PSI exam which costs $78.00
Reciprocity with Other States
Colorado has reciprocity with other states for Journeyman Electrician Licenses. The states include:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Wyoming
To qualify for reciprocity, your Journeyman or Master license in one of the above states must be in good standing for at least 1 year. You must also have passed a state-administered exam in the state.
Master Electrician License in Colorado
Master electricians have the qualifications to install and repair wiring apparatus. This includes planning, laying out, and supervising projects in that realm.
Requirements
To become a master electrician in Colorado, you must:
- Be a graduated electrical engineer WITH 2,000 hours of electrical experience in construction over 1+ years OR
- Have graduated from a community college or a trade school WITH 8,000 hours of electrical experience gained during 4+ years OR
- Fulfill the Journeyman Licensing requirements above WITH 2,000 hours of electrical experience over 1+ years
- These hours must include planning layout, as well as supervision as a journeyman electrician
- Complete the application online
- Take and pass the correlated PSI exam which costs $78.00
- Pay any additional fees for submission
All experience can be documented through transcripts and Affidavit of Experience forms.
If you’re using only experience to qualify for this license, you cannot switch from being an apprentice or residential wireman without either becoming a journeyman first or fulfilling an educational component above.
Electrical Contractor License in Colorado
Electrical contractors are often master electricians who can perform electrical contracting. If you are not a master electrician, you can employ one to qualify.
Requirements
Electrical contractors must:
- Submit evidence of being or employing a master electrician through the Acknowledgement of Responsibility
- Submit evidence that they comply with Worker’s Comp and Unemployment laws, if applicable
- Meet any requirements set forth by their city or county
- Apply online
- Pay a $210 processing fee
First-time business owners will need a Federal Employer Identification Number to proceed.
If you’re a first-time business owner who wants to become an electrical contractor, you can contact the Colorado Business Assistance Center for more information at 303-592-5920.
Renewing Your Colorado Electrical License
All Colorado electrical licenses expire on September 30, 2023. They can be renewed every three years. You have sixty days past the expiration date to renew your license, but you will be charged a delinquency fee for renewing past the expiration date.
You can keep track of your expiration date on your online account and renew from that same account.
If you need to reinstate your license, you can find more information under the Application and Forms section of this page.
CO Electrician Salaries
Colorado electricians make an average of $61,960 per year, plus more than $8,000 extra in overtime. This is 9% more than the national average. For those with more than 10 years of experience, the annual salary raises to $71,966.
Generally speaking, the higher your licensure, the more you can be compensated.