If you’re thinking of moving to Maine as an electrician or are considering an electrical career in the state, you’ll need to get acquainted with the licensing laws. This article will break down the following electrical licenses offered in Maine, including the steps you need to take to receive them.
- Apprentice Electrician
- Helper Electrician
- Journeyman-in-Training Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
- Limited Electrician
- Master Electrician
Do You Need an Electrical License in Maine?
Maine requires an electrical license to perform electrical work in the state. The only exception to this rule is if you are a homeowner and want to conduct electrical work on your single-family dwelling, in which case you’ll need to request a permit instead of a license.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Maine
Below are the state definitions for each electrical license offered in Maine.
- Apprentice Electrician: An apprentice in a registered apprenticeship program supervised by a licensed master, journeyman, or limited electrician.
- Helper Electrician: A person who can install electrical fixtures and systems under a licensed master, limited, or journeyman electrician.
- Journeyman-in-Training: An electrician working under the indirect supervision of a licensed limited or master electrician.
- Journeyman Electrician: A person working under the indirect supervision of a licensed master electrician, limited electrician, or electrical company. This person can supervise apprentices and/or helper electricians.
- Limited Electrician: An electrician who is limited to a specific type of electrically operated equipment or installations. This can include house wiring, crane technician, gasoline dispensing, low energy, outdoor signs, refrigeration, traffic signals, and water pump limitations.
- Master Electrician: An electrician who can install wires, apparatus, conduits, fixtures, and other electrical equipment. Master electricians can supervise all other electricians.
Maine Electrical License Requirements
Each electrical license has specific requirements you must meet before applying for licensure.
Maine Apprentice Electrician License Requirements
Apprentices must be enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program. You must submit a copy of your Apprenticeship Agreement, pay a $25 licensing fee, and pay a $21 criminal background check fee.
Apprentice licenses are good for two years and can then be renewed.
Helper Electrician License Requirements
Helper electrician requirements, fees, and renewal terms are the same as those for apprentice electricians.
Journeyman-in-Training License Requirements
A journeyman-in-training must first pass a Board-approved exam. To do so, they should:
- Complete at least 2,000 hours in the field as a licensed helper electrician under supervision
- Graduate from an electrical college or vocational DOC program
- Complete a 45-hour National Electric Code (NEC) course
In substitution of the requirements above, you may also show comparable work and educational experience within or outside of Maine. This will be reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
The licensing fee for a journeyman-in-training is $150, plus an SBI report fee of $21. Licenses are good for two years.
Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
To become a Maine journeyman electrician, you must apply to sit for the examination by meeting one of the following requirements:
- Completed 8,000+ hours as an apprentice or helper, including at least 576 hours of study and a 45-hour NEC course. A licensed apprentice who has completed their program and worked at least 4,000 can sit for the exam
- A graduate of an approved post-secondary electrical educational program can substitute 1,000 hours of work experience with this education
- Graduated from a community college electrical or vocational DOC program, worked at least 8,000 supervised hours, and completed a 45-hour NEC course
- Comparable work and educational experience approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis
The journeyman exam costs $90. The licensing fee for journeyman electricians is $150, or $20 if over 70 years old, plus the SBI Report fee of $21. Licenses are renewed every two years.
Maine has journeyman license reciprocity agreements with New Hampshire, Vermont, Oregon, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Idaho.
Maine Limited Electrician License Requirements
There are specific examination-application requirements for each of the 8 limited electrical license types. You can find all of them here.
Limited licenses include a $65 exam fee, a $150 license fee (or $20 if over 70 years old), and a $21 SBI Report fee. Licenses are renewed every two years.
Maine Master Electrician License Requirements
Master electricians must apply for examination after they have:
- Completed 4,000+ hours as a journeyman electrician OR 12,000+ hours of general electrical installation experience, and completed a program of study
- The program of study must have 576 hours including 45-hour courses in Electricity I, Electricity II, Electronics I, Math I, Controls I, Controls II, Motors, Blueprint Reading/Drafting, Transformers, and a current National Electrical Code course, plus 126 hours of courses approved by the Board
Applicants will need to pay a $90 exam fee, a $150 licensing fee (or $20 for those over 70), and a $21 SBI Report fee. Licenses renew every 2 years and require 15 hours of Continuing Education NEC courses.
Maine has master electrician license reciprocity agreements with New Hampshire and Vermont.
How to Obtain Your Electrical License in Maine
You can apply for all ME electrical licenses online. For those who want a master, journeyman, or limited license, you’ll first need to apply for the examination, which is also done online.
Exams are given through PROV, Inc. There are many exam centers across Maine and, once your application is approved, you can schedule your exam at the most convenient location for you.
Follow the prompts on the online application and be ready to present documentation such as license numbers (if applicable), notarized statements from previous employers outlining job experience, copies of any passing exam results, and photo ID.
Assistance for Military and Veterans
The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation in Maine gives credit to veterans or those currently enlisted in the military. If you have electrical experience in the military, you can contact Catherine Carroll of the Electricians’ Examining Board before submitting your application. Her phone number is 207-624-8605.
Be sure to have a copy of your DD Form 214 – Report of Discharge and DD Form 2586 – Verification of Military Experience and Training.