Vermont has held the title of most popular state for inbound moves for over two years. With a welcoming community and abundance of outdoor activities, electricians can find an enjoyable lifestyle combined with a generous average salary of $61,200.
Those looking to work as electricians in Vermont can apply for their Master, Journeyman, or Specialist Electrician License. This article will break down what each license is for, its requirements, and how to apply for one today.
Do You Need an Electrician’s License in Vermont?
Licenses are required to perform electrical work in Vermont except when:
- The electrical work is being done on an industrial or manufacturing plant by someone who is supervised by an electrical engineer or master electrician
- Electrical wiring is installed in laboratories for experimental purposes
- Electrical work is done by the homeowner (of a single-unit residence) or their employee
- Electrical work is done by an electrician’s helper who is supervised by a licensee
- Residential work is done on a building that contains no more than 2 units
- Installing solar electric modules
If you are completing any work other than that listed above, you’ll need an electrician’s license in Vermont.
Types of Licenses for Electricians in Vermont
Electrician licenses in Vermont are overseen by the Division of Fire Safety. They offer licensing options for master, journeyman, and specialist electricians.
- Master electricians: can install, design, repair, maintain, and replace electrical installations. They may also employ other licensed electricians or electrician’s helpers to work under their direction.
- Journeyman electricians: can perform electrical installations under a master electrician. They may also supervise apprentice electricians or electrician’s helpers.
- Specialist electricians: can cover gas and heating, outdoor advertising, refrigeration or air conditioning, appliance and motor repair, well pumps, farm equipment, commercial fire alarm, gas pumps and bulk plant operations, electrical locksmith, lightning rod installations, or solar photovoltaic installations.
VT License Requirements for Electricians
You must have the appropriate experience, pass an exam, and pay a specific fee for each type of electrician’s license. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents or citizens and cannot owe taxes, child support, court fines, or unemployment compensation.
Generally speaking, the best way to start your career as an electrician is through an approved apprenticeship program. These programs combine classroom education with hands-on training to teach you all you need to know to become a journeyman electrician and more. The hands-on hours are often paid and you can use them to count towards the work experience required for licensure.
Master Electricians
Master electricians must have been licensed journeyman electricians for at least two years OR have had comparable experience acceptable to the Board (16,000 hours of experience). If applying as a journeyman, you’ll need to submit a copy of your VT Journeyman Electrician License. A master electrician must pass an exam and pay a fee before applying for their license.
Vermont issues reciprocal Master Electrician Licenses for those from Maine or New Hampshire. You’ll need a certified letter from the state to confirm your license – a photocopy of your out-of-state license is not acceptable. Reciprocal licenses can also be issued from any state in which you hold a universal license. If you have a compatible license from the military, you can submit your DD-214 form and a copy of your 12R Course completion for reciprocity.
Journeyman Electricians
Journeyman electricians must first complete:
- An approved apprenticeship program, showing verification by the Vermont Apprenticeship Council OR
- Have equivalent experience acceptable to the board (12,000 hours of work experience via signed affidavits)
After meeting these requirements, they will need to complete the journeyman exam and pay all applicable fees.
Vermont has reciprocal agreements for journeyman electricians coming from Maine or New Hampshire, as well as for licensed universal electricians from other states and military electricians. Follow the same directions as those listed under the master electrician reciprocity above.
Specialist Electricians
Vermont issues Type-S Journeyman Licenses (specialist licenses) for various specifications. You can apply for multiple Type-S Licenses at the same time. To apply, you must have proof of:
- Completing an approved training program plus one year (2,000 hours) OR
- 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience through signed affidavits
If you meet the requirements, you can sit for the exam. Each specialty’s requirements for examination are listed in the Candidate Bulletin.
How to Obtain an Electricians’ License in Vermont
If you meet the requirements for an electrician’s license in Vermont, you’ll need to pass the appropriate exam before applying for licensure. Exams are administered by Prov.
After passing the exam, you can complete your Electrician’s License Application. Reciprocal licenses use the same application.
Be sure to attach all required documentation, such as official transcripts, certificates of completion for apprenticeship programs, signed affidavits proving your work experience, etc.
It’s important to list your correct mailing address on the application, and complete an Address Correction and License Replacement Request form if this changes. If you do not complete this form, you may not be notified of changes to your license come renewal time.
Attach the correct fee with your application:
- Master Electrician License: $150
- Journeyman Electrician License: $115
- Specialist Electrician License: $115 per field
When you’ve completed your application, sign and notarize it before submission.
Renewing Your VT Electrician’s License
All electrician licenses are valid for three years. Renewal fees are the same as initial application fees.
Journeyman and master electricians must complete 15 hours of Continuing Education on the National Electrical Code (NEC) before renewal.
Specialized electricians must complete 8 hours of instruction before renewal. Those with multiple specializations must complete 15 hours.
Electrician Salaries in Vermont
The average salary for an electrician in Vermont is 7% higher than the national average. While a new electrician with less than a year of experience may start in the $57,600 range, that can easily exceed $70,000 per year after a decade of experience.
Electricians are also renowned for working overtime, which averages $8,200+ annually in Vermont. The highest-paid cities in the state are:
- Saint Albans, VT: average electrician salary of $73,400
- Brattleboro, VT: average electrician salary of $66,697
- Burlington, VT: average electrician salary of $55,300 ns
