Colorado electrical license requirements: a guide to apprenticeships and license tests

Once trained, you will find there is endless work in new constructions, maintaining existing facilities, or probably setting out on your own. There is also great security—good skilled trade people are always called for in the installation and service of electrical systems in homes and businesses.

Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor shows that there are 762,600 electricians employed in the country at the moment, out of which 16,110 work for the state of Colorado. That number  is expected to experience a surge by 6 percent from 2022 through 2032, with nearly 50,000 new electricians joining the workforce during that period. Getting an electrician license in Colorado doesn’t come cheap, either in terms of cost or time, but you can be sure that once you are qualified, jobs will be plentiful.

From starting your apprenticeship to making it through the final exams and renewal, the following is a guide that’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting and maintaining your electrical license in Colorado.

Source: www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/2023-Electrician-Salary

Colorado electrical license requirements

To get your Colorado electrical license, there are some requirement you need to meet:

Educational

You need an apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program combines practical training and classroom education (theory and practical). However, to start you must register with the Department of Regulation Agency.

Work experience

Getting a license doesn’t just start and end with an apprenticeship program. There are stipulated number of hours. To get your journeyman electrician license, you need about 8000 hours of practical training and 288 hours of classroom and lab education. You can choose to get a 2-year degree at an electrical technology school and add 6000 hours of supervised work. For classroom teaching, the topics are usually – Grounding and Bounding, the current National Electrical Code, theory and calculation, and wiring methods.

Submit your application and pass the exam

After getting the required number of service hours, you need to get the application form and submit it alongside a fee of $100. You’ll also pay an exam fee of $75. PSI administers the test and you’ll have to wait for their call to know the scheduled date for your exam. Note importantly that you need a pass score of 70% for your exams.

If you’re gunning for a master electrician license, you must have passed the journeyman examination. Meaning, that you must have adhered to all the requirements above. For your master electrician license, you need to have at least one of the following:

1. An electrical engineering degree from an accredited university alongside 2000 hours of experience as a registered electrician.
2. A community college or a trade school degree related to electrical construction plus 8000 hours of experience.

The master electrician exam costs about $75 and like the journeyman exam, you must have a pass score of at least 70%.

Colorado electrical apprentice license

Before you work as an apprentice, you need an apprentice license. For your apprenticeship, you have two choices and you can select the one that pleases you.

Electrical training ALLIANCE. Electrical workers

Union apprenticeship

This follows the standard of the National Training Alliance and it requires the following:

1. Minimum of 18 years
2. Have a high school diploma
3. Physically fit
4. Valid ID
5. Pass the aptitude test.

Non-union apprenticeship

Here you’ll find Independent Electrical Contractors, the Rocky Mountain Chapter, and the Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado.

Irrespective of your choice, register it with the Colorado State Electrical Board, and then, your contractor is required to pay a fee of $30.

As an apprentice, while you may not perform the entire duty of a licensed electrician, you have a job description. As an apprentice, you perform minor roles such as wiring and installations. However, you can only do this in the company of a licensed electrician. A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the average pay for electricians is $62760 per year. For apprentices, they earn less and their income grows with more experience and skills.

Colorado electrical license renewal process

If you want to keep on practicing, you will be required to update your Colorado electrician’s license. Renewals take place every three years, so put it on your calendar.

Most of the time, what you need to do to keep that license shiny and active is take some continuing education courses. These will ensure that you are current with electrical codes, safety stuff, and all the new technology out there. It’s not really a hassle to renew your license; it’s just that it is on a deadline.

Apply for a renewal in DORA, which means you have to get to the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Attach with a renewal application the proof that you have completed the continuing education courses and the renewal fee.

DORA Colorado electrical license renewal

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which licenses and monitors renewals can help you with your license renewal. The even better side to this: DORA uses an online portal for all license renewals. No worrying; just create your account, fill out the forms, and upload scans of your continuing education certificates—not to mention those various others—to show you’re still on top of your electrical game. Now, make sure you have all your stuff together before you click on that submit button.

DORA despises incomplete applications, and you want to get that renewal soon, right? DORA says some people forget a few of their documents. It mostly happens, so ensure you have all your documents ready. Also, you must have your preferred payment option ready to pay a renewal fee. The renewal fee can vary depending on the electrician license you hold. After submission, DORA processes your renewal, and you’re good to go for another three years of safe skilled electrical work in Colorado.

Types of electrical license in colorado

In case you are pursuing an electrician’s career in Colorado, then you will need to know the kinds of electrician licenses available. They include:

Residential wireman

This is the basic entry license for all electricians in Colorado. To qualify, you will be required to complete 4,000 hours or about two years of experience specializing in residential electrical training that includes electrical light installations.

Journeyman electrician

This represents an intermediate type of license, enabling one to work on a much broader spectrum of electrical projects. The requirements for becoming a journeyman electrician include at least 8,000 hours of electrical training experience, equivalent to approximately four years. This could be obtained from residential, commercial, or even industrial electrical work experiences.

Master electrician

This is considered to be the highest electrician licensure issued by the state of Colorado. A master electrician is approved to engage in major and new electrical work project supervision. The majority of ways on how to become an electrician are basically three:

Engineering degree and experience
An electrician must have an electrical engineering degree and an accumulation of 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice in a qualified university.

Trade school and experience
An associate degree or trade school in electrical construction or related program and 8,000 hours of electrical work experience.

Work experience
Ten thousand total hours of electrical work experience which shall include hours of Planning, layout, and supervisory experience.

Independent electrical contractor

With an independent electrical contractor license, you can operate a business. However, you must be a licensed master electrician or have a licensed master electrician working for you to obtain this license. You also need workers’ compensation insurance.

Colorado electrical license reciprocity

Ever wonder if that electrician license issued in another state holds water in Colorado? Here is good news. Yes, it does. Therefore, if you’re a licensed electrician looking to move to Colorado, you may not experience the hassle of getting a new license.

Colorado has reciprocity agreements with several states. This includes Alaska, Arkansas, Minnesota, Mexico, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Montana, South and North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. In case you are moving as a qualified electrician. This would simplify the transfer of your license.

You will need to send some paperwork to the Department of Regulatory Agencies known as DORA. This is necessary for reciprocity to take place. Typically, this consists of proof of your current license. And your work experience. You must also include any required fees. If your application is approved by DORA you get your Colorado license and can practice without taking exams all over again.

Reciprocity agreements save electricians much time and hassle if they wish to move to Colorado. Be sure to check the requirements. Contact DORA for specific details.

Note:

Electrician apprentice
Hourly wage: as a result, the average hourly rate that the electrician apprentice in Colorado earns is approximately $23.71. This generates extra income for apprentices at about $6,000 extra per year through overtime hours.

Journeyman electrician
Hourly wage: when the period of the apprenticeship has elapsed and the employees get their license as a journeyman electrician, there is a corresponding rise in wages greatly. Thus, it is established that journeyman electricians’ salary is $31.35 per hour in Colorado. Additional working hours could go up by about $9,438 on average, in overtime compensation.

Master electrician
Salary: if electricians are categorized then the master electricians are in the highest class possible. Supervisors accrue the highest average hourly rate of $42.56 per hour in Colorado. However, one could still work extra hours, and therefore master electricians are now involved in project management, supervising, and business development.

Important Note: it should, however, be noted that the above-stated salaries are average. Some examples of the elements affecting the earnings include the level of experience, geographical area, type of sub-specialties, and type of hiring firm among others