Electrical Contractors and Journeymen in the State of Connecticut are required to obtain a license from the CT Department of Consumer Protection. The Department ensures that all electrical work performed within the state is done by licensed professionals who possess the knowledge and experience to work safely.
As part of the licensing process, contractors and journeymen are required to prove that they meet the Department’s requirements for training and work experience, in addition to passing a qualifying exam.
License Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors and Journeymen:
- C-5: Limited Electrical Contractor License- limits contractors to performing low-voltage electrical work, including alarm, signal, audio, sound system and telephone-interconnect work. Contractors holding this license class may not work on projects that exceed 48 volts/ 8 amperes
- L-5: Limited Electrical Contractor License- allows contractors to perform the same low-voltage electrical work as a C-5 licensee; however, contractors are limited to projects of 25 volts/ 15 amperes. Additionally, contractors are prohibited from performing telecommunication work, unless it is on an existing system
- T-1: Limited Electrical Contractor License- this license class limits contractors to working on telephone-interconnect systems only
- C-6: Limited Electrical Journeyperson License- allows the journeyman to perform the same scope of work as someone who holds a C-5 license; however the journeyman is required to work under the employment and direct supervision of a licensed electrical contractor
- L-6: Limited Electrical Journeyperson License- allows the journeyman to perform the same scope of work as someone who holds an L-5 license; however the journeyman is required to work under the employment and direct supervision of a licensed electrical contractor
- T-2: Limited Electrical Journeyperson License- allows the journeyman to perform the same score of work as someone who holds a T-1 license; however the journeyman must work under the employment and direct supervision of a licensed electrical contractor
- E-1: Unlimited Electrical Contractor License- allows contractors to perform work on electrical projects of all kinds, as defined by section 20-330 of the Connecticut General Statutes
- E-2: Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson License- allows the journeyman to perform work on electrical projects of all kinds, as defined by section 20-330 of the Connecticut General Statues; however the journeyman must work under the employment and direct supervision of a licensed electrical contractor.
The Department also offers an L-1 and L-2 license for Electrical Lines Contractors and Journeymen.
For more information about the license classifications offered by the Department and the scope of work that each classification allows, please visit their website.
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in Connecticut
- Contractors and Journeypersons are required to meet the work experience and training requirements for their chosen license classification
- Contractors and Journeymen are required to complete and submit an Occupational Trade License Application to PSI Services, along with the required documents and application fee
- Contractors and Journeymen are required to take and pass an exam, based on their chosen classification. Examinations are administered by PSI Services LLC
- Contractors and Journeymen are required to mail their passing exam scores, along with the initial licensing fee to the Department upon passing the exam.
- Contractors and Journeymen are required to complete 7 hours of Department-approved continuing education courses upon renewal.
Work Experience and Training Requirement
In order to qualify to take the examination, all contractors and journeypersons must prove that they meet the work experience and training requirements for their chosen license classification:
- C-5; L-5; T-1: Limited Electrical Contractors- must hold a journeyperson license for at least 2 years or have at least 6 years of equivalent training and work experience
- C-6; L-6: Limited Electrical Journeypersons- must have completed a registered apprenticeship program or have at least 4 years of equivalent training and work experience
- T-2: Limited Electrical Journeypersons- must have completed a registered apprenticeship program or have at least 4 years of equivalent training and work experience or have 5 years of work experience as a registered public service technician
- E-1: Unlimited Electrical Contractors- must hold an E-2 license for a period of at least 2 years or have at least 6 years of equivalent training and work experience
- E-2: Unlimited Electrical Journeypersons- must have completed a registered apprenticeship program or have at least 4 years of equivalent training and work experience
To view the training and work experience requirements for class L-1 and L-2 Electrical Lines Contractors and Journeypersons, or for more information about the work experience and training requirements for the above classifications, please visit the Department’s website.
Along with the application, contractors are required to submit proof of their experience, training and licensure. As required, contractors and journeymen are required to submit the following:
- Copy of their journeyperson license
- Letter of completion from an apprenticeship program administered by the CT Department of Labor, Apprentice Training Division or the Electrical Work Examining Board
- Signed, notarized statement from a current/former employer detailing the contractor/journeyperson’s dates of employment and the duties they performed
In order to count toward the requirement, all equivalent work experience and training must total a minimum of 8,000 hours. All proof of trade-related education must come from a professional educator in order to be counted.
For more information about apprenticeship training offered through the state, please visitthe Department of Labor’s website.
For more information about the work experience and training requirement, please contact the Department at:
860-713-6100
OR
Toll Free: 800-842-2649
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Once the contractor/journeyman meets the Department’s requirements for work experience and training, they must complete and submit an application in order to gain approval to take the exam.
Copies of the Occupational Trade License Application are found inside the Candidate Information Bulletin, which contains all the information needed to go through the licensing process and prepare for the exam.
Be sure to read all instructions and complete the application in its entirety. There is an application fee of:
- $150- Contractors
- $90- Journeypersons
Fees are accepted via check or money order, made payable to, “PSI Licensure: Certification.” Application fees are non-refundable.
Submit the completed application, along with all the required documents and application fee to:
PSI Licensure: Certification
3210 East Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Once PSI reviews the application and determines that the contractor/journeyperson meets the requirements, they will mail an eligibility postcard, giving the contractor permission to register for the exam.
*Please note that all contractors/journeypersons are required to pay an initial licensing fee upon passing the exam.
Direct all questions about the application process to PSI Services at:
1-800-733-9267
The Examination Process
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to study for and register for the examination, including, the exam registration form, exam content outlines, a list of suggested references and study materials and sample test questions.
All contractors are required to take and pass a 2-part exam, including:
- Business and Law Exam
- Trade Exam
*Journeypersons are only required to take and pass the Trade portion of the exam.
Contractors and Journeymen have 1 year from the time they are deemed eligible to take and pass the exam. During that time they are allowed an unlimited number of re-takes if they are unsuccessful in passing a portion of the test.
Applicants may register for the exam ONE of the following ways:
- Online
- By Phone- call PSI and use their automated system 24 hours a day. Representative are standing by to assist callers during regular business hours:
(800) 733-9267 - Fax- when registering by fax, allow 4 business days for processing. Fax the registration form and payment information to:
(702) 932-2666. - By mail: allow approximately 2 weeks for processing when submitting the exam registration form by mail. Complete the exam registration form from the Candidate Information Bulletin. Mail the registration form and payment to:
– follow the link for new user registration
PSI Licensure: Certification
3210 E Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
The cost to take the exam is $68 per portion.
PSI accepts payments in the form of:
- Cashier’s Check or Money Order may payable to“PSI.”
- Visa or Mastercard when applying online or by phone or fax
Once PSI accepts the exam registration form, it is the applicant’s responsibility to call PSI to schedule their exam. To schedule an exam, call PSI at: (800) 733-9267
Testing centers are located in:
- West Hartford
- Milford
- Auburn, MA
- Boston, MA
- Fall River, MA
- Springfield, MA
- Cranston, RI
On the day of the test, examinees should arrive at least 30 minutes for before their scheduled test to allow time for check-in. They are also required to bring 2 forms of identification, including:
- A government issued photo id with the examinee’s signature; such as a driver’s license or passport
- Another form of identification with the examinee’s name and signature; such as a credit card or debit card.
Passing exam scores are 70% or higher. Scores are issued same-day, before the contractor/journeyperson leaves the testing center.
Upon passing the exam, contractors and journeymen are required to submit their passing exam scores, along with the initial licensing fee to the Department. The initial licensing fee is:
- $150- Contractors
- $120- Journeypersons
For more information about the examination, contact PSI Services at:
1-800-733-9267
For more information about the final licensing steps, including paying the initial licensing fee, contact the Department at:
860-713-6100
OR
Toll Free: 800-842-2649
How Long is a Connecticut Electrical Contractor License Valid?
Electrical Contractor and Journeyperson licenses are good for a period of 1 year in the State of Connecticut. All licenses expire on September 30th of each year.
Approximately 30 to 45 day before the license is set to expire the Department will issue a renewal notice. Renewal notices are issued via email or regular mail.
Renewal notices will contain a user ID and password so the contractor/journeyperson may renew their license online. For more information about online license renewal, please visit the Department’s website.
The cost to renew a license is:
- $150- Contractors
- $120- Journeypersons
At renewal time, all contractors and journeypersons are required to complete 7 hours of continuing education courses. Continuing education courses must be approved by the Department in order to count toward the requirement.
For more information about continuing education, and for a list of Department-approved continuing education courses, please visit the continuing education page of the Department’s website.
For more information about the license renewal process contact the Department at:
860-713-6100
OR
Toll Free: 800-842-2649
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $150 | Application Fee for those applying for a Limited or Unlimited Electrical Contractor License Classification | Upon submitting the license application to PSI |
| $90 | Application Fee for those applying for a Limited or Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson License Classificaiton | Upon submitting the license application to PSI |
| $68 | Cost to take the Business and Law portion of the exam | Upon registering for the examination |
| $68 | Cost to take the Trade portion of the exam | Upon registering for the examination |
| $150 | Initial Licensing Fee for Limited and Unlimited Electrical Contractors | Upon passing the exam |
| $120 | Initial Licensing Fee for Limited and Unlimited Electrical Journeymen | Upon passing the exam |
| $150 | Renewal Fee for Limited and Unlimited Electrical Contractors | Every year, upon renewal |
| $120 | Renewal Fee for Limited and Unlimited Electrical Journeymen | Every year, upon renewal |