The State of Maine requires anyone making electrical installations or performing electrical work to be properly licensed. Licenses are issued by the Department of Professional & Financial Regulation’s Electrician’s Examining Board.
The Board protects the safety and welfare of the public by making sure all Electrical Contractors have the skills, knowledge and competency to perform electrical work. As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to meet the Boards requirements for work experience and education, and pass a qualifying exam.
License Types and Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Maine
The Board offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors:
- Master Electrician License- allows contractors to engage in the business of installing electrical wires, conduits, apparatuses, fixtures and other electrical equipment
- Limited Electrician License- allows contractors to perform specific types of electrical work and service including installations and work on electrically-operated equipment in one the following categories:
- House Wiring
- Low Energy
- Traffic Signals
- Outdoor Signs
- Water Pumps
- Gas Dispense
- Refrigeration
- Crane Technicians
- Journeyman Electrician License- allows contractors to perform electrical installations under the employment of a licensed Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or for an electrical company
- Apprentice Electrician License- allows the individual to engage in a written agreement to work and learn the electrical trade under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or Journeyman Electrician
- Helper Electrician License- allows the individual to assist in electrical installations under the employment of a Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or for an electrical company. All assisting work must be under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or Journeyman Electrician
- Journeyman-in-Training License- allows the individual to train to work on electrical installations under the employment of a Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or for an electrical company. All work must be done under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician, Limited Electrician or Journeyman Electrician
For more information about the license classifications offered, and the scope of work they may perform, contact the Board at:
207-624-8603
OR
Visit:
Electrician’s Examining Board- License Types
Work Experience and Education Requirement
In order to qualify to take the exam or receive a license, the Board requires all contractors to meet their requirements for work experience and education, based on their chosen license classification/type:
- Master Electricians- must have at least 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician; or 12,000 hours of work experience performing electrical installations with 576 hours of approved education from an accredited institution. Education hours must consist of at least 450 hours of required study, including a 45 hour course on National Electric Code; and 126 hours of degree-related courses.
- Limited Electrician- the work experience and education required for this license class depends on the type of limited license the contractor plans to obtain:
- Water Pump, Outdoor Sign, Gasoline Dispensing, Traffic Signal and Crane Technician applicants must have 135 hours of approved education with 2,000 hours of work experience
- House Wiring applicants must have 225 hours of approved education with 4,000 hours of work experience
- Refrigeration applicants must have 270 hours of approved education with 6,000 hours of work experience
- Low Energy applicants must have 270 hours of approved education with 4,000 hours of work experience
*For more specific information about the types of education and work experiences that are acceptable for Limited Electricians, please visit:
Electrician’s Licensing Board- Limited Electrician
- Journeyman Electricians- must have 8,000 hours of experience as a licensed Apprentice Electrician or Helper Electrician, with 576 hours of approved education from an accredited institution. Education hours must consist of 225 hours of required study, including a 45 hour course on National Electric Code; and 351 hours of trade-related electives or 225 hours of trade-related courses and 135 hours of degree-related courses.
*The Board also accepts other combinations of work experience and education for Journeyman Electricians. For more information about acceptable work and education combinations, please visit:
Electrician’s Examining Board- Journeyman Electrician
- Apprentice Electricians- must be registered with a Maine Apprenticeship Program through their employer. They must obtain a license immediately after becoming employed or starting school in an electrical program. No examination is required.
*For more information about apprenticeship programs, please call: 207-621-5058
- Helper Electricians- must obtain a license immediately after becoming employed or immediately after starting school in an electrical program. No examination is required.
- Journeyman-in-Training Electricians- must be graduated from an accredited Maine technical college or Department of Corrections electrical program. Contractors are required to pass the Journeyman exam and complete 2,000 hours of work experience.
For more information about the requirements for each license classification, including work experience and education, contact the Board at:
207-624-8603
OR
Visit:
Electrician’s Examining Board- License Types and Exprerience
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Contractors are required to complete and submit an application to the Board, proving that they meet the requirements for work experience and education based on their chosen license classification. Once the Board reviews the application and determines that the contractor meets the requirements, they will issue a license or grant approval to take the exam.
License classes which are required to pass an exam in order to obtain a license include:
- Master Electricians
- Limited Electricians
- Journeyman Electricians
- Journeyman-in-Training Electricians
Applications may be completed online. Please visit the link below and select, “Apply for an Examination.”
Electrician’s Examining Board- Online Services
To obtain a paper application, click the link below and select the application for the appropriate license classification:
Electrician’s Examining Board- Applications and Forms
Helper Electricians and Apprentice Electrician applicants are not required to take an exam. They may obtain an application by visiting the links above and selecting, “Apply for a License,” or obtain a paper application. They must apply for a license at the time that they enroll in electrical school or obtain employment.
All contractors are required to provide notarized documentation of any required education and work experience. This includes documentation from current/former employers and copies of transcripts, degrees and certificates of completion.
All applications must be signed, dated and notarized.
There is a $25 application fee. The Board accepts payments in the form of check and credit card. Make checks payable to, “Maine State Treasurer.” Cash is not accepted.
Apprentice Electricians and Helper Electricians must submit a $50 license fee, as well as a $21 background check fee along with their application.
*When an exam is required, license fees and background check fees are due at the time the contractor passes the exam.
Submit the completed application along with all the required documents and fees to:
State of Maine
Department of Professional & Financial Regulation, Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
The Board also accepts applications in-person, on weekdays between 8am and 5pm, at their office location at:
76 Northern Avenue
Gardiner, ME 04345
*The Board recommends that contractors make copies of all documents and the completed application for their personal records.
Contractors may check the status of their submitted application online by clicking the link below and selecting, “Check Application Status.” Applications will show a pending, approved or denied status:
Electrician’s Examining Board- Online Services
Once the Board approves the contractor’s application, they will send instructions to register for the examination. If an exam is not required, the contractor will receive their license.
For questions about completing an application or the licensing process, contact the Board at:
207-624-8603
The Examination Process
The Board holds a contract with Prometric Inc. to administer the exam. The computer-based examination is open-book and based on National Electric Code.
The Prometric Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to register for and prepare for the exam, including references and content outlines for each license classification’s test.
For a copy of the bulletin, please visit:
Candidate Information Bulletin
Upon receiving approval from the Board to take the exam, contractors will receive instructions for registering for the exam with Prometric.
The cost to take the Master Electrician exam is $85. For all other applicants, the cost to take the exam is $75. Payment is due at the time the contractor registers for the exam.
Contractors may register for the exam online at:
Prometric Online Exam Registration
OR
By calling Prometric, Monday through Friday between 8am and 9pm at:
1-800-343-6001
Contractors have the option of taking the exam at any Prometric testing center location in the United States. To locate a testing center nearby, visit:
Prometric Testing Center Locations
OR
Call: 800-853-5448
*Exams are given 6 days a week.
On the day of the exam, arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for check-in. Contractors must present a government-issued photo ID at check-in.
The exam is composed of between 50 and 100 questions. Contractors are required to pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. Scores are issued same-day.
If the contractor does not pass the exam on the first attempt, they must wait 14 days before they may schedule a re-take. The contractor must pass the exam within 24 months of their application being approved; otherwise, they must complete and submit a new application to the Board.
Upon passing the exam, Prometric will forward the contractor’s scores to the Board. At this time the Board will send a license application to the contractor.
Contractors must complete and submit the license application along with the license fee and background check fee:
- License Fee- $150
- SBI Report Fee- $21
Once the Board approves the contractor’s license application, they will issue a license. Contractors are required keep their license on display at their primary place of business. If the contractor does not have a primary place of business, they must carry their license on their person and present it upon request at all times.
For questions about the exam or the examination process, contact Prometric at:
800-790-3926
For questions about the final licensing steps or obtaining a license, contact the Board at:
207-624-8603
How Long is a Maine Electrical Contractor License Valid?
All Electrical Contractor license classifications in the State of Maine are good for a period of 2 years. Licenses expire 2 years from the date that they were originally issued. The Board sends out email reminders for renewal, prior to expiration.
The Board offers online renewal. Click the link below and select, “Renew a License.”
Electrician’s Examining Board- Online Services
The cost to renew an Apprentice Electrician or Helper Electrician license is $50. These license classifications do not have a requirement for continuing education.
The cost to renew all other license classifications is $150. All other classifications are also required to prove that they meet the Board’s requirement for continuing education upon renewal.
Contractors are required to complete 15 hours of continuing education courses, every 3 years, based on the most current National Electric Code. Contractors must prove that they have met this requirement in order for their license to be renewed.
For questions about license renewal and/or continuing education, contact the Board at:
207-624-8603
OR
Visit the link below and scroll the section that reads, “Online Renewal.”
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $25 | Application Fee | Upon submitting the license or examination application |
| $75 | Examination Fee for all license classifications, except Master Electricians | Upon registering for the exam |
| $85 | Examination Fee for Master Electricians | Upon registering for the exam |
| $50 | License Fee for Apprentice Electricians and Helper Electricians | Upon submitting the license application |
| $150 | License Fee for all other license classifications | Upon submitting the license application |
| $21 | Background Check Fee | Upon submitting the license application |
| $50 | License Renewal Fee for Apprentice and Helper Electricians | Every 2 years upon renewal |
| $150 | License Renewal Fee for all other license classifications | Every 2 years upon renewal |