Electrical work is one of the most consistently licensed trades in the country. Even states that do not license general contractors almost always license electricians, because the risk of faulty electrical work — fire, electrocution — is immediate and severe.
The usual tiers
Most states structure electrical licensing in ascending levels, though the exact names vary:
- Apprentice — someone learning the trade, working under supervision and accumulating hours.
- Journeyman electrician — has completed the required apprenticeship hours and passed an exam; can perform electrical work, typically under a master or contractor.
- Master electrician — a higher level of experience and examination, often required to pull permits and supervise others.
- Electrical contractor — the business-level license that lets a company bid and contract for electrical work, usually requiring a master electrician on staff and proof of insurance or bond.
When you are checking whether a company can legally do electrical work, the electrical contractor license is usually the one that matters — the individual master or journeyman credential sits underneath it.
How to verify one
Find the state board that houses electrical licensing (some states run it through a dedicated electrical board, others through a department of labor or a fire marshal). Look up the license and confirm three things: that its status is active, that the classification matches the scope of work, and that it has not expired. A directory of the official boards is the fastest way to the right lookup.
A license still is not proof of insurance
An active electrical license confirms the holder is legally permitted to do the work — it does not confirm they currently carry insurance. Those are separate checks on separate schedules; see why a valid license is not proof of insurance.