Electrician in District of Columbia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.
Jobs (DC)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become an electrician in District of Columbia
To become a licensed electrician in the District of Columbia, individuals must apply through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades. Applicants typically need to complete a registered apprenticeship program or gain substantial work experience under a licensed master electrician, totaling at least 8,000 hours for a journeyman license. A class on the National Electrical Code must also be completed within two years prior to applying, and applicants must pass the relevant DC Journeyman or Master Electrician Exam administered by PSI. Reciprocity is available for Journeyman and Master Electricians licensed by examination in Virginia, and for Master Electricians licensed by examination in Maryland.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for District of Columbia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist District of Columbia requirements
| Licensing body | Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program OR a 4-year electrical engineering degree and 1-2 years practical experience OR 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience under a licensed master electrician. Additionally, completion of a class on the National Electrical Code within two years prior to application is required. |
| Experience | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | DC Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) or DC Master Electrician Exam (PSI) ($52) |
| Application fee | $65 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprenticeship is 18. Initial license fees vary by license type: Apprentice and Journeyman licenses are $110, Master Electrician licenses are $120. All licenses expire November 30 on odd-numbered years. Master Electricians are required to obtain a surety bond ($1,000 for low voltage, $2,000 for regular voltage). |
Source: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Board of Industrial Trades
workspace_premium District of Columbia license tiers
District of Columbia offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 16,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleDistrict of Columbia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk