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Trades license portability
Electrician license reciprocity by state
Electrician licenses are broadly portable across the US — 36 of the 50 states and DC offer direct recognition or licensure by endorsement, though endorsement often still requires a state-specific law or business exam. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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36 via endorsement
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7 require exam
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4 not recognized
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
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Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full electrician profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | edit_note Exam required |
Alabama offers limited reciprocity, but applicants must pass the state's Business and Law Exam.
Reciprocal states: Alabama offers limited reciprocity for journeyman and master electrician licenses. Reciprocity is commonly recognized with Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana, and Texas for electrical contractors. Applicants from reciprocal states must pass the Alabama Business and Law Exam and submit a reciprocity application with license verification. The Board also accepts the NASCLA Electrical Contractors Exam for reciprocal licensing.
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| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Alaska has reciprocity agreements for electricians with numerous listed states.
Reciprocal states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. (Note: Alaska no longer has a reciprocal agreement with Utah.)
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| Arizona | edit_note Exam required |
Arizona offers reciprocity with a trade exam waiver, but requires passing the state's Statutes and Rules Exam.
Reciprocal states: California, Nevada, Utah (for trade exam waiver, but Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam is still required). Some sources also mention Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming for journeyman electricians, but Arizona does not issue a journeyman license.
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| Arkansas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Arkansas has reciprocity agreements for journeyman and master electricians with several listed states.
Reciprocal states: Journeyman electricians have reciprocity with Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Master electricians have reciprocity with Oregon, North Dakota, Iowa, and Texas.
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| California | edit_note Exam required |
California has limited reciprocity, but applicants must typically pass California's law and business exam.
Reciprocal states: California has a reciprocal licensing agreement for electricians with Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada. However, even with reciprocity, applicants typically need to pass California's law and business exam and meet all other requirements, including background checks and proof of experience. Some sources indicate that California does not reciprocate with any state for the general electrician certification, but allows out-of-state licenses to qualify for taking the California examination.
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| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Colorado has reciprocity agreements for electricians with numerous listed states.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
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| Connecticut | edit_note Exam required |
Connecticut does not have reciprocity; out-of-state licenses may qualify applicants to take state exams.
Reciprocal states: Connecticut does not have reciprocal agreements with any other jurisdiction. However, an out-of-state license may be submitted as proof of eligibility to take the state exams if it required equivalent classroom hours, curriculum, and on-the-job training.
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| Delaware | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Delaware offers reciprocity with varying requirements, including experience proof for some states.
Reciprocal states: Maryland, New Jersey (substantially similar, no proof of experience required). Arkansas, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming (licensure standards not substantially similar, must submit proof of five years experience after licensure). Other states are evaluated individually by the Board.
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| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Washington D.C. has reciprocity for electricians with Maryland (Master) and Virginia (Journeyman/Master).
Reciprocal states: Maryland (Master Electricians only), Virginia (Journeyman and Master Electricians)
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| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Florida offers an endorsement process for Certified Electrical Contractors from states with equivalent exams and experience.
Reciprocal states: Florida does not have traditional reciprocity for electrical licenses but offers an endorsement process for Certified Electrical Contractors from states with substantially equivalent exams and 10 years of licensure. States with licenses or exams that may qualify for endorsement include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. For journeyman licenses, individuals must contact the specific county or city where they plan to work.
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| Georgia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Georgia has reciprocity agreements for electricians with Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Reciprocal states: Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
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| Hawaii | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity for electricians in Hawaii is not specified.
Reciprocal states: Not specified
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| Idaho | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Idaho has reciprocity agreements for electricians with numerous listed states.
Reciprocal states: Colorado, North Dakota, Maine, Oklahoma, Montana, Oregon, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
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| Illinois | block Not recognized |
Illinois does not have reciprocity for electrician licenses.
Reciprocal states: None
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| Indiana | help_outline Unclear |
State-level reciprocity for electricians is not specified; it is handled by municipalities.
Reciprocal states: Not specified at the state level; handled by individual municipalities.
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| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Iowa has reciprocity agreements for electricians with numerous listed states.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
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| Kansas | block Not recognized |
Kansas does not have statewide reciprocity; it is handled at the local municipal level.
Reciprocal states: Kansas does not have statewide reciprocity agreements. Reciprocity is handled at the local level and varies by municipality.
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| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Kentucky has reciprocity agreements for electricians with Ohio and Virginia.
Reciprocal states: Ohio, Virginia
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| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Louisiana offers reciprocity with several states, sometimes with specific conditions or for certain license types.
Reciprocal states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas (for Master Electrician), Arizona, South Carolina (for NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination)
Official state board
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| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Maine has reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Wyoming
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| Maryland | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Maryland offers reciprocity for Master and Journeyperson electricians from several states, often with specific conditions.
Reciprocal states: Master Electrician: Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia. Journeyperson Electrician: Virginia (license obtained by apprenticeship or exam), Delaware (license accepted via reciprocity), District of Columbia (license obtained by exam).
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| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Massachusetts has a reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire for electricians.
Reciprocal states: New Hampshire
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| Michigan | edit_note Exam required |
Michigan does not have direct reciprocity; out-of-state applicants must pass the state exam.
Reciprocal states: Michigan does not have direct reciprocity with other states. Out-of-state applicants must have their experience verified and pass the Michigan state exam.
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| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Minnesota offers reciprocity for electricians from Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
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| Mississippi | edit_note Exam required |
Mississippi has limited reciprocity; many states require applicants to have taken their specific state exam.
Reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas (electrical excluded), Georgia (must have taken GA exam), Louisiana (electrical excluded unless exam taken in LA), North Carolina (must have taken NC exam), South Carolina (master electrician exams only, specific exam providers accepted), Tennessee
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| Missouri | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Missouri offers reciprocity for valid, current licenses held for at least one year from other jurisdictions.
Reciprocal states: Missouri offers reciprocity for individuals holding a valid, current license for at least one year from another state, military branch, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, for the same occupation and practice level.
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| Montana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Montana offers reciprocity via a "Substantial Equivalency" model, accepting licenses from many states.
Reciprocal states: Montana has a 'Substantial Equivalency' model for reciprocity, evaluating if your home state's licensing standards meet or exceed Montana's. Reciprocal states for Journeyman electricians include AK, AR, CO, IA, ID, ME, MN, ND, NE, NH, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI, and WY. License verification will be obtained by board staff for these states. For endorsement states (AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, KY, MA, MI, NJ, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV), applicants must provide license verification.
Official state board
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| Nebraska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Nebraska has reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Official state board
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| Nevada | help_outline Unclear |
Nevada has limited reciprocity for C-2 contractors, but journeyman reciprocity varies and is often limited or nonexistent.
Reciprocal states: Nevada has reciprocity agreements for the C-2 Electrical Contractor trade examination only with Arizona, California, and Utah. Journeyman electrician reciprocity varies by local jurisdiction, and many states have limited or no reciprocity with Nevada for journeyman licenses.
Official state board
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| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
New Hampshire offers reciprocity with Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and several other states.
Reciprocal states: Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming.
Official state board
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| New Jersey | help_outline Unclear |
New Jersey lacks reciprocity for contractors, but may grant journeyman licenses through conditional reciprocity.
Reciprocal states: New Jersey does not have reciprocity for Electrical Contractors with any other state. However, the Board may grant a Class A journeyman electrician license through reciprocity if the applicant meets specific criteria and the other jurisdiction provides equal reciprocity.
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| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
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| New York | block Not recognized |
New York State does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for electrician licenses.
Reciprocal states: New York State does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for electrician licenses. Some individual municipalities within New York may have reciprocity agreements with other municipalities within New York State, often on a case-by-case basis.
Official state board
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| North Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
North Carolina offers reciprocity with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Reciprocal states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Official state board
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| North Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
North Dakota has reciprocal agreements for Journeyman and Master electricians with various states.
Reciprocal states: North Dakota has reciprocal agreements for Journeyman electricians with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. For Master electricians, reciprocity is available with Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
Official state board
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| Ohio | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Ohio offers reciprocity with Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Reciprocal states: Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
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| Oklahoma | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Oklahoma has reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming
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| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Oregon offers reciprocity for General Supervising and General Journeyman electricians with specific states.
Reciprocal states: Arkansas, Utah (for General Supervising Electrician); Washington, Idaho (for General Journeyman Electrician)
Official state board
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| Pennsylvania | block Not recognized |
Pennsylvania has no statewide reciprocity; licenses are jurisdiction-specific and do not transfer.
Reciprocal states: No statewide reciprocity; licenses are jurisdiction-specific and generally do not transfer between municipalities.
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| Rhode Island | edit_note Exam required |
Rhode Island does not have reciprocity; out-of-state licenses only grant eligibility to take the state exam.
Reciprocal states: Rhode Island does not have reciprocity with any other state. However, an active out-of-state license can be submitted as proof of eligibility to take the Rhode Island journeyperson exam.
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| South Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
South Carolina has reciprocity agreements for electrical contractor licenses with some states, allowing specific classifications.
Reciprocal states: South Carolina has reciprocity agreements for electrical contractor licenses with some states. For example, SC Electrical Contractor Group 2 or 3 licensees may apply for a Limited classification in North Carolina, Group 4 for Limited or Intermediate, and Group 5 for any electrical contracting license classification. South Carolina Residential Specialty Electrical Contractor licensees may apply for the SP-SFD (Special Restricted: Single Family Dwelling) license classification in North Carolina.
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| South Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
South Dakota offers reciprocity with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Wyoming
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| Tennessee | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Tennessee offers reciprocity with several states and accepts the NASCLA exam for contractor licenses.
Reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina (for Contractor's license trade exam waiver only). Tennessee also accepts the NASCLA National Commercial and Electrical exam for the Contractor's license.
Official state board
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| Texas | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Texas offers reciprocity for Journeyman and Master electricians with various states, sometimes with specific conditions.
Reciprocal states: Journeyman Electrician reciprocity: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Master Electrician reciprocity: Arkansas, Iowa (Class A master electrician), Louisiana (state contractor's license), Nebraska, and North Carolina (master electrician or unlimited electrical contractor).
Official state board
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| Utah | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Utah has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman and Master electricians with several states.
Reciprocal states: Utah has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman electricians with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Oregon. For Master electricians, reciprocity is available with Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Official state board
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| Vermont | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Vermont offers reciprocity with Maine and New Hampshire for electricians.
Reciprocal states: Maine, New Hampshire
Official state board
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| Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Virginia offers reciprocity for various electrician license types with Alabama, DC, Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Reciprocal states: Alabama (Master Electrical Contractor), District of Columbia (Journeyman and Master Electrical Tradesman), Kentucky (Journeyman and Master Electrician), Maryland (Master Electrical Tradesman), West Virginia (Journeyman and Master Electrical Tradesman), North Carolina (Master Electrical Tradesman with Class A or B Contractor License), Ohio (Master Electrical License)
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| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Washington has a reciprocal agreement with Oregon for specific electrician types, requiring certain eligibility criteria.
Reciprocal states: Washington has a reciprocal agreement with Oregon for general journey-level electricians (01) and General Supervising Electricians (S). To be eligible, Oregon licensees must have obtained their license after completing an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours and passing Oregon exams. Washington does not have a reciprocal agreement with Idaho.
Official state board
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| West Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
West Virginia offers reciprocity for Journeyman and Master Electricians with specific states, requiring an equivalent license in good standing.
Reciprocal states: West Virginia has reciprocity agreements for Journeyman and Master Electricians. While some sources indicate reciprocity with all 50 states, others specifically mention Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio. Applicants must hold an equivalent license in good standing from another jurisdiction and meet West Virginia's minimum requirements. A 'Letter of Good Standing' from the originating licensing board is required.
Official state board
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| Wisconsin | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Wisconsin has reciprocity agreements with Iowa and New Hampshire for electricians.
Reciprocal states: Iowa, New Hampshire
Official state board
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| Wyoming | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Wyoming offers reciprocity for Journeyman and Master Electricians with various states.
Reciprocal states: Journeyman Electrician License has reciprocity with: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah. Master Electrician License has reciprocity with: Idaho, South Dakota, and Utah.
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-07-21
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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