North Carolina Electrical License Requirements
North Carolina has a unique licensing structure. The state licenses contractors through the NCBEEC, while journeyman licenses are issued by local municipalities.
Apprentice
No statewide license required
Register with sponsor (JATC, ABC, or employer) and NC Department of Labor
Journeyman (Local)
8,000 hours + local exam
Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro issue their own journeyman cards - not statewide
Limited Electrical Contractor
2 years experience + exam
For single-family residential and small commercial work
Intermediate Electrical Contractor
3 years experience + exam
Broader scope than limited, excludes large industrial
Unlimited Electrical Contractor
5 years experience + exam
No restrictions on project size or type
Important Note About NC Licensing
Unlike many states, North Carolina does not have a statewide journeyman license. If you want to work as a journeyman electrician, you'll need to obtain a card from the city or county where you work. Major cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro have their own licensing requirements. The state only directly licenses electrical contractors.
Apprenticeship Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina offers multiple pathways to become an electrician, from IBEW JATC programs to ABC chapters and community college programs.
Carolinas Electrical Training Institute
Charlotte, NC
Joint apprenticeship program affiliated with IBEW Local 379
Raleigh-Durham Electrical Training Institute
Raleigh, NC
IBEW Local 553 training facility serving the Triangle
ABC Carolinas Chapter
Multiple Locations
Merit shop training with locations across the state
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
Electrical systems technology associate degree and certificates
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
Electrical trades program with hands-on training
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC
Electrical apprenticeship and continuing education programs
IBEW Locals in North Carolina
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has six locals serving North Carolina, offering union representation and apprenticeship training.
IBEW Local 379
Charlotte
Charlotte metro and surrounding counties
IBEW Local 553
Raleigh-Durham
Triangle region and eastern NC
IBEW Local 342
Greensboro/Winston-Salem
Triad region
IBEW Local 495
Wilmington
Coastal NC and Cape Fear region
IBEW Local 238
Asheville
Western North Carolina mountains
IBEW Local 962
Charlotte (Utility)
Duke Energy and utility work
Required OJT Hours in North Carolina
While North Carolina doesn't have statewide journeyman requirements, most local jurisdictions and apprenticeship programs follow the standard 8,000-hour requirement. Here's what you need to know:
8,000 OJT Hours
Standard requirement for IBEW apprenticeships and most local journeyman cards
576-900 Classroom Hours
Related technical instruction covering NEC, electrical theory, and safety
4-5 Year Program
Typical duration for completing your apprenticeship and qualifying for journeyman
12 Work Categories
IBEW programs require experience across all major electrical work categories
How to Track Hours in North Carolina with SparkShift
Whether you're working commercial in Charlotte, residential in Raleigh, or industrial in the Triad, SparkShift helps you track every hour toward your journeyman card.
GPS-Verified Hours
Clock in from any jobsite in North Carolina with automatic location verification
Compliant Reports
Generate PDF reports accepted by NC training directors and local licensing offices
Track All Categories
Log hours across all 12 IBEW work categories to meet program requirements
North Carolina Electrical Board Contact Info
Official contact information for the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
The NCBEEC handles contractor licensing. For local journeyman cards, contact your city or county inspection department directly.
FAQ for North Carolina Electricians
Common questions about electrical licensing and apprenticeships in North Carolina.
Does North Carolina have a statewide journeyman license?
No, North Carolina does not have a statewide journeyman electrician license. Instead, cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro issue their own local journeyman cards. The state-level licensing is primarily for electrical contractors through the NC Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC). To work as a journeyman, you'll need to get licensed in the specific municipality where you work.
How many hours do I need to become a journeyman in North Carolina?
While there's no statewide standard, most local jurisdictions in North Carolina require approximately 8,000 hours (4 years) of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to qualify for a local journeyman card. IBEW apprenticeship programs follow the standard 5-year, 8,000-hour curriculum with 180 hours of classroom instruction per year.
What is the NCBEEC and what do they regulate?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) is the state agency that licenses electrical contractors. They issue Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited contractor licenses. They don't license individual journeyman electricians - that's done at the municipal level. Contractors must pass an exam and meet experience requirements.
Which IBEW locals serve North Carolina?
North Carolina has six IBEW locals: Local 379 (Charlotte), Local 553 (Raleigh-Durham), Local 342 (Greensboro/Winston-Salem), Local 495 (Wilmington), Local 238 (Asheville), and Local 962 (Charlotte utility work). Each local covers specific geographic regions and may offer apprenticeship programs through their JATC.
How do I track my apprentice hours in North Carolina?
SparkShift is the easiest way to track your apprenticeship hours in North Carolina. Log your OJT hours with GPS verification, categorize work across all 12 IBEW categories, get supervisor sign-offs, and export PDF reports that training directors and local licensing offices accept. The app works whether you're doing residential work in Charlotte or commercial projects in Raleigh.
Does North Carolina require continuing education for electricians?
Yes, licensed electrical contractors in North Carolina must complete continuing education for license renewal. The NCBEEC typically requires 8 hours of approved continuing education per year. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements for journeyman card renewal.
