California electrician license requirements

Apprentice or trainee

• Register as an electrician trainee ($25) and enroll in a state-approved school, or join a state-approved apprenticeship.
• Trainees work under direct supervision of a certified electrician, one trainee per supervisor. Trainee registration renews yearly with proof of enrollment, by mail.

Journeyman

• 8,000 hours of C-10 electrical work for General Electrician, with category limits.
• 720 hours of related instruction to test through the trainee route.
• Registered apprentices can test in their final year.

Exam and application

1. 1.

   Apply to the Electrician Certification Unit. Since June 1, 2026, CPS HR Consulting schedules exams at Pearson VUE.

2. 2.

   General Electrician: 100 questions in 4 hours, open book (references provided), 70% to pass. Retake after 60 days.

Fees

Exam vendors often charge their own testing fee on top of state fees.

Reciprocity

None. An out-of-state license can make you eligible to test, but you must be certified before you start work.

Good to know

• Renewal also requires attesting to 2,000 hours of work in the prior three years.