Moving to Rhode Island as a journeyman electrician: every state's rule
Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with 0 states. Everyone else follows its standard out-of-state path: experience credit.
Rhode Island journeyman electrician · “Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B, Class B)”
Statewide license
Rhode Island issues a statewide Journeyperson Electrician license (Certificate B) through the Department of Labor and Training (DLT), which writes and administers the exam itself. A new applicant must show at least four years of trade experience (8,000 hours as a registered apprentice, R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24.3) and 576 hours of DLT-approved related instruction, then pass the DLT journeyperson exam with a score of 70% or better. Rhode Island has no reciprocity agreements and no statute allowing a journeyperson license without examination; instead, DLT's regulation provides that an out-of-state applicant who holds a contractor's or journeyperson's license is allowed to take the Rhode Island journeyperson exam, and the application packet has a dedicated out-of-state journeyperson application code. Fees are a $75 non-refundable application fee and a $72 two-year license fee invoiced after passing; licenses renew every two years on the licensee's birthday with 15 hours of continuing education.
Every origin state
| State | Mechanism | Note | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Alaska | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Arizona | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Arkansas | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| California | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Colorado | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Connecticut | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Delaware | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| District of Columbia | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Florida | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Georgia | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Hawaii | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Idaho | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Illinois | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Indiana | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Iowa | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Kansas | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Kentucky | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Louisiana | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Maine | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Maryland | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Massachusetts | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Michigan | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Minnesota | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Mississippi | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Missouri | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Montana | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Nebraska | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Nevada | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| New Hampshire | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| New Jersey | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| New Mexico | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| New York | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| North Carolina | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| North Dakota | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Ohio | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Oklahoma | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Oregon | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Pennsylvania | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| South Carolina | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| South Dakota | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Tennessee | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-15 |
| Texas | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Utah | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Vermont | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Virginia | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Washington | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| West Virginia | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Wisconsin | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 | |
| Wyoming | Experience credit | 2026-09-15 |
Getting licensed in Rhode Island from scratch
No license yet, or nothing that transfers? This is how Rhode Island issues a journeyman electrician license to a first-time applicant.
Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B) by examination
Rhode Island issues the Journeyperson Electrician license (Certificate B) to an applicant who passes the journeyperson exam written and given by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT). The normal route is a Rhode Island registered apprenticeship: register with DLT as an apprentice as soon as you are hired by a licensed electrical contractor, then work at least 8,000 hours over at least four years under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyperson while completing 144 hours of DLT-approved related instruction each year (576 hours in total). When the apprenticeship is complete, your sponsor certifies your hours on the Apprentice Completion & Application for Examination form, which you mail to DLT with the $75 application fee and a copy of your photo ID. You must be at least 18, and you need an average score of 70% to pass; the $72 two-year license fee is invoiced after you pass.
The exam is written and may include a practical demonstration; it is based on the edition of the National Electrical Code adopted by the Rhode Island State Building Code Standards Committee, which is also DLT's recommended study material. DLT's regulation disqualifies anyone found referring to notes or books during an exam unless the board gives permission. There is no separate law or business exam. Applications must reach DLT at least 15 working days before an exam date, seats are first come, first served, and DLT mails the exam date to the applicant; you can request the exam in a language other than English on the application. A score of 60% or more lets you review a failed exam with the board, and retests are applied for online through RI.gov. Apprentices must keep their apprentice card current until the test date. DLT does not publish a processing time.
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Exam given by
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Passing score
- 70%
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
- Continuing education
- 15 hours per cycle
Who can apply
- Complete a registered apprenticeship (4 years): Completion of a Rhode Island registered electrical apprenticeship approved by DLT, registered with DLT for at least four years.The sponsor certifies completion to the DLT Apprenticeship Office, which issues the Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship required with the exam application (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24).
- You must document at least 8,000 hours of qualifying work experience.At least 8,000 hours of electrical work as a registered apprentice in Rhode Island over at least four years, under the direct personal supervision of a licensed journeyperson (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-6-24 and 5-6-24.3; 260-RICR-30-15-7 § 7.7.C).
- Complete at least 576 hours of classroom or related instruction.Up to 144 hours of credit for classroom training at a vocational school authorized by the board of education, or up to 288 hours over two academic years at an accredited trade school approved by the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner and the DLT apprenticeship council.
- Be at least 18 years old.
Other ways to qualify
Each of these replaces the requirements above. You only need one.
Two years of college electrical technology, then four years as a registered apprentice
State law also accepts evidence that the applicant completed at least two academic years of electrical technology at a recognized college or university, or holds an associate degree in electrical technology, and afterwards was registered with DLT as an apprentice for at least four years, working under a licensed journeyperson employed under a Rhode Island licensed contractor. DLT's application instructions still list 576 hours of approved related instruction for every journeyperson exam, so confirm with DLT at (401) 462-8580 how your coursework will be credited.
- At least two academic years of electrical technology at a recognized college or university, or an associate degree in electrical technology
- Complete a registered apprenticeship (4 years): Registered with DLT as an apprentice for at least four years after the college study, supervised by a licensed journeyperson employed under a Rhode Island licensed contractor.
- Be at least 18 years old.
Upgrade from Limited Maintenance Journeyperson (Class M)
A holder of the Rhode Island Limited Maintenance Journeyperson license (Class M) may qualify for the journeyperson B exam by registering as a fourth-year apprentice and working for that period under the supervision of a journeyperson B electrician, while employed by a Class A electrical contractor that sponsors or takes part in a registered apprenticeship program.
- Holds a Rhode Island Limited Maintenance Journeyperson (Class M) license
- Registered as a fourth-year apprentice for that period, supervised by a journeyperson B electrician and employed by a Class A contractor that sponsors or participates in a registered apprenticeship program
- Be at least 18 years old.
Steps to get licensed
- 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($75). Non-refundable examination application fee, paid by check or money order to the R.I. Department of Labor & Training and mailed with the Apprentice Completion & Application for Examination form and a copy of government-issued photo ID (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-17).
- 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Rhode Island Journeyperson Electrician (Certificate B) examination written and administered by DLT, based on the adopted National Electrical Code; 70% average required to pass.
- 3License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($72). Two-year Journeyperson Electrician Class B license fee, invoiced after a passing score (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-16).
Published fees on this path total $147, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
Keeping it active
Every 2 years with 15 hours of continuing education per cycle and a $72 renewal fee.
At least 15 clock hours of board-approved continuing education each renewal, taken from an approved provider and covering the currently adopted National Electrical Code; DLT's current course is the 2023 NEC code update. Submit the original uniform certificate of completion with the renewal. Out-of-state residents may use a 15-hour course from their home state if it meets Rhode Island's requirements and that state recognizes Rhode Island certificates.
Licenses expire on the licensee's birthday every two years. Renewing late adds a $12-per-month administrative assessment, and a license not renewed within two years of expiring is forfeited and requires a new examination.
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
Continuing education
Renewals usually need approved CE hours, often on the latest NEC. Reciprocal licensees are rarely exempt.
- Continuing education
Sources for this section
- Rhode Island DLT - Apprentice Completion & Application for Examination · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training · Form · verified September 23, 2026
- Rhode Island DLT - Electrician Application Instructions and Application for Examination · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulations Unit · Form · verified September 23, 2026
- Rhode Island DLT - Professional Regulation: Electricians · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Rhode Island DLT - Trade License Exam Information · Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- 260-RICR-30-15-7 - Board of Examiners of Electricians (DLT regulation, effective January 4, 2022) · 260-RICR-30-15-7 §§ 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.14 · Rhode Island Department of State (Code of Rhode Island Regulations) · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-16 - License fees · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-16 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-17 - Application for examination; fee · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-17 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-20 - Expiration and renewal of certificates and licenses · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-20 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-20.1 - Mandatory continuing education · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-20.1 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24 - Apprentices; registration · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24.3 - Credit for electrical license exams · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-24.3 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-9 - Journeyperson's certificate/license · R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-9 · Rhode Island General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026