To be an electrician in Georgia you’ll need one of two government granted licenses to legally perform electrical services within the state. These are granted by GA’s Professional Licensing Board which sets the regulations for becoming an electrician in the state. This board operates under Georgia’s Office of the Secretary of State.
This licensing requirement is mandatory for those performing any electrical job within the borders of Georgia. The cost to apply is only $30. Be sure to check the deadlines because there are only 4 per year so timing in GA is important. Once you complete the process you’ll be well on your way of starting a career as an electrician! Let’s take a closer look some of the ins and outs of going through the process in GA.
Types of GA Electrician Licenses
Georgia classifies licensed electricians into two categories. Class I is restricted and Class II is unrestricted in the sense you can do any size job. After you get your license in Georgia you will need to renew it every two years and keep up with hours of studies, continuing eduction, and remain in good standing as you conduct your business. Taking classes is a requirement most states require which keeps your skills fresh for safety reasons.
View, download or print Georgia’s application’s for electrical licensure and other documents here.
Be sure to also visit their FAQ section where some of your concerns may be addressed.
State Reciprocity in Georgia
GA reciprocity agreements include the following states: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. For each of these states you’ll need to fill out and provide employment verification and as much documentation as possible. These types of applications can take more time. I personally know someone who bought an out of state license and it worked out well so be patient.
Taking the Georgia Exam
Like most other states, you’ll need to be approved by the proper government office, the PLB, prior to taking the licensing examination. The test is administered by AMP and is based on recent NEC standards which will be provided to you for reference. The exam is 8 hours long, 4hrs for the 1st part and another 4hrs for the 2nd part, so you get plenty of time to complete it.
The questions are multiple choice and consist of questions about laws, regulations, and administrative issues plus another section which is more technical in nature. Both exams, Class I and Class II, are about 160 questions in total. A score of 70% or more is required to pass the GA exam. If you study and have a genuine interest in this field of work then you should do fine on the test. Don’t worry too much.
It is highly recommended that you review Georgia’s website regarding all the rules and regulations and their candidate information bulletin for becoming an licensed electrician in the state.
Best GA Cities for Electrical Work
If you are planning an electrician career in the state of Georgia you should know which areas will offer you the most work. The population centers with the highest overall electricity consumption are Savannah, Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta and Athens. Several other cities offer good employment opportunities as well but the Northern part of the state has a mega-city where you can definitely earn a great living.
Much of Georgia has a low population density which is where you are likely to find less work. The resident population in the rural parts of the state is minimal and the people also tend to have less disposable income for electrical projects. If you have lived in Georgia for awhile you are likely to know which cities are best for electrical work.
While the state usually stays very low on the radar, there is plenty of work to be done in the electrical field in and around Atlanta. GA is one of the most populated states in America and the state as a whole is growing faster than the rest of the country. Best of luck in your new career as an electrician in the state of Georgia!