Get a Georgia electrical contractor

Here’s how to get a electrical contractor license in Georgia: pick Class I or II, verify you’re 21+, document 4+ years’ primary electrical experience and references, apply online and pay $40, secure Board approval, pass the PSI exam (70% minimum), then maintain 4 CE hours/year and renew every even‑year.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-29

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board – Division of Electrical Contractors (Professional Licensing Boards, GA Secretary of State). See the Board hub and How‑To Guide: Board page • How‑To Guide.
License classes	Class I (Restricted): single‑phase installations ≤200 amperes; Class II (Unrestricted). Defined in Rule 121‑3‑.01(1): GAC 121‑3‑.01.
Minimum age	21 years old to obtain Class I or II. Rule 121‑3‑.01(2): GAC 121‑3‑.01.
Experience	Minimum 4 years of Primary electrical experience; up to 1 year may be credited from Secondary/Education at 50% rate; Class II must show work beyond single‑phase 200A; 3 references (at least one GA licensed electrical contractor). Rule 121‑3‑.01(3)–(7): GAC 121‑3‑.01.
Exam	Board approval required; PSI administers; passing score 70%. See Rule 121‑3‑.01(2) and the exam application: Rule 121‑3‑.01 • Electrical Exam Application (PSI noted).
Fees	Application by Exam: $30 + $10 processing ($40 total) • Renewal: $75 (on‑time) • Late renewal: $100 • Lapsed (<3 years): $150 • Reinstatement (≥3 years): $150 + re‑exam. Official fee schedule: CILB Fee Schedule.
Continuing education	4 hours per year (8 per 2‑year cycle). CE must be from approved providers; CE Broker reporting required beginning Jan 1, 2026. See Rule 121‑4‑.05 and SOS CE page: Electrical Contractor Continuing Education.
Renewal cycle	Every 2 years; licenses expire June 30 of even‑numbered years; late window July 1–31. See SOS guide and fee schedule: How‑To Guide • Fee Schedule.
Insurance / bond	No state‑level bond or liability insurance is specified for license issuance in Board rules; local governments may require code‑compliance bonds. See AG Op. 95‑7 and O.C.G.A. Chapter 43‑14 context: Attorney General Op. 95‑7 • GAC 121‑3.

How to get a Georgia electrical contractor license

1. Decide your class (I or II). Confirm your intended scope: Class I is single‑phase ≤200A; Class II is unrestricted. See GAC 121‑3‑.01(1).
2. Confirm eligibility. You must be 21+ and have at least 4 years of Primary experience; prepare three references (one from a GA‑licensed electrical contractor). See Rule 121‑3‑.01(2)–(5).
3. Apply online in GOALS. Submit the Electrical Contractor by Examination application and pay $40 to the Board. See the SOS How‑To Guide and fee schedule.
4. Await Board approval to test. After approval, PSI will provide scheduling instructions via the Candidate Information Bulletin noted in the application: exam application.
5. Pass the PSI exam. Score at least 70% on the appropriate exam. See Rule 121‑3‑.01(2).
6. Activate and operate. Qualify your business, obtain any required local permits, and follow local bonding rules if applicable (AG Op. 95‑7).
7. Maintain CE and renew. Complete 4 CE hours/year (report in CE Broker from 2026) and renew by June 30 in even years; on‑time renewal is $75. See CE page and fee schedule.

Georgia electrical contractor license: classes, experience, and exam

Georgia licenses contractors (not individual electricians). Choose Class I or II based on scope. Your experience must be predominantly field installation work defined as Primary experience; Secondary/Education can only substitute up to one year at 50% credit. You must also submit three references. All details: GAC 121‑3‑.01.

Approval from the Board is required before you can schedule with PSI; the passing score is 70%. See the SOS How‑To Guide and exam application.

Fees to get and keep your Georgia electrical contractor license

The official fee schedule shows $40 to apply by exam, a $75 on‑time renewal every two years, $100 late renewal (July), and $150 to renew a lapsed license (<3 years). Reinstatement of 3+ years lapsed requires $150 plus re‑examination. See the state CILB fee schedule. For a deeper cost breakdown, see our guide to electrical contractor license costs in Georgia.

Renewal and continuing education

Licenses expire June 30 of even‑numbered years with a late window through July 31. You need 4 hours of approved CE annually (8 hours per cycle); as of January 1, 2026, CE must be recorded in CE Broker. Sources: SOS How‑To Guide • CE requirements.

Local rules, permits, and bonds

State rules don’t set a blanket insurance or bond requirement for electrical contractor licensure; however, cities and counties may require code‑compliance bonds and permits before issuing local authorizations. See the Georgia Attorney General’s opinion 95‑7. If you also work in HVAC, compare the Georgia HVAC contractor licensing steps and typical HVAC licensing costs in Georgia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Class I and Class II electrical contractor licenses in Georgia?

Class I (Restricted) is limited to single‑phase installations up to 200 amperes; Class II (Unrestricted) covers all electrical contracting. Your documented experience must match the class you seek. See Rule 121‑3‑.01(1), (6): GAC 121‑3‑.01.

How many years of experience do I need, and what counts?

You need at least 4 years of Primary experience (hands‑on field installation under the NEC). Up to 1 year may come from Secondary/Education at a 50% credit rate, and you must submit three references (one from a GA‑licensed EC). See Rule 121‑3‑.01(3)–(7): GAC 121‑3‑.01.

What score do I need to pass the Georgia electrical contractor exam?

70% is the minimum passing score. You must receive Board approval before PSI will let you schedule the exam. See Rule 121‑3‑.01(2) and the SOS How‑To Guide: Rule 121‑3‑.01 • How‑To Guide.

When do Georgia electrical contractor licenses renew, and how much is renewal?

Renew by June 30 of even‑numbered years (late window July 1–31). On‑time renewal is $75; late renewal is $100; lapsed (<3 years) is $150. See the official fee schedule and SOS How‑To Guide.

Does Georgia offer reciprocity for electrical contractor licenses?

No. The Board states it does not offer reciprocity as of 2026; you must qualify and test under Georgia’s rules. See the Board’s FAQ: Electrical Contractors FAQ.

Is CE required to renew my Georgia electrical contractor license?

Yes. You must complete 4 hours of approved CE each year (8 per 2‑year renewal) and, beginning January 1, 2026, record CE in CE Broker. See the SOS CE page and Rule 121‑4‑.05: CE requirements.

Need help mapping your path, deadlines, and documents? License Navigator can build a tailored checklist for your Georgia electrical contractor license so you pass once, budget accurately, and renew on time.