Colorado Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician; Residential Wireman · Issued by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

⚡ ElectricianCO ✔ Verified 2026-06-26

In Colorado, electricians must hold the Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician; Residential Wireman, issued by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Colorado

Follow these steps to earn your Journeyman Electrician; Master Electrician; Residential Wireman. Every figure is verified against the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours (minimum 2 years) of residential-only practical experience. Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (minimum 4 years) of electrical work experience with 4,000 hours in commercial/industrial work, or 2-year degree plus 6,000 hours supervised work; post-2011 applicants also require 288 classroom hours. Master Electrician: One of three paths—engineering degree plus 2,000 hours experience; trade school/community college degree plus 8,000 hours; or 10,000 total hours including planning, layout, or supervision (minimum 4,000 hours post-Journeyman).
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam and Master Electrician Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not mandated by the state for the electrician license; some municipalities require it locally.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Criminal history questions included in application; specific disqualifying criteria not publicly disclosed
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) — Set by DORA and paid through DORA Online Services; amount varies by license tier (statutory authority C.R.S. 12-115-117) application fee, plus a Included in the application license fee. Processing time: Not publicly disclosed.
Keep the license active. Renew every 3 years (expires September 30), completing 24 hours of continuing education per 3-year cycle — at least 4 hours on National Electrical Code changes and no more than 4 hours on safety. Waived for the first renewal if a licensing exam was passed as a condition of issuance.

License types

Residential Wireman — Residential-only electrical work; requires 4,000 hours residential-only experience
Journeyman Electrician — General electrical work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings; requires 8,000 hours experience with 4,000 commercial/industrial hours
Master Electrician — Supervisory and design-level electrical work; can supervise projects; requires 4,000 hours post-Journeyman or equivalent

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours (minimum 2 years) of residential-only practical experience. Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (minimum 4 years) of electrical work experience with 4,000 hours in commercial/industrial work, or 2-year degree plus 6,000 hours supervised work; post-2011 applicants also require 288 classroom hours. Master Electrician: One of three paths—engineering degree plus 2,000 hours experience; trade school/community college degree plus 8,000 hours; or 10,000 total hours including planning, layout, or supervision (minimum 4,000 hours post-Journeyman).
Application fee	Set by DORA and paid through DORA Online Services; amount varies by license tier (statutory authority C.R.S. 12-115-117)
License fee	Included in the application
Renewal fee	Paid every 3 years through DORA Online Services; fee set on the DORA schedule
Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires September 30)
Continuing education	24 hours of continuing education per 3-year cycle — at least 4 hours on National Electrical Code changes and no more than 4 hours on safety. Waived for the first renewal if a licensing exam was passed as a condition of issuance.
Bond required	None required by the state — Colorado does not mandate a state electrician or contractor bond. Municipalities (e.g., Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder) require their own local registration and surety bond.
Liability insurance	Not mandated by the state for the electrician license; some municipalities require it locally.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required for contractors with employees
Background check	Criminal history questions included in application; specific disqualifying criteria not publicly disclosed
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Alaska; Arkansas; Idaho; Iowa; Maine; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Mexico; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Utah; Wyoming
Processing time	Not publicly disclosed

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: $75
Master Electrician Exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: $75

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Colorado licenses electricians statewide through DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations, but the state does not require a bond or insurance for the license itself. Municipalities (Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins) impose additional local registration, bonding and insurance; Denver does not accept other jurisdictions' licenses and requires separate municipal licensing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Colorado electrician license cost?

Application: Set by DORA and paid through DORA Online Services; amount varies by license tier (statutory authority C.R.S. 12-115-117). License: Included in the application. Renewal: Paid every 3 years through DORA Online Services; fee set on the DORA schedule.

Do electricians in Colorado need a surety bond?

None required by the state — Colorado does not mandate a state electrician or contractor bond. Municipalities (e.g., Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder) require their own local registration and surety bond.

What experience is required for a Colorado electrician license?

Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours (minimum 2 years) of residential-only practical experience. Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (minimum 4 years) of electrical work experience with 4,000 hours in commercial/industrial work, or 2-year degree plus 6,000 hours supervised work; post-2011 applicants also require 288 classroom hours. Master Electrician: One of three paths—engineering degree plus 2,000 hours experience; trade school/community college degree plus 8,000 hours; or 10,000 total hours including planning, layout, or supervision (minimum 4,000 hours post-Journeyman).

Is insurance required for electricians in Colorado?

Liability: Not mandated by the state for the electrician license; some municipalities require it locally. Workers' compensation: Required for contractors with employees

How often must a Colorado electrician license be renewed?

Every 3 years (expires September 30). Continuing education: 24 hours of continuing education per 3-year cycle — at least 4 hours on National Electrical Code changes and no more than 4 hours on safety. Waived for the first renewal if a licensing exam was passed as a condition of issuance.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-26 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) before applying. This is not legal advice.