Delaware Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Electrician License · Issued by the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners.

⚡ ElectricianDE ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Delaware, electricians must hold the Electrician License, issued by the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners, 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 Delaware

Follow these steps to earn your Electrician License. Every figure is verified against the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Master (and Master Special in the specialty): 6 years full-time under a master, OR 8,000 hours plus 576 hours of related instruction or a completed registered apprenticeship, OR 4 years plus 2 years of technical training. Limited (and Limited Special): 3 years full-time, OR 4,000 hours plus 288 hours of related instruction. Journeyperson: age 20+ and a Board-approved apprenticeship with a final exam, or over 8,000 hours under supervision. Residential: over 4,000 hours or a residential apprenticeship, plus the exam (24 Del. C. 1408).
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $300,000 minimum general liability, required of Master, Master Special, Limited and Limited Special electricians only.
Clear the background check. No criminal conviction substantially related to electrical services (the Board may waive this after review) and no felony sexual offense (not waivable); no prior administrative penalties, disqualifying drug or alcohol impairment, or pending disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction (24 Del. C. 1408(a)(9)-(13)).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners — Master $203; Master Special $200; Limited/Limited Special $127; Journeyperson/Residential $105; Apprentice $100 application fee. Processing time: Within 1 month (reviewed before next Board meeting, first Wednesday of month).
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years (July 1-June 30, even-numbered years). Continuing education: Master/Master Special/Limited/Limited Special: 10 hours per 2-year renewal (5 must be NEC-related starting with the 2nd renewal). Journeyperson/Residential/Apprentice: 5 hours per 2-year renewal. Reduced hours apply only to licensees holding the license for part of the renewal period.

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

Delaware electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Delaware — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official delpros.delaware.gov database →

License types

Apprentice Electrician — In-progress apprenticeship under supervision
Residential Electrician — Residential electrical work
Journeyperson Electrician — All electrical work under limited supervision
Master Electrician — All electrical work with full authority
Master Electrician Special — Specialty areas (elevators, HVAC)
Limited Electrician — Limited electrical work scope
Limited Electrician Special — Limited specialty work scope

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Master (and Master Special in the specialty): 6 years full-time under a master, OR 8,000 hours plus 576 hours of related instruction or a completed registered apprenticeship, OR 4 years plus 2 years of technical training. Limited (and Limited Special): 3 years full-time, OR 4,000 hours plus 288 hours of related instruction. Journeyperson: age 20+ and a Board-approved apprenticeship with a final exam, or over 8,000 hours under supervision. Residential: over 4,000 hours or a residential apprenticeship, plus the exam (24 Del. C. 1408).
Application fee	Master $203; Master Special $200; Limited/Limited Special $127; Journeyperson/Residential $105; Apprentice $100
License fee	—
Renewal fee	Not published by the board
Renewal period	2 years (July 1-June 30, even-numbered years)
Continuing education	Master/Master Special/Limited/Limited Special: 10 hours per 2-year renewal (5 must be NEC-related starting with the 2nd renewal). Journeyperson/Residential/Apprentice: 5 hours per 2-year renewal. Reduced hours apply only to licensees holding the license for part of the renewal period.
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	$300,000 minimum general liability, required of Master, Master Special, Limited and Limited Special electricians only
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	No criminal conviction substantially related to electrical services (the Board may waive this after review) and no felony sexual offense (not waivable); no prior administrative penalties, disqualifying drug or alcohol impairment, or pending disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction (24 Del. C. 1408(a)(9)-(13)).
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Maryland and New Jersey: licensure standards substantially similar, so no proof of experience is needed; Arkansas, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming: not substantially similar, so proof of at least five years after licensure is required; Any other state is evaluated by the Board; without a qualifying license and experience, apply by examination · compare all states
Processing time	Within 1 month (reviewed before next Board meeting, first Wednesday of month)

What a Delaware electrician license costs

Application fee	Master $203; Master Special $200; Limited/Limited Special $127; Journeyperson/Residential $105; Apprentice $100.
Residential Electrician Exam	$100.
Journeyperson Electrician Exam	$100.
Master Electrician Exam	$100.
Limited Electrician Exam	$100.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	Not published by the board.
Renewal period	2 years (July 1-June 30, even-numbered years).

Exams

Residential Electrician Exam	Provider: ProV · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100
Journeyperson Electrician Exam	Provider: ProV · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100
Master Electrician Exam	Provider: ProV · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100
Limited Electrician Exam	Provider: ProV · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100

Renewing a Delaware electrician license

The Electrician License renews on a fixed cycle set by the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	2 years (July 1-June 30, even-numbered years)
Renewal fee	Not published by the board
Continuing education	Master/Master Special/Limited/Limited Special: 10 hours per 2-year renewal (5 must be NEC-related starting with the 2nd renewal). Journeyperson/Residential/Apprentice: 5 hours per 2-year renewal. Reduced hours apply only to licensees holding the license for part of the renewal period.
Where to renew	Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Delaware electrician license cost?

Application: Master $203; Master Special $200; Limited/Limited Special $127; Journeyperson/Residential $105; Apprentice $100. Renewal: Not published by the board.

How do I look up a electrician license in Delaware?

Search the official license database at delpros.delaware.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in Delaware need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a Delaware electrician license?

Master (and Master Special in the specialty): 6 years full-time under a master, OR 8,000 hours plus 576 hours of related instruction or a completed registered apprenticeship, OR 4 years plus 2 years of technical training. Limited (and Limited Special): 3 years full-time, OR 4,000 hours plus 288 hours of related instruction. Journeyperson: age 20+ and a Board-approved apprenticeship with a final exam, or over 8,000 hours under supervision. Residential: over 4,000 hours or a residential apprenticeship, plus the exam (24 Del. C. 1408).

Is insurance required for electricians in Delaware?

Liability: $300,000 minimum general liability, required of Master, Master Special, Limited and Limited Special electricians only.

How long does it take to get a Delaware electrician license?

Processing time: Within 1 month (reviewed before next Board meeting, first Wednesday of month).

Is a background check required for electricians in Delaware?

Background check: No criminal conviction substantially related to electrical services (the Board may waive this after review) and no felony sexual offense (not waivable); no prior administrative penalties, disqualifying drug or alcohol impairment, or pending disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction (24 Del. C. 1408(a)(9)-(13)).

How often must a Delaware electrician license be renewed?

2 years (July 1-June 30, even-numbered years). Continuing education: Master/Master Special/Limited/Limited Special: 10 hours per 2-year renewal (5 must be NEC-related starting with the 2nd renewal). Journeyperson/Residential/Apprentice: 5 hours per 2-year renewal. Reduced hours apply only to licensees holding the license for part of the renewal period.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners before applying. This is not legal advice.