Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 7,220 work in Oklahoma. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 adding almost 50,000 to the ranks.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 60% of firms in the U.S. and 67% of firms in Oklahoma had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
» Want to grow your electrical business? Click here to get a demo.
Is a license required for electricians in Oklahoma? Yes.
The Oklahoma Construction and Industries Board (CIB) issues electrician licenses in the state of Oklahoma.
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: Prospective electricians in Oklahoma can gain the necessary work experience by completing on-the-job training through an apprenticeship program. You must apply for an apprentice registration card and work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
An unlimited electrical journeyman license requires 8,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work, with 4,000 hours being commercial/industrial work. Formal electrical education may substitute for 2,000 hours of experience requirements.
A residential electrical journeyman license requires 4,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work. Formal electrical education may substitute for 1,000 hours of experience requirements.
PASS THE ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN LICENSE EXAM: Before scheduling your journeyman electrician exam with PSI, you must submit an application form, pay $75, and obtain approval from the licensing board. You may use any edition of Ugly's Electrical Reference and the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). The exam comprises 100 questions, and you must score 75% to pass. After successfully completing the journeyman exam, you will earn your journeyman license. To keep your journeyman license in good standing, you need to renew it each year and fulfill six hours of continuing education every three years.
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE TO BECOME AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Oklahoma offers several classifications of electrical contractor licenses and each as specific training requirements.
Unlimited electrical contractors have no limits on the type of electrical contracting they can perform. They must have:
Residential electrical contractors can work on wiring in one- and two-family dwellings. They must have:
Limited electrical contractors must be an owner, partner, or officer in an electrical firm and may not engage in the work of an apprentice or journeyman electrician. They must have:
PASS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR EXAMS: You must submit an application form, pay $330 and gain approval prior to scheduling your electrical contractor exam with PSI.
The electrical contractor exam covers general electrical knowledge, includes 100 questions, and requires a passing score of 75%. The exam is open-book, and you can use Ugly's Electrical Reference and the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC).
A second exam covers business and law and also requires a passing score of 75%. The test includes 50 questions on the following topics:
After successfully completing the exams and providing proof of bonding and insurance, you will earn your electrical contractor's license. You need to renew your license each year and complete six hours of continuing education every three years to keep your license current.
BOND AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: Contractors need to carry a $5,000 corporate surety bond payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, including original signatures, seals, and power of attorney. The bond must be continuous, in the individual licensee's name and provide a 30-day cancellation notice. Contractors must provide a certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $50,000 commercial general liability insurance in the form of a certificate of general liability. The individual licensee's name must be on the certificate of insurance. The certificate holder is the Construction Industries Board.
What are the different types of electrician licensing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma offers several options for electrician licensing:
There are many benefits to pursuing an Oklahoma electrician license:
The annual mean wage for electricians in Oklahoma is $59,750 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
Apprentice electricians pay $25 per year for registration. Journeyman electricians pay $75 for both initial licensing and renewal. Electrical contractor licenses cost $330 initially and $200 per year to keep the license current. All licensing includes additional costs for testing fees. Overall cost may vary depending on your choice of preliminary electrical education.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.