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Electrical apprenticeship & licensing

District of Columbia electrical apprentice requirements.

Washington, DC electrical licensing: apprentice, journeyman, master, contractor, reciprocity with Maryland and Virginia, PSI exams, and current fees.

Official licensing authority

District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Board of Industrial Trades

Board of Industrial Trades → · Occupational license categories → · Electrician instructions →

Last verified: October 2, 2026 · TRADECAIRN status: Educational summary; official authority controls.

At a glance

Current licensing facts

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License classes
DC licenses Electrician Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Contractor categories, plus specialist/low-voltage classifications.
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Application fee
$65 for electrician applications under the current Board fee schedule.
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Apprentice license fee
$110 for a term of up to two years.
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Journeyman license fee
$110 for a term of up to two years.
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Master license fee
$120 initial; current renewal fee $155.
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Reciprocity
Maryland and Virginia journeymen and master electricians can qualify through reciprocity when the origin license was obtained by examination and is active/in good standing.

DC uses a full occupational-license ladder

The Board of Industrial Trades licenses apprentice, journeyman, master, and contractor electricians rather than relying only on contractor licensing.

PSI administers licensing examinations

Applicants can schedule District of Columbia trade examinations through PSI after meeting the Board’s application requirements.

Contractors have additional business requirements

Electrical contractor licensing includes business registration/good-standing requirements and designated DC-licensed master-tradesperson and bond obligations.

Recommended study references

Match the reference to the exact exam and license class.

Verify the controlling authority’s current NEC edition and permitted-reference list first.

Browse electrical study references →

Affiliate disclosure

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Electrical license reciprocity / portability

DC currently offers electrical reciprocity to qualifying Maryland and Virginia Journeyman and Master Electricians. The out-of-state credential must have been obtained by examination and be current and in good standing; applicants still submit and obtain the District license.

Compare electrical license mobility by state →

Official sources

Board of Industrial Trades · Occupational license categories · Electrician instructions

Always use the licensing authority above for the latest application, fee, exam, code, and renewal information.

Keep moving

Useful next steps

Prepare for the tradeElectrical Apprentice Pro, practice, NEC navigation, and exam readiness.Add useful credentialsOSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E, CPR/AED, solar, and other career-building training.Build your field kitProfessional apprentice tool guidance with buy-now vs shop-provided recommendations.Study the NEC betterLearn code navigation instead of trying to memorize the book.
Important: This is an educational summary. Verify current state and local requirements before applying, testing, or performing work.

Pay, outlook & career planning

Look beyond licensing requirements.

Licensing is only one part of choosing where and how to build an electrical career. Compare current BLS wage sources, long-term trade outlook, license classifications, and advancement paths alongside the rules above.

PAYElectrician pay by state

Current federal wage sources and state-by-state career context.

Explore pay →OUTLOOK5–20+ year trade outlook

Official near-term projections plus transparent long-range scenarios.

See the outlook →LICENSINGElectrical license types

General, residential, limited-energy, fire alarm, signs, high-voltage, master, contractor and other paths vary by jurisdiction.

Understand the categories →SOURCESHow TRADECAIRN verifies data

See how wage, licensing, apprenticeship, and outlook information is sourced and labeled.

Methodology →