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Journeyman Electrician License in Pennsylvania
Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician
Last updated:
We found no statewide electrician license in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania says some of its 2,562 municipalities set their own licensing requirements. Philadelphia licenses at the contractor level and we found no journeyman license there. Pittsburgh licenses individuals under one electrical trade license and its page does not distinguish journeyman from master. Check with the municipality where you'll work.
The facts, from the source
- Who licenses
- We found no state electrician board. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry says the Commonwealth currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors, and that some of Pennsylvania's 2,562 municipalities have local licensure or certification requirements. The state keeps no list of municipalities. (pa.gov)
- Exam vendor
- ICC (Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Exam). ICC through Pearson VUE (Pittsburgh). (phila.gov)
- Experience required
- Philadelphia (contractor license): 4 years of employment doing electrical work for a company licensed through a local or state jurisdiction, plus 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework within 12 months. Two years of electrical education count as 1 year of experience, up to 2 years of credit. Pittsburgh: a minimum of 6 years of combined experience and education (Ch. 747 Pittsburgh Code). Education from an accredited school or apprenticeship program counts toward the 6 years. (phila.gov)
- Fees
- Philadelphia electrical contractor license $262, renewal $202 (the page is undated). Philadelphia non-refundable application fee $60, applied toward the license fee. (phila.gov)
- Reciprocity
- No statewide reciprocity, because there is no state license. Pittsburgh accepts equivalent out-of-state certification on License Officer review (Ch. 747). (ecode360.com)
Where the license comes from in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, journeyman licensing is handled locally. Examples we verified:
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections: Electrical Contractor License (for individuals who perform electrical work)
We found no journeyman electrician license. The exam is the Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination, given by ICC. 4 years of employment doing electrical work for a licensed company and 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework. License $262, renewal $202.
phila.govCity of Pittsburgh, Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections: Electrical Trade License (issued to individuals)
The city page does not distinguish journeyman from master. The exam is the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam through Pearson VUE (codes T16, G16 or F16), or a passing letter from the Pittsburgh-proctored exam, reviewed by the License Officer. A minimum of 6 years of combined experience and education. The page notes ICC exam versions reference the 2020, 2017 and 2014 NEC, and tells applicants to pick the version for the newest code year adopted by the PA Uniform Construction Code.
pittsburghpa.gov
Requirements differ city to city. Check with the building or licensing department where you’ll work.
Confirm these with the board
- Other Pennsylvania municipalities (Erie, Allentown, Scranton, Harrisburg and others): check with the one where you'll work
- NEC edition: not confirmed
- Pittsburgh license fee: set in the city fee schedule; the amount is not on the page
Partly verified October 24, 2026: some items couldn’t be confirmed from official sources and are listed above
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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.
