Overview
Alabama offers a straightforward path to journeyman electrician licensure through the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB). To qualify for a Journeyman Electrician License, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of approved classroom instruction. Alabama uses a single generic work category — all qualifying electrical work counts equally toward the 8,000-hour total — making it one of the simpler states to track hours in.
What makes Alabama unique among the states is its complete absence of continuing education requirements for license renewal. Alabama is the first state in WireHours's supported roster with zero CE hours required at renewal. The annual renewal fee is just $25, making Alabama one of the most affordable states for maintaining an active electrical license. However, Alabama does require notarized employer affidavits from each employer you worked under during your apprenticeship, adding a documentation step that other states may not require.
Alabama also offers a notable education credit: up to 2,000 hours of the 8,000-hour OJT requirement can be substituted with approved educational program hours. This means apprentices who complete a qualifying two-year electrical program can reduce their OJT to 6,000 hours. New rules effective February 2026 have updated several aspects of the licensing process, so applicants should verify current requirements with the AECB. The state accepts digital submissions, and the journeyman exam is open-book, which is unusual and a significant advantage for test preparation.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Alabama requires 8,000 hours across 1 category. Plus 576 hours of classroom instruction.
General Electrical Work
All types of electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work performed under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Alabama uses a single comprehensive category — all qualifying electrical work counts equally toward the 8,000-hour total. There are no subcategory breakdowns, caps, or minimum requirements.
Application Process
- 1
Register as an electrical apprentice with the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB). Registration must be completed before hours begin counting.
- 2
Work under the direct supervision of a licensed Alabama Journeyman or Master Electrician. Your supervisor must hold a current, active Alabama electrical license.
- 3
Complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (or 6,000 hours if claiming up to 2,000 hours of approved education credit).
- 4
Complete 576 hours of approved classroom instruction through your apprenticeship program or an approved education provider.
- 5
Obtain notarized employer affidavits from each employer you worked under during your apprenticeship. Each employer must provide a separate notarized affidavit documenting the hours you worked under their supervision.
- 6
Submit your completed application to the AECB along with notarized affidavits, classroom completion certificates, and the application fee. Alabama accepts digital submissions.
- 7
Once the AECB reviews and approves your application, you will receive authorization to schedule the Journeyman Electrician examination. The board typically issues approval within 30 days.
- 8
Pass the open-book journeyman exam within your 90-day exam window. You have unlimited retakes within a 2-year window if needed.
- 9
Pay the license fee and receive your Alabama Journeyman Electrician License.
Important Rules & Gotchas
Notarized employer affidavits required: Each employer must provide a separate notarized affidavit. This requires advance planning — you need a notary public to witness employer signatures. Do not wait until the end of your apprenticeship to collect these.
License lapse over 2 years means starting over: If your license lapses for more than 2 years without renewal, you must reapply from scratch. Keep your license current even if you are not actively working as an electrician.
90-day exam window: After board approval, you have 90 days to take and pass the exam. If you miss this window, you may need to reapply. Schedule your exam promptly after receiving approval.
Open-book exam: Alabama's journeyman exam is open-book, meaning you can reference the NEC during the test. This is a significant advantage — bring a well-tabbed and indexed code book.
Education credit is limited to 2,000 hours: While education can substitute for OJT hours, the maximum credit is 2,000 hours. You still need at least 6,000 hours of actual on-the-job training.
New rules effective February 2026: Alabama recently updated its licensing rules. Verify current requirements with the AECB, as some procedures and forms may have changed.
Unlimited retakes within 2 years: If you fail the exam, you can retake it as many times as needed within a 2-year window. However, each retake has a fee and requires rescheduling.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Alabama requires 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, typically completed over the course of a 4-5 year apprenticeship alongside your OJT hours.
Classroom instruction must cover the current National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical theory and calculations, AC/DC circuits, blueprint reading, electrical safety practices, and Alabama-specific electrical regulations.
Most apprentices complete classroom hours through their JATC or registered apprenticeship program. Alabama also accepts classroom instruction from accredited community colleges and trade schools.
Up to 2,000 hours of approved education can substitute for OJT hours, making formal education particularly valuable in Alabama. If you are enrolled in a qualifying program, ask the AECB to confirm that your program qualifies for the education credit before relying on it.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Alabama Journeyman Electrician licenses must be renewed annually. The renewal fee is just $25 — one of the lowest in the nation.
Alabama requires zero continuing education hours for license renewal. This is unique among the states WireHours supports and makes Alabama one of the easiest states to maintain an active license.
Despite the simplicity of renewal, you must renew on time. If your license lapses for more than 2 years, you must reapply from scratch, including retaking the exam.
Renewal can be completed online through the AECB website or by mail. The AECB sends renewal notices, but it is your responsibility to renew before the expiration date.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Collect notarized affidavits as you go. Do not wait until the end of your apprenticeship to get employer affidavits. If you change employers, get the affidavit notarized before you leave. Former employers can be hard to reach later.
Track your hours even though there is only one category. Alabama uses a single category, but detailed records help with notarized affidavits and potential audits. Record daily hours, work descriptions, and supervisor information.
Explore the education credit early. If you are considering a two-year electrical program, confirm it qualifies for the 2,000-hour OJT credit with the AECB before enrolling. This could save you a full year of apprenticeship time.
Keep your license current after passing the exam. Alabama's $25 annual renewal is the most affordable in the nation, but lapsing for over 2 years means starting the entire process over.
Prepare for an open-book exam. Tab and index your NEC code book thoroughly. Knowing where to find answers quickly is more valuable than memorizing code sections.
Use WireHours to maintain a digital record of your hours alongside your employer affidavits. The app tracks your progress toward 8,000 hours (or 6,000 with education credit) and helps ensure your documentation is complete when you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alabama require continuing education for electrician license renewal?
No. Alabama is one of the rare states that requires zero CE hours for journeyman electrician license renewal. You simply pay the $25 annual renewal fee and keep your license current.
What is the education credit in Alabama for electrical apprentices?
Up to 2,000 hours of approved education can substitute for on-the-job training hours, reducing your OJT requirement from 8,000 to 6,000 hours. The education must be from an AECB-approved program. Verify your specific program qualifies before relying on this credit.
Is the Alabama journeyman electrician exam open-book?
Yes. Alabama allows you to reference the NEC during the exam. Bring a well-organized, tabbed code book. You have a 90-day window to take the exam after board approval and unlimited retakes within a 2-year period.
What happens if my Alabama electrician license lapses?
If your license lapses for more than 2 years, you must reapply from scratch, including meeting all OJT and classroom requirements and retaking the exam. Keep your $25 annual renewal current to avoid this.
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