Georgia Electrician Exam Prep

Georgia takes a different approach from many states: the state licenses electrical contractors, not journeyman or master electricians. The Division of Electrical Contractors, part of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board under the Georgia Secretary of State, issues two license classes. Class I (restricted) covers single-phase installations not exceeding 200 amperes at the service drop or service lateral, while Class II (non-restricted) allows unrestricted electrical contracting.

The exam is administered by PSI, the board's testing vendor, and you need board approval before you can schedule it. Exam content centers on the National Electrical Code. Georgia adopted the 2023 NEC with Georgia State Amendments effective January 1, 2026, so make sure your study materials match the current code edition.

Georgia issues two classes of electrical contractor license:

• Electrical Contractor Class I (restricted) - Limited to single-phase installations not exceeding 200 amperes at the service drop or service lateral.
• Electrical Contractor Class II (non-restricted) - Unrestricted electrical contracting anywhere in the state.

Georgia does not issue journeyman or master electrician licenses at the state level. Journeyman credentials in Georgia are a local or voluntary matter.

Georgia electrical contractor exams are administered by PSI, the testing vendor for the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. You must receive board approval of your application before scheduling an exam appointment. Questions are drawn from the National Electrical Code and related trade knowledge. Contact PSI or the board for the current question count, time limit, and reference list for your license class.

Georgia requires a minimum score of 70 on the electrical contractor exam under the board's qualification rules (GAC 121-2). Verify the current passing requirement with the Division of Electrical Contractors before your exam date, since rules can change.

To qualify for the Georgia electrical contractor exam, candidates typically need:

• At least 4 years of qualifying experience gained under a licensed electrical contractor. Experience earned under an unlicensed contractor does not count.
• For Class I, experience in at least 6 primary experience areas; for Class II, experience in all primary areas plus installations above single-phase 400-ampere systems under a Class II licensee.
• 3 references, at least 1 from a licensed electrical contractor with a registration number.
• A completed application submitted through the GOALS portal (goals.sos.ga.gov).

Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state or local licensing authority before applying.

Per the board's how-to guide, the application fee is $30, renewal is $75, late renewal is $100, and reinstatement is $150 (plus re-examination if the license has lapsed 3 or more years). A $5 online processing fee applies, and PSI exam fees are paid separately to the testing vendor. Fees change; always confirm current amounts with the board or PSI before submitting payment.

A focused 6 to 8 week plan prepares most candidates for Georgia's NEC-based exam:

• Week 1-2: Learn the layout of the 2023 NEC and review definitions, wiring methods (Articles 300-399), and branch circuits.
• Week 3-4: Drill grounding and bonding (Article 250) and load calculations (Article 220), the two highest-yield subjects.
• Week 5-6: Take full-length practice tests and look up every missed question in the codebook.
• Week 7-8: Close remaining gaps, practice fast code navigation, and rehearse under timed conditions.