Construction / Electrical Contractor License / Oklahoma
- Oklahoma
- Electrical Contractor
- Unlimited, Residential & Limited
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Oklahoma Electrical Contractor License
Everything you need to pick your class, document your hours, pass both exams and get licensed as an electrical contractor with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Oklahoma Construction Industries Board requirements
Application fee
$30
Plus $300 initial license fee and $92 per exam portion
Exam time
6 hrs
Unlimited or Limited + B&L; 5.5 hrs for Residential
Time to get license
~6 yrs
12,000 verifiable hours at full time on the main route
Continuing ed
Required
Before each renewal; hours not stated in our source
Overview
Do you need an Oklahoma electrical contractor license?
Yes. Oklahoma requires a license for anyone who works for compensation in any electrical activity. To run the business side, you need an Electrical Contractor license, and every electrical contractor must be an owner, partner or officer in the electrical firm.
License required when
- You do any electrical work for compensation in Oklahoma
- You lay out, install, maintain, repair or replace electrical wiring, conduit, fixtures or equipment as a contractor
- You wire one- and two-family dwellings as a business (Residential class)
- You’re an owner, partner or officer in an electrical firm
Common exceptions
- Journeymen and apprentices working for a licensed contractor hold their own licenses instead of a contractor license
- Other exemptions aren’t listed in our source, so check the Electrical License Act or ask the CIB
Penalties for unlicensed work
The CIB can fine violations under its fine schedules in OAC 158, Chapter 10. Our source doesn’t list specific amounts, so check the schedule before you take on work.
Your fast-track Oklahoma electrical contractor license checklist
The Oklahoma application, one page
- Owner, partner or officer in the electrical firm
- Verifiable experience hours from licensed electrical contractors
- Board-approved application
- Passing scores on your trade exam and Business & Law
- $5,000 security bond
- $50,000 general liability and workers’ comp certificates
Types
Oklahoma electrical contractor license types and classifications
Oklahoma has three electrical contractor classes. All of them require you to be an owner, partner or officer in the electrical firm.
UNL
Most common
Unlimited Electrical Contractor
Lay out, install, maintain, repair or replace all or part of any electrical wiring, conduit, apparatus, fixtures, appliances or equipment.
Exam
Unlimited + B&L
Limit
No class limit
RES
Homes only
Residential Electrical Contractor
Limited to wiring one- and two-family dwellings as defined in the National Electrical Code.
Exam
Residential + B&L
Limit
1–2 family homes
LTD
No employees
Limited Electrical Contractor
Must be an owner, partner or officer in the firm, and can’t engage apprentice or journeyman electricians.
Exam
Limited + B&L
Limit
No apprentices or journeymen
Requirements
Oklahoma electrical contractor license requirements, class by class
The bond and insurance are the same for every applicant. Our source lists three experience routes but doesn’t tie each one to a specific class, so confirm which route fits your class with the CIB.
| Requirement | 12,000-hour route | 8,000-hour route | Degree or 16,000-hour route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total experience | 12,000 verifiable hours with a licensed electrical contractor | 8,000 verifiable hours with an electrical contractor | EE degree + 8,000 hrs, or 16,000 hrs in the trade |
| Journeyman or apprentice time | 4,000 hrs over 2 years as a licensed Unlimited Journeyman | 4,000 hrs as journeyman or apprentice, or 3,000 apprentice + 1,000 education | Not stated |
| Commercial / industrial | 6,000 hrs | Not stated | Commercial / industrial field work, estimating or project management |
| Education credit | Up to 2,000 hrs | Up to 1,000 hrs (apprentice option) | Degree option |
| Security bond | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| General liability | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Workers’ comp | Required | Required | Required |
Steps
How to get your Oklahoma electrical contractor license, step by step
- Choose your classBefore you start
Decide between Unlimited, Residential and Limited. Remember that every contractor must be an owner, partner or officer in the firm. - Document your hoursBefore you apply
Gather verifiable proof of your experience with licensed electrical contractors, plus any formal electrical education you’re counting. - Submit your applicationBefore the exam
Apply to the CIB with your verified education and experience. Board approval is required before you can test. - Pass your trade and Business & Law examsExam day
Once approved, the state contacts you with an exam date and time. Test centers are in larger cities around Oklahoma. - Get your bond and insuranceBefore you’re licensed
Line up a $5,000 security bond, $50,000 in general liability and workers’ comp coverage. - Apply for your licenseFinal step
Complete your license application through the CIB once you’ve passed both exams.
Exam
What to expect on the Oklahoma electrical contractor exam
Every electrical contractor takes two exams: a trade exam for their class and Business & Law. The trade exam is open book, and your references can be tabbed and highlighted.
Format
Open book
Questions
100 or 80 + 50
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Unlimited / Limited: 100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass
- Residential: 80 questions, 210 minutes
- Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes
- Trade topics: services and feeders, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, raceways, special occupancies, low voltage and safety
- Print the CIB’s electrical rules and statutes to bring to the exam
Retake policy
- Waiting period between attempts: 30 days
- Retake fee: $92 per exam portion
- The state contacts you to schedule after your application is approved
- Passing score for Residential and Business & Law: Not stated
Exam references · Open book
The Oklahoma Electrical Contractor trade exam is open book, and your references can be tabbed and highlighted. The list also covers the Business and Law exam, including state rules and laws you print out and bring with you.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) — trade exam | 2023 | Allowed in exam |
| Ugly’s Electrical References — trade exam | 2023 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 1926 Construction Industry Regulations — trade exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic Edition — Business and Law exam | Basic Edition | Not stated |
| Oklahoma Electrical Industry Regulations (OAC Title 158, Chapter 40) — Business and Law exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Fine Schedules (OAC Title 158, Chapter 10) — Business and Law exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Oklahoma Electrical License Act (Title 59, Chapter 40A) — Business and Law exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Oklahoma Lien Law (Title 42, Chapter 3) — Business and Law exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Oklahoma electrical contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does an Oklahoma electrical contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $30 |
| Initial license fee | Fixed | $300 |
| Trade exam | Fixed | $92 |
| Business & Law exam | Fixed | $92 |
| $5,000 security bond | Variable | Varies |
| $50,000 general liability | Variable | Varies |
| Workers’ comp insurance | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes bond, insurance and workers’ comp | $514 |
Fees from the CIB electrical rules (OAC 158:40-9-3) and the PSI candidate bulletin, checked October 2026. SB 1732 raises license and renewal fees starting July 1, 2028.
Reciprocity
Does Oklahoma accept out-of-state electrical contractor licenses?
Oklahoma has reciprocity agreements with 10 states. The exact terms aren’t in our source, so confirm what’s waived with the CIB before you apply.
Alaska — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Arkansas — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Colorado — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Idaho — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Iowa — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Montana — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Nebraska — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
South Dakota — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Texas — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Wyoming — reciprocity agreement
Terms not stated in our source. Ask the CIB which exams or requirements are waived.
Local
Do Oklahoma cities and counties have their own electrical contractor licensing rules?
Electrical licenses are issued statewide by the CIB. Cities and counties still handle permits and inspections for each job.
State handles
- Electrical contractor, journeyman and apprentice licenses
- Exams and application approval
- Bond and insurance requirements
- Fines under OAC 158, Chapter 10
City & county handle
- Electrical permits
- Inspections
- Any local registration rules
Governance
Who regulates electrical contractors in Oklahoma
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews electrical contractor licenses
- Approves applications and schedules exams
- Enforces the Electrical License Act and Title 158, Chapter 40 rules
- Fines violations under its published fine schedules
Maintenance
How to renew your Oklahoma electrical contractor license and keep it active
Contractor licenses renew every year for $200, rising to $300 once you’re more than 30 days past expiration. Oklahoma also requires continuing education before each renewal, so confirm the CE hours with the CIB.
Renewal cycle
Annual
CE hours
Required (hours not stated)
Renewal fee
$200
Late penalty
$300 total if renewed 30+ days late
Renewing your license?
See the Oklahoma CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Oklahoma electrical contractor license FAQs
What’s the difference between Unlimited, Residential and Limited?
Unlimited covers all electrical work. Residential is limited to one- and two-family dwellings. Limited contractors can’t engage apprentices or journeymen.
How many hours of experience do I need?
The main route is 12,000 verifiable hours with a licensed electrical contractor, including 4,000 as a licensed Unlimited Journeyman and 6,000 in commercial or industrial work. Other routes use 8,000 hours, an electrical engineering degree plus 8,000 hours, or 16,000 hours in the trade.
What exams do I take?
A trade exam for your class plus Business & Law. Unlimited and Limited are 100 questions in 240 minutes, Residential is 80 questions in 210 minutes, and Business & Law is 50 questions in 120 minutes.
Is the Oklahoma electrical contractor exam open book?
Yes. Your references can be tabbed and highlighted. You need 70% to pass the Unlimited and Limited exam.
What bond and insurance do I need?
A $5,000 security bond, $50,000 in general liability insurance and workers’ comp coverage.
Does Oklahoma have electrical reciprocity?
Yes, with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Confirm what’s waived with the CIB.
Do I need to own the company?
Yes. Every electrical contractor in Oklahoma must be an owner, partner or officer in the electrical firm.
Sources
Official sources for the Oklahoma electrical contractor license
- Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
- Electrical License Act, Title 59, Chapter 40A (PDF)
- Oklahoma Electrical Industry Regulations, Title 158, Chapter 40 (PDF)
- CIB fine schedules, OAC 158, Chapter 10 (PDF)
- Oklahoma Lien Law, Title 42, Chapter 3 (PDF)
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, Oklahoma Contractors Licensure (PDF)
- CIB Chapter 40 Rule Impact Statement, fee changes under SB 1732 (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.