Construction / Electrician License / Alaska
- Alaska
- Electrician License
- Journeyman, Residential & Administrator
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Alaska Electrician License
Alaska calls its electrician license a Certificate of Fitness. This page covers the journeyman and residential wireman certificates, plus the Electrical Administrator license, so you can see the hours, exams and steps side by side.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division requirements
Application fee
$50–$150
Certificate of Fitness $50 plus $200 certificate fee; administrator $150 plus $150 PSI exam
Exam time
4 hrs
Journeyman and residential wireman; administrator exams run 3–4 hrs
Time to get license
8,000 hrs
Journeyman experience; residential wireman needs 4,000 hrs
Continuing ed
16 hrs
Required to renew a journeyman certificate
Overview
Do you need an Alaska electrician license?
Yes, if you do electrical work covered by the National Electrical Code in Alaska. The state requires a Certificate of Fitness for that work under AS 18.60.580 and 8 AAC 70.025. Supervising electrical work for a business is a separate license, the Electrical Administrator license.
License required when
- You perform electrical work subject to the National Electrical Code
- You work as a journeyman electrician on commercial, industrial or residential jobs
- You do residential wiring only (Residential Wireman Certificate of Fitness)
- You supervise residential or commercial wiring work (Electrical Administrator license)
Common exceptions
- Our sources don’t list specific exemptions, so check with Mechanical Inspection before working without a certificate
- Linework on poles and towers and outdoor substations falls under a separate unlimited linework category, not Unlimited Commercial Wiring
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t state specific penalty amounts. Doing electrical work without the right certificate can lead to enforcement action by the state, and work done outside your certificate’s scope isn’t covered by it.
Your fast-track Alaska electrician license checklist
The Alaska application, one page
- Pick journeyman, residential wireman or Electrical Administrator
- Document your hours: 8,000 for journeyman, 4,000 for residential
- Completed and notarized Application for Certification of Fitness
- Verification of your work experience
- Approval from Mechanical Inspection before you schedule
- Passing score of 70% on your open-book exam
Types
Alaska electrician license types and classifications
Alaska splits electrical credentials in two. Certificates of Fitness, issued through the Labor Standards and Safety Division, let you do the work. Electrical Administrator licenses, issued through the Department of Commerce, cover supervising it.
JRY
Most common
Journeyman Electrician Certificate of Fitness
Electrical work subject to the National Electrical Code, on commercial, industrial and residential jobs.
Exam
Journeyman Electrician
Limit
NEC work within your certificate
RES
Residential only
Residential Wireman Certificate of Fitness
Residential electrical work within the limits of the certificate. Needs half the hours of a journeyman.
Exam
Residential Wireman
Limit
Residential work only
EA-R
Administrator
Residential Wiring Administrator
Electrical work in homes up to 3 stories and no larger than a fourplex.
Exam
Residential Wiring (75 questions)
Limit
No 3-phase services or wiring
EA-C
Administrator
Unlimited Commercial Wiring Administrator
All NEC electrical work within buildings and property lines, starting at the secondary side of the transformer, plus street lighting and traffic signals.
Exam
Unlimited Commercial Wiring (100 questions)
Limit
No poles, towers or outdoor substations
Requirements
Alaska electrician license requirements, class by class
The two Certificates of Fitness differ mainly in hours. Our sources give less detail for the Electrical Administrator license, so check those items with the Department of Commerce.
| Requirement | Journeyman | Residential Wireman | Electrical Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | 8,000 hrs, at least 6,000 commercial/industrial, up to 2,000 residential | 4,000 hrs in the trade | Not stated |
| Classroom or other credit | Up to 1,000 hrs classroom and/or 1,000 hrs power lineman | Up to 500 hrs classroom | Not stated |
| Maintenance hours | Don’t count | Don’t count | Not stated |
| Application | Notarized Application for Certification of Fitness | Notarized Application for Certification of Fitness | Department of Commerce application |
| Exam | 4 hrs, open book, 70% | 4 hrs, open book, 70% | 75 questions (residential) or 100 questions (commercial), open book |
| Schedule exam with | PSI, after approval | Mechanical Inspection | PSI, after approval |
| Continuing ed | 16 hrs to renew | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Alaska electrician license, step by step
- Choose your certificate or licenseBefore you start
Journeyman for full NEC work, Residential Wireman for homes only, or an Electrical Administrator license if you’ll supervise work. - Log your experienceBefore you apply
Journeyman needs 8,000 hours, with at least 6,000 commercial/industrial. Residential wireman needs 4,000 hours. Maintenance hours don’t count. - Submit a notarized applicationBefore you apply
Send the Application for Certification of Fitness, with verification of your work experience, to the Labor Standards and Safety Division. - Get approved to testPre-approval required
Mechanical Inspection must approve your application packet before you can schedule the exam. - Pass your examExam day
Journeyman and administrator candidates book with PSI at 855-746-8173. Residential wireman candidates schedule through Mechanical Inspection at (907) 269-4925. You need 70% to pass. - Receive your certificateAfter you pass
Once your application is approved and you’ve passed, Alaska issues your Certificate of Fitness. Journeyman holders need 16 hours of continuing education to renew.
Exam
What to expect on the Alaska electrician exam
Every Alaska electrical exam is open book, so knowing your way around the National Electrical Code matters as much as knowing the material. You can tab and highlight your permitted references.
Format
Open book
Questions
75–100 (administrator)
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Journeyman and Residential Wireman: 4 hours, 70% to pass
- Residential Wiring Administrator: 75 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass
- Unlimited Commercial Wiring Administrator: 100 questions, 240 minutes
- Topics include grounding and bonding, services and feeders, raceways, conductors, photovoltaics, alarm systems, safety and Alaska statutes
- Permitted references can be tabbed and highlighted
Retake policy
- Retake rules and waiting periods: Not stated
- Pre-approval is required before you schedule any attempt
- PSI scheduling: 855-746-8173
- Residential wireman scheduling: Mechanical Inspection, (907) 269-4925
Exam references · Open book
All Alaska electrical exams are open book, and you can tab and highlight the permitted references and bring them into the test. The Journeyman and Residential Wireman exams use the NEC only; the Residential Wiring and Unlimited Commercial Wiring Administrator exams add the references marked below.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2020 | Allowed in exam |
| NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — Electrical Administrator exams | 2019 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926: Construction Industry Regulations — Electrical Administrator exams | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Centralized Licensing Regulations — Electrical Administrator exams | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Centralized Licensing Statutes — Electrical Administrator exams | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Construction Contractor Statutes and Regulations — Electrical Administrator exams | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Alaska Electrical Administrator Statutes and Regulations — Electrical Administrator exams | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
The Alaska statutes and regulations are free state publications you can print and bring to the Administrator exams.
Prep
Best Alaska electrician exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does an Alaska electrician license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Fitness application (nonrefundable) | Fixed | $50 |
| Certificate of Fitness certificate fee (2 years, charged after testing) | Fixed | $200 |
| Electrical Administrator application (per category) | Fixed | $150 |
| Electrical Administrator PSI exam fee | Fixed | $150 |
| Electrical Administrator initial license fee | Fixed | $170 |
| NEC code book for the open-book exam | Variable | Varies |
| Notarizing your application | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Journeyman or residential wireman certificate, excluding code books and notary; an Electrical Administrator license totals $470 | $250 |
Fees from the Mechanical Inspection Certificate of Fitness application and AS 18.62.030, 12 AAC 02.210 and the PSI Electrical Administrator candidate bulletin, checked October 2026. Mechanical Inspection lists no separate exam fee for Certificates of Fitness.
Reciprocity
Does Alaska accept out-of-state electrician licenses?
Alaska lists reciprocity agreements with 12 states for electrical Certificates of Fitness. Our sources don’t say exactly what each agreement waives, so confirm with Mechanical Inspection before you apply.
Arkansas — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Colorado — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Iowa — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Minnesota — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Montana — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Nebraska — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
New Hampshire — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
New Mexico — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
North Dakota — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Oklahoma — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
South Dakota — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
Wyoming — reciprocity agreement
Listed for journeyman and residential certificates. Confirm what’s waived with Mechanical Inspection.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant, document your hours and take the exam. Reciprocity for the Electrical Administrator license isn’t stated in our sources.
Local
Do Alaska cities and counties have their own electrician licensing rules?
Your Certificate of Fitness is issued by the state. Local governments still handle the permits and inspections for each job.
State handles
- Journeyman and residential wireman Certificates of Fitness
- Electrical Administrator licenses
- Application approval before exams
- Continuing education for renewal
City & county handle
- Building and electrical permits
- Local inspections
- Any local business licensing
Governance
Who regulates electricians in Alaska
Licensing authority
Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division, Mechanical Inspection
907-269-4925
labor.alaska.gov/lss/plumbing_electrical
Electrical Administrators: commerce.alaska.gov
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues journeyman and residential wireman Certificates of Fitness
- Reviews experience verification and approves applicants to test
- Schedules the residential wireman exam
- Sets continuing education for certificate renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Alaska electrician license and keep it active
Certificates of Fitness are issued for two years. Journeyman renewals need 16 hours of continuing education and a $200 certificate fee; the $50 application fee is added if you renew more than 90 days after expiration, and after two years lapsed you must retest. Electrical Administrator licenses renew every two years for $170.
Renewal cycle
2 years
CE hours
16 (journeyman)
Renewal fee
$200 (certificate); $170 (administrator)
Late penalty
$50 application fee after 90 days (certificate)
Renewing your license?
See the Alaska CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Alaska electrician license FAQs
What is a Certificate of Fitness in Alaska?
It’s Alaska’s license for doing electrical work. The state issues it after your application is approved and you pass the exam for your certificate type.
How many hours do I need to become a journeyman electrician in Alaska?
8,000 hours of NEC work, with at least 6,000 commercial/industrial and no more than 2,000 residential. Up to 1,000 hours of classroom training and/or 1,000 hours of power lineman experience can count.
How many hours does a residential wireman need?
4,000 hours of work in the trade. Up to 500 hours of trade-related classroom training can count toward that total.
Is the Alaska electrician exam open book?
Yes. All the Alaska electrical exams are open book, and you can tab and highlight your permitted references. You need 70% to pass.
Who do I contact to schedule my exam?
Journeyman and Electrical Administrator candidates book with PSI at 855-746-8173 after approval. Residential wireman candidates schedule through Mechanical Inspection at (907) 269-4925.
Does Alaska have electrician reciprocity?
Alaska lists agreements with Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. Confirm what each one waives with Mechanical Inspection.
Is continuing education required?
Yes for journeyman certificates: 16 hours to renew. Our sources don’t state CE rules for the residential wireman certificate or the Electrical Administrator license.
Sources
Official sources for the Alaska electrician license
- Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division, Plumbing and electrical certification
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Testing information
- Alaska Department of Commerce, Electrical Administrator license applications
- Alaska Electrical Administrator Statutes and Regulations (PDF)
- Alaska Centralized Licensing Statutes (PDF)
- Alaska Centralized Licensing Regulations (PDF)
- PSI, Alaska Electrical Administrator Candidate Information Bulletin
- AS 18.60.580 and 8 AAC 70.025
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Electrical and Plumbing Certificate of Fitness Application (PDF)
- Alaska Mechanical Inspection, Certificate of Fitness Renewal Application (PDF)
- Alaska Certificate of Fitness Statutes and Regulations, AS 18.62.030 (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 Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division.