Alabama electrical license renewal is due every year, and electrical contractors also need 14 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years. CE means approved classes you take to keep your license. The Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors says 2027 is a CE year, so finish your 14 hours before your 2027 online renewal. Journeymen, licensed electricians who work under a contractor, renew every year with no CE rule.
| Quick facts | Alabama electrician CE |
|---|---|
| Hours | 14 every 2 years for electrical and provisional contractors, set by Ala. Code §34-36-8 |
| Renewal | Every year, before the last day of the quarter your license was issued |
| CE deadline | 2027 is a CE year. Proof is due before the quarter your license expires. |
| Required topics | No set hours for code updates, safety or state law. Any Board-approved course counts. |
| Online allowed | Yes. The rule sets no classroom minimum. |
| Reporting | The course provider reports your hours. Since May 1, 2026, the Board no longer takes certificates from contractors. |
| JCR approval | Approved CE provider #54 on the Board's provider list |
How many CE hours does Alabama electrical license renewal need?
Contractors need 14 hours each 2-year cycle. The CE rule (Chapter 303-X-4) adds these details:
- One hour is at least 50 minutes of class.
- Hours count in 2-hour blocks, and each course runs at least 2 hours.
- No repeats. Taking the same course twice in one cycle earns credit once.
- Rollover: certified contractors may roll over up to 7 hours.
- First year off: you don't need CE for the first renewal year after the year you were first licensed.
Need Alabama CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states, including Alabama for the 8-hour class in person or virtual.
Add Alabama State Reporting ($25) so your hours go to the Board.
How do you renew an Alabama electrical license?
- Check your quarter. Licenses expire every year and must be renewed before the last day of the quarter they were first issued.
- In a CE year, finish 14 hours early. Your provider must report them before the quarter your license expires.
- Renew online and pay the renewal fee: $150 for a contractor, $35 for a journeyman.
Miss the date and your license is expired at 11:59 p.m. that day. A contractor can reinstate within 5 years by paying a reinstatement fee and all past renewal fees, and by finishing the missed CE, which can reach 35 hours. After 5 years you must pass the exam again.
What counts as Alabama electrical continuing education?
The course and its provider must both be Board-approved. Approved courses cover one or more of these subjects:
- Technology, procedures and industry applications
- Specialty areas of electrical contracting
- Wiring techniques, system controls and safety
- Running, managing and supervising an electrical business
- Electrical practice and education
Alabama sets no minimum for National Electrical Code (NEC) update hours, the classes on what changed in the newest code edition. The Board may also approve other training if you request it ahead of time.
Can you take Alabama electrical CE online?
Yes. The rule doesn't cap online or virtual hours. The course just has to be approved. JCR's Alabama approvals include its 8-hour class in person or virtual and its 8-hour online course.
Alabama electrician CE questions
Do Alabama journeyman electricians need continuing education?
No. The 14-hour rule applies to electrical contractors and provisional contractors. Journeymen still renew every year for $35.
When are Alabama electrical CE hours due?
Every other year. The Board says 2027 is a CE year, so contractors need 14 hours reported before their 2027 renewal.
Can I send my CE certificate to the Alabama board myself?
Not for hours taken after May 1, 2026. Approved providers now report all CE through the Board's provider portal.
Do new Alabama contractors need CE at their first renewal?
No. CE isn't required for the first renewal year after the year you got your first license.
Alabama CE from JCR
JCR is Board-approved CE provider #54. JCR's Alabama page lists these approved courses:
- Full-day CE class: 8 hours, in person or virtual
- Morning CE session: 4 hours, in person or virtual
- Online course: 8 hours or 4 hours
Sign JCR's Alabama roster at class and give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
Sources
- Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors
- Ala. Admin. Code 303-X-4, CE rule
- Ala. Admin. Code 303-X-3, licensing and fees
- Code of Alabama §34-36-1 and following
- AECB: 2027 Continuing Education notice
- AECB approved CE providers
- AECB online renewals
Last checked October 21, 2026, against the Board's CE rule, licensing rule, statute, 2027 CE notice and provider list above.