Most states that license electricians require electrical continuing education (CE) to renew a license. CE is approved class time you finish before each renewal. The hours, the cycle and the required topics, such as updates to the National Electrical Code (NEC), vary by state.
Electrical continuing education at a glance
| Quick facts | Across these 21 states |
|---|---|
| Hours | From 2 a year to 34 every 3 years, depending on your state and license |
| How often | Every 1 to 4 years, tied to your license renewal |
| Common topics | NEC hours are the most common rule. Some states add safety or state law hours, and some set no topics. |
| Online | Usually counts if the course is approved. Some states cap online hours at half your total. |
| Who reports | Often the provider. In some states you keep your certificates in case of an audit. |
Need CE hours? JCR's CE class is $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom. A bonus 8-hour online video course comes with it. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states.
Electrical CE requirements by state
Each row links to a full guide with exemptions, fees and late rules.
| State guide | CE hours | Cycle | Required topics | Online | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama electrician CE requirements | 14 for contractors. None for journeymen. | Every 2 years. 2027 is a CE year. | None set | Yes, no classroom minimum | Before your 2027 renewal |
| Alaska electrician CE requirements | Administrators: 8 (one workshop). Journeymen: 16. | Every 2 years | Journeymen: 8 on NEC changes. Administrators: the NEC for most categories. | Approved correspondence or individual study counts | Administrators: Dec. 31, 2027. Journeymen: the date on your card. |
| Colorado electrician CE requirements | 24 | Every 3 years | At least 4 on NEC changes. No more than 4 safety hours count. | Yes, if interactive | Sept. 30 every 3 years. 2026 renewals run through Nov. 30, 2026. |
| Delaware electrician CE requirements | Master and limited: 10. Journeyperson, residential, apprentice: 5. | Every 2 years | Master and limited: 5 related to the NEC, from the 2nd renewal. Others: all 5 on the NEC. | No online limit. The course must be approved. | June 30 of even years. Next: June 30, 2028. |
| Florida electrician CE requirements | Electrical contractors: 11. Alarm and specialty: 7. | Every 2 years | 1 hour each of workers' comp, workplace safety, business practices, Florida laws and rules, and a Building Code module | Yes, approved online courses. Home study: up to 4 hours. | Aug. 31 of even years. Next: Aug. 31, 2028. |
| Georgia electrician CE requirements | 4 a year (8 per license) | 2-year license | None set | The rule doesn't address it | June 30 of even years |
|
Kansas electrician CE requirements JCR: check the county's approved list |
State minimum: 12 every 2 years, or 6 a year | Set by your city or county | At least half on code | Johnson County: no self-paced. Live online with camera on. | Set by your city or county |
|
Kentucky electrician CE requirements JCR: Master Electrician (ME) licenses only |
ME, EE, and CE: 6 per year; 12 per biennial renewal cycle. CE contractor hours are separate. | Renew every 2 years | Safety: no more than 2 hours per 12 months | Yes, if HBC-approved | Last day of your birth month |
|
Louisiana electrician CE requirements JCR: check the board's approved list |
Residential contractors: 6 a year. Electrical contractors: none. | Every year | None set | Yes, if provider and course are approved | Your license's expiration date |
| Maryland electrician CE requirements | Master: 10. Journeyperson: 5. | Every 2 years | Courses must cover the NEC or an electrical NFPA code | Masters: at least 5 in a classroom. Journeypersons: no minimum. | In the 24 months before you renew |
|
Mississippi electrician CE requirements JCR: check the board's approved list |
2 a year (residential licenses) | Every 12 months | None set | Yes, if board-approved | Before each yearly renewal |
| Montana electrician CE requirements | 16 | Every 2 years | At least 8 on NEC updates | No classroom minimum | July 15 of even years. Next: July 15, 2028. |
| Nebraska electrician CE requirements | 12 (6 if licensed for 1 year of the cycle) | Every 2 years | At least 6 on the NEC | Classroom in an approved course. JCR's approvals include live virtual classes. | Dec. 31 of even years. Next: Dec. 31, 2026. |
| New Jersey electrician CE requirements | Contractors: 34. Journeymen and wiremen: 15. | Every 3 years | Contractors: a 10-hour in-person NEC and state law course. Others: all 15 on the newest NEC. | Contractors: up to 8 recorded hours. Live webinars: no cap. | Contractors: March 31. Next: March 31, 2027. |
|
New Mexico electrician CE requirements JCR: check the CID's approved list |
16 | Every 3 years | At least 8 on code changes | Yes, approved online courses | Your certificate's expiration date |
| NC electrician CE requirements | 8 (4 for most special restricted licenses) | Every year | Any approved topic | Up to half. JCR's live Zoom classes count as NC classroom credit. | 30 days before your license expires |
| Ohio electrician CE requirements | 10 a year (8 in the compliant contractor program) | Every year | At least 5 on the electrical code | Up to half your hours | Your license's expiration date |
| Pennsylvania electrician CE requirements | Set locally. Philadelphia: 8 a year. | Philadelphia: every year | Philadelphia: all 8 on NFPA 70 (the NEC) | Philadelphia's page doesn't say | Set by your city or town |
| Texas electrician CE requirements | 4 | Every year | NEC, Texas law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety | Yes, classroom, internet or webinar | Before your license expires |
| Virginia electrician CE requirements | 3 | Every 3 years | All 3 on the current NEC | Yes, if the provider is approved for online | Before your license expires |
| Wisconsin electrician CE requirements | Master and journeyman: 24. Residential and industrial: 18. | Every 4 years | None set | No format limit if DSPS-approved | June 30 of the year your license ends |
Online limits differ a lot. See online electrical CE by state for the details.
How JCR CE works
- Price: $230 for 8 hours, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course.
- Where: Raleigh, Asheville or Mooresville (Charlotte area), or live on Zoom from home.
- North Carolina: JCR's live Zoom classes count as NC classroom credit.
- Virginia: JCR CE classes are approved by Virginia DPOR.
- Other states: JCR CE is approved in 20+ states. Each state guide names JCR's approval and any roster or reporting step.
- Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico: the official approved lists don't show JCR right now. Check the board's approved list before you count a JCR class there.
Electrician continuing education questions
Do electricians need continuing education?
In most states that license electricians, yes. A few licenses have no CE rule, such as Alabama journeymen and Louisiana electrical contractors.
How many CE hours do electricians need?
It depends on your state and license. In these 21 states it runs from 2 hours a year in Mississippi to 34 hours every 3 years for New Jersey contractors.
Can electrician CE be online?
Usually, if the course is approved. NC and Ohio count online hours for up to half your total, and Johnson County, Kansas, takes only live online classes.
Who reports my CE hours?
In many states the provider does, as in Alabama, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. In Colorado, Delaware and New Jersey you keep your certificates in case of an audit.
Does JCR CE count in my state?
JCR CE is approved in 20+ states. Open your state's guide to see the approval. In Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico, check the approved list first.
Sources
- Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors
- Alaska electrical statutes and rules
- Colorado Electrical Board CE
- Delaware CE and audits
- Florida board FAQs
- Georgia contractor CE
- K.S.A. 12-1526
- 815 KAR 2:010 (Kentucky)
- Louisiana LSLBC CE
- COMAR 09.09.02.01 (Maryland)
- Mississippi MSBOC CE
- Montana Electrical Board CE
- Nebraska Electrical Division CE
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-1.7
- New Mexico CID CE
- NCBEEC continuing education
- Ohio Adm. Code 4101:16-2-08
- Pennsylvania L&I CE providers
- Texas TDLR electrician CE
- 18VAC50-30-120 (Virginia)
- Wisconsin DSPS
- NFPA 70 (NEC)
Last checked October 21, 2026, against each state guide above and the official sources it cites.