You can take NC electrical continuing education online, but recorded courses can cover only half your hours. NC's electrical licensing board, NCBEEC, requires 8 CE (continuing education) hours a year for Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited and SP-SFD (single-family home) licenses. At least 4 must be classroom hours, earned by attending a class. JCR's live Zoom classes count as NC classroom credit, so one class covers all 8 hours from home.
| Quick facts | NC electrical CE online |
|---|---|
| Hours a year | 8 for Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited and SP-SFD. 4 for the other special restricted licenses, each limited to one narrow type of work, like SP-FA/LV (fire alarm/low voltage) |
| Classroom hours | At least half (4 of 8, or 2 of 4), from attending an instructor-led class |
| Non-classroom hours | Up to half, from recorded or self-paced courses you finish on your own time |
| Approved courses | Only Board-approved courses count. Find them on the Board's CE Class Search |
| How credit counts | Whole 50-minute hours, only after you finish the full course |
Want all 8 hours without the drive? JCR's live Zoom CE is $230 for two 4-hour sessions.
What counts as classroom CE in NC?
- In-person class: classroom hours.
- JCR live Zoom class: classroom hours. Attend both live 4-hour sessions.
- Board's online Laws & Rules class: 4 classroom hours, with your camera on.
- Recorded or self-paced course: non-classroom hours, which the Board calls "online" or "Asynchronous (eLearning)."
Need NC CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for all 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom.
How many NC electrical CE hours can be online?
Half, on any license.
| License you're listed on | Hours a year | Classroom, at least | Recorded, at most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited, SP-SFD | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Other special restricted: fire alarm/low voltage, elevator, plumbing and heating, well pump, electric sign, swimming pool | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Courses run at least 2 hours. Extra hours carry forward in 2-hour blocks for up to two more license years, but each year still needs half classroom. More: NC electrical continuing education requirements.
NC electrical continuing education online or in person: which JCR option?
| JCR option | Price | NC credit | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person CE | $230 for 8 hours | Classroom | One day in Raleigh, Asheville or Mooresville (Charlotte area), plus a free 8-hour online video course |
| Live Zoom CE | $230 for 8 hours | Classroom | Two 4-hour live sessions from home, plus a free 8-hour online video course |
| Review and Renew 2020 NEC (self-paced video) | $50 for 4 hours, $60 for 8 | Non-classroom | Watch anytime. Counts for up to 4 of 8 yearly hours |
The Board's CE Class Search lists Review and Renew 2020 NEC as "Review and Renew the NEC."
When do your online CE hours need to be done?
By your renewal, which is due 30 days before your license expires. Hours count if earned in the prior 12 months or carried forward.
Sponsors (the schools or companies that run approved courses) have 10 days to report a course, so finish early. Then check the Board's CE Credits Search (see JCR's NC license lookup and CE hours guide).
NC electrical CE online: common questions
Can I take an NC online electrical CEU class for all 8 hours?
Not with recorded courses, which top out at 4. JCR's live Zoom classes count as NC classroom credit, so one $230 class covers all 8.
Does online electrical CEU in NC count if it's pre-recorded?
Yes, as non-classroom hours, up to half your yearly total. The course must be Board-approved.
Is there free NC electrical continuing education online?
Yes. The Board's 4-hour Laws & Rules class is free and sometimes online, for 4 classroom hours with your camera on. New qualifiers (people who just passed the exam) must take it within 12 months after, or up to 90 days before, becoming a qualified individual.
How do I find NC-approved electrical CE classes near me?
On the Board's CE Class Search, set the dates and pick In Person. Enter Your Zip Code and a Max Distance to Class, then click Search.
Do NC CE hours count if I took the class before passing my exam?
No, with one exception. The Board's free Laws & Rules class counts if taken up to 90 days before you qualify by passing the exam.
Get all 8 NC hours in one JCR class
One $230 class covers all 8 NC hours as classroom credit, in person or live on Zoom over two 4-hour sessions. NC reporting is included.
Prefer recorded lessons? Review and Renew 2020 NEC is $50 for 4 non-classroom hours. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states.
More North Carolina guides
- NC electrical license guide
- How to become an electrician in NC
- NC electrical exam
- NC electrical exam pass rate
- NC Limited vs Intermediate vs Unlimited
- NC Limited electrical license
- NC Unlimited electrical license
- NC SP-SFD license
- NC low voltage license (SP-FA/LV)
- NC statement of bonding ability
- NC electrical license reciprocity
- NC electrician CE requirements
- NC license lookup and CE hours check
Sources
- NCBEEC: Continuing Education
- 21 NCAC 18B Section .1100, CE rules
- 21 NCAC 18B .1101, NC Administrative Code text
- 21 NCAC 18B .0405, renewal due date
- G.S. 87-44.1, continuing education
- NCBEEC: Laws & Rules classes
- NCBEEC: CE Class Search
- NCBEEC: CE Credits Search
JCR checked these NC CE rules against NCBEEC's site and 21 NCAC 18B on October 20, 2026.