Electrician License Cost Rankings

All states ranked by total initial licensing cost for electricians. Find the cheapest and most expensive states to get licensed.

Electrician licensing fees differ significantly across the country. Some states keep costs low to attract skilled workers, while others charge premium fees that reflect the rigorous oversight of electrical work. The totals below include application, license, and exam fees — but remember that apprenticeship costs, tool investments, and ongoing continuing education add to your overall career investment.

Cheapest State

Mississippi

$255 total

Most Expensive

Hawaii

$490 total

National Average

$322

45 states require license

State-by-State Electrician License Costs

Rank	State	Application	License	Exam	Total Cost
1	Mississippi	$60	$115	$80	$255
2	Arkansas	$60	$120	$80	$260
3	West Virginia	$60	$120	$80	$260
4	Alabama	$60	$125	$80	$265
5	Oklahoma	$60	$125	$80	$265
6	Kentucky	$60	$125	$85	$270
7	Iowa	$65	$130	$85	$280
8	Louisiana	$65	$130	$85	$280
9	Missouri	$65	$130	$85	$280
10	Nebraska	$65	$130	$85	$280
11	South Dakota	$65	$130	$85	$280
12	Tennessee	$65	$130	$85	$280
13	Idaho	$65	$130	$90	$285
14	New Mexico	$65	$130	$90	$285
15	Ohio	$65	$130	$90	$285
16	South Carolina	$65	$130	$90	$285
17	Georgia	$70	$135	$90	$295
18	Michigan	$70	$135	$90	$295
19	North Dakota	$70	$135	$90	$295
20	Wisconsin	$70	$135	$90	$295
21	Wyoming	$70	$135	$90	$295
22	Montana	$70	$140	$90	$300
23	North Carolina	$70	$140	$90	$300
24	Texas	$70	$140	$90	$300
25	Arizona	$70	$145	$95	$310
26	Utah	$70	$145	$95	$310
27	Florida	$75	$150	$100	$325
28	Minnesota	$75	$150	$100	$325
29	Maine	$75	$155	$100	$330
30	Delaware	$80	$160	$105	$345
31	Nevada	$80	$160	$105	$345
32	Vermont	$80	$160	$105	$345
33	Virginia	$80	$160	$105	$345
34	Rhode Island	$80	$160	$110	$350
35	Colorado	$85	$165	$110	$360
36	New Hampshire	$85	$165	$110	$360
37	Oregon	$85	$165	$110	$360
38	Maryland	$85	$175	$115	$375
39	Washington	$85	$175	$115	$375
40	Connecticut	$90	$180	$120	$390
41	Alaska	$95	$190	$125	$410
42	New Jersey	$95	$190	$125	$410
43	Massachusetts	$100	$195	$130	$425
44	California	$105	$210	$140	$455
45	Hawaii	$115	$225	$150	$490

What Affects Electrician License Costs?

Electrician licensing is nearly universal because of the safety risks involved in electrical work. States that use the National Electrical Code (NEC) as their exam basis tend to have more standardized fee structures. Journeyman and master electrician licenses often have different fee tiers, and the costs shown here reflect the primary license level required to work independently.

Key Takeaways

The cheapest state is Mississippi at $255, while the most expensive is Hawaii at $490.
The national average is $322 and the median cost is $300.
These costs are initial licensing fees only — budget separately for surety bonds, insurance, and continuing education.

Costs shown are estimated initial licensing costs only. Actual fees may vary. Renewal fees, insurance, and bond costs are not included. Data last verified January 2026.