NEC 2020

California Electrician Licensing

California licenses electricians across 2 tiers. Compare CE hours, renewal fees and bond requirements below, then open the tier that matches you. Updated for 2026.

At a glance CA · NEC

License tiers

Max CE / cycle

32 hrs

Renewal cycle

2 yrs

Bond

Some tiers

Source: CA DIR/DLSE · compiled 2026-05-23

Informational only: not legal advice, and not affiliated with any licensing board. Confirm every figure with the official board before you act. Some links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.

Compare the 2 California electrician license tiers

CE, fees and bond rise with the tier. Open the one that matches where you are.

General Electrician Certification

journeyman

For working under a licensed contractor

CE: 32 hr/3yr
Fee: $100
Bond: None ✓

Full requirements

C-10 Electrical Contractor

contractor

For running your own business (contractor license)

CE: None ✓
Fee: $470
Bond: $25,000

Full requirements

Getting started

How to become an electrician in California →

Moving states

Electrician license reciprocity →

Pay

Electrician salary in California →

CE courses in California

Electrician continuing-education providers offering courses for California license holders. Confirm a provider is on your board’s approved list before you buy.

Affiliate disclosure: the links below are affiliate links and may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Our editor's pick is the provider with the largest approved catalog for your state; the rest are alphabetical.

Editor's pick largest approved catalog for CA

RedVector (Vector Solutions)

Broad catalog across all four trades

Online self-paced · from $19 · 250+ courses

View courses →

360training

Low-cost electrical & HVAC CE in a few states

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At Your Pace Online

Multi-trade CE with real coverage in many states

Online self-paced · from $15 View courses

JadeLearning

Live webinars, higher completion rates

Online + live webinar · from $20 View courses

Mike Holt Enterprises

The trusted brand in electrical CE

Online + textbook · from $29 View courses

Need a California contractor bond?

Some electrician tiers in California require a license bond. Compare quotes in a few minutes.

Get a bond quote →

Other trades licensed in California

Plumber in California HVAC Contractor in California General Contractor in California

California electrician licensing FAQ

How many electrician license types does California issue?

California issues 2 electrician license types: General Electrician Certification, C-10 Electrical Contractor.

Does California require continuing education for electricians?

Yes, at least one electrician tier in California requires continuing education, up to 32 hours per renewal cycle. The exact requirement varies by license tier; see each license page.

Do California electrician licenses require a bond?

At least one electrician license tier in California requires a license bond. Check the specific license page for the bond amount, then estimate the premium with our bond cost estimator.

Which NEC edition does California enforce?

California currently enforces the 2020 NEC for electrician work.

Official source

California Department of Industrial Relations - Electrician Certification Unit

Official board site

Data compiled 2026-05-23. Confirm current figures with the board.

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