NEC 2020

North Carolina Electrician Licensing

North Carolina 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 NC · NEC

License tiers

Max CE / cycle

8 hrs

Renewal cycle

1 yr

Bond

Some tiers

Source: NCBEEC · 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 North Carolina electrician license tiers

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

Electrical Contractor - Unlimited

contractor

For running your own business (contractor license)

CE: 8 hr/1yr
Fee: $200
Bond: Req.

Full requirements

Electrical Contractor - Limited

contractor

For running your own business (contractor license)

CE: 8 hr/1yr
Fee: $100
Bond: None ✓

Full requirements

Getting started

How to become an electrician in North Carolina →

Moving states

Electrician license reciprocity →

Pay

Electrician salary in North Carolina →

CE courses in North Carolina

Electrician continuing-education providers offering courses for North Carolina 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 NC

RedVector (Vector Solutions)

Broad catalog across all four trades

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All Star Training

State-approved trades CE with real per-trade coverage

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At Your Pace Online

Multi-trade CE with real coverage in many states

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JadeLearning

Live webinars, higher completion rates

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Mike Holt Enterprises

The trusted brand in electrical CE

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Need a North Carolina contractor bond?

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

Get a bond quote →

Other trades licensed in North Carolina

Plumber in North Carolina HVAC Contractor in North Carolina General Contractor in North Carolina

North Carolina electrician licensing FAQ

How many electrician license types does North Carolina issue?

North Carolina issues 2 electrician license types: Electrical Contractor - Unlimited, Electrical Contractor - Limited.

Does North Carolina require continuing education for electricians?

Yes, at least one electrician tier in North Carolina requires continuing education, up to 8 hours per renewal cycle. The exact requirement varies by license tier; see each license page.

Do North Carolina electrician licenses require a bond?

At least one electrician license tier in North Carolina 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 North Carolina enforce?

North Carolina currently enforces the 2020 NEC for electrician work.

Official source

NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Official board site

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

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