Electrical Licensing Boards - California

California Statewide NEC Adoption
2020 NEC effective January 1, 2023, with some CA amendments.

State Licensing Board Contact Information

Board	Department of Industrial Relations Electrician Certification Program 1515 Clay St. Suite 1902 Oakland, CA 94612
Board Link	California Board Website
Board Phone	(510) 286-3900
Board Fax	(510) 286-3917
Board Email	ECUINFO@dir.ca.gov
Board 2	Contractors State License Board (CSLB) 9821 Business Park Drive Sacramento, CA 95827
Board 2 Phone	(510) 286-3900
Board 2 Fax	(415) 703-5243
Board 2 Email	ECUinfo@dir.ca.gov
Board 2 Link Text	Contractors Board
Board 2 Link	http://www.cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Licensing_Classifications/C-10_-_Electrical.aspx

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License Requirements

All electricians who make connections of greater than 100 volt amps who work for C-10 Contractors successful completion of an approved apprenticeship program in the classification for which certification is sought; or on-the-job experience, as follows: General...

Application Form

Form; FAQs

Reciprocity

For Electricians, your electrician's license acquired from other states will make you eligible to sit for the test.

Exam Testing Company

After you have registered with the Electrician Certification Unit, you may schedule your exam: PSI 800-733-9267.

Testing NEC Edition

2020 effective 5/15/2024

Exam Details

General Electrician: 4-1/2 hours; 100 questions

Candidate Booklet

Candidate Booklet: DAS Test Information

Recommended Study Resources

Journeyman Exam Preparation Programs

Renewal

Triennial; must have worked at least 2,000 hours.

License Requirements

Electrical Contractor C-10: Anyone performing construction work in California that totals $500 dollars or more in labor and materials must be licensed by CSLB. Board approval before sitting for an exam; 4 years experience to...

Application Form

License Application:

Reciprocity

Arizona, Nevada and Utah. The contractor must have held an active license in good standing in one of the reciprocal states for the previous five years

Exam Testing Company

California Contractors State License Board by calling 1-800-321-2752

Exam Details

There are two parts to the examination process. All qualifying individuals must pass the standard Law and Business examination; in addition, individuals must pass a second test covering the specific trade or certification are for which they are applying.

Candidate Booklet

Law & Business; Trade Exam

Recommended Study Resources

Exam Preparation Programs

Renewal

Biennial; active licenses expire every two years. No CE requirements.

Please note that the content provided on these pages is for your information and convenience and may have been modified by the state since it was last updated here. It is the ultimate responsibility of each licensee to verify that they are meeting the requirements of their state for licensing and renewal, and for the edition of the NEC on which their test is based.

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ELECTRICAL EXAM PREP FAQs

Common electrical exam preparation questions answered.

What our California customers are saying...

Thank you for the dedication, and guidance throughout the online teaching. Your insights and encouragement have made a significant impact on my learning for helping me pass my C-10 exam in Anaheim California. I gained a great deal of knowledge in developing my skills throughout the books and videos... Read more

Thank you for the dedication, and guidance throughout the online teaching. Your insights and encouragement have made a significant impact on my learning for helping me pass my C-10 exam in Anaheim California. I gained a great deal of knowledge in developing my skills throughout the books and videos.
Best regards,
Bassem Elcheikh Read less

Thanks to Mike Holt and all of you for helping me reach my goal of California Commercial Electrical Inspector through ICC. I couldn't have done it without your materials.
Ed M.

Hello,I'm THRILLED to say that I just passed my CA Residential Electrician Exam on the first try after using Mike Holt's Electrical Exam Preparation textbook, Based on the 2017 NEC (we're still testing using the 2014 Codebook...I bought the wrong one, but it was helpful to have this one also as I'm ... Read more

Hello,I'm THRILLED to say that I just passed my CA Residential Electrician Exam on the first try after using Mike Holt's Electrical Exam Preparation textbook, Based on the 2017 NEC (we're still testing using the 2014 Codebook...I bought the wrong one, but it was helpful to have this one also as I'm more aware of coming changes). I WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED had I not used your book. The presentation of information, REPETITION of information and going through (almost) the entire book and questions helped me be prepared, LESS STRESSED for the test so I could get through it in the given time, understand/flesh out concepts I hadn't quite gotten through classes and most importantly understand the codebook and how to find information in it in ways I didn't get from class. I really got a better overall view of the codebook and how the various parts of electrical (that I don't use on a daily basis) work together.

So again, thank you, thank you, thank you and keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
One Happy Electrician! Read less

Mike Holt's videos are top notch in all topics. I took the Journeyman test in California because I let my card expire. I passed the new 2014 test, which is the hardest test yet, after watching Mike Holt videos on box fill, conduit fill, roof top temperature adjustments, grounding and bonding, fire a... Read more

Mike Holt's videos are top notch in all topics. I took the Journeyman test in California because I let my card expire. I passed the new 2014 test, which is the hardest test yet, after watching Mike Holt videos on box fill, conduit fill, roof top temperature adjustments, grounding and bonding, fire alarm, fire pumps, motors, and motors in groups. Iâ€™m glad you are here in this industry. We are lucky to have you. Thank you Mike Holt.
Doug Reed Read less

I passed my California state certification test yesterday. I wanted to say thank you. I know your study guide was a big contributing factor for that. Overall, it is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone. I will probably buy another program from you. Thank you guys for all your help!! M... Read more

I passed my California state certification test yesterday. I wanted to say thank you. I know your study guide was a big contributing factor for that. Overall, it is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone. I will probably buy another program from you. Thank you guys for all your help!!
Mario Parra Read less

I wanted to extend a big thank you for all your teachings. Yesterday I passed California's C-10 (licensed electrician) exam. I used your complete video set and instruction books along with the Code book for my studies. I really enjoyed the atmosphere that surrounds your video lessons. The panel is... Read more

I wanted to extend a big thank you for all your teachings. Yesterday I passed California's C-10 (licensed electrician) exam. I used your complete video set and instruction books along with the Code book for my studies. I really enjoyed the atmosphere that surrounds your video lessons. The panel is great and it's fun to follow along. The books are very clear and helpful for remembering critical points to comprehend.
Thank you.Sincerely, Kyle S. Miller Read less

Thanks to your video series I passed my California general electrician exam. Thank you!
Shawn Burris

I have used Mike Holt's products over the years and they helped me dramatically over others I have used. I recently used his products to pass three Journeyman tests, Washington, Arkansas, and California. They were very helpful with these three tests, I made 86, 94, & 93. You cannot go wrong. Take yo... Read more

I have used Mike Holt's products over the years and they helped me dramatically over others I have used. I recently used his products to pass three Journeyman tests, Washington, Arkansas, and California. They were very helpful with these three tests, I made 86, 94, & 93. You cannot go wrong. Take your time, work the problems, and you'll finish the exam with at least 45 minutes to spare! The graphics help you to understand the written descriptions very well, plus these help you in your every day work as well. You will be surprised at how many Journeyman have misunderstood the NEC. The items that Mike sells clear it all up, I highly recommend his products and CEU, especially for multiple licenses. They save you a lot of money and make it convenient for you to do them in a small timeframe. They do not consist of any of the same material twice. The BEST DEAL on CEU's, email them for quote today!
Curtis Parr Read less

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Testimonials

Thank you for the dedication, and guidance throughout the online teaching. Your insights and encouragement have made a significant impact on my learning for helping me pass my C-10 exam in Anaheim California. I gained a great deal of knowledge in developing my skills throughout the books and videos. Best regards, Bassem Elcheikh

Thanks to Mike Holt and all of you for helping me reach my goal of California Commercial Electrical Inspector through ICC. I couldn't have done it without your materials. Ed M.

Hello,I'm THRILLED to say that I just passed my CA Residential Electrician Exam on the first try after using Mike Holt's Electrical Exam Preparation textbook, Based on the 2017 NEC (we're still testing using the 2014 Codebook...I bought the wrong one, but it was helpful to have this one also as I'm more aware of coming changes). I WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED had I not used your book. The presentation of information, REPETITION of information and going through (almost) the entire book and questions helped me be prepared, LESS STRESSED for the test so I could get through it in the given time, understand/flesh out concepts I hadn't quite gotten through classes and most importantly understand the codebook and how to find information in it in ways I didn't get from class. I really got a better overall view of the codebook and how the various parts of electrical (that I don't use on a daily basis) work together. So again, thank you, thank you, thank you and keep up the good work. Sincerely, One Happy Electrician!

Mike Holt's videos are top notch in all topics. I took the Journeyman test in California because I let my card expire. I passed the new 2014 test, which is the hardest test yet, after watching Mike Holt videos on box fill, conduit fill, roof top temperature adjustments, grounding and bonding, fire alarm, fire pumps, motors, and motors in groups. Iâ€™m glad you are here in this industry. We are lucky to have you. Thank you Mike Holt. Doug Reed

I passed my California state certification test yesterday. I wanted to say thank you. I know your study guide was a big contributing factor for that. Overall, it is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone. I will probably buy another program from you. Thank you guys for all your help!! Mario Parra

I wanted to extend a big thank you for all your teachings. Yesterday I passed California's C-10 (licensed electrician) exam. I used your complete video set and instruction books along with the Code book for my studies. I really enjoyed the atmosphere that surrounds your video lessons. The panel is great and it's fun to follow along. The books are very clear and helpful for remembering critical points to comprehend. Thank you.Sincerely, Kyle S. Miller

Thanks to your video series I passed my California general electrician exam. Thank you! Shawn Burris

I have used Mike Holt's products over the years and they helped me dramatically over others I have used. I recently used his products to pass three Journeyman tests, Washington, Arkansas, and California. They were very helpful with these three tests, I made 86, 94, & 93. You cannot go wrong. Take your time, work the problems, and you'll finish the exam with at least 45 minutes to spare! The graphics help you to understand the written descriptions very well, plus these help you in your every day work as well. You will be surprised at how many Journeyman have misunderstood the NEC. The items that Mike sells clear it all up, I highly recommend his products and CEU, especially for multiple licenses. They save you a lot of money and make it convenient for you to do them in a small timeframe. They do not consist of any of the same material twice. The BEST DEAL on CEU's, email them for quote today! Curtis Parr

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