Electrical Journeyperson (E-2) and Unlimited Electrical Contractor (E-1) Licenses (Connecticut)
Connecticut electricians usually start as registered apprentices, then earn the E-2 unlimited journeyperson license, which allows all electrical work while employed by a licensed contractor. After two years as a journeyperson, they can test for the E-1 unlimited contractor license, which allows them to run their own electrical business. Every applicant must pass a state exam given by PSI.
Regulator: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional Licensing · Last verified: October 18, 2026
Who can apply
- E-2 journeyperson: complete a registered apprenticeship program (CT Department of Labor) or at least four years of equivalent experience and training; the DCP trades table lists 8,000 on the job training hours and 576 related instruction hours; the equivalent experience route requires 8,000 OJT hours and 720 classroom hours
- E-1 contractor: hold a CT journeyperson license for a total of two years, or at least six years of equivalent experience and training
- Only individuals may apply; Connecticut has no reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions for electrical licenses
Exam
- Exam
- PSI Connecticut Electrical Trade Exams (E-1, E-2) and Business and Law exam
- Format
- Open book, multiple choice. E-1: 100 questions, 4 hours, 70% to pass. E-2: 80 questions, 3.5 hours, 70% to pass. Business and Law (required for all contractor licenses): 50 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass.
- Questions
- Data unavailable
- Time
- E-1 4 hours; E-2 3.5 hours; Business and Law 2 hours
PSI candidate bulletin updated Feb. 4, 2026.
Official fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyperson (E-2) application fee | $90 | Nonrefundable | Official page |
| Contractor (E-1) application fee | $150 | Nonrefundable | Official page |
| PSI exam fee, per exam portion | $59 | Paid to PSI; not refundable or transferable | Official page |
| Journeyperson renewal fee | $120 | Annual | Official page |
| Contractor renewal fee | $150 | Annual | Official page |
Only fees published by the issuer or regulator are listed. Blank amounts mean no official figure was available to verify.
Renewal and continuing education
- Cycle
- Annual; all electrical licenses expire September 30
- Requirement
- 4 continuing education credit hours per year, completed by June 30; no CE is required before the first renewal
State rules
Connecticut offers no reciprocity for electrical licenses; out of state licensees apply through an equivalent out of state license path.
Related careers
| Occupation | National median wage |
|---|---|
| Electricians | $63,190 |
Sources
- CT DCP Electrical License, accessed October 18, 2026
- CT DCP Electrical License Types and Scope of Work, accessed October 18, 2026
- CT DCP Electrical Journeyperson: Equivalent Experience and Training, accessed October 18, 2026
- CT DCP Electrical Contractor: Journeyperson, accessed October 18, 2026
- CT DCP Careers in the Trades License Types, accessed October 18, 2026
- CT DCP Electrician Continuing Education, accessed October 18, 2026
- PSI Candidate Bulletin: CT DCP Electrical Trades, accessed October 18, 2026
Verification notes
questions is null at the item level because E-1 and E-2 differ (100 and 80). DCP pages give two different related instruction figures for E-2 (576 hours on the trades table vs 720 classroom hours for the equivalent experience route); both are reported by route. Apprenticeship length in years is not stated by DCP. No separate initial license issuance fee is listed beyond the application fee.
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