Licensing

Nebraska Electrical Licenses and Registration

Nebraska licenses electricians statewide. The journeyman-level credential is the Nebraska Journeyman Electrician License, issued by the Nebraska State Electrical Board. Its standard route requires 8,000 hours of experience; other routes can differ.

Source: Nebraska Legislature (Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2102), checked 2026-10-07 · Standard-route hours: Nebraska State Electrical Division

Page last reviewed 2026-10-05 against official sources. Confirm with the issuing authority before applying.

Licensed in another state? See reviewed routes into Nebraska.

How electrical licensing works in Nebraska

The Nebraska State Electrical Board licenses electricians and registers apprentices under the State Electrical Act (sections 81-2101 through 81-2144) and its Board Rules. The State Electrical Division handles licensing and inspection.

The system is not a required journeyman-to-master-to-contractor ladder. Worker, limited-specialty, contracting, apprentice, and renewal-only legacy authorizations each have their own scope and application rules.

Current initial routes are Apprentice Electrician registration, Residential Journeyman Electrician (Type RW), Journeyman Electrician, Fire Alarm Installer, the Irrigation and Sign Installer special electrician licenses, and Electrical Contractor.

Class A Master Electrician, Class B Electrical Contractor, Class B Journeyman Electrician, and special licenses issued before September 9, 1993 can be renewed by existing holders but are not issued to new applicants.

Credential-specific requirements

Requirements differ by credential. Expand any credential for the work or business activity you plan to perform. Issued by Nebraska State Electrical Board unless noted.

Nebraska Apprentice Electrician Registration Individual apprentice registration

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Work as an apprentice employee learning and assisting with electrical installation, alteration, and repair. Electrical wiring must be done under the direct personal on-the-job supervision and control, and in the immediate presence, of a licensee; the licensee and apprentice must work at the same project location but need not stay within sight of one another. A licensee may employ or supervise no more than three apprentices.
Experience or qualification: Register with the Board and pay the registration fee; the application must include current employer information and the United States Citizenship Attestation form. Board-approved apprentice registration can serve as evidence of experience toward a later journeyman or residential journeyman license.
Examination: No examination is required to register as an apprentice electrician. Examination eligibility applies to a later license application.
Application and license fees: $35 when the registration is issued in an even-numbered year and $70 when it is issued in an odd-numbered year. The Board's 2025-2026 fee table lists $35 for each year of the two-year registration period.
Renewal: Registrations expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. Continuing education is not mandatory for an apprentice. Under the Act, the Board assesses up to six more months of experience before examination unless the apprentice documents the required continuing-education hours; the Board's 2026 renewal notice instead says apprentices may add 3 months per cycle toward qualifying for an examination. An expired registration requires a new registration application, with no exam.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Journeyman Electrician License Worker license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Wire for or install electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment and supervise apprentice electricians. Under the Act, a journeyman doing this work must be employed by an electrical contractor, a Class B electrical contractor, a Class A master electrician, or a fire alarm installer.
Experience or qualification: At least four years (8,000 hours) of verifiable Board-acceptable experience in the electrical trade; Board-approved apprentice registration for those years counts as evidence. One year of credit is given for a two-year post-high-school electrical course with an associate degree in electrical technology, leaving three years of verifiable experience; Board Rule 8 treats at least 700 contact hours as one year of instruction. Qualified electrical experience gained in military service may also be credited. An applicant with less than 4,000 hours of verifiable Nebraska experience receives a Restricted license that cannot reciprocate with any other state.
Examination: After the Board approves an exam application, the applicant schedules the examination with PSI. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours; for the PSI Contractor, Journeyman, and Residential Wireman exams the Board says the question count and time limit changed and are stated in the PSI candidate bulletin. Exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code, and passing earns 6 continuing-education hours. A license at the same level may instead be issued on an approved Nebraska municipal examination when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from the municipality that gave the exam; that applicant pays only the license fee. Under section 81-2120 the Board may instead grant a license of the same grade and class without examination to an electrician licensed for at least one year by a state that offers similar reciprocity. The Board lists journeyman reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming; the applicant must have scored at least 75 percent on that state's exam and held the license in good standing for at least one year. A reciprocal license that lapses can be regained only by examination.
Application and license fees: $90 application fee. The license fee is $37.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $75 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $37.50 for each year of the two-year license period. A reciprocal applicant pays the application fee plus the license fee.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Electrical Contractor License Contracting license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Bid, plan, lay out, install, and supervise the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment anywhere in Nebraska. Under Board Rule 7, a contractor license holder who owns and operates an electrical contracting firm must carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 property damage; when several license holders own and operate the firm, only one must carry it.
Experience or qualification: Official sources state the routes differently. Section 81-2107 of the Act requires either graduation from a four-year electrical course at an accredited college or university, or at least one year of Board-acceptable experience as a journeyman electrician. Board Rule 8 and the Board's Electrical Contractor page require the engineering graduate also to have one year of experience as a journeyman and describe the second route as one year as a licensed journeyman. The March 2026 application adds a third route: at least five years of Board-acceptable experience planning, laying out, supervising, and installing electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment. Confirm with the Board which route applies.
Examination: After the Board approves an exam application, the applicant schedules the examination with PSI. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours; for the PSI Contractor, Journeyman, and Residential Wireman exams the Board says the question count and time limit changed and are stated in the PSI candidate bulletin. Exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code, and passing earns 6 continuing-education hours. Under section 81-2120 the Board may instead grant a license of the same grade and class without examination to an electrician licensed for at least one year by a state that offers similar reciprocity. The Board lists electrical contractor reciprocity agreements with Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas; the applicant must have scored at least 75 percent on that state's exam and held the license in good standing for at least one year.
Application and license fees: $180 application fee. The license fee is $187.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $375 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $187.50 for each year of the two-year license period. A reciprocal applicant pays the application fee plus the license fee.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Residential Journeyman Electrician License (RW) Restricted worker license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Wire for or install electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for residential installations and supervise apprentices. A residential installation is a single-family or two-family dwelling or a multi-family dwelling not larger than three stories. The Board says clubhouses at multi-family complexes must be wired by Type JA journeymen.
Experience or qualification: At least three years of Board-acceptable experience in the electrical trade; Board-approved apprentice registration for those years counts as evidence. An applicant with an associate degree in electrical technology from a two-year post-high-school electrical course may qualify with two years of verifiable experience; Board Rule 8 treats at least 700 contact hours as one year of instruction.
Examination: After the Board approves an exam application, the applicant schedules the examination with PSI. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours; for the PSI Contractor, Journeyman, and Residential Wireman exams the Board says the question count and time limit changed and are stated in the PSI candidate bulletin. Exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code, and passing earns 6 continuing-education hours. A license at the same level may instead be issued on an approved Nebraska municipal examination when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from the municipality that gave the exam; that applicant pays only the license fee.
Application and license fees: $90 application fee. The license fee is $37.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $75 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $37.50 for each year of the two-year license period.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Fire Alarm Installer License Limited-system license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Plan, lay out, and install wiring, apparatus, and equipment only for fire-alarm components operating at 50 volts or less. The license does not authorize installation of the branch-circuit supply conductors to the system, and the holder may supervise only apprentices installing fire-alarm equipment operating at 50 volts or less.
Experience or qualification: At least two years of Board-acceptable experience planning, laying out, and installing fire-alarm systems. The Board's Fire Alarm Installer page also lists registration as an apprentice working under a licensed Fire Alarm Installer for two years.
Examination: After the Board approves the exam application, the Division schedules the specialty exam, which is given in the Division office. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours, and exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code. A license at the same level may instead be issued on an approved Nebraska municipal examination when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from the municipality that gave the exam; that applicant pays only the license fee.
Application and license fees: $90 application fee. The license fee is $37.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $75 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $37.50 for each year of the two-year license period.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Special Electrician License — Irrigation Systems Limited-specialty license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Perform irrigation-system electrical work limited to installations from the first point of overcurrent. Special electrician licenses do not authorize any wiring on the line side of the disconnect.
Experience or qualification: The Act requires experience acceptable to the Board in each limited class of work on the license; it does not set a number of years for the irrigation systems class.
Examination: After the Board approves the exam application, the Division schedules the specialty exam, which is given in the Division office. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours, and exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code. A license at the same level may instead be issued on an approved Nebraska municipal examination when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from the municipality that gave the exam; that applicant pays only the license fee.
Application and license fees: $90 Special Installer application fee. The license fee is $37.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $75 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $37.50 for each year of the two-year license period.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Special Electrician License — Sign Installer Limited-specialty license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Install branch-circuit conductors and sign apparatus only. Special electrician licenses do not authorize any wiring on the line side of the disconnect.
Experience or qualification: The Act requires experience acceptable to the Board in each limited class of work on the license; it does not set a number of years for the sign installer class.
Examination: After the Board approves the exam application, the Division schedules the specialty exam, which is given in the Division office. Board Rule 9 sets at least 50 questions, a 75 percent passing score, and up to three hours, and exams cover the 2023 National Electrical Code. A license at the same level may instead be issued on an approved Nebraska municipal examination when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from the municipality that gave the exam; that applicant pays only the license fee.
Application and license fees: $90 Special Installer application fee. The license fee is $37.50 when issued in an even-numbered year or $75 in an odd-numbered year; the fee table charges $37.50 for each year of the two-year license period.
Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30; from December 1 through December 31 the renewal fee plus 10 percent applies, and there is no grace period. A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. The holder of an expired license may not do electrical work and must apply for a new license; the Board says that means applying to retake the exam. Section 81-2115 of the Act still words the exam requirement as applying to a licensee who fails to renew by April 1 after expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Nebraska Class B Journeyman Electrician License — Renewal Only Legacy restricted worker license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Wire for or install systems of not over 400 amperes in residential dwellings no larger than four-family dwellings in municipalities under 100,000 population.
Experience or qualification: The State Electrical Act prohibits issuance of a new license in this class on or after September 9, 1993. Only a person who held the license on that date may renew it.
Examination: No initial examination route applies because this is a renewal-only legacy class.
Application and license fees: —
Renewal: Renewal-only legacy license. It expires December 31 of each even-numbered year and renews on the same October 1 to November 30 schedule, with the 10 percent late fee in December and no grace period. Renewal requires documented continuing education: 12 Board-approved hours for the full two-year cycle, at least six on the National Electrical Code. The fee table lists $37.50 for each year of the two-year period. An expired legacy license cannot be renewed; the holder would have to apply for a currently issued license.

Nebraska Class A Master Electrician License — Renewal Only Legacy master license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Plan, lay out, and supervise the installation of wiring, apparatus, and equipment for electric light, heat, power, and other purposes, and wire for or install it for another. A holder actively owning and operating an electrical contracting firm must carry the Board Rule 7 liability insurance.
Experience or qualification: The State Electrical Act prohibits issuance of a new license in this class on or after September 9, 1993. Only a person who held the license on that date may renew it.
Examination: No initial examination route applies because this is a renewal-only legacy class.
Application and license fees: —
Renewal: Renewal-only legacy license. It expires December 31 of each even-numbered year and renews on the same October 1 to November 30 schedule, with the 10 percent late fee in December and no grace period. Renewal requires documented continuing education: 12 Board-approved hours for the full two-year cycle, at least six on the National Electrical Code. The fee table lists $187.50 for each year of the two-year period. An expired legacy license cannot be renewed; the holder would have to apply for a currently issued license.

Nebraska Class B Electrical Contractor License — Renewal Only Legacy restricted contracting license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Plan, lay out, install, and supervise systems of not over 400 amperes in residential dwellings no larger than four-family dwellings in municipalities under 100,000 population. A holder actively owning and operating an electrical contracting firm must carry the Board Rule 7 liability insurance.
Experience or qualification: The State Electrical Act prohibits issuance of a new license in this class on or after September 9, 1993. Only a person who held the license on that date may renew it.
Examination: No initial examination route applies because this is a renewal-only legacy class.
Application and license fees: —
Renewal: Renewal-only legacy license. It expires December 31 of each even-numbered year and renews on the same October 1 to November 30 schedule, with the 10 percent late fee in December and no grace period. Renewal requires documented continuing education: 12 Board-approved hours for the full two-year cycle, at least six on the National Electrical Code. The fee table lists $187.50 for each year of the two-year period. An expired legacy license cannot be renewed; the holder would have to apply for a currently issued license.

Nebraska Special Electrician License — Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems — Renewal Only Legacy limited-specialty license

Issuing authority: Nebraska State Electrical Board →
Scope of work: Legacy special electrician license limited to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Special electrician licenses do not authorize any wiring on the line side of the disconnect.
Experience or qualification: Board Rule 1 lists air conditioning and refrigeration among the special electrician classes issued before September 9, 1993. A special electrician licensed on that date may renew the license.
Examination: Official sources conflict. Board Rule 1 does not list air conditioning and refrigeration among the special electrician licenses that may now be issued, but the Board's exam-scheduling and specialty-exam pages list HVAC among the specialty exams given in the Division office. Ask the Board whether a new HVAC special license can be issued before applying.
Application and license fees: —
Renewal: Renewal-only legacy license. It expires December 31 of each even-numbered year and renews on the same October 1 to November 30 schedule, with the 10 percent late fee in December and no grace period. Renewal requires documented continuing education: 12 Board-approved hours for the full two-year cycle, at least six on the National Electrical Code. The fee table lists $37.50 (labeled Heating/AC/Refrigeration) for each year of the two-year period. An expired legacy license cannot be renewed; the holder would have to apply for a currently issued license.

Licensed in another state?

Nebraska has a reviewed application route for some licenses from 13 states. A route can waive an exam or some experience; you still need the Nebraska credential before you work. Expand a state for the routes and their requirements.

Alaska Reciprocity

If you hold: Alaska journeyman electrician certificate (Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection Section), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, exam record retained by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the State exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
held the license you wish to reciprocate in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with the journeyman application fee $90.00; license fee $37.50 (even-numbered year) or $75.00 (odd-numbered year)

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse (not renewed) for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
the contractor reciprocal list is Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - Alaska is NOT included, so no contractor route exists for AK licensees
refunds will not be made for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-19.

Alaska licensing →

Arkansas Reciprocity

If you hold: Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners journeyman electrician license (original, gained by passing the Arkansas state examination with a score of 75% or greater, current and in good standing)
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Division)

To apply:

75%+ score on the Arkansas state exam (issuing state must have a record of the exam)
held the license in good standing at least 1 year
NSED reciprocal application with fees (online portal or mail-in form)

Limits:

journeyman level only; Nebraska contractor-license reciprocity covers only MN, SD, TX
one-time reciprocation: a lapsed Nebraska license requires re-exam
NSED advises confirming eligibility with the division before applying; the Nebraska license must be issued before work and the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-17.

Arkansas licensing →

Colorado Reciprocity

If you hold: Colorado journeyman electrician license (Colorado State Electrical Board, DORA DPO), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, verifiable by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
held the license in good standing for not less than 1 year
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with required fees (journeyman application fee $90.00; license fee $37.50 even-numbered year / $75.00 odd-numbered year)

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
journeyman route only; the Nebraska Electrical Contractor reciprocal agreement covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - Colorado is not included - and no CO master reciprocity is named
restrictions apply from state to state: check with NSED before applying to confirm eligibility; no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-18.

Colorado licensing →

Idaho Reciprocity

If you hold: Idaho journeyman electrician license (Idaho DOPL Electrical Bureau), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, verifiable by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
held the license in good standing for not less than 1 year
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with required fees (journeyman application fee $90.00; license fee $37.50 even-numbered year / $75.00 odd-numbered year)

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
journeyman route only; the Nebraska Electrical Contractor reciprocal agreement covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - Idaho is not included - and no ID master reciprocity is named
restrictions apply from state to state: check with NSED before applying to confirm eligibility; no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-19.

Idaho licensing →

Iowa Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: Iowa Class A Journeyman Electrician license (Iowa Electrical Examining Board, Iowa Code ch. 103), exam-based (PSI national exam on the 2023 NEC)
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. ch. 81, art. 21)

To apply:

hold a current Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered, 2023 NEC; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Iowa
hold the Iowa license for at least one year before applying
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam record verifiable by NSED
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in license application with the application fee (journeyman $90; contractor $180)

Limits:

Class B eligibility depends on NSED's experience determination; Nebraska issues no standalone statewide master credential
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-22.

If you hold: Iowa Electrical Contractor license (requires an Iowa Class A or B Master; Iowa Electrical Examining Board, Iowa Code ch. 103)
You can apply for: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. ch. 81, art. 21)

To apply:

hold a current Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered, 2023 NEC; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Iowa
hold the Iowa license for at least one year before applying
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam record verifiable by NSED (Iowa is one of only four contractor-reciprocity states)
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in license application with the application fee (journeyman $90; contractor $180)

Limits:

Nebraska issues no standalone statewide master credential: the master-level pathway is the contractor license; Class B eligibility depends on NSED's experience determination
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-22.

Iowa licensing →

Minnesota Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B), exam-based (DLI)
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) credential obtained by examination (DLI-administered exam; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Minnesota
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED ('If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected')
have held the license in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

the NSED page names no master-electrician tier: Minnesota's outbound list claims a Nebraska agreement for Class A licensees, but no Nebraska master-tier reciprocity is published for Minnesota
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-26.

If you hold: Minnesota electrical contractor firm posture (a DLI-certified Class A journeyworker/master electrician behind the contracting firm; Minnesota has no separate contractor license number, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B)
You can apply for: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) credential obtained by examination (DLI-administered exam; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Minnesota
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED (Minnesota is one of the asterisk group - Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas - reciprocated for Electrical Contractor licenses)
have held the license in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

Minnesota has no separate contractor license number: the electrical-contractor privilege maps the firm-level contractor posture (a DLI-certified journeyworker/master behind the contracting firm), and the NSED page does not state how it treats that structure
the NSED page names no master-electrician tier: no Nebraska master-tier reciprocity is published for Minnesota
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-26.

Minnesota licensing →

Montana Reciprocity

If you hold: Montana journeyman electrician license (Montana State Electrical Board, Montana DLI), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, verifiable by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
held the license in good standing for not less than 1 year
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with required fees (journeyman application fee $90.00; license fee $37.50 even-numbered year / $75.00 odd-numbered year)

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
journeyman route only; the Nebraska Electrical Contractor reciprocal agreement covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - Montana is not included - and no MT master reciprocity is named
restrictions apply from state to state: check with NSED before applying to confirm eligibility; no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-18.

Montana licensing →

New Mexico Reciprocity

If you hold: New Mexico EE-98J journeyman electrician certificate, residential and commercial electrical (New Mexico Construction Industries Division, RLD; NMSA 1978 ch. 60 art. 13, NMAC 14.6.4), exam-based (PSI)
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. sections 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) EE-98J journeyman electrician certificate obtained by examination (PSI-administered; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in New Mexico
hold the New Mexico journeyman certificate for at least one year before applying
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

journeyman tier only: New Mexico is not in the asterisk contractor group (Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas) - 'All other states are for Journeyman licensing ONLY'
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
refunds are not made for processed applications (confirm eligibility before applying)
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

New Mexico licensing →

North Dakota Reciprocity

If you hold: North Dakota Class A or Class B Journeyman Electrician license (North Dakota State Electrical Board, NDCC ch. 43-09), exam-based
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB) journeyman license obtained by examination (NDCC 43-09; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in North Dakota
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED ('If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected')
have held the North Dakota license in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

contractor tier excluded for North Dakota: ND is absent from the asterisk group ('* The Nebraska State Electrical Division reciprocates with these states for Electrical Contractor Licenses. All other states are for Journeyman licensing ONLY.' - Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas)
the NSED page names no master-electrician tier
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

North Dakota licensing →

Oklahoma Reciprocity

If you hold: Oklahoma Journeyman Electrician license (Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, CIB; Okla. Stat. tit. 59, Section 1701 et seq.), exam-based (PSI)
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. Chapter 81, Article 21)

To apply:

have received 'a 75% or greater on the State exam for the license you wish to reciprocate' (Oklahoma CIB journeyman licenses are PSI exam-based)
have held the license to reciprocate 'in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year'
the issuing state must have a record of the exam - 'If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected'
apply through the NSED portal or the mail-in License Application PDF, being sure you qualify before sending - 'Refunds will not be made for processed applications'

Limits:

journeyman licensing ONLY: the page's asterisked Electrical Contractor reciprocation covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas - Oklahoma is not among them, so the OK contractor tiers have no reciprocal path to Nebraska
one-time reciprocation policy: 'if you let your license lapse (not renew it) for any reason, you will have to take an exam to get it back'
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE.'

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-28.

Oklahoma licensing →

South Dakota Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: South Dakota journeyman electrician license (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, exam record retained by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the State exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
held the license you wish to reciprocate in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with the journeyman application fee $90.00

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse (not renewed) for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
restricted licenses (fewer than 4,000 verifiable Nebraska hours) will not be able to reciprocate with any other state
restrictions apply from state to state: check with NSED before applying; no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-19.

If you hold: South Dakota master electrician / electrical contractor (EC) credential (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR), exam-earned under SDCL 36-16 with the exam record retained by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska electrical contractor license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the State exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected)
held the license you wish to reciprocate in good standing for a period of not less than 1 year
apply through the NSED online portal or the mail-in License Application PDF with the electrical contractor application fee $180.00; verify the SD license class on the application

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse (not renewed) for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
the contractor reciprocal list is Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - all other states are for Journeyman licensing ONLY
no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source 1 · Official source 2 · Checked 2026-09-19.

South Dakota licensing →

Texas Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: Texas Electrical Contractor license (business license held through a qualified individual; Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1305)
You can apply for: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Texas
hold the Texas license for at least one year before applying
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED (Texas is one of the asterisk group - Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas - reciprocated for Electrical Contractor licenses)
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

the Texas Electrical Contractor license is a business license held through a qualified individual; the NSED page does not state how it treats that structure
the NSED page names no master-electrician tier: TDLR's outbound master claim is not corroborated by destination sources
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

If you hold: Texas Journeyman Electrician license (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1305), exam-based (PSI)
You can apply for: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151)

To apply:

hold a current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Texas
hold the Texas license for at least one year before applying
have received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the reciprocated license, with the issuing state's exam records verifiable by NSED ('If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected')
apply through the NSED online portal (nesedprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com) or the mail-in License Application with the applicable fee

Limits:

the NSED page names no master-electrician tier: TDLR's outbound list claims a Nebraska master agreement with Texas, but that claim is not corroborated by destination sources
one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an examination is required to get it back
'RESTRICTIONS APPLY FROM STATE TO STATE. CHECK WITH US BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECIPROCATE'
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

Texas licensing →

Wyoming Reciprocity

If you hold: Wyoming journeyman electrician license (Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office / Electrical Board), state examination with a score of 75% or greater, verifiable by the issuing state
You can apply for: Nebraska journeyman electrician license by reciprocity (Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board)

To apply:

received a 75% or greater on the state exam for the license you wish to reciprocate
held the license in good standing for not less than 1 year
the issuing state must have a record of the exam (If the issuing state has no record of your exam it will be rejected); Wyoming exams are NEC-based and on file
apply through the NSED online portal or the License Application PDF with required fees

Limits:

one-time reciprocation policy: if the Nebraska license is allowed to lapse for any reason, an exam is required to get it back
journeyman route only; the Nebraska Electrical Contractor reciprocal agreement covers Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas only - Wyoming is not included - and no WY master reciprocity is named
restrictions apply from state to state: check with NSED before applying to confirm eligibility; no refunds for processed applications
the Nebraska license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-17.

Wyoming licensing →

Reviewed and found no reciprocity or exam-waiver agreement for licenses from these states. You can still apply through the standard route:

Utah (source, checked 2026-09-17)

Taking your Nebraska license elsewhere

Reviewed routes for Nebraska licensees, with requirements on each receiving state's page:

Alaska: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam) → Alaska Electrical Journeyman Certificate of Fitness by reciprocity (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section; AS 08.18 and 12 AAC 46) (reciprocity)
Arkansas: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license → Arkansas Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Colorado: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam) → Colorado Journeyman Electrician certificate by reciprocity (Colorado State Electrical Board, Division of Professions and Occupations / DORA; NERA bylaws) (reciprocity)
Iowa: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license → Iowa Class A Master Electrician license (reciprocity)
Iowa: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license → Iowa Class A Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Minnesota: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam) → Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license without examination under the reciprocity agreement (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry) (reciprocity)
Minnesota: Nebraska Master Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam) → Minnesota Class A master electrician license without examination under the reciprocity agreement (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry) (reciprocity)
New Mexico: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based with 8,000 hours of documented experience → New Mexico EE-98J journeyman certificate (residential and commercial electrical) by reciprocity (New Mexico Construction Industries Division, RLD; NMSA 1978 § 60-13-1 et seq., NMAC 14.6.4) (reciprocity)
North Dakota: Nebraska unrestricted Journeyman Electrician license → North Dakota Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Oklahoma: Nebraska unrestricted Journeyman Electrician license → Oklahoma reciprocal Electrical Journeyman license; final category determined by CIB (reciprocity)
South Dakota: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based → South Dakota Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR; SDCL ch. 36-16) (reciprocity)
South Dakota: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam) → South Dakota journeyman electrician license by reciprocal agreement (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR; SDCL ch. 36-16) (reciprocity)
Texas: Nebraska Electrical Contractor license → Texas Master Electrician license (reciprocity)
Texas: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license → Texas Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Wyoming: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license → Wyoming Journeyman Electrician license (exam waiver)

Choosing the credential that matches the work

Apprentices work under the direct supervision of a licensee at the same project location, at no more than three apprentices per licensee.

Residential Journeyman authority is limited to single-family, two-family, and multi-family dwellings no larger than three stories; Journeyman authority is broader.

Fire Alarm, Irrigation, and Sign Installer licenses are limited to their named systems.

The Electrical Contractor license carries statewide bidding, planning, installation, and supervisory authority.

Through reciprocity, the Board may issue the same grade and class of license without examination to an electrician licensed for at least one year in a state that offers similar reciprocity. The Board lists 13 states for the Journeyman license and four (Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas) for the Electrical Contractor license.

An approved Nebraska municipal examination can also support a state license at the same level when the applicant meets the state experience requirement, scored at least 75 percent, and holds a current license from that municipality.

Local requirements

A city or other political subdivision may run its own electrical inspections. Under section 81-2130 it may not charge a state licensee a license fee or require another examination when the state license classification covers the work, but it may require a copy of the current state license on file.

Legacy licenses and unresolved labels

The Board's 2025-2026 fee table also lists a Class B Master license at $187.50 per year. The Act's legacy-renewal section does not name that class, so this page does not present it as a credential.

The Board's exam pages list HVAC among the specialty exams, while Board Rule 1 lists air conditioning and refrigeration only among the special licenses issued before September 9, 1993.

Renewal

Licenses and registrations expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Under LB 889, effective July 18, 2026, regular renewal runs October 1 through November 30 and late renewal runs December 1 through December 31 with a 10 percent added fee. There is no grace period.

A license held for the full two-year cycle needs 12 Board-approved continuing-education hours, at least six on the National Electrical Code; a license held for one year of the cycle needs 6 hours. Continuing education is optional for apprentices.

Before you apply

Applications, exam approvals, renewals, and license searches use the Division's online licensing system, which opened April 13, 2026. Mail-in forms remain available. Confirm current qualification documents, fees, and exam scheduling with the Division at 1220 Lincoln Mall, Suite 125, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 471-3550.

View Application Information → License Lookup →

Cite this page

Title: Nebraska Electrical Licenses and Registration
URL: https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/nebraska
Information checked: 2026-10-05

Suggested citation: Nebraska Electrical Licenses and Registration. Trades Directory. https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/nebraska (information checked 2026-10-05).

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Nebraska Electrical Licenses and Registration

How electrical licensing works in Nebraska

Credential-specific requirements

Licensed in another state?

Taking your Nebraska license elsewhere

Choosing the credential that matches the work

Local requirements

Legacy licenses and unresolved labels

Renewal

Before you apply

Related Resources for Nebraska