Navigating electrical licensing in Wyoming means understanding the specific requirements set by the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (DFPES) under the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office, which centrally manages the State's electrical licensing across the apprentice, journeyman, master, contractor, low-voltage, and limited-technician tiers. This guide breaks down every license tier, from apprentice to contractor, and outlines the exact steps for experience, examination, and renewal. Whether you're starting your career or bringing a business to Wyoming, here's what you need to know.
Who Regulates Electrician Licenses in Wyoming?
All electrical licenses in Wyoming are administered by the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (DFPES) under the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office. DFPES publishes a single canonical licensing page (wsfm.wyo.gov/electrical-safety/licensing) that sets the license fees, experience requirements, reciprocal state lists, apprentice-year OJT/schooling table, and CE requirements for all electrical-license tiers. The department's authority is established under Wyoming Statutes § 35-9-120 through § 35-9-130, referenced on the licensing page as the governing law.
Do You Need an Electrician License in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming's electrical licensing system covers most individuals and businesses performing electrical work, from apprentices in training to master electricians and licensed electrical contractors, with the specific scope of work and any statutory exemptions defined in Wyoming Statutes § 35-9-120 et seq. and the DFPES licensing page. The specific tiers, fees, and pathways are listed below.
Wyoming Electrician License Types and Tiers
Wyoming has a comprehensive, tiered licensing system to cover all scopes of electrical and low-voltage work, as set out in Wyo. Stat. § 35-9-120 et seq. and on the DFPES licensing page.
Apprentice Electrician License
An Apprentice Electrician is authorized to perform electrical work under the direct supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician. Per the DFPES licensing page, you must begin the licensing process within 10 days of the start of employment, and the new-license cost is $20.00.
Journeyman Electrician License
A Journeyman Electrician is licensed to install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Per the DFPES licensing page, the qualifications include:
- Experience: 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience in the electrical wiring industry.
- Education: 144 hours per year, or 576 hours over a four-year apprenticeship, of successfully completed electrically related classroom instruction from a Department of Labor approved electrical apprenticeship training program. No more than 75% of the 4 years (8,000 hours) may be in any one category (residential, commercial, or industrial). Up to 2 years (4,000 hours) credit may be given for electrically related courses through an accredited school exceeding the 576 hours required.
Master Electrician License
A Master Electrician is the individual certification required to serve as the "Master of Record" for an Electrical Contractor. Per the DFPES licensing page, the qualifications include:
- Total Experience: 8 years (16,000 hours) of work experience in the electrical wiring industry, of which 4 years (8,000 hours) is documented as a licensed journeyman.
- Education: 576 hours of electrically related classroom instruction from an approved apprenticeship program. (If 576 hours cannot be provided, the applicant may qualify with 10 years and 20,000 hours of on-the-job training experience as a licensed journeyman or master electrician, subject to approval by the Chief Electrical Inspector.)
- Plan / Lay Out / Supervise Authority: Master Electricians are authorized to plan, lay out, and supervise electrical installations consistent with the National Electrical Code and applicable state law.
Electrical Contractor License
An Electrical Contractor license is required for any business entity that contracts to perform electrical work in Wyoming. This license is separate from the individual Master Electrician license and has specific business-level requirements. Per the DFPES licensing page:
- Master of Record: The contractor must "actively employ in a full-time capacity" a Wyoming-licensed Master Electrician who serves as the "Master of Record."
- License Expiration: Electrical Contractor licenses "expire on July 1 next following the date of issue" (annual renewal).
- Insurance/Bonding: The DFPES licensing page does not state specific minimum dollar amounts for contractor liability insurance or surety bonds. Confirm the current requirements directly with DFPES before bidding work.
Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor License
A Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor license is for businesses that specialize in specific, non-full-voltage systems as defined by the DFPES licensing page (the low-voltage and limited-technician categories on that page set out the work each classification covers). Per the DFPES licensing page, a Low Voltage/Limited Contractor must employ a Wyoming-licensed technician as the "technician of record" who oversees the work. New & Renewal fee: $200.00.
Low Voltage Technician License (Categories: LV-G, LV-A, LV-C, LV-S, LV-T, LV-X, LV-LS)
A Low Voltage Technician is licensed to install and maintain specific low-voltage systems. Wyoming issues licenses across several specialized categories, each with its own experience hour requirement, per the DFPES licensing page:
- LV-G (General — all categories under 90 volts listed below): 4,000 hours
- LV-A (Alarm systems under 90 volts): 3,000 hours
- LV-C (Communication systems under 90 volts): 500 hours
- LV-S (Sound systems under 90 volts): 500 hours
- LV-T (Television and satellite systems under 90 volts): 500 hours
- LV-X (Control systems under 90 volts): 1,000 hours
- LV-LS (Lawn sprinkler systems under 90 volts): 80 hours
Limited Technician License (Categories: LM-E, LM-S, LM-W, LM-L, LM-H)
A Limited Technician license authorizes work in very specific, limited electrical areas. Per the DFPES licensing page, most categories require 4,000 hours of experience; LM-L (Limited electrical work for maintaining light fixtures) requires 1,000 hours.
- LM-E (Elevator systems, load side of equipment disconnect): 4,000 hours
- LM-S (Electric signs, load side of equipment disconnect): 4,000 hours
- LM-W (Water well and irrigation systems, load side of equipment disconnect): 4,000 hours
- LM-L (Maintaining light fixtures): 1,000 hours
- LM-H (HVAC systems, load side of equipment disconnect): 4,000 hours
Apprentice Technician License
An Apprentice Technician works in low-voltage or limited electrical fields under the direct supervision of a licensed technician. This license allows individuals to gain the experience needed to qualify for a Low Voltage or Limited Technician license; the specific hour requirements vary by target category (see the LV and Limited Technician category hours listed above — most require 4,000 hours, but LV-A 3,000, LV-C/S/T 500, LV-X 1,000, LV-LS 80, and LM-L 1,000).
Wyoming Electrician License Application Process
The application process for a Wyoming electrician license involves submitting a complete application and supporting documentation to the DFPES for review before you are approved to take any required exams.
- Determine Your License Type: Select the specific license tier (e.g., Journeyman, Master, Low Voltage Technician) that matches your experience and intended scope of work.
- Gather Documentation: Collect all necessary supporting documents, including proof of on-the-job training hours, verification of classroom education, and personal identification.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the official application form provided by the Wyoming DFPES, ensuring all information is accurate and complete.
- Pay Application Fees: Submit the required application or reciprocity fee with your application package.
- Submit for Review: Send the completed application and all documents to the DFPES.
- Receive Exam Approval: Once the DFPES verifies your experience and education, they will grant you eligibility to schedule your licensing exam with the state's testing provider.
Wyoming Electrician License Exam Requirements
Applicants for Journeyman, Master, Low Voltage Technician, and Limited Technician licenses must pass an examination after their application is approved by the DFPES. The current exam provider for each tier is set by DFPES; verify the current exam provider directly with DFPES before scheduling.
Exam Content
The exams are based on the current National Electrical Code as adopted by Wyoming (2023 NEC, effective July 1, 2023) along with relevant state laws and regulations. The number of questions, time limit, and specific topics vary depending on the license type. Consult the current DFPES-published exam bulletin for the up-to-date figures and approved reference materials.
How to Schedule Your Exam
After your license application is reviewed and approved by the DFPES, you will receive instructions on how to register and schedule your exam with the current designated provider. You cannot schedule an exam without prior approval from the DFPES.
Exam Fees
Exam fees are paid directly to the current designated exam provider at the time of scheduling. The current exam fee for each license type is published in the DFPES-referenced exam bulletin; confirm the current fee and payment process with DFPES before scheduling.
How Much Does a Wyoming Electrician License Cost?
The cost of a Wyoming electrician license varies by tier, including separate fees for initial applications, renewals, and reciprocity. The current fees, per the DFPES licensing page (wsfm.wyo.gov/electrical-safety/licensing), are:
- Apprentice Electrician: $20.00 (new license cost)
- Electrical Contractor: $400.00 (new and renewal)
- Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor: $200.00 (new and renewal)
- Journeyman Electrician (initial by exam): $100.00
- Journeyman Electrician (Renewal): $50.00
- Master Electrician (initial by exam): $200.00
- Master Electrician (Renewal): $100.00
- Low Voltage/Limited Technician (Initial): $100.00
- Low Voltage/Limited Technician (Renewal): $50.00
- Journeyman Electrician (Reciprocal application fee): $100.00
- Master Electrician (Reciprocal application fee): $200.00
The licensing page does not state specific late-fee amounts; if you allow a license to lapse, confirm the current reinstatement fee directly with DFPES. These fees do not include the separate costs for examinations, which are paid directly to the testing vendor.
Wyoming Electrician License Renewal and Continuing Education (CE)
Wyoming electrician licenses must be renewed on varying schedules, and Journeyman and Master Electricians are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education every three years.
Renewal Cycles
- Electrical Contractor & Low Voltage/Limited Contractor: Annually, expiring on July 1st of each year.
- Apprentice Electrician: Annually.
- Journeyman & Master Electrician: Renew on a 3-year cycle — Journeyman licenses renew on January 1st of every 3rd year; Master Electrician licenses renew on July 1st of every 3rd year (per the DFPES licensing page).
- Low Voltage/Limited Technician: Every three years, expiring on July 1st of the third year.
Continuing Education Requirements
Journeyman and Master Electricians, including those holding a license through reciprocity, must complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) during each three-year license cycle.
- Total Hours: 16 CE hours per 3-year period.
- Code-Related Hours: At least 8 of the 16 hours must be related to the National Electrical Code.
- Master Electrician Specifics: For Master Electricians, 8 of the 16 hours must be on the 2020 or 2023 NEC code update.
Wyoming Electrician License Reciprocity and Endorsement
Wyoming offers license reciprocity for Journeyman and Master Electricians from several states, provided the applicant's original license was obtained by passing a qualifying exam.
Journeyman Electrician Reciprocity
Wyoming has Journeyman reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
Conditions: Applicants must have held their license for at least one year and passed the state exam with a score of 70% or higher.
Master Electrician Reciprocity
Wyoming has Master Electrician reciprocity agreements with:
- Idaho
- Iowa
- South Dakota
- Utah
Conditions: Applicants must have held their license for at least one year and passed the state exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Electrician Licenses
What certifications do electricians need in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, electricians need a state-issued license from the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (DFPES), not just a certification. The primary license tiers are Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Electrician, with additional licenses for Contractors and specialized Low Voltage/Limited Technicians.
How often do you need to renew your electrician license in Wyoming?
Renewal cycles vary by license type (per the DFPES licensing page). Electrical Contractor and Apprentice licenses are renewed annually (Electrical Contractor licenses expire on July 1 next following the date of issue). Low Voltage/Limited Technician licenses are renewed every three years (on July 1 of every 3rd year). Journeyman licenses are renewed on a 3-year cycle (January 1st of every 3rd year) and Master Electrician licenses on a 3-year cycle (July 1st of every 3rd year).
Does Wyoming require a contractor license?
Yes, Wyoming requires a specific Electrical Contractor or Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor license for any business entity that performs or bids on electrical work. This is separate from the individual licenses held by electricians.
What education is required to become an electrician in Wyoming?
To qualify for a Journeyman Electrician license in Wyoming, you must complete 4 years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job training plus 144 hours per year (576 hours total over a four-year apprenticeship) of classroom instruction from a Department of Labor approved electrical apprenticeship training program. To qualify for a Master Electrician license, you must complete 8 years (16,000 hours) of work experience — of which 4 years (8,000 hours) is documented as a licensed journeyman — plus 576 hours of electrically related classroom instruction. (Or, if 576 hours of classroom instruction cannot be provided, you may qualify for either the Journeyman or Master exam with 10 years and 20,000 hours of on-the-job training experience as a licensed journeyman or master electrician, subject to approval by the Chief Electrical Inspector.) Per the DFPES licensing page.
How many hours of experience do I need for a Wyoming Journeyman license?
To qualify for a Journeyman Electrician license in Wyoming, you must document 8,000 hours of on-the-job training as a registered apprentice.
Is there a separate license for low voltage work in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming offers distinct licenses for low voltage work, including the Low Voltage Technician license (with categories like alarms, communications, and sound) and the Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor license for businesses.
Which states have reciprocity agreements with Wyoming for electrician licenses?
Wyoming has Journeyman reciprocity with 17 states, including Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah. Master Electrician reciprocity is available with Idaho, Iowa, South Dakota, and Utah.
What is the current NEC edition adopted in Wyoming?
Wyoming is currently using the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), which became effective on July 1, 2023. The state adopts the NEC without any amendments.