Electrician / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Electrician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Installs and maintains electrical systems. Requires apprenticeship and journeyman license.

What the Tennessee data shows for Electricians

Tennessee's path to electrician licensure runs through 5,514 hours of approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Journeyman Electrician Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Tennessee folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Upfront cost is $75, with renewal running $50 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 5 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
25/100
Electrician · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
5,514 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$113
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$91/yr
$91 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
5,514 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Electrician Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$113
Renewal Fee
$91
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
5 wks
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years
Compare fees across all states for Electrician →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Electrician All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Electrician in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, the license path calls for 5514 education/training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Electrician Exam, and a $113 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Electrician in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee licenses electricians who complete its requirements (5514 education hours, 4 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Can I transfer my Electrician license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for electricians: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Electrician licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the electrician licensing process in Tennessee. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Electrician in Tennessee? ▼
Licensed electricians in Tennessee must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 1 year. The renewal fee is $91.
How much does it cost to get an Electrician license in Tennessee? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Tennessee is $75. The renewal fee is $50 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 5 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Electrician license processing take in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, license processing for electricians typically takes approximately 5 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this electrician license

Electrician in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an electrician-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Tennessee's electrician requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Electrician in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state electrician license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.