The City of Asheville’s Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Classes have been canceled at this time.
The City continues to offer the Journeyman Electrician exam and Homeowner Electrical exam. Please see below for application instructions.
Please click here to check the calendar or contact Misty Lipe at mlipe@ashevillenc.gov with questions or concerns.
Did you know that the Development Services Department offers training opportunities for professional development? Click here to view a calendar of upcoming classes and application deadlines.
Class topics include:
- National Electrical Code (NEC) Class for Contractors: $80
- Electrical Journeyman Test: $50
Journeyman Electrician’s License
Journeyman licensing marks the second step in the apprenticeship-journeyman-master electrician licensing process. To work independently under a licensed North Carolina electrical contractor in Asheville, individuals must obtain a journeyman electrician’s license (UDO Chapter 9 – Article 6).
Electrical apprentices become eligible to apply for the journeyman electrician’s license following 8,000 hours of documented work. This license must be renewed every 3 years.
Once licensed, a journeyman electrician may supervise on-site up to two helpers or apprentices. A helper or apprentice is anyone using or handling any tools or materials of the electrical construction trade. View Electrician’s Code of Ordinances through MuniCode.
Amercican Legal Publishing - AshevilleLicense Application
To begin the process of becoming a journeyman electrician, submit the Journeyman Exam application form online or in-person.
To submit online, click here to complete the online Journeyman Exam application form. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the online application to pay the application fee.
To submit in person, print off the Journeyman Exam application form and pay the application fee in-person at the Development Services Department (DSD) located at 161 S. Charlotte St.
The Asheville Board of Electrical Examiners will determine your eligibility to take the Electrical Journeyman test. Once your eligibility has been approved, you will be automatically registered for the Electrical Journeyman Test offered by the City of Asheville. You will receive a letter from DSD with details about the exam location and time. Click here for the calendar of application deadlines and testing dates.
The test will examine your knowledge of rules and regulations related to electrical wiring devices, applications and equipment installation as set forth in North Carolina statutes, City of Asheville ordinances and the National Electrical Code (NEC). You must receive a score of 75 or above to pass and become licensed as a Class I journeyman electrician.
License Renewal
Licenses expire three years after issuance on June 30. Renewal can be made any time within 30 days before expiration. To renew, visit DSD in-person with the following items:
- Current non-expired license
- Renewal fee (currently $30)
- Proof of 8 hours of continuing education courses approved by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
Applicants will be subject to a fee for late renewal and complete reexamination if license renewal lapses over one year.
For more information about Class I journeyman electrician’s license, contact:
Development Services Department
828-259-5658
Homeowner’s Electrical Exam
A homeowner may elect to do his or her own electrical work without holding an electrical contractor’s license provided that:
- The applicant passes an electrical exam administered by the Building Safety Department
- An Electrical Permit is obtained
- The work is inspected by the electrical inspector
- The owner occupies the dwelling for 12 months after completion of the job
Click here to register to take the homeowner electrical exam.