How to Become a Journeyman Electrician in Georgia
Georgia licenses electrical contractors at the state level — journeyman licensing happens at the city or county level. Here is the full path: state contractor requirements, municipal journeyman licensing, apprenticeship options, realistic pay, and how to carry your credentials into other states.
Contractor-level
No statewide journeyman license
$40
contractor fees
16 IBEW locals
Union apprenticeship paths
$34/hr
State median, all tiers (from 10 postings)
1. Georgia journeyman licensing requirements
No statewide journeyman license. Georgia licenses electrical work at the contractor level through the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors (Georgia Secretary of State — Professional Licensing Boards Division); individual journeymen are licensed by the city or county where they work. Your path: complete an apprenticeship, get your journeyman card municipally, then pursue state contractor licensure to pull permits and run work.
- Exam: may be waived for reciprocal applicants — Reciprocity applicants exempt from GA exam if original license was obtained via examination in the partner state.
- contractor fee: $40 ($30 application fee + $10 processing fee (non-refundable))
2. Apprenticeship paths: IBEW union + registered programs
16 IBEW locals serve Georgia (Locals 84, 379, 508, 632, 1193 and 11 more). Union apprentices train through the local JATC while earning a scaled wage. Browse Georgia IBEW locals →
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters also run accredited programs — chapter directories are being added to this guide.
3. Timeline and cost: what apprentices earn
Apprentice-specific postings are still thin for Georgia. Across 10 disclosed postings, the state median across all tiers is $34/hr; apprentices typically earn 40–60% of this. See live ranges on our pay page for Georgia →
4. Take your license on the road: reciprocity
Georgia holds reciprocal agreements with 5 states. Full partner list and transfer steps: Georgia reciprocity guide →
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does it take to become a journeyman electrician in Georgia?
Georgia licenses electrical contractors at the state level, not individual journeymen — there is no statewide journeyman hour requirement.
What does an electrical apprentice earn in Georgia?
Based on 10 disclosed postings, the state median across all tiers is $34/hr; apprentices typically earn 40–60% of this.
Can I apprentice through the union in Georgia?
Yes — 16 IBEW locals serve Georgia with registered apprenticeship programs.
Keep exploring
Journeyman pay in Georgia
Market rates from live postings vs BLS vs IBEW scale.
IBEW locals in Georgia
Union halls, apprenticeship programs, and scales.
Georgia prevailing wage
Davis-Bacon rates by county and classification.
Where the work is
Data center builds on the live construction map.
Georgia reciprocity guide
Partner states, fees, timelines, and transfer steps.
All state pathways
Compare the journeyman path across all 51 jurisdictions.