Colorado Electrician License Reciprocity Guide
Yes. Colorado has reciprocity with 14 states.
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks. Always confirm details with Colorado DORA State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations) before applying.
Reciprocal states (14)
| State | Classes covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AK · Alaska | Journeyman | — |
| AR · Arkansas | Journeyman | — |
| IA · Iowa | Journeyman | — |
| ID · Idaho | Journeyman | — |
| MN · Minnesota | Journeyman | — |
| MT · Montana | Journeyman | — |
| NE · Nebraska | Journeyman | — |
| NH · New Hampshire | Journeyman | — |
| NM · New Mexico | Journeyman | — |
| ND · North Dakota | Journeyman | — |
| OK · Oklahoma | Journeyman | — |
| SD · South Dakota | Journeyman | — |
| UT · Utah | Journeyman | — |
| WY · Wyoming | Journeyman | — |
Requirements checklist
- Licensed 1+ year in your home stateLicense must be current and in good standing.
- 8,000 hours of documented experience
- No exam for reciprocal applicantsReciprocal (Colorado calls it "endorsement") applicants exempt from CO exam only if original license was obtained by state examination based on current National Electrical Code — grandfathered licenses do NOT qualify.
- Experience affidavitRequired with the application.
- Letter of good standingRequest one from your home-state board.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: Colorado calls its reciprocity process "endorsement." Colorado does NOT maintain traditional bilateral reciprocity agreements — endorsement is granted only where a state's license is deemed "substantially equivalent" and obtained by exam. Master electrician endorsement is NOT available — only journeyman. This means an out-of-state master must sit for the CO master exam even if they hold master status elsewhere. DORA fees are not published in a static schedule — they are shown live on the DPO application portal. Confirmed by multiple sources that "no separate state fee" pattern applies for some credential types. Contact DORA directly for exact current pricing.
Fees
| License class | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman | Contact board | DORA does not publish a static fee schedule — fees vary by credential and are shown on the DPO application portal. Contact DORA at (303) 894-7800 or dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us for current fees. |
| Master | Contact board | Master fees not publicly published — contact DORA. |
How to apply in Colorado
- Complete the Colorado DORA State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations) reciprocal application — official application.
- Attach proof of 1+ year of licensure, your experience affidavit, and your letter of good standing.
- Submit to Colorado DORA State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations), 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202.
- Questions? Call (303) 894-7800. Allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
Apprentice Registration
- Registration fee
- Contact board — Apprentice registration fees not published in static schedule — see DORA portal.
- Renewal
- Not published
- License duration
- 4 years
- Employer requirements
- All individuals working in the trade who are not yet licensed must register as an apprentice — no grandfathering allowed. Must work under supervision of a licensed CO electrical contractor or master electrician.
1. Secure employment with a licensed CO electrical contractor or master electrician 2. Register as an apprentice through the DPO Online Services portal (apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing) 3. Complete apprentice registration application 4. Work 8,000 hours field experience (2,000+ commercial/industrial minimum) plus 288 classroom hours over 4 years 5. Apply for journeyman exam upon completion
Colorado does not allow grandfathering — every unlicensed electrical worker must register as an apprentice. This is stricter than most states. Continuing education of 24 hours per 3-year period applies once licensed.
Moving from another state?
- Must re-register: Yes
- Out-of-state hours transfer: Unclear — contact board
Colorado DORA does not publicly document a policy for transferring apprentice hours from another state at the apprentice registration stage. Out-of-state hours may be credited when applying for the journeyman exam — verify with DORA at (303) 894-7800 or dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us.
Apprentice rules change often — confirm with Colorado before relying on this summary.
Coming from a non-reciprocal state?
If you're not from an endorsement-eligible state, Colorado requires:
- Journeyman: 8,000 hours field experience (minimum 2,000 in commercial/industrial), 288 classroom hours, pass CO exam
- Master: 10,000 hours (OR engineering degree pathway), pass CO master exam
- Residential Wireman: separate license class for residential-only work
Continuing education: 24 hours per 3-year license period.
Colorado does NOT reciprocate Master licenses — even if you hold a master from a partner state, you must take the CO master exam. Only journeyman-level endorsement is granted.
Incomplete examination or endorsement files are held for one year, then discarded. You'd have to start over and pay again if you miss that window.
Local licensing notes
Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins may have permitting requirements on top of the state license for contractors, but there are no additional journeyman-level municipal licenses.
Related
These states accept your Colorado license: Oklahoma, Utah, Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, Alaska, New Mexico.
Current openings in Colorado: Journeyman Electrician jobs · Apprentice Electrician jobs.
Licensed and ready for more? See which certifications unlock higher pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes. Colorado has reciprocity agreements with 14 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, and 9 others.
How much does electrician reciprocity cost in Colorado?
journeyman: $0 (DORA does not publish a static fee schedule — fees vary by credential and are shown on the DPO application portal. Contact DORA at (303) 894-7800 or dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us for current fees.); master: $0 (Master fees not publicly published — contact DORA.)
How long does the Colorado reciprocity process take?
Typical processing time is 4-8 weeks once the Colorado DORA State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations) receives a complete application with verification from your issuing state.
Do I need to take an exam to reciprocate my license into Colorado?
No. Reciprocal applicants from partner states are exempt from the Colorado exam. Reciprocal (Colorado calls it "endorsement") applicants exempt from CO exam only if original license was obtained by state examination based on current National Electrical Code — grandfathered licenses do NOT qualify.
Can I transfer apprentice hours to Colorado?
Unclear — the Colorado licensing agency does not publicly document a policy on transferring apprentice hours. Colorado DORA does not publicly document a policy for transferring apprentice hours from another state at the apprentice registration stage. Out-of-state hours may be credited when applying for the journeyman exam — verify with DORA at (303) 894-7800 or dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us.
Licensed in Colorado? See the full list of states that accept your license.
Last verified 2026-09-26 · Source: Colorado DORA State Electrical Board (Division of Professions and Occupations). Reciprocity data is informational only and may be stale. Confirm with the destination state licensing board before applying.