Journeyman vs Master electrician license
Also known as: electrical license, trade license
Two tiers of state electrical licensure. Journeyman: can perform electrical work under supervision. Master: can pull permits, design installations, supervise journeymen, run an electrical business.
Most US states license electricians in tiers. The exact tier names vary by state but generally follow the journeyman/master pattern.
Journeyman license: Granted after completion of an apprenticeship program (typically 4 years, 8,000 hours of supervised work plus classroom hours) and passing a state exam. A journeyman can perform most electrical work but typically must work under the responsibility of a master or as employee of a licensed electrical contractor.
Master license: Requires journeyman experience (typically 2-4 additional years post-journeyman), passing a more rigorous exam covering business, code, and design topics. A master electrician can pull permits in their own name, design and supervise installations, sign off on others' work, and operate an electrical contracting business.
The practical implications for service businesses: starting an electrical business requires either a master license or hiring a master to be the responsible party. Most states tightly enforce this requirement; operating as an unlicensed contractor carries serious penalties. Apprentice and journeyman compensation tiers in payroll typically mirror the license tiers.