Nebraska Contractor License Requirements

Home builders plumbers, HVAC and renovators do not need licenses in their trades,
however all contractors doing business in counties with a population of 100,000 or more need a license to do business. Nonresident contractors doing business in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Secretary of State and the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

Electrical Contractor (EC)

An applicant for an electrical contractor license will have:

• Graduated from a four (4) -year electrical course at an accredited college or university plus at least one (1) year experience acceptable to the State Electrical Division as a licensed journeyman electrician, or
• Put in at least five (5) years of qualified, practical experience in planning for, laying out, supervising and installing wiring apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat and power.
• Liability insurance for $100,000 for each person working in the company, $300,000 for each accident, and $100,000 property damage.

For the Electrical Contractor license, the state of Nebraska has reciprocal agreements with Minnesota and South Dakota.

Journeyman Electrician (JA)

For a journeyman electrician license the applicant shall:

• Put in at least four (4) years experience, acceptable to the board, in the electrical trade.
• Be registered in the apprentice electrician program for those years.

One (1) year work experience credit will be given for completion of a two (2) electrical course with a diploma in electrical technology. On addition, one (1) year work experience credit will be given for electrical experience gained in military service.

For this designation Nebraska has reciprocal agreements with Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Residential Journeyman Wireman, (RW)

For a residential journeyman electrician license the applicant shall:

• Put in at least three(3) years experience, acceptable to the board, in the electrical trade.
• Be registered as an apprentice electrician for those years
• Work only on residential installations.

The board may by rule in favor of allowing of one (1) year of experience credit for successful completion of a two (2) year diploma in electrical technology approved by the board.

Fire Alarm Installer (FA)

A fire alarm installer license maintains that the applicant have:

• At least two (2) years experience, acceptable to the board in planning, laying out, and installing fire alarm systems.

 Apprentice Electrician (From the Nebraska State Electrical Division)

• The apprentice electrician shall do no electrical wiring except under the direct personal on-the-job supervision and control and in the immediate presence of a licensee under the State Electrical Act.

• An apprentice electrician shall not install, alter, or repair electrical equipment except as provided in this section, and the licensee employing or supervising an apprentice electrician shall not authorize or permit such actions by the apprentice electrician.

For this designation the state of Nebraska has agreements with Minnesota and South Dakota. For the Electrical Journeyman license, Nebraska has reciprocal agreements with Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Consumers are advised to also check for municipal license requirements as contractor laws can differ from county to county. It is also advisable to double check with the state's requirements before hiring a contractor.