Electrical Contractor
CE · State license · Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Public Protection Cabinet
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Continuing education
- 6 hours
Show CE rules
At least 6 hours of approved CE for each year of the license, from NECA, ABC, IBEW, AGC, IAEI, IEC, DHBC or another department-approved provider (KRS 227A.100(7)). For electrical contractors the topics must be business or job safety, and the business designates an authorized agent to complete the hours. No more than 2 hours of safety topics count per 12 months. Excess hours carry forward up to 12 total. Hours earned for a master electrician, electrician or inspector license cannot be applied to the contractor license (815 KAR 2:010). Ask DHBC how the hours are reported at a two-year renewal. - Deadline rule
- Licenses are biennial (for licenses issued or renewed on or after July 15, 2024). Renew on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month in the second year. Business entities without a birth month renew on or before the last day of the month the license was issued, in the second year (KRS 227A.100(1); 815 KAR 35:060 Sec. 8).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insuranceHide fees, grace period, bond and insurance
- Grace period
- 60-day grace period after expiration during which the licensee may continue to practice and renew by paying the renewal fee plus the late fee (KRS 227A.100(2)).
Fees, approximate
- Renewal fee
- About $400
- Late fee
Show the details (amounts are approximate)
About $50 late renewal fee. If all renewal documents are postmarked on or before the last day of the renewal month, the filing is timely and no late fee applies (815 KAR 35:060 Sec. 9).- Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)
A license not renewed within the 60-day grace period terminates. Reinstatement requires the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee equal to the renewal fee (about $400 + about $400); no exam is required if reinstated within 3 years of termination (KRS 227A.100(4); 815 KAR 35:060 Sec. 9).
Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.
Why approximate?
Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.
- Bond
- Not required
- Insurance
- General liability policy of at least $1,000,000 (KRS 227A.060(1)(c); 227A.100(8)) plus workers' compensation proof (insurance certificate from a provider approved by the Kentucky Department of Insurance, or a notarized statement that coverage is not required and why). DHBC Electrical Licensing must be the certificate holder, and insurers must notify DHBC of cancellation or lowered limits (815 KAR 35:060 Sec. 6). A Kentucky master electrician must hold or be employed by the contractor.
Notes
Biennial fee confirmed by the DHBC notice of May 3, 2024 (HB 444) and 815 KAR 35:060 Sec. 8: contractor $400, master electrician $200, electrician $100, each covering two years. The statute caps the initial application fee at $200 for contractors. No surety bond is required by the statute, rule or DHBC checklist. Electrical licensing phone (502) 573-2002. Renewals can be filed online through the DHBC HBC Online portal (a license must be within 60 days of expiration to appear for renewal) or by mailing Form DHBC L-1.
Sources (10)
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/HB444ElecLicNotice.pdf
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55093
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55092
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/kentucky/815-KAR-35-060
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/Electrical%20New%20Application%20Checklistst%202.4.25.pdf
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/Form%20DHBC%20L-1.pdf
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/HBCOnline/login
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/How%20to%20Create%20a%20Portal%20Account%20and%20Renew%20a%20License%20Online.pdf
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=625&menuid=63
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/815/002/010/