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State guide · Florida DBPR / Counties
Florida Journeyman Electrician Exam Guide
The most important thing to know first: Florida has no state-level journeyman exam. Journeyman credentials are issued by counties and municipalities — the state licenses contractors. Here's how both paths actually work.
The journeyman path
Journeyman Licensing Is County-Level
Florida law is explicit: the state does not regulate journeymen or issue journeyman licenses. Instead, counties and municipalities issue certificates of competency — and a journeyman must always work under a licensed contractor. Requirements vary by county, but the shape is consistent:
| Hillsborough County (example) | Miami-Dade County (example) | |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 12,000 hours as an apprentice under a licensed contractor — or 8,000 hours plus a 4-year approved apprentice program | Set by the Construction Trades Qualifying Board |
| Exam | Third-party proctored exam, 75% minimum, open book | County journeyman exam (retake fee $240) |
| Fees | $150 application; $70 registration upon passing | Per the county fee schedule |
🌴 The statewide part: under Florida Statute § 489.5335, a valid active journeyman license from any Florida county or municipality lets you work as a journeyman anywhere in the state — no second exam, no second fee — as long as you scored at least 75% on an approved proctored exam and meet the experience requirements.
Sources: Hillsborough County Certificate of Competency application instructions; Miami-Dade Dept. of Regulatory and Economic Resources exam retake schedule; Fla. Stat. § 489.5335. Confirm current requirements with your county's licensing office.
The state-level exam
Florida's State Exam: Certified Electrical Contractor
If you're aiming past journeyman, the state exam — administered for the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) via Pearson VUE — has two open-book parts:
| Part | Questions | Time | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 50 scored | 2.5 hours | 75% |
| Technical / Safety | 100 scored | 5 hours | 75% |
Each part may include additional unscored pilot questions. You bring DBPR-approved reference materials (the board publishes an approved-reference list per specialty), and both parts must be passed within three years of each other.
Source: DBPR Candidate Information Booklet — Electrical Contractors' Licensure Examinations, effective February 2026.
How to Study for Either Path
County journeyman exams and the state technical exam both reward the same skill: finding answers in the Code, fast, with the book open. That's the open-book method:
- Lookup reps: 1,087 codebook-first questions across 33 topics — every question a rep with the book open.
- Tab the book: the 20 tabs that matter for the 2023 NEC.
- Memorize the formulas: the free NEC formula sheet — one page, worked examples.
Note: Florida currently enforces the 2020 NEC statewide (2023 update underway) — study the edition your county tests on. Our state-by-state table tracks all 50 states.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida have a state journeyman electrician exam?
No. Florida does not issue journeyman licenses at the state level — journeyman credentials are county or municipal certificates of competency. The state-level exam is the certified electrical contractor exam.
How do I get a journeyman license in Florida?
Through your county or municipality — typically documented apprentice hours under a licensed contractor plus an approved proctored exam at 75% or better. A valid county journeyman license lets you work anywhere in Florida under state reciprocity law.
What is the Florida certified electrical contractor exam format?
Two open-book parts via Pearson VUE: Business (50 questions, 2.5 hours) and Technical/Safety (100 questions, 5 hours), 75% required on each part.