Renewing Your Colorado Electrical License: CEU Guide for 2025

Colorado’s Triennial License Renewal: Mark Your Calendar

Colorado operates on a three-year cycle tied to the state’s adoption of the National Electrical Code. All Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, and Residential Wireman licenses follow this schedule and Board-issued licenses and electrical contractor registrations are both renewed on that three-year cadence. Check your DORA license record for your specific expiration date and plan ahead—renewals and deadlines are handled by the Division and the Board and a licensee’s individual expiration date is shown in their license record.

This cycle also applies to your Electrical contractor registration, so it’s essential to keep all your credentials aligned. Missing your individual renewal window can mean you’ll need to follow the Board’s reinstatement process; Colorado provides a 60-day grace period for renewal after a license expires, but you should confirm reinstatement requirements with DORA.

The 24-Hour CEU Requirement: One Standard for All Licenses

The Colorado State Electrical Board has set a uniform continuing education requirement for active licensees. Licensees in active status must complete 24 hours of continuing education every three-year renewal cycle to be eligible for renewal. This 24-hour requirement applies to Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, and Residential Wireman licensees who are renewing in active status; check your license record or the Board rule text for specifics about how this applies to your first renewal after licensure.

This uniformity simplifies planning for electricians at every stage of their careers. If you need the exact application of the rule to your first renewal after initial licensure, confirm with DORA or review the Board rule text.

The CE Breakdown: Core Competencies and Limits

Colorado’s continuing education rules emphasize focused training rather than purely collecting hours. The state requires that at least four (4) of the 24 hours must address National Electrical Code changes for each renewal cycle, and the Board will credit no more than four (4) hours for safety-related courses (there is no minimum required for safety training). This ensures licensees learn the code changes that affect everyday practice while still allowing room for safety training and other core topics.

Most other topics are acceptable so long as the provider and course meet the Board’s attestation criteria for continued education. The Board has an “Attesting Providers” process for providers who attest that their courses and instructors meet the Board’s criteria, and the Board has discretion to accept or reject providers or individual course credits.

CE Requirements: Master vs. Journeyman vs. Residential Wireman

Here is a concise breakdown that reflects the Board’s continuing education framework.

Source: Colorado State Electrical Board rules (continuing education framework and course-credit limits).

Decoding Your 24 PDUs: A Focus on Core Competencies

Your 24-hour CEU requirement is not just about accumulating hours; it’s about focusing on specific core competencies the Board wants licensees to maintain. When selecting online electrical courses or in-person training, you must pick courses and providers that meet the Board’s attestation standards and cover relevant topics. Typical competency topics include (but are not limited to):

• NEC Code Changes (4 Hours Minimum): This minimum is mandatory for each renewal cycle—use these hours to study the 2023 NEC changes the Board adopted.
• Grounding and Bonding: Fundamental subject matter governed by NEC Article 250 and the Board’s expectations.
• Wiring Methods: Topics tied to NEC Chapter 3 and approved wiring methods.
• Electrical Theory and Calculations: Core technical elements that support compliant design and safe installations.
• NFPA 70E / Safety Training (Up to 4 Hours Credit): The Board will credit up to four hours of safety training toward the 24-hour requirement, but safety hours alone do not satisfy the NEC-change minimum.

Navigating the 2023 NEC in Colorado

The Colorado State Electrical Board incorporated the National Electrical Code, 2023 Edition, as the minimum standard for electrical work in the state, effective August 1, 2023. That adoption is the reason the state’s renewal cycles align with NEC code cycles and why NEC-Change training is a required portion of your CE. For areas of the NEC that have particular topical effect—such as EV charging infrastructure—review the NEC and related articles (NEC Article 625) as part of your NEC-focused CE courses. For example, understanding EVSE requirements (NEC Article 625) and other code changes is a practical focus for NEC-change hours; for background reading or practical explanation you may also find third-party course resources helpful, such as how 2023 NEC rules apply to refurbishing GFCIs and other equipment.

Choosing State Electrical Board Approved Providers

To ensure your hard work counts, choose courses from providers that have attested to the Board that their courses and instructors meet the Board’s continuing education requirements. The Board maintains the Attesting Providers process and retains discretion to accept or reject provider attestations or course credits. Confirm a provider’s attestation or acceptance before enrolling.

When you complete courses, certificates of completion should include the elements the Board requires (attendee name, Colorado electrician license number, date, provider, course title, instructor, number of hours, and other details as required in the Board rule). Keep your CE documentation safe: the Board requires licensees to retain records for a minimum of seven (7) years and may conduct audits; if audited you will normally be asked to provide documentation within thirty (30) days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I miss my Colorado electrical license renewal deadline?
If you do not renew on or before your license expiration, your license will be considered expired and you will be ineligible to practice until reinstated; Colorado provides a 60-day grace period for renewals (a delinquency fee applies). Reinstatement requirements vary—contact DORA for your specific situation.

Do I need to complete CEUs for my very first license renewal?
The Board rules include specific wording about how continuing education applies across renewal cycles and reference the first renewal after issuance by examination; check the Board rule text or DORA for the exact application of CE requirements to your first renewal.

Does Colorado have reciprocal licensing agreements?
Colorado authorizes licensure by endorsement under the conditions laid out in the Board rules (active licensure elsewhere, comparable exam/experience, and other criteria). Check DORA and the Board rule for current endorsement criteria and whether your jurisdiction qualifies for endorsement in Colorado.

Do I need GFCI training or EVSE training for CE hours?
You should select NEC-change courses that cover code updates that affect your work. NEC Article 625 (EVSE) and NEC Article 210 (receptacle and GFCI requirements) are examples of code topics that commonly appear in CE offerings; include EVSE or GFCI-related training within your NEC-change and core competency hours if those topics are relevant to your work.

Practical Tips for Completing CEUs

• Plan early: With a three-year cycle, spread your 24 hours across the renewal period so you avoid a last-minute rush.
• NEC-focused core: Make sure at least 4 of your 24 hours are NEC code-change training each cycle.
• Safety credit cap: You can earn safety credit, but the Board will only credit up to 4 hours of safety training toward the 24-hour total.
• Records and audits: Keep the certificate elements intact and retain documentation for seven (7) years; the Board may audit and will request documentation if needed.
• Verify providers: Use providers that attest to the Board and keep proof of the provider’s attestation or course acceptance.

Where to Learn More

For official Board rules and continuing education guidance, consult the Colorado State Electrical Board rules and DORA. For the authoritative NEC text and to study code changes in detail, consult NFPA resources on the NEC (the Board has incorporated the 2023 NEC as the minimum standard). For EV-specific code guidance, review NEC Article 625 and related EVSE material.

If you want a quick plan: determine your license expiration on DORA, ensure at least 4 hours are NEC-change training, include a mix of core competency topics, use Board-attesting providers, keep seven years of documentation, and complete the 24 hours before your renewal window.