Utah Electrical License Renewal: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a professional electrician in the Beehive State, you know that your license is the bedrock of your career. It’s a testament to your skill, knowledge, and commitment to safety. But with a busy schedule of projects and client demands, it’s easy for administrative tasks like license renewal to sneak up on you. The biennial renewal cycle in Utah means that every even-numbered year, thousands of electricians face the same deadline. Missing it isn’t an option if you want to keep working without interruption. This guide breaks down the entire utah electrical license renewal process, ensuring you have all the information needed to stay compliant with the Utah DOPL (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) and keep your career on track.

Understanding Utah’s Biennial Renewal Cycle

In Utah, all electrical licenses, regardless of type, share the same expiration date. According to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, every electrical license expires on November 30th of even-numbered years. This standardized deadline applies to Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, Residential Journeyman, and Residential Master electricians. The DOPL typically sends out a renewal notice via email approximately 60 days before the license expiration, so it’s crucial to have your contact information up-to-date in their system. However, the responsibility for timely renewal ultimately falls on you, the licensee.

The Core of Your Renewal: Utah Electrician CE Hours Explained

The cornerstone of your license renewal is completing the required continuing education (CE). This ensures you are up-to-date with the latest safety standards, technological advancements, and, most importantly, the National Electrical Code. According to the DOPL, all renewing licensed electricians must complete 16 hours of approved CE during each two-year renewal period. It is important to note, however, that Apprentice Electricians are exempt from this continuing education requirement, per Utah Administrative Code R156-55b. These hours are divided into two specific categories: “Core” and “Professional.”

The 12 “Core” Hours Requirement

This is the most critical part of your CE obligation. The state mandates that 12 of your 16 total hours must be core hours. According to Utah Administrative Code R156-55b, this “Core” education must cover two key areas:

• The National Electrical Code (NEC): At least eight of your core hours must be dedicated to the currently adopted NEC. With codes constantly evolving, an NEC update course is essential for compliance and safety on the job site. It’s vital to understand exactly how the 2023 NEC definition changes have impacted electrical work to ensure your installations are up to standard.
• Safety (NFPA 70E): The remaining four core hours must cover safety standards, specifically the NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. This training is designed to protect you from job site hazards like arc flash and shock. These requirements reinforce why it’s critical to know how the 2023 NEC improves electrical worker safety around equipment, creating a safer environment for everyone.

The 4 “Professional Education” Hours

The final four hours offer more flexibility and are categorized as professional education. You can choose to take additional core courses, or you can select topics directly related to the electrical trade, such as:

• OSHA or MSHA safety courses
• Motors and motor controls
• Advanced electrical theory
• Proper electrical tool usage
• Supervision and project management skills

This flexibility allows you to tailor your education to your specific career path, whether you are an electrical contractor focused on business growth or a master electrician supervising complex commercial projects.

CE Requirements by License Type: Master vs. Journeyman vs. Apprentice

A common point of confusion is whether CE requirements differ between license levels. In Utah, the DOPL has streamlined the process for licensed electricians, but there is a key exception for apprentices. According to the official renewal page (dopl.utah.gov) and the corresponding administrative rules, the CE requirements are uniform across the primary license types.

This means whether you are a master electrician, journeyman electrician, Residential Master, or Residential Journeyman, you must meet the same 16-hour standard. However, Apprentice Electricians are exempt from all CE requirements for renewal, as stated in Utah Administrative Code R156-55b. While the scope of work and on-the-job responsibilities vary greatly, the commitment to ongoing education is universal for licensed professionals.

Source: The requirements listed are based on information from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (dopl.utah.gov) and Utah Administrative Code R156-55b.

The Step-by-Step Utah Electrical License Renewal Process

With your CE requirements understood, the renewal process itself is straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and timely renewal.

1. Complete Your CE with a State-Approved Provider
   Your first and most important step is to complete your 16 hours of training. You MUST use a state-approved provider for your hours to count. The DOPL maintains a list of providers who are authorized to offer qualifying courses. Online courses offer the flexibility to complete your education on your own schedule, from your home or office. Once you’ve found the right fit, you can browse our courses to find state-approved packages that fulfill all of Utah’s requirements, including courses covering things like the 2023 NEC rules for using reconditioned electrical equipment.
2. Verify Your Hours on the Utah CE Registry
   After you complete a course, your CE provider is responsible for reporting your hours to the DOPL. You can—and should—verify that your hours have been posted correctly by checking the Utah CE Registry online. According to the DOPL, you can visit secure.utah.gov/ce-public to check your record. Do this before proceeding to the final step.
3. Renew Online and Pay the Fee
   Once your CE hours are verified in the system, you can complete your renewal. You will need the renewal ID number provided in your notice from the DOPL to access the online renewal portal. As you complete the application, you will be required to pay the renewal fee. According to the official Utah DOPL fee schedule, this fee is $72 for Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses and $42 for Apprentice Electrician licenses. Be prepared to answer questions about your legal and professional history since your last renewal.

Don’t Miss the Deadline: What Happens if Your License Expires?

Letting your license expire can lead to significant headaches, including work stoppages and additional fees. If you fail to renew by the November 30 deadline, your license becomes inactive. According to DOPL rules based on Utah Code 58-1-301, late renewal is permitted but comes with penalties. Renewing up to 30 days after expiration requires payment of the standard renewal fee plus a $20 late fee. If you renew more than 30 days but less than two years after expiration, you must pay the standard renewal fee plus a $50 late fee. If you fail to reinstate within two years, your license is cancelled, and you will be required to re-apply for licensure, a far more complex and costly process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the deadline for the Utah electrical license renewal?
  The deadline for all Utah electrical licenses is November 30th of every even-numbered year (e.g., 2024, 2026).
• How many CE hours do I need for my journeyman electrician license?
  A journeyman electrician needs 16 hours of continuing education every two years, the same as a master electrician. This includes 12 core hours (covering the NEC and NFPA 70E) and 4 professional hours.
• What is the difference between “Core” and “Professional” education hours?
  Core hours are mandatory technical subjects, specifically the National Electrical Code and NFPA 70E safety standards. Professional hours are more flexible and can cover other topics related to the electrical trade, such as business practices, OSHA safety, or new technologies.