Connecticut E-1 Electrical Contractor License: Requirements and How to Apply
What Connecticut requires for an E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor license: two years as a licensed E-2 or 12,000 hours plus 720 classroom hours, the DCP application, the 100-question trade exam and the Business and Law exam, fees and annual renewal.
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Connecticut E-1 Electrical Contractor License: Requirements and How to Apply
The E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor license lets you run an electrical contracting business in Connecticut and pull work in your own name. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) issues it, the Electrical Work Examining Board sets the exams, and PSI gives them. About 5,300 Connecticut electricians held an active E-1 license in November 2026, and roughly 185 new ones have been issued each year since 2024. Everything below comes from Connecticut General Statutes chapter 393, DCP's license pages and PSI's Electrical Trades candidate bulletin (updated February 2026).
Eligibility
You need one of these:
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| Licensed journeyperson | Two years as a licensed E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson |
| Equivalent experience | Six years of experience and training: 12,000 hours on the job (8,000 as an apprentice plus 4,000 licensed) plus 720 classroom hours |
Classroom hours must match the courses on DCP's approved list; continuing-education certificates and manufacturer courses do not count. Experience is proven with notarized letters from employers. W-2s and payroll records are not accepted.
Two exams, not one
Every Connecticut contractor passes two PSI exams. Journeypersons take only the trade exam.
| Item | E-1 trade exam | Business and Law |
|---|---|---|
| Scored questions | 100 (PSI adds 1 to 10 unscored) | 50 |
| Time | 4 hours | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70% (70 correct) | 70% (35 correct) |
| Format | Open book, computer-based | Open book, computer-based |
| Reference | 2020 or 2023 NEC, plus the trade list | NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Connecticut, 6th edition |
| Fee per attempt | $59 | $59 |
A passed portion stays valid for two years, so you can pass one exam and then work on the other. See what is on the E-1 trade exam.
How to apply
- Apply to DCP with the $150 application fee.
- Wait for approval. DCP refers approved candidates to PSI.
- Schedule with PSI online or by phone at (855) 746-8171, and pay $59 per exam, per attempt.
- Pass both exams. Your eligibility lasts one year from approval, with no limit on attempts, and a passed portion counts for two years.
- Pay the $150 license fee. Send it to DCP with your passing score reports.
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| DCP application (nonrefundable) | $150 |
| E-1 trade exam, each attempt (PSI) | $59 |
| Business and Law exam, each attempt (PSI) | $59 |
| License, initial and each yearly renewal | $150 |
Out-of-state electricians
Connecticut law lets the state license holders of substantially similar or higher licenses from states that reciprocate, but DCP publishes no list of those states. An out-of-state license counts toward eligibility only if it required the same 720 classroom and 12,000 on-the-job hours. Check with DCP before you apply.
Renewal and continuing education
Licenses renew every year, for $150. You need 4 hours of continuing education each year, finished by June 30. The board writes the course content every year, and it must be taken in person or in a live online class approved by the board. No continuing education is required for your first renewal.
Practice for the exam
Connecticut does not publish pass rates, but the board noted in 2024 that more candidates fail than pass. Our Connecticut E-1 practice test is weighted like PSI's 16-area trade outline, and every question cites the 2020 NEC section. Our Business and Law prep for Connecticut is coming.
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