Georgia Electrical Contractor Class I

Class I is the restricted license. Under Georgia law since July 1, 2026 (SB 553), it covers single-family homes of up to three levels and multifamily buildings of up to two levels, with single-phase services of not more than 400 amperes. The Board’s current rule still describes Class I as single-phase work of not more than 200 amperes, so check with the Division before you bid near that limit.

Under the 2026 law: three years of full-time electrical experience covering at least five of the seven listed work areas plus load calculations, or a two-year electrical diploma with two years of experience, or a Department of Labor apprenticeship. You submit a sworn experience affidavit and a criminal background check. The Board’s rule has not yet been updated to match, so confirm the current requirement with the Division when you apply.

The 2023 NEC. It is on PSI’s reference list for exams through December 31, 2026, and it has been Georgia’s state minimum electrical code since January 1, 2025, with Georgia amendments revised January 1, 2026. No move to the 2026 NEC has been announced; PSI publishes a new reference list each year.

Yes, but only the books on PSI’s reference list: the 2023 NEC (or the NEC Handbook), the American Electricians’ Handbook (17th edition), Ugly’s Electrical References (2023), Printreading Based on the 2020 NEC, the NASCLA Contractors Guide for the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (5th edition), the IRS Employer’s Tax Guide (Circular E) and OSHA’s construction standards (29 CFR 1926). Highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs are allowed; handwritten notes and pasted-in material are not. Calculators must be silent and non-programmable, without alpha keys or printing.

You need a final scaled score of 70, not 70% of the raw questions: PSI adjusts the raw score for the difficulty of your form. Unscored pretest questions are mixed in, so the exam you sit is longer than the 140 that count. You get a pass or fail and your scaled score at the test center, and failing candidates also see subscores by content area.

After two failed attempts, Georgia requires a Board-approved review course before a third attempt. After that, no further course is required.

PSI, at its test centers by appointment, Monday to Saturday. The Board approves your application first and notifies PSI, and PSI then sends scheduling instructions. You get one free reschedule if you ask at least two business days ahead; if you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you forfeit the exam and the fee. Bring two IDs, one a current government photo ID.

Georgia licenses run for two years and are renewed every two years. You can renew late within 31 days after the license expires, with a late fee. The Division sets the continuing education you need, and unused hours do not carry forward to the next renewal.