This explainer covers Oregon only, where the General Journeyman Electrician (J) license is handled by the Building Codes Division (BCD), listed as "DCBS - Building Codes Division". It answers one practical question from Oregon's official pages: what training or experience qualifies you for the journeyman license, and what is the exam like? Nothing here describes a rule change, and nothing here applies to any other state.
What does a General Journeyman Electrician (J) license allow?
Oregon's license directory entry for this license says the license holder may "Make any electrical installation under the supervision, direction and control of a general supervising electrician," "unless doing work that requires the direction of a limited supervising electrician or doing work requiring supervision."
So the journeyman license is not a license to work without a supervising electrician; the listing ties it to supervision by a general supervising electrician.
What training or experience qualifies you?
The same listing gives three options under its prerequisites, joined by "-or-":
- "Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in Oregon."
- "Official transcripts verifying 576 hours of classroom training and verification of 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience obtained outside of Oregon. Experience must include a breakdown of hours, showing a minimum of 1,000 hours in each category: residential, commercial, and industrial (300 percent rule applies)."
- "Verification of 16,000 hours of on-the-job experience obtained outside of Oregon showing a minimum of 2,000 hours in each category: residential, commercial, and industrial (300 percent rule applies)."
The listing does not explain the "300 percent rule" on that page. If it matters for your hours, ask BCD before you apply.
What does the Oregon apprenticeship route look like?
Oregon's license directory also lists the apprenticeship itself, under the Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI), not BCD. That entry, "Electrician, General Journeyman Apprentice (Inside)," states: "This apprenticeship leads to the General Journeyman Electrician license." It gives the duration as "8,000 hours (approximately 4 years)."
Its prerequisites say: "Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 17 years of age to apply, and 18 to begin the program." Applicants "must provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent general education development (GED) certificate" and "must also complete at least one year of high school algebra or equivalent post-high school algebra course with a passing grade of C, or provide equivalent math placement test results." It adds: "Apprenticeship committees may require additional qualifications."
Finishing the apprenticeship does not skip the exam. The BOLI entry states: "Apprentices in electrical and plumbing occupations are referred to the Oregon Building Codes Division for their license exam upon completion of the program".
What documents go with the application?
The journeyman listing names this "Required Documentation":
- "Completed application with applicable fee"
- "Copy of high school diploma, GED or equivalent"
- "Copy of apprenticeship completion (if applicable)"
- "Experience qualification documents (if required by license type)"
- "Photo"
BCD's "Electrical individual license" page, which describes the application steps for electrical individual licenses in general, adds instructions for the experience verification forms: "Submit one form for each employer." It also says: "You must list your experience in the required work categories in OAR 918-282." Completed documents go to the division in one packet: "Mail or fax all completed documents in a single packet to the division."
Is there an exam, and what is it like?
Yes. The journeyman listing describes the exam as "52 questions, 3 hours, open book." It adds: "Upon approval, a list will be provided outlining approved exam material".
That page, written for electrical individual licenses in general, explains the order of steps: "After your application is received and approved, the division will mail you a letter of authorization". Results come by mail: "After the exam is completed, you will be notified by mail of the results no later than two weeks of taking the exam." The page then states: "If you pass the exam, your license will be mailed to you."
How long does the license last?
The journeyman listing states: "License renewal is every three years on October 1." For continuing education it lists "24 total required hours" and points to BCD's electrical continuing education page for the specific requirements.
Where to check before you act
These are the requirements as shown on Oregon's official pages on the date above. BCD is the authority for the license and BOLI for the apprenticeship, so confirm the current requirements with them before you count hours, enter a program or apply for the exam. These pages describe Oregon only; other states set their own rules. Electrician licensing is a planned topic on goraedu; see all certifications for its status.
goraedu is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Oregon Building Codes Division, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries or any government agency.