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8 Best Electrician Certifications of 2026
This list is for electricians who already hold a license, or are working toward one, and want credentials that open specialty work, safety-sensitive jobs or better-paid roles. We compared documented requirements and published prices for eight options: a solar board certification, NFPA 70E safety training, a power testing certification, an EV charger credential, an OSHA card, two apprenticeship programs and a national electrical curriculum. Scores weigh features at 40 percent and ease of use and value at 30 percent each. None of these replaces a state or local electrical license, which sets the legal scope of your work.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 8 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
If you are licensed and want one credential that adds a specialty, pick NABCEP's PV Installation Professional: fees are published, the Board Eligible route lets you pass the exam before your project list is complete, and NABCEP offers related storage and design credentials for later. Every electrician should also have documented NFPA 70E training, and HeatSpring's course doubles as prep for NFPA's Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam. If you are not licensed yet, the IBEW/NECA and IEC apprenticeships are the routes that build the experience a license requires, and NCCER's curriculum documents classroom training if your school or employer is accredited. NICET Electrical Power Testing is the specialist choice for test and commissioning work, ETA's EVSE credential covers EV chargers, and an OSHA 10 card is a cheap credential to get early.
Top picks
Best overall
NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
8.5 / 10
Licensed electricians who install or lead solar PV and storage jobs.
Read the review →Runner-up
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training (HeatSpring)
8.4 / 10
Electricians who work on or near energized parts and want documented 70E training.
Read the review →Also great
IBEW/NECA Apprenticeship (electrical training ALLIANCE)
8.2 / 10
New and unlicensed workers who want structured on-the-job training toward a journeyman card.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) | Licensed electricians who install or lead solar PV and storage jobs. | $125 application fee plus $375 exam fee ($500 total); recertification $390 every three years | 8.5 |
| 2 | NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training (HeatSpring) | Electricians who work on or near energized parts and want documented 70E training. | $395 one-time for the course with one year of access; also included in HeatSpring Pro at $89 per month | 8.4 |
| 3 | IBEW/NECA Apprenticeship (electrical training ALLIANCE) | New and unlicensed workers who want structured on-the-job training toward a journeyman card. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending); costs and requirements are set by each local JATC | 8.2 |
| 4 |  NICET Electrical Power Testing | Electricians moving into testing, commissioning and maintenance of power equipment. | $235 for a Level I application, rising to $435 at Level IV | 8.0 |
| 5 |  IEC Electrical Apprenticeship | Aspiring electricians who want a non-union, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending); classroom costs are often shared by the employer or covered by state funding | 7.9 |
| 6 |  NCCER Electrical | Students and apprentices training at an NCCER-accredited school or employer. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending); offered through NCCER-accredited training programs | 7.8 |
| 7 |  ETA EVSE Diagnostic Technician (EDT) | Electricians who install or service EV chargers. | $150 per exam, with one free retake within a year | 7.7 |
| 8 |  OSHA 10-Hour Construction (ClickSafety) | Apprentices and electricians who need an OSHA 10 card. | $89 per learner for the online course | 7.6 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
A board certification for solar PV installers from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
nabcep.org8.5
out of 10
Best for: Licensed electricians who install or lead solar PV and storage jobs.
For an electrician who already holds a license, NABCEP's PV Installation Professional certification is the clearest way to prove a specialty that contractors and customers ask about. NABCEP's Board Eligible pathway lets you submit verification of 58 hours of classroom learning, take the PVIP exam on your own computer, and then use up to three years after passing to complete the installation projects needed for full Board Certified status. Fees are published plainly: $125 to apply, $375 for the exam, $275 for a re-exam and $390 to recertify every three years, with no extra fee when you convert from Board Eligible to Board Certified. Candidates outside the United States and Canada pay a $75 international fee to the testing vendor. The downsides are the up-front training hours and the project documentation, which take time to gather if solar is a small part of your work. NABCEP also runs related board certifications for PV design, commissioning and maintenance, inspection and energy storage installation, so the credential can grow with you.
Standout feature
You can pass the exam first and finish the experience requirement over the following three years.
Use cases
Licensed electricians moving into solar
Complete 58 classroom hours and pass the PVIP exam online
Outcome: Board Eligible status while you finish qualifying projects
Solar crew leads
Document installation projects and convert to Board Certified
Outcome: A listing in NABCEP's Board Certified directory
Key features
- Board Eligible pathway lets you sit the PVIP exam before finishing project experience
- Exam taken on your own computer once 58 hours of classroom learning are verified
- Three years after passing to complete experience and convert to Board Certified
- Recertification every three years
- Sister credentials for PV design, commissioning, inspection and energy storage installation
Pros
- Published fee schedule with no extra charge to convert from Board Eligible to Board Certified
- Exam can be taken on your own computer
- Listing in NABCEP's Board Certified directory once certified
Cons
- Requires 58 hours of classroom learning before the exam
- Full certification also needs documented installation projects
- Application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable
Rank 2 · Runner-up
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training (HeatSpring)
A 6-hour instructor-led course on the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
heatspring.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: Electricians who work on or near energized parts and want documented 70E training.
Electrical safety training built on NFPA 70E is one of the most practical additions to any electrician's file, because it covers the work practices that matter when equipment is energized. HeatSpring's version is an 18-part, 6-hour course that uses NFPA 70E as its baseline and concentrates on approach boundaries, energized electrical work permits and creating an electrically safe work condition. HeatSpring lists it as an accepted prep course for the NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Technician certification exam, so it can serve as a first step toward an NFPA credential as well as documented training on its own. The instructor is a master electrician with 28 years of field experience and a 70E trainer. The course costs $395 as a one-time purchase with a year of access, a certificate of completion and CEUs, or it comes with a HeatSpring Pro plan at $89 a month alongside 31 other courses. Keep in mind that finishing the course gives you a certificate of completion, while NFPA's certification requires its own exam.
Standout feature
It doubles as an accepted prep course for NFPA's Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam.
Use cases
Commercial and industrial electricians
Review approach boundaries and energized work permits
Outcome: A certificate of completion and CEUs for your training file
Electricians aiming for an NFPA credential
Use the course as prep for the Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam
Outcome: A structured study path before booking the exam
Key features
- 18-part, 6-hour course built on NFPA 70E
- Covers approach boundaries, energized electrical work permits and electrically safe work conditions
- Accepted prep course for the NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam
- Certificate of completion and CEUs
- Taught by a master electrician with 28 years of experience
Pros
- Short enough to finish in a single day
- Also prepares you for NFPA's Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam
- Teams of three or more can get up to 40 percent off
Cons
- A course certificate, not an NFPA certification by itself
- One-time purchase includes one year of access
- Pro subscription only pays off if you take other HeatSpring courses
Rank 3 · Also great
IBEW/NECA Apprenticeship (electrical training ALLIANCE)
Union electrical apprenticeships run by local IBEW and NECA joint apprenticeship training committees.
electricaltrainingalliance.org8.2
out of 10
Best for: New and unlicensed workers who want structured on-the-job training toward a journeyman card.
The IBEW/NECA apprenticeship is the standard union route into the electrical trade, and it belongs on any list of electrician credentials because completing it is how many electricians reach journeyman status. The electrical training ALLIANCE develops the national education standards, while local Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees run the programs and take applications. There are four specialty areas: inside wiremen for commercial and industrial buildings, outside linemen for distribution and transmission lines, residential wiremen for houses and apartments, and VDV installer technicians for telephone, network, video and security systems. Typical requirements are a minimum age of 18, a high school education, one year of high school algebra, a qualifying aptitude test score and being drug free, and each local can add its own. Apprentices get on-the-job skill training plus trade-related classroom instruction, often with hands-on classes. The trade-off is access: you need a passing aptitude score and a local opening, and costs are set locally rather than published.
Standout feature
It is the only option here with a dedicated low-voltage VDV installer technician track.
Use cases
High school graduates
Apply to a local JATC and pass the aptitude test
Outcome: A place in an inside wireman or residential wireman program
Transitioning service members
Use the VEEP program
Outcome: Entry into an electrical apprenticeship
Key features
- Programs for inside wiremen, outside linemen, residential wiremen and VDV installer technicians
- On-the-job skill training plus trade-related classroom training
- Applications go through a local JATC or AJATC
- Training standards developed nationally by the electrical training ALLIANCE
- VEEP program for transitioning service members
Pros
- Combines on-the-job skill training with classroom instruction
- Four specialty tracks, including low-voltage VDV work
- Clear published baseline entry requirements
Cons
- Requires a qualifying aptitude test score and acceptance by a local committee
- Each local JATC may add its own requirements
- Costs are not published nationally
Rank 4
NICET Electrical Power Testing
A four-level certification for technicians who test power generation, transmission and distribution equipment.
nicet.org8.0
out of 10
Best for: Electricians moving into testing, commissioning and maintenance of power equipment.
NICET's Electrical Power Testing certification is aimed at technicians who inspect, test and maintain equipment used to produce, transmit and distribute electrical power, and to judge whether it is fit for service. It is a good fit for electricians who want to move toward acceptance testing, maintenance testing or commissioning work. Technical areas include electrically safe work conditions, electrical theory and components, test equipment and procedures, protection, control and automation, and documentation and reporting. Candidates pass an exam, submit a work history that meets industry experience requirements, perform key role-specific activities and, at Levels III and IV, obtain a personal recommendation. The Level I to III exams were updated on October 5, 2026, and the Level IV exam is due in January 2027. Fees effective August 1, 2026 run from $235 at Level I to $435 at Level IV, and certification must be recertified every three years. It is more paperwork than a single exam, but the levels show progression clearly.
Standout feature
Its four levels track a technician's growth from entry level to senior responsibility.
Use cases
Electricians at testing firms
Pass the Level I exam and submit a work history
Outcome: An entry-level NICET certification in power testing
Senior field technicians
Document a major project for Level IV
Outcome: Proof of senior responsibility on complex testing work
Key features
- Four levels from Level I to Level IV
- Exams updated for Levels I to III on October 5, 2026, with Level IV due in January 2027
- Computer-based exams at Pearson testing centers
- Work history, role-specific activities and, at Levels III and IV, a personal recommendation
- Recertification every three years with continuing professional development
Pros
- Levels let you show growing responsibility over a career
- Freshly updated exams for Levels I to III
- Rescheduling more than 24 hours ahead is free in the same testing window
Cons
- Needs documented work experience on top of the exam
- Each level is a separate fee
- Level IV exam is not available until 2027
Rank 5
IEC Electrical Apprenticeship
A four-year merit shop electrical apprenticeship from Independent Electrical Contractors.
ieci.org7.9
out of 10
Best for: Aspiring electricians who want a non-union, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship.
The IEC Electrical Apprenticeship is the main merit shop alternative to a union program. Apprentices work for an IEC contractor during the day and attend classroom and hands-on instruction in the evening, at more than 70 training locations across the U.S. IEC says the program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, which gives it nationally recognized credentials. Finishing the four-year program qualifies you for 57 college credits through the American Council on Education, which can shorten a later degree. IEC notes that the cost of classroom education is often shared by the employer or covered by state funding, though it does not publish a national tuition figure, so check with your local chapter. The program fits best if you can land a job with a member contractor first. Like any apprenticeship, it is a multi-year commitment, and it leads toward the license rather than adding a specialty on top of one.
Standout feature
Completing it qualifies you for 57 college credits.
Use cases
Career changers
Join an IEC contractor and enroll at a local chapter
Outcome: Paid field experience alongside evening classes
Apprentices planning a degree
Complete the four-year program
Outcome: 57 college credits through ACE
Key features
- On-the-job training with an IEC contractor during the day
- Classroom and hands-on instruction in the evening
- More than 70 training locations around the U.S.
- Recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor
- 57 college credits through the American Council on Education on completion
Pros
- Paid work while you train
- College credit on completion of the four-year program
- Classroom costs often shared by the employer or covered by state funding
Cons
- Requires a job with an IEC contractor
- Four-year commitment
- Tuition is set by each chapter and not published nationally
Rank 6
NCCER Electrical
A four-level electrical curriculum with portable NCCER credentials, used by schools, contractors and training programs.
nccer.org7.8
out of 10
Best for: Students and apprentices training at an NCCER-accredited school or employer.
NCCER Electrical is the curriculum behind many school, contractor and merit shop training programs, and completing it through an accredited sponsor earns industry-recognized NCCER credentials. The four levels comply with U.S. Department of Labor standards for apprenticeship programs and cover safe work practices, applied electrical theory and residential, commercial and industrial skills, with the National Electrical Code woven throughout. The 12th edition aligns with the 2026 NEC, and NCCER lists recommended hours of 227.5 for Level 1 including Core, 150 for Level 2, 147.5 for Level 3 and 157.5 for Level 4. Levels 1 and 2 also form the start of the Electronic Systems Technician path. For electricians who already have field experience, NCCER offers an assessment for experienced workers and a Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep product. The limitation is access: you take it through an accredited training program rather than signing up as an individual, and NCCER does not publish a price for learners.
Standout feature
The 12th edition is already aligned with the 2026 National Electrical Code.
Use cases
Trade school students
Complete Levels 1 and 2
Outcome: NCCER credentials and a start on the Electrical or Electronic Systems Technician path
Experienced electricians
Take NCCER's assessment for experienced workers
Outcome: A credential that documents existing skills
Key features
- Four levels that comply with U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards
- 12th edition aligned with the 2026 National Electrical Code
- Recommended hours: 227.5 at Level 1 including Core, 150 at Level 2, 147.5 at Level 3, 157.5 at Level 4
- Assessment for experienced workers available
- Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep product
Pros
- Updated for the 2026 NEC
- Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep available for experienced electricians
- First two levels also count toward the Electronic Systems Technician path
Cons
- Only available through an NCCER-accredited training program
- No published individual price
- Classroom credential, so field experience still comes from your employer
Rank 7
ETA EVSE Diagnostic Technician (EDT)
A vendor-neutral certification in electric vehicle charging equipment diagnostics from ETA International.
etai.org7.7
out of 10
Best for: Electricians who install or service EV chargers.
ETA International's EVSE Diagnostic Technician certification targets a growing slice of electrical work: keeping electric vehicle chargers running. It is a vendor-neutral program that tests diagnostic proficiency across the EVSE ecosystem, and ETA developed it with SkillFusion, which works on charger reliability and on building a pipeline of certified electricians and other technicians. The exam has 100 questions, a two-hour time limit and a 75 percent passing score, costs $150, and does not require a hands-on component. Certification lasts four years and requires maintenance. ETA allows one free retake within a year of the first session, and its certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council. For electricians who already install chargers, this adds a diagnostic credential to the installation work. ETA also offers solar credentials, including a Photovoltaic Installer Level 1 exam at $155, which needs hands-on training from an approved school. The certification is narrow, so treat it as a specialty add-on.
Standout feature
A free retake is included within a year of your first attempt.
Use cases
Electrical contractors installing chargers
Pass the 100-question EDT exam
Outcome: A vendor-neutral credential for charger service work
Service technicians
Add EV diagnostics to existing skills
Outcome: Documented diagnostic skills for charger service work
Key features
- Covers diagnostics across the EVSE ecosystem
- 100-question exam, two hours, 75 percent to pass
- No hands-on requirement
- Four-year certification term with maintenance required
- Accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council
Pros
- One free retake within a year of the first attempt
- No hands-on prerequisite
- Developed with SkillFusion for charger reliability work
Cons
- Narrow focus on EV charging equipment
- Requires maintenance to keep it active
- Less widely known than NABCEP or NICET
Rank 8
OSHA 10-Hour Construction (ClickSafety)
An OSHA-authorized online course that leads to a Department of Labor OSHA 10 card for construction.
clicksafety.com7.6
out of 10
Best for: Apprentices and electricians who need an OSHA 10 card.
An OSHA 10 card is less an electrical credential than a ticket onto many jobsites, and it is a common first credential for apprentices. ClickSafety's OSHA-authorized OSHA 10-Hour Construction course costs $89, runs 10 hours online at your own pace, and is available in English and Spanish. It covers recognizing and addressing hazards on the jobsite, including falls, electrocution, struck-by and caught-in or between incidents, along with ergonomics, chemical exposure, worker rights, employer responsibilities and how OSHA complaints and inspections work. After passing you get a certificate of completion right away, a 1.0 CEU, and an OSHA 10 card issued by the U.S. Department of Labor that ships within two weeks. ClickSafety also sells OSHA 30-Hour Construction for $189 for people heading toward supervisory roles. The course does not prove electrical skill, which is why it ranks last here, but it is cheap and quick, and ClickSafety pitches it as the training you need to qualify for work and meet job site requirements.
Standout feature
At $89 it is the cheapest credential on this list.
Use cases
New apprentices
Finish the 10-hour course online
Outcome: A Department of Labor OSHA 10 card
Spanish-speaking electrical workers
Take the course in Spanish
Outcome: The same OSHA 10 card and certificate
Key features
- 10 hours, self-paced online
- English and Spanish
- OSHA 10 card issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, shipped within two weeks
- Certificate of completion available right after passing
- 1.0 CEU
Pros
- Lowest price on this list
- Can be done on any device at your own pace
- Covers electrocution, falls, struck-by and caught-in hazards
Cons
- General construction safety, not electrical skill
- Card ships within two weeks rather than instantly
- The longer OSHA 30 course is a separate $189 purchase
Frequently asked questions
+Which electrician certification is best?
For licensed electricians, NABCEP's PV Installation Professional is the best certification to add, with a $125 application fee and a $375 exam fee and a Board Eligible route that lets you test before finishing project experience. Pair it with NFPA 70E electrical safety training, such as HeatSpring's 6-hour course at $395.
+What is the best electrical certification to get?
It depends on your specialty: NABCEP PVIP for solar, NICET Electrical Power Testing for testing and commissioning, and ETA's EVSE Diagnostic Technician for EV chargers. If you are not yet licensed, an IBEW/NECA or IEC apprenticeship comes first.
+What is the cheapest certification for electricians?
ClickSafety's OSHA 10-Hour Construction course costs $89 and leads to a Department of Labor OSHA 10 card. Among electrical credentials, ETA's EVSE Diagnostic Technician exam costs $150 and includes one free retake within a year.
+Do I need an apprenticeship before an electrician certification?
Not for every credential, but apprenticeships are how many electricians earn the experience a license requires. IBEW/NECA programs ask for a minimum age of 18, a high school education, one year of algebra and a qualifying aptitude score, and IEC runs a four-year program at more than 70 locations.
+Is NFPA 70E training a certification?
A 70E course like HeatSpring's gives you a certificate of completion and CEUs, not an NFPA certification. HeatSpring lists its course as an accepted prep course for NFPA's Certified Electrical Safety Technician exam, which is taken separately.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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