Colorado Electrician License Renewal (State Electrical Board)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

Colorado electrician licenses (master, journeyman and residential wireman) and electrical contractor registrations all expire on September 30, every three years, in step with the Board's adoption of the National Electrical Code. Licenses for the 2023 - 2026 license period expired on September 30, 2026, and DPO's electrical page gives November 30, 2026 as the last day to renew them. Renewing an active electrician license takes 24 hours of continuing education, at least 4 of them on NEC changes.

At a glance

Who needs it: Journeyman electricians, master electricians and residential wiremen need a license from the Division of Professions and Occupations. An electrical contractor must register with the State Electrical Board, and must be owned by, or employ, a licensed master electrician in charge of its electrical work
Expires: September 30, every 3 years, for every electrician license and electrical contractor registration. Licenses for the 2023 - 2026 license period expired on September 30, 2026
Grace period: 60 days after expiration to renew, with a delinquency fee, without discipline for practicing on an expired license. For the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page says they can be renewed through November 30, 2026
After the grace period: The license or registration counts as expired, and you can't practice until it's reinstated
Continuing education: For an active license: at least 24 hours during each three-year license period, from a CE provider that has attested to the Board. At least 4 hours must be on National Electrical Code changes, and no more than 4 hours of safety courses count
First renewal: No CE is required for the first renewal or reinstatement of a license you got by passing the licensing exam
CE records: Keep your own certificates or transcripts for at least 7 years. Don't send them unless the Board asks for them
Renew: Online through the DPO Online Services renewal system. The board says renewals open about 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date
Reinstatement: Expired more than 60 days but less than 2 years: a reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee and proof of 24 CE hours since your last license, renewal or reinstatement. Expired more than 2 years: you have to show competency, for example by passing the state electrical exam
Contractors: Registration requires evidence that you comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws. A master electrician can be the responsible master for only one company, and a contractor that loses its master has 20 days to hire another before the registration goes inactive
Fee: Check DPO for the current renewal fee when you renew. Renewing during the grace period adds a delinquency fee

Anyone working as an electrician has to carry their license, certificate, temporary work permit or registration on them.

A master electrician named as a contractor's responsible master has to tell the Board within 15 days after that role ends.

A new license issued within 120 days of the upcoming expiration date is issued with the next expiration date instead.

How to renew

Log in to DPO Online Services and check the expiration date on your license or registration.
Make sure you have 24 CE hours for the license period from providers on the Board's attesting provider list, at least 4 of them on NEC changes, and keep the certificates.
Renew online through the DPO Online Services renewal system before September 30. Late? The 60-day grace period adds a delinquency fee: for 2026, DPO's electrical page gives November 30, 2026 as the last day.
Contractors: renew the electrical contractor registration too, and make sure your responsible master electrician's license is renewed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

During the license periodTake your 24 CE hours with providers on the Board's attesting list, at least 4 on NEC changes. No more than 4 safety hours count.
4 to 5 weeks outRenewals open in DPO Online Services. Renew the license and, for contractors, the registration.
September 30Licenses and contractor registrations expire. The 60-day grace period starts, with a delinquency fee.
End of the grace periodFor the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page gives November 30, 2026 as the last day to renew. After the grace period, you can't practice until the license is reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your electrical contractor registration, on the same date as the licenses
The licenses of the electricians who work for you, and your responsible master electrician's license
City or county requirements: DPO tells contractors to check with the city or county for local requirements
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Colorado electrician licenses expire?

On September 30, every 3 years, for every electrician license and electrical contractor registration. Licenses for the 2023 - 2026 license period expired on September 30, 2026.

How late can I renew a Colorado electrical license?

There are 60 days after expiration to renew, with a delinquency fee. For the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page says they can be renewed through November 30, 2026.

How many CE hours do Colorado electricians need?

For an active license: at least 24 hours during each three-year license period, from a CE provider that has attested to the Board. At least 4 hours must be on National Electrical Code changes, and no more than 4 hours of safety courses count.

What if I miss the grace period?

The license or registration counts as expired, and you can't practice until it's reinstated. Expired more than 60 days but less than 2 years: a reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee and proof of 24 CE hours since your last license, renewal or reinstatement. Expired more than 2 years: you have to show competency, for example by passing the state electrical exam.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Colorado State Electrical Board (DPO), Applications and Renewals

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Colorado Electrician License Renewal (State Electrical Board)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Journeyman electricians, master electricians and residential wiremen need a license from the Division of Professions and Occupations. An electrical contractor must register with the State Electrical Board, and must be owned by, or employ, a licensed master electrician in charge of its electrical work
Expires: September 30, every 3 years, for every electrician license and electrical contractor registration. Licenses for the 2023 - 2026 license period expired on September 30, 2026
Grace period: 60 days after expiration to renew, with a delinquency fee, without discipline for practicing on an expired license. For the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page says they can be renewed through November 30, 2026
After the grace period: The license or registration counts as expired, and you can't practice until it's reinstated
Continuing education: For an active license: at least 24 hours during each three-year license period, from a CE provider that has attested to the Board. At least 4 hours must be on National Electrical Code changes, and no more than 4 hours of safety courses count
First renewal: No CE is required for the first renewal or reinstatement of a license you got by passing the licensing exam
CE records: Keep your own certificates or transcripts for at least 7 years. Don't send them unless the Board asks for them
Renew: Online through the DPO Online Services renewal system. The board says renewals open about 4 to 5 weeks before the expiration date
Reinstatement: Expired more than 60 days but less than 2 years: a reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee and proof of 24 CE hours since your last license, renewal or reinstatement. Expired more than 2 years: you have to show competency, for example by passing the state electrical exam
Contractors: Registration requires evidence that you comply with Colorado's workers' compensation and unemployment compensation laws. A master electrician can be the responsible master for only one company, and a contractor that loses its master has 20 days to hire another before the registration goes inactive
Fee: Check DPO for the current renewal fee when you renew. Renewing during the grace period adds a delinquency fee

Anyone working as an electrician has to carry their license, certificate, temporary work permit or registration on them.

A master electrician named as a contractor's responsible master has to tell the Board within 15 days after that role ends.

A new license issued within 120 days of the upcoming expiration date is issued with the next expiration date instead.

How to renew

Log in to DPO Online Services and check the expiration date on your license or registration.
Make sure you have 24 CE hours for the license period from providers on the Board's attesting provider list, at least 4 of them on NEC changes, and keep the certificates.
Renew online through the DPO Online Services renewal system before September 30. Late? The 60-day grace period adds a delinquency fee: for 2026, DPO's electrical page gives November 30, 2026 as the last day.
Contractors: renew the electrical contractor registration too, and make sure your responsible master electrician's license is renewed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

During the license periodTake your 24 CE hours with providers on the Board's attesting list, at least 4 on NEC changes. No more than 4 safety hours count.
4 to 5 weeks outRenewals open in DPO Online Services. Renew the license and, for contractors, the registration.
September 30Licenses and contractor registrations expire. The 60-day grace period starts, with a delinquency fee.
End of the grace periodFor the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page gives November 30, 2026 as the last day to renew. After the grace period, you can't practice until the license is reinstated.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your electrical contractor registration, on the same date as the licenses
The licenses of the electricians who work for you, and your responsible master electrician's license
City or county requirements: DPO tells contractors to check with the city or county for local requirements
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Colorado electrician licenses expire?

On September 30, every 3 years, for every electrician license and electrical contractor registration. Licenses for the 2023 - 2026 license period expired on September 30, 2026.

How late can I renew a Colorado electrical license?

There are 60 days after expiration to renew, with a delinquency fee. For the licenses that expired September 30, 2026, DPO's electrical page says they can be renewed through November 30, 2026.

How many CE hours do Colorado electricians need?

What if I miss the grace period?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Colorado State Electrical Board (DPO), Applications and Renewals

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet