Electrician License from Arkansas to Oregon: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services ↗
Yes — Oregon has a reciprocity arrangement covering Arkansas license holders. Apply to the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Arkansas is on Oregon's journeyman reciprocity list, which puts this move on the fast track: Oregon waives its journeyman exam for electricians who earned a qualifying Arkansas license by examination, held it at least a year, and meet the experience hours. Two conditions decide whether you actually qualify — your Arkansas license must have come from an exam, not a grandfather clause, and it must be current. The list is also revocable; the verification date on this page is when we last confirmed Arkansas on it, and the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services is the live source.
What changes, Arkansas → Oregon
| Arkansas (current) | Oregon (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Application fee | $25–$75 (Journeyman license fee is $25 per year; a license is issued for 1-3 years depending on the year within the NEC code cycle (about $25-$75 up front), and reciprocal applicants pay no $80 examination fee because they are not examined. Master license fee is $50 per year.) | $100 ($100 nonrefundable reciprocal electrical license application fee; same fee for General Journeyman (J) and General Supervising/Master (S)) |
| Processing time | Board does not publish a processing time; applications must be received at least 5 business days before the monthly board meeting at which they are reviewed | BCD does not publish a processing time for reciprocal license applications |
| Licensing authority | Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Oregon sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Oregon's current requirements on the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an equivalent or higher electrical license from a reciprocal state, current and active with no violations or conditions within the past 3 years.
- Have qualified for and passed that state's licensing exam with a score of 75 percent or better.
- Have worked at least 1,000 hours (6 months) under the reciprocal-state license.
- Not have failed the Oregon licensing exam for that license type within the past 2 years.
- Submit a completed License Verification Form and Affidavit of Employment Experience.
- Pay the fees ($100 ($100 nonrefundable reciprocal electrical license application fee; same fee for General Journeyman (J) and General Supervising/Master (S))) and allow BCD does not publish a processing time for reciprocal license applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Oregon accept a Arkansas electrician license?
Yes — Oregon has a reciprocity arrangement covering Arkansas license holders. Apply to the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Department of Consumer and Business Services under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Which exam will I take moving from Arkansas to Oregon?
Oregon waives its General Journeyman exam for applicants who hold an equivalent license from a reciprocal state and passed that state's exam with 75 percent or better; applicants from non-reciprocal states must qualify for and pass the Oregon exam.
What does the Arkansas-to-Oregon move cost and how long does it take?
$100 ($100 nonrefundable reciprocal electrical license application fee; same fee for General Journeyman (J) and General Supervising/Master (S)); processing BCD does not publish a processing time for reciprocal license applications.
What could disqualify me even though Arkansas is on Oregon's list?
A Arkansas license you were grandfathered into rather than earning by exam, a license held less than a year, or falling short of the experience-hour minimum — Oregon's reciprocity is conditional, not automatic.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Oregon BCD — Reciprocal licenses ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oregon BCD — Reciprocal Electrical License Application (form 440-4794e: states, $100 fee, OAR 918-030-0045 qualifications) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas Dept. of Labor & Licensing — Electrical Inspection and Licensing (journeyman & master reciprocal partner lists) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners — Administrative Rules (April 2024): fees, reciprocity, experience ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]