New Oklahoma Construction Industries Board rules, effective July 11, 2026, require electrical contractors to prove workers' comp coverage, lower the exam passing score to 70 percent, and roughly double continuing education hours.
New Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) rules for electrical contractors, journeymen and apprentices took effect July 11, 2026. An active electrical contractor license now requires proof of a workers' compensation policy or exemption, the exam passing score dropped from 75 to 70 percent, and continuing education hours roughly doubled for contractors and journeymen while apprentices face a continuing education requirement for the first time.
This article covers what the board changed in OAC Title 158, Chapter 40, what the law already required before the rule caught up, and what the changes mean for licensed Oklahoma electricians and for companies that want to work in the state. For the full picture of how Oklahoma licenses electrical contractors, start with the Oklahoma contractor license page.
At a glance
- Who: the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, Electrical Division.
- What changed: active contractors must now furnish proof of workers' compensation or an exemption; the exam passing score dropped from 75 to 70 percent; continuing education for contractors and journeymen roughly doubled; apprentices now need continuing education to re-register.
- When: the rule amendments took effect July 11, 2026. The apprentice continuing education requirement began January 1, 2026.
- Who it affects: every Oklahoma electrical contractor, journeyman and apprentice, and any company that wants to hold an Oklahoma electrical contractor license.
Workers' compensation proof is now part of an active license
Oklahoma electrical contractors already had to carry a $5,000 license bond and a general liability policy to hold an active license. The amended rule adds a third requirement: proof.
Section 158:40-5-5(c) of the Construction Industries Board's rules now reads that each active electrical contractor must indicate compliance with the state's workers' compensation laws on the application "and furnish proof of policy or exemption form." That clause is new. Failing to provide current bond, insurance and workers' compensation information "will result in an inactive electrical contractor's license being issued until such time as the requirements are met," under section 158:40-5-5(d), which now lists workers' compensation alongside bond and insurance for the first time.
The board's definition of an "inactive contractor" was amended to match: it now means a licensed electrical contractor who does not have current bond, insurance, and workers' compensation to be contracting for electrical work. An inactive contractor can still work as a journeyman electrician. Section 158:40-11-2(b)(2), the list of acts prohibited to a contractor license holder, was amended the same way: a licensee may not fail to maintain a bond, insurance and workers' compensation or exemption as provided in the bond and insurance rule.
The passing score dropped, and the wait after a failed exam is now 30 days for everyone
Section 158:40-9-2(f) sets the passing score for each part of the electrical contractor and journeyman exams at 70 percent, down from 75 percent. Section 158:40-9-2(j) sets the wait before a retest at 30 days after any failed examination, including repeat failures; previously, a second or later failure meant a 90 day wait, while a first failure already carried the shorter 30 day wait.
These two changes carry out HB 3215, which Oklahoma's governor signed on May 3, 2024. The statute's passing score and retest provisions took effect November 1, 2024. The administrative rule in Chapter 40 is only now being brought into line with the statute, more than a year and a half after the law itself changed.
Continuing education roughly doubled, and apprentices now need it too
Section 158:40-9-4(a)(1) now requires at least 12 hours of continuing education every three years to renew a contractor or journeyman license, up from 6 hours. Six of the 12 hours must cover code updates adopted by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission; the remaining 6 hours can cover other approved topics such as circuit theory, grounding and bonding, control systems, alternative energy systems or safety under NFPA 70E. The rule did not previously require a fixed split between code and other topics.
Apprentices face a new requirement under section 158:40-9-4(a)(6): beginning January 1, 2026, an apprentice cannot re-register without completing 3 hours of continuing education in the preceding year. The requirement is waived for a student apprentice or for an apprentice enrolled in an approved formal education course. Like the exam changes, the continuing education increases carry out HB 3215's statutory changes, which took effect January 1, 2026 for apprentices.
The board also added two definitions to section 158:40-1-2 to support these changes. "Formal electrical education" now means a two year associate or four year bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or a technical school certificate program of at least 250 hours in electrical construction wiring skills approved by the Committee of Electrical Examiners. "Student apprentice" now means any person 16 or older who meets the apprentice registration requirements under 59 O.S. Section 1686.
What it means for contractors already licensed in Oklahoma
A contractor renewing an active license now needs to have proof of a current workers' compensation policy, or a signed exemption form, ready alongside the bond and insurance documents the board already required. Without it, the board issues an inactive license rather than rejecting the renewal outright, but an inactive contractor can only work as a journeyman until the paperwork is current.
The continuing education change is the one most likely to catch a renewing licensee off guard: a contractor or journeyman who budgeted for 6 hours of CE every three years now needs 12, split 6 and 6 between code updates and other approved topics. A licensee is exempt from the CE requirement for three years from the date they passed their current licensing exam, which has not changed.
For companies that want to work in Oklahoma
Oklahoma issues the electrical contractor license to a person who is an owner, partner or officer of the electrical firm and gives full time to supervising its work. An applicant for an unlimited electrical contractor license needs at least 12,000 hours of verifiable experience, including 6,000 hours in commercial or industrial work and two years as a licensed unlimited journeyman, before sitting for the contractor exam. The Oklahoma contractor license page covers the classifications, the bond and insurance amounts, and the exam format in detail.
A company whose owner or officer does not yet hold an Oklahoma electrical contractor license can still bid and contract in the state if a licensed electrical contractor who is a bona fide owner, partner or officer of that company supervises its work. Contractor qualifier services explains how The Licensing Company helps a company put a qualified electrical contractor in that role.
Frequently asked questions
When did Oklahoma's new electrical rules take effect? The Construction Industries Board's amended rules in OAC Title 158, Chapter 40 took effect July 11, 2026. The apprentice continuing education requirement began earlier, on January 1, 2026.
Do Oklahoma electrical contractors have to prove workers' compensation coverage now? Yes. Under section 158:40-5-5(c), an active electrical contractor must indicate compliance with Oklahoma's workers' compensation laws and furnish proof of a policy or an exemption form. Without it, the board issues an inactive license.
What is the new passing score for Oklahoma's electrical exams? Section 158:40-9-2(f) sets the passing score at 70 percent of each part of the exam, down from 75 percent.
How many continuing education hours do Oklahoma electrical contractors and journeymen need now? Section 158:40-9-4(a)(1) requires 12 hours every three years, 6 hours on code updates and 6 hours on other approved topics, up from 6 hours total.
Do electrical apprentices need continuing education in Oklahoma? Yes, starting January 1, 2026. An apprentice needs 3 hours of continuing education each year to re-register, unless they are a student apprentice or enrolled in an approved formal education course.
This article is general education, not legal advice. The Construction Industries Board or a licensed attorney in Oklahoma can confirm how these rules apply to a specific company.
Marshall Schofield, one of the nation's leading contractor exam prep instructors, has helped thousands upon thousands of contractors get licensed. Jeremiah Jaskulski is a licensed contractor who has lived the licensing process across multiple states. Together they founded The Licensing Company, and they help contractors get licensed the right way in Oklahoma and nationwide.
Sources
- Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, OAC Title 158, Chapter 40, Electrical Industry Regulations, Permanent Rules Effective 07/11/2026
- Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, HB3215 Changes to Electrical Licensing
- Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Construction Industries Board, November 19, 2025
- Construction Industries Board Rules and Laws page
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.