Preparing to get licensed as an electrician in Wichita or Sedgwick County, Kansas? Kansas has no statewide electrician license — licensing is handled city and county by city and county — and the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) runs a combined city-county system covering both the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. This guide explains eligibility for Journeyman and Master electrician certificates, the ICC exam, current NEC edition, fees, and continuing education.
Quick Answer: What Do You Need?
| Licensing authority | Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) — joint City of Wichita / Sedgwick County agency |
| Certificate types | Journeyman Electrician, Residential Electrician (residential-only), Master Electrician |
| Exam | Approved ICC exam, taken through an approved testing vendor (Block, Experior, ICC, or IAPMO — MABCD notes it no longer sponsors Prometric exams) |
| Passing score | 75% or better |
| Certificate fee | $35 per certificate |
| NEC edition | 2023 NEC with local amendments, effective January 1, 2025 |
| Certificate term | 2 years, expiring December 31 of odd-numbered years, with continuing education required to renew |
Who Regulates Electricians in Wichita & Sedgwick County?
The Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) is a combined agency serving both the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, issuing Journeyman and Master electrician trade certificates plus contractor business licenses under one roof. This guide covers only the Wichita/Sedgwick County jurisdiction — Kansas has no statewide electrician license, and other Kansas cities and counties set entirely separate rules (see our Kansas licensing overview).
Journeyman Electrician Certificate
Per MABCD's published requirements, Journeyman candidates must document one of these experience paths:
- One year of field experience plus one year of electrical trade school; OR
- Two years of field experience
Experience must be documented on company letterhead with a detailed description of work performed. Candidates must then score 75% or better on one of MABCD's approved ICC exams:
- 558 Journeyman Electrician, or KGH Journeyman Electrician (full scope)
- 565 Residential Electrician, or KGX Residential Electrician (residential work only)
Master Electrician Certificate
Master candidates must:
- Currently hold Journeyman status; AND
- Have two years of field experience as a certified Journeyman; AND
- Score 75% or better on one of MABCD's approved ICC Master Electrician exams: 554, KGD, F16, G16, or T16.
The ICC Exam
MABCD directs candidates to sit an approved International Code Council (ICC) exam through one of its approved testing facilities: Block, Experior, ICC, or IAPMO. MABCD explicitly notes that it no longer sponsors Prometric exams — if you've seen Prometric referenced as a testing option for this jurisdiction, that information is outdated. We were not able to confirm the exact question count, time limit, or in-room reference material and marking rules (tabs, highlighting, notes) from MABCD's own published materials. Since ICC administers exams under standardized rules that can still vary by sponsoring jurisdiction, confirm those specifics directly with your chosen testing vendor or MABCD (316-660-1840) before test day rather than relying on a generic assumption.
What NEC Edition Does Wichita/Sedgwick County Use?
The 2023 NEC with local amendments was approved by the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners on May 1, 2024, and by the Wichita City Council on May 14, 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1, 2025. As of our verification date, this is the current adopted code for the jurisdiction.
Matches Wichita/Sedgwick County's currently adopted 2023 NEC. Confirm this is still current for your exam date with MABCD or your testing vendor before you test, since local amendments and future code adoptions can change this.
What Books Are Allowed?
MABCD's published materials confirm the tested code (2023 NEC with local amendments) but do not spell out which specific reference editions, ISBNs, or companion references (such as Ugly's Electrical References) are permitted in the exam room, nor the exact tab/highlighting/notes policy. Because we could not confirm this from a primary MABCD or ICC source specific to this jurisdiction, we won't guess at it here — confirm directly with MABCD or your testing vendor before assembling your codebook.
Trade Contractor Business License
Holding a Journeyman or Master certificate qualifies you to perform electrical work, but a business operating as an electrical contractor separately needs a Trade Contractor Business License from MABCD, distinct from the general Class A–D contractor license MABCD issues to building/general contractors (Class A: $1,000/2 years; Class B: $600/2 years; Class C-Residential: $450/2 years; Class D-Residential Maintenance: $360/2 years). We could not confirm the specific fee for the electrical Trade Contractor Business License itself from MABCD's published fee tables during our research — confirm current pricing directly with MABCD (316-660-1840) before applying. A current certificate of insurance for general liability, auto, and workers' compensation must be on file for any contractor license.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Journeyman and Master trade certificates run on a 2-year cycle, expiring December 31 of odd-numbered years. To renew, electricians must complete 12 hours of continuing education related to their trade, of which 6 hours must be on code (electrical code updates), through a course approved by the Kansas Electrical Continuing Education Review Committee (KEERC). Note that contractor business licenses under MABCD's Form #7 run on a separate 2-year cycle expiring December 31 of even-numbered years — a real distinction worth tracking if you hold both an individual certificate and a contractor license.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Journeyman or Master trade certificate | $35 per certificate |
| New contractor license application fee (in addition to license class fee) | $50 |
| Contractor license renewal, Feb. 1–28/29 (late) | License fee + 25% penalty |
| Contractor license renewal, after Feb. 28/29 (late) | License fee + 50% penalty |
General/building contractor license classes (not electrical-specific) range from $360 to $1,000 per 2-year term; see the Trade Contractor Business License section above for why these don't directly apply to a standalone electrical contractor license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Kansas state electrician license?
No. Kansas has no statewide electrician licensing board. MABCD's Wichita/Sedgwick County system is a local jurisdiction's own program, not a state credential.
What's the passing score for the Journeyman or Master exam?
75% or better, per MABCD's published requirements, on one of the specific approved ICC exam codes listed above.
Can I use Prometric to test for this jurisdiction?
No, not currently. MABCD states it no longer sponsors Prometric exams; use Block, Experior, ICC, or IAPMO instead.
What NEC edition should I buy?
The 2023 NEC with local Wichita/Sedgwick County amendments, effective January 1, 2025, per our verification. Confirm this is still current before buying.
Does Your Book Spot USA guarantee I'll pass?
No. No book or study guide can guarantee an exam result, and we don't claim otherwise.
Study Materials
Once you've confirmed the current NEC edition and any local amendments with MABCD, shop our current codebook options below.
Official Sources
- Sedgwick County MABCD — Master & Journeyman Trade Certificates (checked September 3, 2026)
- Sedgwick County MABCD — Electrical & Alarm Division (checked September 3, 2026)
- MABCD Form #7 — Contractor License Application (revised April 22, 2024; checked September 3, 2026)
- Sedgwick County MABCD — Fees (checked September 3, 2026)
Your Book Spot USA is not affiliated with MABCD, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, or ICC. Candidate bulletins and licensing rules change — this page reflects our verification as of the date above, and we've flagged the specific facts we could not confirm from a primary source. Spot something outdated or incorrect? Let us know and we'll correct it.
