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Kentucky Solar License Requirements (2026)

Gabriel Giner

By Gabriel Giner, Editor  ·  Reviewed 2026-05-05  ·  CLR Editorial Review Desk

Kentucky issues no standalone solar license. Solar PV is electrical work under KRS 227A and 815 KAR Chapter 35, governed by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC) Electrical Division. Every solar business must hold an Electrical Contractor license that employs at least one Kentucky Master Electrician — only the licensed Electrical Contractor can pull electrical permits. The PSI process is two exams: Master Electrician trade and Business & Law. Solar thermal hot water requires a Kentucky Master Plumber. NABCEP PV Installation Professional is voluntary.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC), which issues and polices it under KRS 227A (Electrical), KRS 198B.650 (HVAC); 815 KAR licensing chapters. Kentucky HBC licenses electrical contractors and electricians, HVAC mechanics and master contractors, and enforces the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code statewide.

  • Official portal: https://hbc.ky.gov/
  • Address: 500 Mero Street, 1 NE 17, Frankfort, KY 40601
  • Phone: (502) 573-0364

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Kentucky residency requirement.

Good moral character

DHBC reviews criminal history under KRS 227A.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is two years as a Kentucky Journeyman Electrician, which itself requires four years and 8,000 hours of apprenticeship, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

  • DHBC experience affidavits signed by Kentucky Master Electricians
  • Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
  • Kentucky-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

Kentucky-registered apprenticeship satisfies the journeyman experience requirement.

The Exam Syllabus

PSI Services LLC (under contract to DHBC) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

  • Kentucky Master Electrician Examination — NEC, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $100 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

DHBC requires $500,000 commercial general liability minimum.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under KRS 342 for any business with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Schedule of Fees

Fee Amount
Application (non-refundable)$250
Examination$100
Initial license$250
Renewal (every year)$250

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Kentucky solar.

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Kentucky Electrical Contractor License + Master Electrician runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $250. DHBC electrical contractor licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: Six hours of DHBC-approved CE annually.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Kentucky Solar License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Kentucky does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State Accepted Exam Conditions
Ohio Trade exam waived Limited DHBC–OCILB reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Tennessee Trade exam waived Limited DHBC–TBLC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
West Virginia Trade exam waived Limited DHBC–WV reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

DHBC maintains limited electrical reciprocity (electrical only; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with several neighboring states.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Solar license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Solar Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Kentucky's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

The Application Roadmap

  1. Complete a Kentucky electrical apprenticeship. 8,000 hours under a Kentucky Master Electrician.
  2. Pass the Kentucky Journeyman Electrician exam. Prerequisite to the Master credential.
  3. Document two years as a Journeyman. Required for the Master Electrician exam.
  4. Pass the Master Electrician exam at 70%. PSI administers the exam.
  5. Apply for the Electrical Contractor license. Designate the Master Electrician as the qualifying party.
  6. File the certificate of insurance. $500K CGL minimum.
  7. Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Kentucky jurisdiction requires local permits.

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

  • NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
  • KRS 227A — State of Kentucky. Statutory framework.
  • PSI Kentucky Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to HBC:

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Kentucky Solar application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Skipping the journeyman step

Direct entry to Master Electrician is not allowed.

Missing the 6-hour CE

Mandatory annually.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with one or more employees.

Forgetting solar thermal is plumbing

Solar hot water requires the Master Plumber license.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from city/county permits.

Other Kentucky Trade Licenses

For a different Kentucky credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

Does Kentucky have a solar license?

No. Solar PV is regulated as electrical work under the DHBC Electrical Contractor license.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Kentucky.

How many hours does Kentucky require?

8,000 hours of apprenticeship for journeyman plus two years as a journeyman to qualify for master.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a Kentucky Master Plumber license.

Does Kentucky reciprocate?

Yes. DHBC maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

  1. Kentucky HBC — Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
  2. KRS Chapter 227A — Electrical Inspectors and Electricians
  3. KRS 198B.650 — HVAC Licensing
  4. PSI Kentucky Examination Bulletins
  5. NABCEP Certifications

Verified 2026-05-05  ·  Next scheduled review 2026-08-03