OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday signed into law a bill that modifies continuing education requirements for electrical contractors, journeymen and apprentices.

House Bill 3215, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, seeks to address the worker shortage facing the electrical industry.

"This bill was the work of many groups and individuals in the industry coming together to address the problem of finding licensed, competent electrical workers to meet Oklahomans' needs," West said. "In addition, it will help individuals take the next step in their career as an electrician."

West said the measure returns the pass rate of the journeyman test to 70%, which was the passing score on the test up until 2008. It also increases the continuing education requirements to help ensure the work performed is by a trained and knowledgeable electrician.

"Finally, this act levels the playing field for state electricians by matching requirements with surrounding states that have reciprocal license agreements with Oklahoma," West said.

Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the Senate author of the measure.

"The electrical industry is in dire need of workers entering the trade and obtaining their journeyman’s license," Daniels said. "Every day the need for new workers grows as the electrician workforce ages and more retire."

Daniels said the average age of electricians in the United States is 41 years old, and every year over 75,000 electricians are needed throughout the country to meet the growing demand.

"We believe these changes are one step to help address this need in the electrical industry while ensuring that the workforce continues to be safe and well educated in the trade," she said.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, contractors and journeymen must complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years for license renewal. The courses must be approved by the Committee of Electrical Examiners and cover specified topics. Apprentices must complete three hours of continuing education annually for registration renewal. Continuing education is not required for apprentices who are students or enrolled in an approved course.