New Jersey Electrician License: How to Become a Certified Electrician in NJ
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Originally published in November 2023. Last updated on December 6, 2024.
If you’re looking to work in a field with growing demand, getting your electrician license in New Jersey is a wise choice. Green power sources like solar and wind are becoming more widely adopted. Licensed technicians will be needed to install and maintain these systems. Additionally, nearly every building has new electrical needs or existing wiring that requires maintenance.
Now is the perfect time to get your foot in the door of this growing industry.
The Garden State had 17,290 electricians in 2022, and that number is projected to increase 10% by 2032—a respectable 1,750 new job openings every year. The average annual salary for an electrician in New Jersey is $52,322, and as you gain experience, that number can jump to more than $63,000.
In this licensing guide, we’ve broken down everything you’ll need to know to get licensed as an electrician in New Jersey.
In this New Jersey electrician license guide, you’ll learn:
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Do you need an electrician license in New Jersey?
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Types of electrician licenses in New Jersey
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New Jersey electrician license requirements
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How do I get an electrician license in New Jersey?
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How to start an electrician business in New Jersey
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Does an electrician license in New Jersey increase your earning potential?
Do you need an electrician license in New Jersey?
Yes, you must have an electrician license in New Jersey to perform electrical work. Licensed electricians typically install, repair, and maintain electrical systems for power, light, and heat, including communications in buildings and infrastructure on streets and highways.
Electrician licenses are governed by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. The Board certifies and oversees Electrical Contractors, registers qualified Journeyman Electricians, and provides licensure exemptions for those involved in telecommunications wiring in New Jersey.
The Board has a stated purpose to:
- Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of New Jersey
- Regulate electrical contracting in the state
- Ensure that electrical contracting is performed safely
The Board also commits to protecting the people of New Jersey by:
- Ensuring educational and experience requirements are met by all electrical contractors
- Upholding the Electrical Contractors Licensing Act of 1962 and investigating and/or prosecuting electrical contractors in violation
- Requiring that all electrical contractors be licensed and hold a valid business permit
Types of electrician licenses in New Jersey
There are four different types of licenses that are issued and overseen by the Board:
| License Type | Description |
| Electrical Contractor | License holder has been employed/engaged in electrical construction and installation for no less than five years and can contract to install, erect, repair, or modify electrical equipment. |
| Class A Journeyman Electrician | License holder has acquired practical experience with tools in wiring installation, alteration, or repair for electric light, heat, or power and has completed the requisite classroom hours. |
| Class A Electrical Apprentice | License holder has enrolled in a U.S. Department of Labor–accredited electrical contractor’s apprenticeship program and works under the supervision of an Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman Electrician. |
| Class B Wireman | License holder works under the supervision of an Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman Electrician. |
New Jersey electrician license requirements
In order to get your electrician license in New Jersey, you have to check a few initial boxes. Applicants must:
- Be 18 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent certificate
- Meet the experience requirements for the license you wish to attain
Each type of electrician license in New Jersey has additional educational and/or work experience requirements. Before you apply for any of the different license types, be sure you meet the following requirements:
| License Type | Requirements |
| Electrical Contractor | Applicant must have: Been employed or involved in electrical work for at least five years before applying with 2,000 hours of those five years spent as a Class A Journeyman Electrician and four of those five years spent in an apprenticeship program recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. Proof of successful completion of an apprenticeship program while working as a Class A Electrical Apprentice. Passed the exam, proving competence in electrical contracting work. Secured a business permit to engage in, advertise, and perform work as an electrician. |
| Class A Journeyman Electrician | Applicants must have completed one of the following: Obtained a license to practice electrical contracting by the Board. Submitted work experience certifications of 8,000 hours of hands-on wiring experience and 576 hours of classroom. instruction related to training (excluding managerial tasks). Note: 4,000 of those 8,000 hours of experience must be completed within five years of the application date. Showed the Board a satisfactory alternative way of gaining the required experience. |
| Class A Electrical Apprentice | Applicants must have: Proof of enrolment in an accredited electrical apprenticeship program. Proof of working under the supervision of an Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman. |
| Class B Wireman | Applicants must have proof of working under the supervision of an Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman. |
How do I get an electrician license in New Jersey?
Let’s look at the process to get licensed as an Electrical Contractor and a Class A Journeyman Electrician in New Jersey. Note that the process for becoming an Apprentice is to apply for an apprenticeship program. To become a Wireman, you should apply for jobs where you will be working under a licensed electrician.
If you’re just starting out, it will take a minimum of four years to get the necessary education and electrical work experience to apply for a Class A Journeyman Electrician’s license.
Education must come from an accredited apprenticeship, trade school, or other program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
To apply for a Class A Journeyman Electrician license, follow these steps:
- Fill out the application
- Attach a passport-style photograph taken within the past six months
- Complete and attach all relevant work-experience certifications
- Fill out and notarize the affidavit of certification
- Mail the application and required documentation to:
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
Division of Consumer Affairs
Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 45006
Newark, New Jersey 07101
When your application has been approved, you’ll receive an invoice for your initial license fee.
Later, once you’ve completed a minimum of one year of work experience as a Class A Journeyman Electrician, you can apply for an Electrical Contractor license by following these steps:
- Complete the online application
- Once approved, fill out an application for the exam
- Secure a bond in the sum of $1,000
- Obtain a business permit and pocket pressure seal for electrical work
- Provide a bank letter of credit for a minimum of $300,000, covering property damage and potential injuries or fatalities
OR
- Secure general liability insurance for a minimum of $300,000, covering property damage and any potential injuries or fatalities in any single occurrence
- Pay the relevant application and licensing fees
New Jersey electrician license exam
The only license type that requires an exam is the Electrical Contractor. These exams are held at PSI examination sites throughout New Jersey.
There are three components to the exam, all of which must be passed to qualify to be licensed:
| Exam Component | Description |
| Electrical Contractor | • 100 questions • 255 minutes to write • 70% to pass (70 correct) • Open book Topics covered include: • General Electrical Knowledge • Raceways and Enclosures • Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits • Overcurrent Protection • Conductors and Cables • Grounding and Bonding • Equipment for General Use • Special Occupancies • Special Equipment and Conditions • Motors and Controls • Low Voltage and Communications Circuits • Safety |
| Business and Law | • 50 questions • 130 minutes to write • 70% to pass (35 correct) • Open book Topics covered include: • Business Organization • Licensing • Estimating and Bidding • Contract Management • Project Management • Risk Management • Safety • Labor Law • Financial Management • Tax law • Lien law |
| Alarm Systems Contractor | • 50 questions • 165 minutes to write • 70% to pass (35 correct) • Open book Topics covered include: • General Electrical Knowledge • Application of Fire Alarm Systems • Application of Intrusion and Security Systems • Installation Requirements • Wiring Methods and Materials • Special Occupancies and Conditions |
See the candidate information bulletin for more information about each exam.
Does my New Jersey electrician license work in any other states?
Reciprocal license agreements let professionals from out of state apply directly for an electrician license. Currently, New Jersey does not offer reciprocity with any specific states.
The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors may grant licenses without an exam to individuals licensed in another U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. This is allowed if the other location offers the same licensing privileges to Electrical Contractors, Class A Journeyman Electricians, Class A Electrical Apprentices, and Class B Wiremen as those offered by the Board.
If you have an electrician license from another state, you can petition the Board for approval of exam exemption with a license verification letter sent by the licensing board from the issuing state.
If you are an out-of-state licensed electrician, you may qualify for a temporary courtesy license in New Jersey. This allows you to work as a Class A Journeyman Electrician, Class A Electrical Apprentice, or Class B Wireman. The license is valid if you plan to work in the state for 30 days or fewer.
Note that with a temporary license, you must be supervised by a New Jersey state-licensed electrician, and you won’t be able to supervise any electrical work yourself.
How much does an electrician license cost in New Jersey?
The cost to get your Electrical Contractor license is greater than that for a Journeyman Electrician as you will need to complete additional steps such as taking the exam and obtaining a business permit. Here are some of the important fees associated with each license type:
Electrical Contractor
| Licensing Step | Fee |
| Exam Application Filing (non-refundable) | $100 |
| Exam (PSI) | $180, including: • Electrical Contracting: $84 • Business and Law: $47 • Alarm Systems: $49 |
| Initial License | $225 in the first year of a three-year renewal period $150 in the second year of a three-year renewal period $75 in the third year of a three-year renewal period |
| License Renewal | $225 every three years |
| License Renewal (late) | +$50 (within 30 days) |
| License Reinstatement | Year license lapsed: • Current cycle: $325 • Previous cycle: $550 |
| Initial Business Permit | $150 in the first year of a three-year renewal period $100 in the second year of a three-year renewal period $50 in the third year of a three-year renewal period |
| Pressure Seal | $25 |
| Business Permit Renewal | $150 every three years |
| Business Permit Renewal (late) | +$25 |
| Temporary Courtesy License | $75 |
| Temporary Courtesy License Renewal | $75 |
| Continuing Education | Costs vary |
Class A Journeyman Electrician
| Licensing Step | Fee |
| Initial License | $90 in the first year of a three-year renewal period $60 in the second year of a three-year renewal period $30 in the third year of a three-year renewal period |
| License Renewal | $90 every three years |
| Temporary Courtesy License | $75 |
| Temporary Courtesy License Renewal for Journeyman | $30 |
| Continuing Education | Costs vary |
When estimating the total amount you will spend to get licensed, also remember to budget for the cost of an apprenticeship program, trade school, or other educational courses, including books and study materials.
New Jersey electrician license renewal
You’ll need to renew your Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman Electrician license every three years (2024, 2027, 2030, and so on) by March 31st. Renewals are handled online via the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ online portal, MyLicense.
Before you can renew your license, however, you’ll need to meet some continuing education requirements within the three-year registration period:
| License Type | Requirements |
| Electrical Contractor | 34 credit hours of continuing education, including: 10 hours for a course relating to the latest edition of the National Electrical Code. 9 of the 10 hours must relate to the Code and 1 of the 10 hours must relate to applicable State statutes and regulations 24 hours for courses relating to other subjects relevant to electrical contracting and construction. Note: The Board will allow up to 8 credit hours of additional continuing education (beyond the 34 required) to count for the next three-year license period. |
| Class A Journeyman Electrician | 15 credit hours for a course relating to the latest edition of the National Electrical Code |
If it’s your first time renewing your license, you won’t be required to submit continuing education credits. But when renewing, you should still answer “Yes” to the question about completing the required credits in the last three years.
The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors also provides a list of continuing education sponsors on their website to make it easier for you to fulfill your annual requirements.
Electrician training schools and programs in New Jersey
There are a number of training programs at local colleges in New Jersey that can help you gain the right experience to earn your electrician contractor license. The schools and programs exist across the state and vary in course length and cost. Some of the notable opportunities are:
- Pennco Tech (Blackwood, NJ): Electrician – Certificate Program
- Ocean County Vocational-Technical School (Toms River, NJ): Electrical Trades – Certificate Program
- Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS (Hackensack, NJ): Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
- Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences (Paterson, NJ): Electrician Apprenticeship – Certificate Program
- Lincoln Technical Institute (Union, NJ): Electrical/Electronics – Certificate Program
What happens if my electrician license expires?
Be sure to stop all work if your electrical contractor license or business permit has expired to avoid any penalties or fees. In New Jersey, if you knowingly engage in electrical contracting without a valid business permit, you can be found guilty of a crime in the fourth degree.
The Board sends renewal notices at least 60 days prior to your license expiration. You can renew your license up to 30 days past the expiration date for an additional fee. But if you still haven’t renewed your license 30 days after its expiration, you will be charged additional fees to reinstate your license. See the reinstatement form for more details.
How to start an electrician business in New Jersey
Once you have your license and have built up some experience, you’re ready to take the next step: starting your own electrician business. New Jersey offers a one-stop guide to starting a business on the Business.NJ.gov site. This site will help you take the necessary steps to get your business operating correctly, including:
- Creating a business plan
- Choosing a business structure
- Selecting a location
- Learning about building permits and ADA compliance
- Leasing an office space
- Financing your business
There are also some practical considerations for starting an electrician business, including:
- Coming up with an electrical company name
- Setting up business accounting
- Purchasing electrical equipment
- Learning how to estimate jobs
- Choosing the best apps, including electrician business software.
See our free electrical contractor resources to get all the information and tools you need to start and run a successful business.
Does an electrician license in New Jersey increase your earning potential?
Yes, having an electrician’s license will increase your earning potential over time and legitimize your credentials to future employers and clients.
When you first get into the industry in New Jersey, you can expect to earn about $38,000 annually. But as you gain more experience, that amount can increase to more than $63,000. And if you decide to start your own business, you can earn beyond these averages.
If you’re interested in learning more about this lucrative field, continue reading How to run a successful electrical business.
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