SPEC SHEET · NJ · ELECTRICIAN
New Jersey electrician license requirements
The answer
New Jersey licenses ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS and registers qualified journeyman electricians. The contractor exam path: a 4-year US DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 additional year as a journeyman, Board approval, then a three-part exam (electrical contractor trade, alarm systems, business & law). Licenses renew triennially, expiring March 31.Your paths to the license
DOL apprenticeship + 1 journeyman year → exam
Complete a 4-year US DOL-approved electrical apprenticeship, work 1 additional year as a journeyman, then apply for Board approval to sit the three-part examination (electrical contractor trade / alarm systems / business & law). Qualification detail: N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1. Applications are reviewed at monthly board meetings.
Register as a qualified journeyman
The Board registers qualified journeyman electricians — the credential for working at journey level while you accumulate the contractor-exam prerequisites.
Licensed in another state
No electrical reciprocity is published — out-of-state licensees document the apprenticeship/experience equivalents under N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1 and take the New Jersey exam. Citizenship is not required and no SSN is required to apply.
License levels in New Jersey
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Train through a 4-year US DOL-approved electrical apprenticeship. | — |
| Registered Qualified Journeyman Electrician | Board registration for qualified journeymen (not a contractor license). | — |
| Licensed Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship + 1 journeyman year + three-part exam (N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1); business permit to contract. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / exam / license | Per the current Board application (njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec) |
| Late renewal (30-day window) | $50 |
The exam
| Provider | Board-approved three-part examination |
| Fees | Fees per the current Board application |
| Notes | Three parts: electrical contractor trade · alarm systems · business & law. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No electrical reciprocity published — N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1 qualification + the NJ exam. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Licenses and business permits are TRIENNIAL, expiring March 31 (2021/2024/2027 cycle). A 30-day late window carries a $50 fee; after 30 days the license is suspended (N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.3).
Watch out: Applications are reviewed at monthly board meetings — build the wait into your timeline. · The three-part exam includes alarm systems, which surprises electricians from other states.
Official sources for this page
New Jersey electrician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed electrician in New Jersey?
New Jersey licenses ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS and registers qualified journeyman electricians. The contractor exam path: a 4-year US DOL-approved apprenticeship plus 1 additional year as a journeyman, Board approval, then a three-part exam (electrical contractor trade, alarm systems, business & law). Licenses renew triennially, expiring March 31.
What does the New Jersey electrician license cost?
Published fees: Late renewal (30-day window) $50. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does New Jersey have electrician license reciprocity?
No electrical reciprocity published — N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1 qualification + the NJ exam.
How often does the license renew?
Licenses and business permits are TRIENNIAL, expiring March 31 (2021/2024/2027 cycle). A 30-day late window carries a $50 fee; after 30 days the license is suspended (N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.3).
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against New Jersey's actual routes.