New Jersey is one of the highest-paying states for electricians, averaging at $64,000 and up. After completing a certified training program or apprenticeship, New Jersey electricians can apply for two types of licenses: a Journeyman Electrician License or an Electrical Contractor License.
Do You Need an Electrical License in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires primary electricians on the job to be licensed. The exception to this rule is if you’re in training as a helper or apprentice, in which case you must be supervised by a licensed electrician.
Both license types are granted by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, a subdivision of the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
New Jersey does not have any reciprocity for electrical licenses with other states.
Types of Electrician Licenses in NJ
Electricians can apply for either the Journeyman Electrician License or Electrical Contractor License. To receive your Electrical Contractor License in NJ, you must first become and work as a journeyman electrician in the state.
A journeyman electrician can perform many electrical jobs independently. They may also be able to supervise apprentices. Their work includes repairing, manufacturing, and maintaining electrical wiring in homes, for corporations, or property owned by the state.
Electrical contractors are “people who engage in the business of contracting to install,
erect, repair or alter electrical equipment for the generation, transmission or utilization of electrical energy.” They can request permits and hire other electricians to work under them.
More details on the New Jersey Statutes surrounding these licenses can be found here.
Electrician License Requirements
Both NJ electrical licenses require applicants to:
- Submit a copy of their high school diploma or GED
- Complete the required hours of work experience and training before applying
- Submit a complete application
- Include a full-face 2” X 2” photo with their application, signed and dated on the back, not stapled
- Submit any additional required documentation
- Pay a non-refundable application fee via check or money order
- Pass the appropriate examination
You can review this excellent overview of both application processes by the State of New Jersey.
NJ Journeyman Electrician License
Additionally, journeyman electricians in NJ must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have at least 8,000 hours of experience working with tools installing, alteration, or repair of wiring for electrical light, heat, or power.
- 4,000 of these hours must have been within the last 5 years
- Supervising, engineering, estimating, or managerial tasks are not counted towards the 8,000 hours
NJ Electrical Contractor License
In addition to the general requirements listed above, electrical contractors must be 21+ and demonstrate that they have completed:
- A 4-year electrician apprenticeship program that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor plus one year spent as a licensed journeyman in the state OR
- A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and at least two years of hands-on experience OR
- At least five years of practical hands-on experience working with tools in the installation, alteration, or repair of wiring for electric light, heat, or power, which work shall have been done in compliance with the National Electrical Code
Further details on the work requirements for this license can be found here.
How to Get Your Electrician’s License in New Jersey
If you meet the requirements above, you can begin your application for either license online.
After completing the application and collecting your documentation and photo, mail everything to:
Board of Examiners
of Electrical Contractors
P.O. Box 45006
Newark, NJ 07101
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a notice from the board. This will include information on how and when you will sit for the exam.
Electrical contractors have a three-part examination on the trade, alarm systems, and business and law. Journeymen have a separate exam.
The Board offers a link to exam prep courses on their website. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your license.
Renewing Your Electrician License in New Jersey
Licenses are valid for 3 years. Renewals for both license types are done online. Both licenses require continuing education (CE) for renewals; however, CE is not required for the first renewal. Even so, you’ll need to check “Yes” under the question that asks if you’ve completed the CE credits under your first renewal application.
Always make sure the Board has your current address on file so that you receive important notifications around renewal time.
Continuing Education
Electrical contractors must complete 34 hours of CE before renewing. Nine hours must be of the Code and 1 hour of NJ laws, rules, and regulations.
Journeymen must complete a 10-hour course of study related to the Code. Electrical contractors also registered as a journeyman only have to complete the electrical contractor CE requirements.
Again, CE is not required for the first renewal on either license.
NJ Electrician License Costs
Below are the costs associated with applying for and renewing an NJ electrical license.
- Registered Journeyman: $40
- Electrical Contractor: $100
- Renewal for either license: $90
