Massachusetts Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A) · Issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure).

⚡ ElectricianMA ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Massachusetts, electricians must hold the Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A), issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Massachusetts

Follow these steps to earn your Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A). Every figure is verified against the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class).
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam (theory + applied) and Master Electrician Exam (theory + business & law) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not a statutory condition of the individual license. An LLC or LLP licensed to provide electrical services must carry professional liability insurance of at least $50,000 per claim, or $150,000 in the aggregate, multiplied by the number of individual licensees it employs or who are its officers or partners (237 CMR 23.01). Property damage: Not separately specified by statute. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152).
Clear the background check. CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required; submit a notarized CORI authorization form.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure) — Journeyman/Systems Technician $31; Master/Systems Contractor $66 (non-refundable) application fee, plus a Journeyman/Systems Technician $104; Master/Systems Contractor $155 (paid once approved for licensure) license fee. Processing time: Filed online via PSI / the DOL eLIPSE portal.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 3 years (expires July 31). Continuing education: 21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

Massachusetts electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Massachusetts — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official mass.gov database →

License types

Journeyman Electrician (Class B) — Installs/repairs electrical wiring under a licensed master's permit.
Master Electrician (Class A) — Designs, installs, and supervises all-voltage systems; may run an electrical contracting business.
Systems Technician (Class D) — Installs low-voltage systems (alarms, data, security) under a systems contractor's permit.
Systems Contractor (Class C) — Runs a low-voltage (Class 2) contracting business.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class).
Application fee	Journeyman/Systems Technician $31; Master/Systems Contractor $66 (non-refundable)
License fee	Journeyman/Systems Technician $104; Master/Systems Contractor $155 (paid once approved for licensure)
Renewal fee	Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule)
Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires July 31)
Continuing education	21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).
Bond required	No state surety bond is required for an electrician license.
Liability insurance	Not a statutory condition of the individual license. An LLC or LLP licensed to provide electrical services must carry professional liability insurance of at least $50,000 per claim, or $150,000 in the aggregate, multiplied by the number of individual licensees it employs or who are its officers or partners (237 CMR 23.01).
Property damage	Not separately specified by statute
Workers' comp	Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)
Background check	CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required; submit a notarized CORI authorization form.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	New Hampshire only (Journeyman and Master), and only if the NH license was earned by passing the NH exam (not by endorsement). · compare all states
Processing time	Filed online via PSI / the DOL eLIPSE portal.

What a Massachusetts electrician license costs

Application fee	Journeyman/Systems Technician $31; Master/Systems Contractor $66 (non-refundable).
License fee	Journeyman/Systems Technician $104; Master/Systems Contractor $155 (paid once approved for licensure).
Journeyman Electrician Exam (theory + applied)	$135 total ($80 Trade portion + $55 Business/Practical portion), paid to PSI.
Master Electrician Exam (theory + business & law)	$135 total ($80 Trade portion + $55 Business/Practical portion), paid to PSI.
Surety bond	No state surety bond is required for an electrician license.
Renewal fee	Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule).
Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires July 31).

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam (theory + applied)	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% on both parts · Fee: $135 total ($80 Trade portion + $55 Business/Practical portion), paid to PSI
Master Electrician Exam (theory + business & law)	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% on both parts · Fee: $135 total ($80 Trade portion + $55 Business/Practical portion), paid to PSI

Renewing a Massachusetts electrician license

The Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires July 31)
Renewal fee	Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule)
Continuing education	21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).
Where to renew	Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure)

Local / municipal notes

Statewide license issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians; apprentices are not registered by the board but work under supervision to accrue hours.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Massachusetts electrician license cost?

Application: Journeyman/Systems Technician $31; Master/Systems Contractor $66 (non-refundable). License: Journeyman/Systems Technician $104; Master/Systems Contractor $155 (paid once approved for licensure). Renewal: Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule).

How do I look up a electrician license in Massachusetts?

Search the official license database at mass.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in Massachusetts need a surety bond?

No state surety bond is required for an electrician license.

What experience is required for a Massachusetts electrician license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class).

Is insurance required for electricians in Massachusetts?

Liability: Not a statutory condition of the individual license. An LLC or LLP licensed to provide electrical services must carry professional liability insurance of at least $50,000 per claim, or $150,000 in the aggregate, multiplied by the number of individual licensees it employs or who are its officers or partners (237 CMR 23.01). Property damage: Not separately specified by statute. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152).

How long does it take to get a Massachusetts electrician license?

Processing time: Filed online via PSI / the DOL eLIPSE portal.

Is a background check required for electricians in Massachusetts?

Background check: CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required; submit a notarized CORI authorization form.

How often must a Massachusetts electrician license be renewed?

Every 3 years (expires July 31). Continuing education: 21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure) before applying. This is not legal advice.