New Hampshire Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Electrician · Issued by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board.

⚡ ElectricianNH ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In New Hampshire, electricians must hold the Electrician, issued by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board, 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 New Hampshire

Follow these steps to earn your Electrician. Every figure is verified against the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours practical/field experience as apprentice to journeyman or master electrician + 600 hours electrical schooling (minimum 24 hours on safety); may credit up to 2,000 hours from NH community/technical colleges, IBEW/NECA apprenticeship schools, or regionally-accredited institutions. Master: Must pass journeyman exam first; 2,000 hours field experience as licensed journeyman performing electrical installations.
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam and Master Electrician Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Clear the background check. OPLC does not list electricians among the professions that require a criminal history records check.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board — $110 (journeyman); $198 (master) for a 2-year license (Plc 1002.13, effective 2025-07-01) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: 10 business days after office receives complete application.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 2 years. Continuing education: 15 hours per code cycle on changes to NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (minimum 1 hour on RSA 319-C, administrative rules, and installation concerns); required for all journeyman and master licensees.

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

New Hampshire electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in New Hampshire — 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 oplc.nh.gov database →

License types

Apprentice — Learning electrician under supervision; high school diploma or equivalent required
Journeyman Electrician — Electrical work while employed by a New Hampshire licensed master electrician or licensed entity (RSA 319-C:2, IV); requires 8,000 hours apprentice experience + 600 hours education + passing exam
Master Electrician — Advanced electrical installations; requires 2,000 hours journeyman experience + passing exam

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours practical/field experience as apprentice to journeyman or master electrician + 600 hours electrical schooling (minimum 24 hours on safety); may credit up to 2,000 hours from NH community/technical colleges, IBEW/NECA apprenticeship schools, or regionally-accredited institutions. Master: Must pass journeyman exam first; 2,000 hours field experience as licensed journeyman performing electrical installations.
Application fee	$110 (journeyman); $198 (master) for a 2-year license (Plc 1002.13, effective 2025-07-01)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	$110 (journeyman); $198 (master) every 2 years
Renewal period	2 years
Continuing education	15 hours per code cycle on changes to NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (minimum 1 hour on RSA 319-C, administrative rules, and installation concerns); required for all journeyman and master licensees
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	OPLC does not list electricians among the professions that require a criminal history records check.
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Endorsement for applicants from substantially similar jurisdictions with 1 year of professional experience in the license category (Plc 313.24); OPLC's qualifying jurisdictions are Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota (journeyman only), Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington · compare all states
Processing time	10 business days after office receives complete application

What a New Hampshire electrician license costs

Application fee	$110 (journeyman); $198 (master) for a 2-year license (Plc 1002.13, effective 2025-07-01).
License fee	Included in application fee.
Journeyman Electrician Exam	$90 (initial exam); $70 (re-licensing exam) (Plc 1004.07).
Master Electrician Exam	$90 (initial exam); $70 (re-licensing exam) (Plc 1004.07).
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$110 (journeyman); $198 (master) every 2 years.
Renewal period	2 years.

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 70% · Fee: $90 (initial exam); $70 (re-licensing exam) (Plc 1004.07)
Master Electrician Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 70% · Fee: $90 (initial exam); $70 (re-licensing exam) (Plc 1004.07)

Renewing a New Hampshire electrician license

The Electrician renews on a fixed cycle set by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board. 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	2 years
Renewal fee	$110 (journeyman); $198 (master) every 2 years
Continuing education	15 hours per code cycle on changes to NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (minimum 1 hour on RSA 319-C, administrative rules, and installation concerns); required for all journeyman and master licensees
Where to renew	New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Hampshire electrician license cost?

Application: $110 (journeyman); $198 (master) for a 2-year license (Plc 1002.13, effective 2025-07-01). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $110 (journeyman); $198 (master) every 2 years.

How do I look up a electrician license in New Hampshire?

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

Do electricians in New Hampshire need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a New Hampshire electrician license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours practical/field experience as apprentice to journeyman or master electrician + 600 hours electrical schooling (minimum 24 hours on safety); may credit up to 2,000 hours from NH community/technical colleges, IBEW/NECA apprenticeship schools, or regionally-accredited institutions. Master: Must pass journeyman exam first; 2,000 hours field experience as licensed journeyman performing electrical installations.

How long does it take to get a New Hampshire electrician license?

Processing time: 10 business days after office receives complete application.

Is a background check required for electricians in New Hampshire?

Background check: OPLC does not list electricians among the professions that require a criminal history records check.

How often must a New Hampshire electrician license be renewed?

2 years. Continuing education: 15 hours per code cycle on changes to NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (minimum 1 hour on RSA 319-C, administrative rules, and installation concerns); required for all journeyman and master licensees.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board before applying. This is not legal advice.