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 (no more than 30 hours per week, completed within 6-year period) + 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.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (—).
Clear the background check. Criminal history records check required; applicants issued "Active-Provisional" status until check results received; provisional status may be changed to active or Notice of Hearing issued based on results
Meet the credit / financial requirement. —
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians' Board — $133 (journeyman, 2-year); $213 (master, 2-year) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: 10 business days after office receives complete application.
Keep the license active. Renew 2 years, completing 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.

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 — Independent electrical work; 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 (no more than 30 hours per week, completed within 6-year period) + 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	$133 (journeyman, 2-year); $213 (master, 2-year)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	$100 (2-year license renewal)
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	Criminal history records check required; applicants issued "Active-Provisional" status until check results received; provisional status may be changed to active or Notice of Hearing issued based on results
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Endorsement available for applicants from substantially similar jurisdictions; applicant must have 1 year professional experience in the license category sought; licensing jurisdiction must use same or later edition of electrical code as New Hampshire
Processing time	10 business days after office receives complete application

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 (initial exam), $25 (relicense exam)
Master Electrician Exam	Provider: Prov, Inc. · Passing: 70% · Fee: $50 (initial exam), $25 (relicense exam)

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Hampshire electrician license cost?

Application: $133 (journeyman, 2-year); $213 (master, 2-year). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $100 (2-year license renewal).

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 (no more than 30 hours per week, completed within 6-year period) + 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.

Is insurance required for electricians in New Hampshire?

Liability: — Workers' compensation: —

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.