New Jersey Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Electrical Contractor License · Issued by the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.

⚡ ElectricianNJ ✔ Verified 2026-06-25

In New Jersey, electricians must hold the Electrical Contractor License, issued by the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, and a $1,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in New Jersey

Follow these steps to earn your Electrical Contractor License. Every figure is verified against the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. 5 years immediately preceding application employed in electrical construction and installation, including completion of a 4-year apprenticeship program accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor and at least 1 additional year as a journeyman electrician (1 year equals 2,000 hours of practical hands-on experience)
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. New Jersey requires $1,000 surety bond executed by company authorized to transact business in New Jersey and approved by Department of Banking and Insurance; valid for 36 months and renewed upon expiration.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $300,000 minimum general liability insurance.
Clear the background check. No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors — $100 application fee, plus a $225 (Year 1); $150 (Year 2); $75 (Year 3) license fee. Processing time: Not specified by the Board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 3 years (expires March 31). Continuing education: 34 hours per 3-year renewal cycle: 9 hours on National Electrical Code (most recent edition) and 1 hour on New Jersey laws and regulations (not required in initial triennial period after licensure).

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

New Jersey electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in New Jersey — 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 newjersey.mylicense.com database →

License types

Electrical Contractor — Authorized to perform electrical construction, installation, alteration, and repair work on wiring for electric light, heat, or power in compliance with the National Electrical Code

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	5 years immediately preceding application employed in electrical construction and installation, including completion of a 4-year apprenticeship program accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor and at least 1 additional year as a journeyman electrician (1 year equals 2,000 hours of practical hands-on experience)
Application fee	$100
License fee	$225 (Year 1); $150 (Year 2); $75 (Year 3)
Renewal fee	Every 3 years: $225; Late renewal (within 30 days): additional $50
Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires March 31)
Continuing education	34 hours per 3-year renewal cycle: 9 hours on National Electrical Code (most recent edition) and 1 hour on New Jersey laws and regulations (not required in initial triennial period after licensure)
Bond required	$1,000 surety bond executed by company authorized to transact business in New Jersey and approved by Department of Banking and Insurance; valid for 36 months and renewed upon expiration
Liability insurance	$300,000 minimum general liability insurance
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	Not specified by the Board.

What a New Jersey electrician license costs

Application fee	$100.
License fee	$225 (Year 1); $150 (Year 2); $75 (Year 3).
Electrical Contractor Trade Exam	$100.
Business and Law Exam	Included in application.
Alarm Systems Electrical Contractor Exam	Included in application.
Surety bond	$1,000 surety bond executed by company authorized to transact business in New Jersey and approved by Department of Banking and Insurance; valid for 36 months and renewed upon expiration. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	Every 3 years: $225; Late renewal (within 30 days): additional $50.
Renewal period	Every 3 years (expires March 31).

Exams

Electrical Contractor Trade Exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: $100
Business and Law Exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in application
Alarm Systems Electrical Contractor Exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in application

Renewing a New Jersey electrician license

The Electrical Contractor License renews on a fixed cycle set by the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. 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 March 31)
Renewal fee	Every 3 years: $225; Late renewal (within 30 days): additional $50
Continuing education	34 hours per 3-year renewal cycle: 9 hours on National Electrical Code (most recent edition) and 1 hour on New Jersey laws and regulations (not required in initial triennial period after licensure)
Where to renew	New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Local / municipal notes

License status must be updated if general liability insurance or surety bond lapses or is cancelled. Licenses expire on March 31 every three years; late renewal within 30 days incurs $50 fee; failure to renew within 30 days results in automatic suspension.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Jersey electrician license cost?

Application: $100. License: $225 (Year 1); $150 (Year 2); $75 (Year 3). Renewal: Every 3 years: $225; Late renewal (within 30 days): additional $50.

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

Search the official license database at newjersey.mylicense.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in New Jersey need a surety bond?

$1,000 surety bond executed by company authorized to transact business in New Jersey and approved by Department of Banking and Insurance; valid for 36 months and renewed upon expiration

What experience is required for a New Jersey electrician license?

5 years immediately preceding application employed in electrical construction and installation, including completion of a 4-year apprenticeship program accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor and at least 1 additional year as a journeyman electrician (1 year equals 2,000 hours of practical hands-on experience)

Is insurance required for electricians in New Jersey?

Liability: $300,000 minimum general liability insurance.

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

Processing time: Not specified by the Board.

Is a background check required for electricians in New Jersey?

Background check: No fingerprint-based criminal history check: the Division of Consumer Affairs does not list the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors among the boards whose applicants undergo criminal history record background checks (Criminal History Review Unit).

How often must a New Jersey electrician license be renewed?

Every 3 years (expires March 31). Continuing education: 34 hours per 3-year renewal cycle: 9 hours on National Electrical Code (most recent edition) and 1 hour on New Jersey laws and regulations (not required in initial triennial period after licensure).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-25 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before applying. This is not legal advice.