Electrician License Requirements in New Jersey
| Licensing Authority | Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC) |
| License Type | Electrical Contractor License & Business Permit |
| Experience Required | 5 years of experience in the electrical trade. Can be met through: (1) 5 years hands-on electrical work, (2) bachelor's degree in electrical engineering + 2 years field work, or (3) journeyman electrician license + 1 year additional on-the-job experience. |
| Education Substitute | Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering substitutes for 3 years of the 5-year requirement (still need 2 years field work) |
| Exam Required | Yes — Electrical Contracting Trade Exam + Business & Law Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — $1,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 34 hours every 3 years (triennial). Must include 9 hours of NEC Code updates and 1 hour of NJ laws/rules/regulations. Up to 8 excess credits may carry over. |
| Processing Time | 4-8 weeks after exam passage |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Exam Fee | $131 |
| Business & Law exam | $47 |
| Trade exam | $84 |
| Late renewal fee | $50 |
| Est. Initial Total | $412 |
Renewal: $150 every 3 years (triennial, expires March 31)
Exam Requirements
Electrical Contracting Trade Exam
100 questions4 hoursPass: 70%
2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)Electrical systems and installationLoad calculationsGrounding and bonding
Business & Law Exam
50 questions2 hoursPass: 70%
NJ electrical contractor laws and regulationsBusiness managementContracts
Exam provider: PSI
Notes
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Open-book exams with approved reference materials
- Business permit required in addition to contractor license
- If exam not passed, must wait 6 months to retake
- Both license and business permit renewed triennially
- Next triennial renewal: March 31, 2027
- Exams based on 2023 NEC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a electrician license in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey requires a statewide electrician license through the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
How much does a electrician license cost in New Jersey?
The estimated initial cost is $231, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BEEC