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
Business & Law Exam
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
How to get a NJ Electrical Contractor License: step-by-step
- Confirm eligibility. You must be at least 21 and meet one of three experience paths: 5 years hands-on electrical work, BS in Electrical Engineering + 2 years field work, or journeyman license + 1 additional year.
- Apply to the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC). The $100 application fee is paid to the Division of Consumer Affairs.
- Take both exams through PSI. The Electrical Contracting Trade Exam (100 questions, 4 hours, 2023 NEC) costs $84. The Business & Law Exam (50 questions, 2 hours) costs $47. 70% passing on each. Exams are open-book with approved reference materials.
- If you fail, wait 6 months to retake. There is no faster path — this is the NJ-specific waiting period.
- Post your bond and insurance. $1,000 electrical contractor surety bond. Minimum $300,000 general liability for the business permit ($500,000 if also registered as HIC).
- Apply for the Business Permit. The contractor license alone doesn't let you operate as a business in NJ — the business permit is a separate filing through BEEC, also renewed triennially.
- Renew every 3 years (next cycle: March 31, 2027). Renewal requires 34 hours of CE — 9 hours of NEC updates and 1 hour of NJ laws/rules are mandatory.
Common reasons BEEC rejects electrical contractor applications
- Submitting experience without verifiable supervisor signatures — BEEC contacts every listed supervisor
- Missing business permit — applicants often think the license alone is enough; you cannot legally operate as an electrical contracting business without it
- Wrong NEC edition on exam — exams are based on the 2023 NEC; bringing the 2020 edition is a guaranteed fail
- Insufficient GL for HIC-overlapping work — residential work as HIC requires $500K minimum, not the standard $300K
- Undisclosed criminal records — even sealed records cause rejection or delay
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an electrician license in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey requires a statewide electrician license through the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
How much does an electrician license cost in New Jersey?
The estimated initial cost is $231, including application, exam, and license fees. A $1,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for an electrician license in New Jersey?
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)
What exams are required for an electrician license in New Jersey?
You must pass the Electrical Contracting Trade Exam and Business & Law Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for an electrician license in New Jersey?
Yes, a $1,000 surety bond is required. $1,000 electrical contractor surety bond required for business permit. If also registered as HIC, additional compliance bond of $10,000-$50,000 applies.
How long does it take to get an electrician license in New Jersey?
Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks after exam passage after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for electricians in New Jersey?
Yes, 34 hours per 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. is required for license renewal.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BEEC