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 |
| Est. Initial Total | $231 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Business & Law exam | $47 |
| Trade exam | $84 |
| Late renewal fee | $50 |
Renewal: $150 every 3 years (triennial, expires March 31)
Exam Requirements
Electrical Contracting Trade Exam
Business & Law Exam
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredElectrician Exam Secrets Study GuideFull review of the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and safety practices for the journeyman and master electrician exams — concept breakdowns and practice questions built for a first-try pass.See the study guide →Set up the business before you apply in New Jersey
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in New Jersey. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→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
You're licensed in New Jersey as an electrician — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors issues the Electrical Contractor License & Business Permit; the business that invoices New Jersey customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
New Jersey requires a $1,000 surety bond. $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 contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
New Jersey requires general liability insurance for this license. Minimum $300,000 general liability insurance required for business permit. When performing residential work as HIC, minimum $500,000 GL required. Workers' compensation mandatory with 1+ employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck electrician businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 3 years (triennial, expires March 31) at $150. 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.
Other licenses in New Jersey
- General Contractor license in New Jersey
Statewide registration, not a license · $110 in fees · DCA
- Plumber license in New Jersey
Statewide license required · $340 in initial government fees · BEMP
- HVAC Technician license in New Jersey
Statewide license required · $231 in initial government fees · HVACR Board
- Roofing Contractor license in New Jersey
Statewide registration, not a license · $110 in fees · DCA
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.
Next steps
You know the requirements for electricians in New Jersey— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BEEC