Massachusetts Electrical License Application Guide

Like many states, Massachusetts has unique governing bodies that organize state-level licensure for electricians, plumbers, and general contractors. To practice electrical work in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, you must meet the requirements set by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians and apply for licensure. You can contact the board directly by calling (617)-727-9931, by emailing electicians.board@mass.gov, or by written correspondence to:

Board of State Examiners of Electricians
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118

You may pursue different levels and types of licensure in MA, including:

Journeyman electrician
Master electrician
Systems technician
Systems contractor

Each level of licensure involves a different combination of training and experience. In general, there are two pathways. You could first gain experience and education to apply to be a journeyman electrician. Once you have gained the required experience as a journeyman and you meet the curriculum requirements for a master, you may then apply to become a master electrician. Or, you can focus on a specific part of electrical systems and gain experience and education to become a systems technician. Once you have gained the required experience as a systems technician and you meet the curriculum requirements for a systems contractor, you may then apply to become a systems contractor.

Massachusetts Electrical License Reciprocity

The Electricians’ Board in MA only has reciprocity with the state of New Hampshire for both journeyman and master electrical licenses. You may only apply for a reciprocal license through the online portal. Your online application must include:

A payment made in full for the $208 fee for a journeyman license, or $310 for a master license.
A certified Statement of Registration from the licensing Board from New Hampshire.
Documentation of completion for either:
- 600 hours of a journeyman program.
- 150 hours of a master’s program or equivalent to the MA requirements in 237 CMR 22.

Other out-of-state licenses may be recognized as equivalent based on an examination, education, and documented work experience. More information can be found through the online portal.

Massachusetts Master Electrician License Requirements

Master electricians may practice electrical work independently, run their own business, or supervise a department in a company. Master electricians may also engage in the planning of electrical systems. As a master electrician, you may hire and supervise both journeymen as well as apprentice electricians. To become a master electrician you must complete one year as an MA journeyman, as well as 150 hours of the master curriculum. Master electrician applicants must submit a CORI background check and an application fee of $276, along with their application proper, to PSI. Applicants who pass the exam will be notified immediately and will pay the certification fee of $155 at the test center.

Electrical Master Exam

Applicants will be notified by PSI once their application has been approved. You will be mailed or emailed an Examination Authorization Notice that will provide you with the necessary information to schedule your exam with available examination centers. Your approved status will last for 12 months after the approval date. If you do not schedule your exam within the 12 month period you will need to reapply.

There are two parts to the master electrician exam. Part one consists of 80 questions with an allotted time of 240 minutes. Part two is the business and law exam that consists of 50 questions with an allotted time of 120 minutes. You must pass both exams with a score of at least 70%.

Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician License Requirements

Journeyman electricians must practice electrical work under the supervision of a master electrician and may not contract independently. To become licensed as a journeyman electrician you must have:

A high school diploma.
Completed 600 hours of journeyman curriculum from an educational program that has been approved by the Department of Education.
Completed 4 years with 8,000 hours of work experience.
A CORI background check.

Journeyman applicants must submit an application fee of $226 with their application submission to PSI. Applicants who pass the exam will be notified immediately and will pay the certification fee of $104 at the test center.

Electrical Journeyman Exam

There are two parts to the journeyman electrical exam. Part one consists of 70 questions with an allotted time of 180 minutes to complete. You will need to complete the exam with 70% accuracy to pass. The second part of the exam is the applied portion. It consists of 30 questions and is allotted 60 minutes. You must also complete the second part of the exam with 70% accuracy to pass.

Massachusetts Electrical Insurance Requirements

In the state of Massachusetts most electricians, electrical contractors, and electrical companies should protect themselves with insurance. Electrical contractor insurance policies allow policy holders to access a variety of protections. Some of the more common policies electricians hold in Massachusetts are: General Liability, Commercial Property Coverage, Inland Marine Coverage, Workers’ Compensation, Tools and Equipment and Commercial Auto Coverage.

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Massachusetts Systems Technician License Requirements

A systems technician may install and maintain specific types of electrical systems such as security and fire detection for homes and businesses. To become a licensed electrical systems technician, you must have:

A high school diploma.
Two years with 4,000 hours of work experience.
Completed 300 hours of systems curriculum.
A CORI background check.

Systems technician applicants must submit an application fee of $226 with their application submission to PSI. Applicants who pass the exam will be notified immediately and will pay the certification fee of $104 at the test center.

Electrical Systems Technician Exam

Applicants will be notified by PSI once their application has been approved. You will be mailed or emailed an Examination Authorization Notice that will provide you with the necessary information to schedule your exam and available examination centers. Your approved status will last for 12 months after the approval date. If you do not schedule your exam within the 12-month period you will need to reapply.

There are two parts to the systems technician exam. Part one consists of 50 questions with an allotted time of 120 minutes. Part two is the applied exam and consists of 30 questions with an allotted time of 60 minutes. You must pass both exams with a score of at least 70%.

Massachusetts Systems Contractor License Requirements

Those who hold a systems contractor license can design and supervise the installation of specific types of electronic systems such as security and fire detection. To become a licensed systems contractor in MA you must complete one year in MA as a systems technician, as well as 75 hours of the systems contractor curriculum. Systems contractor applicants must submit a CORI background check and an application fee of $276 with their application submission to PSI. Applicants who pass the exam will be notified immediately and will pay the certification fee of $155 at the test center.

Electrical Systems Contractor Exam

Applicants will be notified by PSI once their application has been approved. You will be mailed or emailed an Examination Authorization Notice that will provide you with the necessary information to schedule your exam and available examination centers. Your approved status will last for 12 months after the approval date. If you do not schedule your exam within the 12-month period you will need to reapply.

There are two parts to the systems contractor exam. Part one consists of 70 questions with an allotted completion time of 180 minutes. Part two is the business and law exam that consists of 50 questions with an allotted time of 120 minutes. You must pass both exams with a score of at least 70%.

Electrical Apprenticeship Requirements

Electrical apprenticeships offer on-the-job experience. In general, to become an apprentice you must:

Be at least 18 years old;
Have a high school diploma or equivalent;
Complete at least one year of high school algebra;
Obtain a qualifying score on an aptitude test;
Pass a drug test;
Hold a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

All apprentices and their sponsors must fill out an apprentice agreement form and pay the annual fee of 35$ for a photo ID. Independent apprenticeships must have employers fill out Employment Verification Forms for work experience to apply. Apprentices must complete both on-the-job training as well as must meet educational requirements. Electrical apprenticeship requirements are organized by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Apprentices must complete 8,000 hours (typically four years) of on-the-job training, as well as 600 hours (typically 150 hours per year) of technical instruction. For more information, contact the Division of Apprentice Standards at (617)-626-5409.

To complete your educational requirements, you will typically need to join a formal apprenticeship with a union or trade organization that will provide technical education, or you will need to perform classwork with an electrical trade school outside of your independent working apprenticeship.

Massachusetts Apprentice Jobs

You will need to obtain technical instruction to work as an apprentice and pursue a journeyman license. Many technical schools provide job placement assistance. Check with your school program for assistance in finding an entry-level job with an electrical contracting company in your area.

You may also gain employment through your trade organization or union. Massachusetts electrical and trade union and organizations include:

You may choose to work as an independent apprentice with an employer that will sponsor you. To do so, you should look for positions titled “electrical apprentice” on job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter.

Electrical Trade Schools in Massachusetts

For each type of licensure, there is a corresponding electrical education requirement. You must attend a program with a Board-approved school and curriculum to complete your educational requirements. Board approval may lapse, so it is important to check with the Board of State Examiners before applying to a program.

For those who wish to sit the journeyman examination, you must complete 600 hours of required education that may include, but is not limited to:

AC and DC Theory;
The National Electrical Code Application of AC and DC Theory;
Branch Circuit Calculations and Requirements;
Feeder and Service Calculations and Requirements;
Electrical Bonding and Grounding and Ground Path Theory;
Conductor Selection and Overcurrent Protection;
Wiring Methods;
Motors and Controls;
Transformers;
Low Voltage Systems and Controls;
Fire Warning and Security Systems;
Fiber, Data, and Communications Wiring and Systems;
Use of Codebook tables and examples;
Massachusetts Electrical Code and Amendments (527 CMR 12.00);
Massachusetts Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Electrical Wiring;
Conduct of Electricians and Apprentices Including Inspection Requirements;
Job-site and Electrical Safety.

For those who wish to sit the master examination, you must complete 150 hours of required education that may include but is not limited to:

Plan Review and Calculations;
Advanced AC Theory;
Advanced Code calculations;
Branch Circuit/Feeder/ Service;
Emergency Systems;
Health-care;
Hazardous Locations;
Applicable Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to:
- Licensing Laws;
- Permitting Laws;
- Inspection Laws;
- Appeals Process;
- Board Rules and Regulations;
- 237 CMR 12.00 through 23.00;
- Good Business Practices/GBP.

For those who wish to sit for the systems technician examination, you must complete 300 hours of required education that may include but is not limited to:

Jobsite and Electrical Safety;
Introduction to the National Electrical Code and Process;
DC/Alarm Theory;
Basic Math;
Electrical Bonding and Grounding;
Low Voltage Systems and Controls;
Fire Warning and Security Systems;
Design and Testing (NFPA 72);
National Electrical Code application of DC Theory;
Massachusetts Electrical Code and Amendments (527 CMR 12.00);
Wiring Methods;
Fiber, Data and Communications Wiring and Systems;
Massachusetts Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Electrical Wiring;
Conduct of Technicians and Apprentices Including Inspection Requirements.

For those who wish to sit for the systems contractor examination, you must complete 75 hours of required education that may include but is not limited to:

Advanced Alarm System Theory
Applicable Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to:
- Licensing Laws;
- Permitting Laws;
- Inspection Laws;
- Appeals Process;

Board Rules and Regulations:
- 237 CMR 12.00 through 23.00;
- Good Business Practices/GBP.

Massachusetts Professional License Search

The Division of Professional Licensure oversees differing Boards, including the Board of State Examiners of Electricians and Licensing. If you are considering doing business with or becoming employed by an electrician, it is important to check the status of their license. You will need either the license number of the individual or business, or you can use the first and last name of the licensee in addition to the type of license you are searching for.

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here.

For information on other trades in Massachusetts, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements: