Many forms of contracting work in the United States can only legally be done by someone who holds the appropriate license; this includes contractors in the state of New Jersey. In the state of New Jersey, electrical apprentices do not need a license, rather, they only need to be accepted into an approved program or agency. Once they have accrued the necessary experience, they can apply to become a journeyman, then an electrical contractor.
New Jersey Electrical License Reciprocity
Some state governments allow electricians from other select states to apply for an equivalent electrical license in their state. However, New Jersey does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
New Jersey Electrical Contractor License Requirements
In the state of New Jersey, an electrical contractor license is necessary in order to pursue some larger or more complex electrical installation or design projects. The following requirements are necessary to acquire this license:
- A minimum of 21 years of age;
- A high school diploma or equivalent;
- 5 years of in-field experience OR 4 years in a certified apprentice program and 1 year of in-field experience OR hold a journeyman electrician license, along with 1 year of additional in-field experience OR a degree in electrical engineering, along with 2 years of additional in-field experience;
- Submission of an application;
- A passing grade on the appropriate exam.
Electrical Contractor Exam
In order to take the electrical contractor exam, you must submit an application for examination and pay the $100.00 fee.
New Jersey Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
Journeymen in the state of New Jersey are able to perform many electrical jobs independently. The license must be renewed every 3 years. The following requirements must be met in order to acquire an electrical journeyman license:
- 8,000 hours of in-field experience OR equivalent experience as confirmed by the board (4,000 of these hours must have been completed within 5 years of application);
- At least 576 hours of class time;
- Submission of an application ($100.00).
Electrical Journeyman Exam
An exam is not necessary to acquire a journeyman electrical license in New Jersey.
New Jersey Electrical Insurance Requirements
The state of New Jersey and the New Jersey Board of Electrical Contractors requires electrical contractors to carry liability insurance in the minimum amount of $300,000.
Use the tool below to request a FREE insurance quote from our partner’s:
Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
An apprentice electrician can work in the electrical field, but only under the supervision of a licensed electrician. In the state of New Jersey, an electrical apprentice only has to be accepted into an accredited school program or a union or non-union agency.
New Jersey Electrical Apprentice Jobs
Aspiring electrical apprentices in the state of New Jersey can find electrical work and experience through a community or trade school program, or through a union or non-union agency. Non-union electrical work can often be found on online job boards.
Electrical Trade Schools in New Jersey
Hudson County Community College
Location: 70 Sip Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Contact Info: (201) 714-7100
Tuition: $9,223 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Essex County College
Location: 303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102
Contact Info: (973) 877-3000
Tuition: $8,011 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
Brookdale Community College
Location: 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Contact Info: (732) 224-2345
Tuition: $6,639 (In-state tuition)
Type: Publicc
Mercer County Community College
Location: 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Contact Info: (609) 586-4800
Tuition: $4,932 (In-state tuition)
Type: Public
New Jersey Professional License Search
It is the legal obligation of electricians in the state of New Jersey to hold the appropriate license for their work. New Jersey residents can research electrical contracting licensees using the state website’s license search tool.
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 New Jersey, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
- New Jersey General Contractor License Requirements
- How to Become a Plumber in New Jersey
- New Jersey Handyman License Guide
- New Jersey Welding Schools and Career Guide
- How to Get an HVAC License in New Jersey
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