In New York, nearly every contractor license is administered through a city or county agency, rather than through the state. This same principle goes for electrical contractors. For that purpose, the license requirements below will detail that of New York City, the state’s most populated municipality.
New York Electrical Contractor Reciprocity
The state of New York has no reciprocity agreements with other states.
New York Special Electrician Requirements
Becoming a master or special electrician in New York City entails all of the same requirements. Below is a detailed description of the requirements.
New York Electrical Master License Requirements
Master electricians are licensed by the city to perform all of the duties typically associated with the trade. In New York City, the following requirements must be met in order to become a licensed master electrician:
- Must be at least 21 years of age;
- Must be able to read and write the English language.
As for experience, at least one of the following requirements must be met:
- Must have at least 7.5 years (10,500 hours) of experience;
- Must have a master of science and at least 2.5 years (3,500 hours) of experience;
- Must have a bachelor of science and at least 3.5 years (4,900 hours) of experience;
- Must be a graduate of vocational, industrial, trade school, or apprenticeship program certified by the state of New York and have at least 5.5 years (7,700 hours) of experience;
- Must have taken a number of university courses in electrical or mechanical engineering and completed a number of experience hours that totals at least 7.5 years, 7,000 of those hours must be hands-on experience;
- Must have taken a number of vocational, industrial, or trade school courses registered with the New York State Department of Labor in electrical wiring, installation, or design and completed a number of experience hours that totals at least 7.5 years, 7,700 of those hours must be hands-on experience;
- Must be an employee of a government agency, private inspection agency, or other entity, accepted by the Buildings Commissioner who performs the functions of an electrician.
The following applications and fees are required:
- License Fee: $310;
- Written Exam Fee: $525;
- Practical Exam Fee: $350;
- Background Investigation Fee: $500.
Applications and fees must be sent to:
NYC Department of Buildings
Attn: Licensing & Exams Unit – Exams
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007
In order to complete the background investigation the following documents must be submitted within 1 year:
- Examination Score Report Form;
- LIC38 Application;
- LIC34, if applicable;
- Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire;
- Notarized Background Investigation Questionnaire;
- LIC51 Application;
- LIC62: Physical Exam Form;
- Experience Verification Forms;
- Social Security History of Earnings;
- Current Photo ID (driver’s license, learner’s permit, State ID, green card, or passport);
- Original Social Security Card;
- Proof of Residence with a utility bill, bank statement, lease or deed, or a typed notarized letter and bill from the person you are residing with;
- Latest Pay Stub or W-2;
- Child Support Certification Form.
Electrical Master or Special Exam
If your application is accepted, the next step is to take both the written and practical exams. The exam administrator will email the appropriate instructions on how to schedule an exam, as well as locations and times. The written exam tests for knowledge of New York City code and regulations; the practical exam tests for hands-on experience.
New York Electrical Insurance Requirements
If you’re an electrical contractor working for an employer, you are covered by your employer’s liability insurance. If you own your own contracting electrical business, the state of New York requires general and professional liability insurance, personal property protection, and workers’ compensation insurance.
Use the tool below to get a FREE insurance quote from our partner’s:
[mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”rt8syxkoyccg6eqvxrzu” ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1680911255/r2gqsmqaeubxf4fwxhvy.jpg” title=”How To Become an Electrician in New York: License Requirements and Trade Schools” volume=”70″] ” title=”Get A FREE Insurance Quote” subtitle=”No Commitment To Buy”]New York Electrical Journeyman License Requirements
New York City does not go the traditional licensing route of apprenticeship to journeyman to master electrician. Rather, individuals begin with an apprenticeship and work their way up to either a master or special electrician.
Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
Apprenticeships must be registered with the New York State Department of Labor in order to fully satisfy the requirements for licensure. Local apprenticeship offices can help aid the process of finding a suitable position.
New York Electrical Apprentice Jobs
New York state’s Job Bank provides a list of all apprenticeship openings in the state.
Electrical Trade Schools in New York
Aspiring electricians in the state of New York can begin their career trajectory with either an apprenticeship or trade school. Both of these options provide the necessary hours and training needed to move up the career ladder. An education, however, cannot fully supplement hours of experience. Rather, graduates of any school simply reduce the number of apprenticeship hours needed to become a journeyman or master electrician.
Alfred State: SUNY College of Technology in Alfred, NY
- Institution: Public;
- Tuition(in-state): $7,070 per year;
- For more information, email Department Chair and Program Coordinator Bradley Thompson at thompsbj@alfredstate.edu.
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
- Institution: Public;
- Tuition(in-state): $7,070 per year;
- For more information, email Department Chair Stephen Frempong at frempongs@canton.edu.
Hudson Valley Community College
- Institution: Public;
- Tuition(in-state): $2,400 a year;
- For more information, email Building Systems Technology Department Chair Brittany Kitterman at b.kitterman@hvcc.edu.
New York Professional License Search
The Department of Buildings has a professional license search for New York City contractors, including electricians.
Applications for Electrician Licenses in Other Counties and Cities
- Suffolk County
- Electrical, Plumbing, Home Appliance Repair & (Electronics) License Application
- Westchester County
- All applicants for an electrical license must first pass the applicable exam.
- Application for Master or Special Electrician License
- Binghamton
- Electrical licenses in Binghamton are regulated through the city’s Board of Electrical Examiners. Applicants must first schedule the appropriate exam, then file a separate application for their license.
- Journeyman Class A Exam & License Application
- Journeyman Class B Exam & License Application (a one-time license for out-of-town electricians)
- Master Electrician Class A Exam & License Application
- Master Electrician Class B Exam & License Application (required to obtain permits for electrical work in the city).
- Master Electrician Class C Exam & License Application (used for individual projects, single installations, or any other single continuous job at one location).
- Ithaca
- All applicants for an electrical license must first pass the applicable exam.
- Application for a reciprocal or temporary electrical license.
- Rochester
- Syracuse
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 York, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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