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How to become a licensed electrician in Massachusetts. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $330. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Board of State Examiners of Electricians, under the Division of Occupational Licensure
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
93% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Massachusetts has one of the oldest electrician licensing programs in the US, established in 1915. The state uses certificate designations (A for Master, B for Journeyman, C for Systems Contractor, D for Systems Technician). As of 6/1/2025, all applications must be submitted online to PSI. The Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) adopts the NEC with state-specific amendments.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians, under the Division of Occupational Licensure
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician (Certificate B)
Experience Required
8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician, plus 600 hours of Board-approved education, plus 15-hour Code Update class
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician (Certificate A)
Experience Required
Must hold a Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license, at least 1 year of work experience as a Journeyman, plus 150 hours of Board-approved education
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
600
Classroom
8,000
On-the-Job
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
NEC Version
2023 NEC with Massachusetts amendments (527 CMR 12.00); transitioning to 2026 NEC with MA-specific amendments
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
100
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
130
Questions
360 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Retake Policy
Scores valid for 90 days. Must pass both parts within 90 days or pay all fees again. Re-examination fee: $135.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Fee Plus passport-sized photo required | |
Journeyman License Fee Exam and application fee combined. License issuance fee: $104 (paid at test site after passing). As of 6/1/2025, all applications must be submitted online to PSI. | |
Master License Fee Exam and application fee combined. License issuance fee: $155 (paid at test site after passing). | |
Exam Fee Journeyman: $226 combined exam/application; Master: $276 combined. Re-examination fee: $135. | |
Renewal Fee Journeyman triennial renewal: $78; Master triennial renewal: $117 | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: $226 exam/application + $104 license issuance = $330. Master: $276 exam/application + $155 license issuance = $431. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
21 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$78
Journeyman triennial renewal: $78; Master triennial renewal: $117. Online renewal required.
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Reciprocity with New Hampshire
Transfer Details
Massachusetts has a reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire for both Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Massachusetts has one of the oldest electrician licensing programs in the US (est. 1915), using letter-designated certificates (A=Master, B=Journeyman, C=Systems Contractor, D=Systems Technician). The Journeyman exam is a two-part exam with 100 total questions over 4 hours, and both parts must be passed within 90 days. American Electricians' Handbook and Ugly's Electrical References are explicitly banned from exams. As of 6/1/2025, all applications must be submitted online to PSI with no paper option. The Valor Act waives application fees for military personnel and veterans.
Massachusetts has one of the oldest electrician licensing programs in the US, established in 1915.
The state uses certificate letter designations: A (Master), B (Journeyman), C (Systems Contractor), D (Systems Technician).
As of 6/1/2025, ALL applications must be submitted online to PSI. Mailed or emailed applications are returned.
PSI review takes 30-90 days. Incomplete applications are held open for 180 days before being considered abandoned.
The Journeyman exam is a two-part exam: Part I (70 questions, 3 hours) and Part II (30 questions, 1 hour). Both parts must be passed within 90 days.
American Electricians' Handbook and Ugly's Electrical References are explicitly prohibited during exams.
Massachusetts is transitioning from the 2023 NEC to the 2026 NEC with state-specific amendments (527 CMR 12.00).
Under the Valor Act, Massachusetts waives the state application processing fee for military personnel, veterans, and their spouses.
Massachusetts has reciprocity with New Hampshire only, for both Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses.
Systems Technician (Certificate D) and Systems Contractor (Certificate C) are separate low-voltage license tracks.
Master Electricians require a $5,000 surety bond; Systems Contractors require a $10,000 bond.
LLCs and LLPs performing electrical work must carry insurance covering negligence, wrongful acts, errors and omissions per M.G.L. c. 156C, s. 65.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Massachusetts.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#5 of 51
Cost
#34 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$58,970
25th percentile
Median
$82,120
+32% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$100,420
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
16,570 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+19% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$82,120
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$82,120
Master electrician license + contractor license
$97,480
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Primary source for MA electrician licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official application page with requirements and fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official CIB with detailed exam information
Accessed 2026-03-19
Renewal and CE requirements
Accessed 2026-03-19
Current NEC adoption status
Accessed 2026-03-19
Proposed 2026 NEC adoption with MA amendments
Accessed 2026-03-19
LLC/LLP insurance requirements for electrical work
Accessed 2026-03-19
Massachusetts requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians, under the Division of Occupational Licensure.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.