⚠️ Important: This comparison is based on published state licensing requirements and may not reflect recent changes. Reciprocity and transfer rules change frequently and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by state licensing boards. This tool is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always contact Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board directly to confirm current transfer requirements before submitting any applications or fees.

Transfer Your Electrician License: Massachusetts → Rhode Island

Everything you need to know about transferring your electrician license from Massachusetts to Rhode Island

Reciprocity Available

Rhode Island may accept out-of-state licenses by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid journeyman or master license from another state and may need to pass the state exam.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Massachusetts (MA)	Rhode Island (RI)
Education Requirements●	600 hours of Board-approved education for Journeyman (Certificate B); 150 hours additional for Master (Certificate A); 15-hour Code Update class required for Journeyman	High school diploma or GED
Exam Requirements●	Provider: PSI Services; NEC: 2023 NEC with Massachusetts amendments (527 CMR 12.00); transitioning to 2026 NEC with MA-specific amendments; Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required	Provider: PSI; NEC: 2020 NEC (effective 02/01/2022); Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: No prior experience required; must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards; journeyman: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman; 600 hours of Board-approved education; 15-hour Code-Update Class; master: Must have a Massachusetts Journeyman license, at least 1 year of work experience, and 150 hours of Board-approved education	apprentice: No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program; journeyman: Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years); master: Typically 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
Fees	apprentice registration fee: $35; journeyman license fee: $226; master license fee: $276; exam fee: Included in application fee; renewal fee: $78; total initial fees: $330; confidence: high	apprentice registration fee: $25–$50; journeyman license fee: $75; master license fee: $100; exam fee: $85; renewal fee: $50; total initial fees: $160; confidence: high; sources: https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/commlicensing/contractors.php
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 21; Fee: $78	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 10; Fee: $50

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Rhode Island accepts out-of-state electrician licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.
Education differs: Massachusetts requires "600 hours of Board-approved education for Journeyman (Certificate B); 150 hours additional for Master (Certificate A); 15-hour Code Update class required for Journeyman" while Rhode Island requires "High school diploma or GED".
Experience differs: Massachusetts — apprentice: No prior experience required; must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards; journeyman: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman; 600 hours of Board-approved education; 15-hour Code-Update Class; master: Must have a Massachusetts Journeyman license, at least 1 year of work experience, and 150 hours of Board-approved education; Rhode Island — apprentice: No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program; journeyman: Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years); master: Typically 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician.
Renewal differs: Massachusetts — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 21; Fee: $78; Rhode Island — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 10; Fee: $50.

Next Steps

1
Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board →
2
Request credential verification from Board of State Examiners of Electricians (under Division of Occupational Licensure) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Massachusetts board →
3
Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).
4
Submit your application to Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Rhode Island Licensing Board

Board: Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board
Website: https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/commlicensing/contractors.php
Phone: (401) 462-9645

Contact Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board to confirm current transfer requirements →

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GetLicenseMap is a research tool and does not provide legal, financial, or professional licensing advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and change frequently. Verify all information directly with your state licensing board before making licensing decisions.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Massachusetts (MA)	Rhode Island (RI)
Education Requirements●	600 hours of Board-approved education for Journeyman (Certificate B); 150 hours additional for Master (Certificate A); 15-hour Code Update class required for Journeyman	High school diploma or GED
Exam Requirements●	Provider: PSI Services; NEC: 2023 NEC with Massachusetts amendments (527 CMR 12.00); transitioning to 2026 NEC with MA-specific amendments; Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required	Provider: PSI; NEC: 2020 NEC (effective 02/01/2022); Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: No prior experience required; must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards; journeyman: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman; 600 hours of Board-approved education; 15-hour Code-Update Class; master: Must have a Massachusetts Journeyman license, at least 1 year of work experience, and 150 hours of Board-approved education	apprentice: No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program; journeyman: Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years); master: Typically 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
Fees	apprentice registration fee: $35; journeyman license fee: $226; master license fee: $276; exam fee: Included in application fee; renewal fee: $78; total initial fees: $330; confidence: high	apprentice registration fee: $25–$50; journeyman license fee: $75; master license fee: $100; exam fee: $85; renewal fee: $50; total initial fees: $160; confidence: high; sources: https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/commlicensing/contractors.php
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 21; Fee: $78	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 10; Fee: $50

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Rhode Island accepts out-of-state electrician licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.

Education differs: Massachusetts requires "600 hours of Board-approved education for Journeyman (Certificate B); 150 hours additional for Master (Certificate A); 15-hour Code Update class required for Journeyman" while Rhode Island requires "High school diploma or GED".

Experience differs: Massachusetts — apprentice: No prior experience required; must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards; journeyman: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman; 600 hours of Board-approved education; 15-hour Code-Update Class; master: Must have a Massachusetts Journeyman license, at least 1 year of work experience, and 150 hours of Board-approved education; Rhode Island — apprentice: No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program; journeyman: Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years); master: Typically 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician.

Renewal differs: Massachusetts — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 21; Fee: $78; Rhode Island — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 10; Fee: $50.

Next Steps

Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board →

Request credential verification from Board of State Examiners of Electricians (under Division of Occupational Licensure) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Massachusetts board →

Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).

Submit your application to Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Transfer Your Electrician License: Massachusetts → Rhode Island

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Rhode Island Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages

Transfer Your Electrician License: Massachusetts → Rhode Island

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Rhode Island Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages