Electrical Contractors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. The Board creates standards and requires licensing to ensure that all electrical work performed in the Commonwealth is safe and up to codes and standards.
As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to prove that they meet qualifications for education and work experience, in addition to passing a qualifying exam. The Board works in close connection with PSI Services LLC to process applications, determine eligibility and administer the exam.
License Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Massachusetts
The Board offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors in Massachusetts:
- Master Electrician License (A)
- Journeyman Electrician License (B)
- Systems Contractor License (C)
- Systems Technician License (D)
* Systems licenses relate to fire and security alarm system installations and repairs.
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in Massachusetts
- Contractors must meet the Board’s requirements for education and work experience, based on the license classification they are applying for.
- Contractors must complete an Application for Examination along with the required work experience and education forms and submit them, along with the appropriate fees, to PSI Services, in order to gain approval to take the exam
- Contractors must take and pass a 2-part exam, based on their chosen classification.
- Contractors must pay a license fee upon passing the exam, in order to receive their license
- All contractors must complete a 15 hour Continuing Education Program prior to renewing their license.
Education and Work Experience Requirements
In order to qualify to take the exam, all contractors must meet the requirements for education and work experience, based on their chosen license classification:
Master Electrician License (A) Applicants:
- Must have 150 hours of classroom education, based on current electrical code. Education based in alarm systems and limited power systems does not count toward the requirement.
- Must hold a Journeyman Electrician License (B) and have one year of work experience, actively engaged in electrical work. The installation of fire alarms, security alarms and limited power systems does not count toward the work experience requirement.
Journeyman Electrician License (B) Applicants:
- Must have 600 hours of classroom instruction based on current electrical code, and hold a high school diploma or equivalence. Other forms of electrical education may count toward 25%, or 75 hours, of the education requirement as long as it was obtained from a college or university approved by the Board, or from a private or public vocational program approved by the Department of Education.
- Must have 4 years of work experience, totaling 8,000 hours, under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Electrical shop experience may count toward a portion of the work experience requirement if it was through a college or university approved by the Board, or from a private or public vocational program approved by the Department of Education. If the contractor has experience working with alarm systems it may count toward 25%, or 2,000 hours, of the experience requirement.
Systems Contractor License (C) Applicants:
- Must have 75 hours of classroom instruction, based on current electrical code. Education hours must be continuous, uninterrupted and from the same provider in order to count toward the requirement.
- Must hold a Systems Technician License (D) and have one year of work experience working with fire and/or alarm systems.
Systems Technician License (D) Applicants:
- Must have 300 hours of education based on current code and hold a high school diploma or equivalence. In order to count, education hours must be continuous and uninterrupted. Other systems-related education may count toward the education requirement as long as it was obtained through a college or university approved by the Board, or a public or private vocational program approved by the Department of Education. Electrical education may also count toward 25% or 75 hours of the requirement.
- Must have 2 years of systems work experience, totaling 4,000 hours, under the direct supervision of a licensed Systems Technician (D) or Journeyman Electrician (B). Electrical work experience may count toward 25%, 6 months or 1,000 hours of the work experience requirement. Shop experience may also count toward the requirement as long as it was obtained through a college or university approved by the Board, or a public or private vocational program approved by the Department of Education.
All contractors must meet the above requirements in order to sit for the exam. To verify education experience, contractors must fill out the Certificate of School Experience form, located inside the application packet. To verify work experience the contractor’s current/former employer must fill out the Employment Verification Form, also located inside the application packet.
*In order to count toward the education requirement, classroom hours must be within the past 9 years and based on the most current electrical code.
For more information about the education and work experience requirements for each license classification, please visit the Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations page.
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Once the contractor meets the experience and education requirements for their chosen license classification, they must apply to take the exam, through PSI Services.
Copies of the Application for Examination are found inside the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.
Copies of the application and bulletin may also be requested by calling PSI at:
1-800-733-9267
OR
By contacting the Board at:
617-727-9931
Additional forms and application are found at the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation.
The Candidate Information Bulletin also contains instructions for filling out the application, as well as the education and work experience verification forms.
Be sure to read and follow all instructions before submitting the application to avoid processing delays. Contractors are required submit the appropriate fee along with their completed application.
Fee amounts are:
- $276- for Master Electricians (A) and Systems Contractors (C)
- $226- for Journeyman Electricians (B) and Systems Technicians (D)
Fee amounts are broken down as follows:
Master Electricians (A) and Systems Contractors (C):
- $75- PSI application processing fee
- $80- cost to take the Trade portion of the exam
- $55- cost to take the Business portion of the exam
- $66- Board application processing fee
Total fee: $276
Journeyman Electricians (B) and Systems Technicians (D):
- $60- PSI application processing fee
- $80- cost to take the Trade portion of the exam
- $55- cost to take the Practical portion of the exam
- $31- Board application processing fee
Total fee: $226
Make all fees payable to “PSI”. Acceptable forms of payment include:
- Visa/Mastercard
- Company Check
- Cashier’s Check
- Money Order
*Personal checks are not accepted.
Submit the completed application, along with all the required documents, proof of work experience, proof of education and fees to:
PSI Examination Services
ATTN: Examination Registration MA EL
3210 E Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121
PSI processes examination applications. If the contractor meets the Board’s requirements and standards, PSI will issue an Exam Authorization Notice, either by mail or email, letting the contractor know that they may schedule their exam.
Contractors have one year from the time their application is approved to take the exam. Education and work experience must remain current during that time in order for the contractor to be considered eligible to take the exam. Once these requirements expire, the application is no longer considered valid.
The Examination Process
Contractors are required to pass a 2-part, computer-based examination, administered by PSI Services LLC.
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to prepare for and take the exam, including a break-down of the information covered on each test, as well as a list of suggested references and study materials.
Once the exam application is approved and the contractor receives an authorization notice from PSI, it is their responsibility to contact PSI to schedule their exam.
Contact PSI one of the following ways to schedule a test:
- Online– follow the link for new user registration
- By Phone- call PSI and use their automated system 24 hours a day. Representative are standing by to assist callers during regular business hours:
(800) 733-9267
Testing Centers are located in:
- Auburn
- Boston
- Fall River
- Lawrence
- Springfield
On the day of the test, examinees should arrive at least 30 minutes for before their scheduled test to allow time for check-in. They are also required to bring 2 forms of identification, including:
- A government issued photo id with the examinee’s signature; such as a driver’s license or passport
- Another form of identification with the examinee’s name and signature; such as a credit card or debit card.
Examinations are open-book. Contractors must pass both portions of the exam with a score of 70% or higher.
The Master Electrician (A) and Systems Contractor (C) examinations consist of:
- Business and Law Exam
- Trade Exam
The Journeyman Electrician (B) and Systems Technician (D) exam consist of:
- Business and Law Exam
- Practical Exam
If the contractor does not pass one or both portions of the exam on their first attempt, they must wait 24 hours before they may schedule a re-take. Contractors have 1 year and 3 attempts to pass both portions of the exam, after which, the contractor must re-apply and take both portions of the exam over again.
The cost to re-take both portions of the exam is $135. The cost to re-take the Trade portion of the exam is $80. To re-take the Business or Practical portion of the exam, it is $55.
*After a third failed attempt, contractors must attend continuing education courses and meet various learning objective before they may take the exam again. After 6 failed attempts, the contractor must complete the initial required education hours over again, based on their chosen license classification.
Scores are issued same-day before the contractor leaves the testing center. If the contractor passes both portions of the exam, they are required to pay the final licensing fee, at the testing center in order to receive their license.
Contractors are required to pay the following licensing fees before leaving the testing center, if they pass the exam:
- Master Electricians (A) and Systems Contractors (C)- $155
- Journeyman Electricians (B) and Systems Technicians (D)- $104
Make all licensing fees payable to “PSI.” Payments are accepted in the form of:
- Visa/Mastercard
- Cashier’s Check
- Company Check
- Money Order
*Personal checks are not accepted.
How Long is a Massachusetts Electrical Contractor License Valid?
All Electrical Contractor license classes are good for a period of 3 years in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Licenses expire on July 31st of the third year. The Board mails out renewal reminders approximately 6 weeks before the license is set to expire.
Prior to renewal, all contractors are required to complete a 15 hour Continuing Education Course Program. To view a list of Board-approved continuing education courses, please visit the website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
License renewal fees are:
- $117- for Master Electricians (A) and Systems Contractors (C)
- $78- for Journeyman Electricians (B) and Systems Technicians (D)
Once the Board receives the contractor’s renewal fee and verification that they have completed their continuing education courses, they will receive a renewed license by mail, within approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
For more information about license renewal, contact the Board at:
617-727-9931
OR
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $276 | PSI and Board License Application Processing Fees and Examination Fees for a Class A or C license | Upon submitting the application for examination |
| $226 | PSI and Board License Application Processing Fees and Examination Fees for a Class B or D license | Upon submitting the application for examination |
| $135 | Cost to re-take both portions of the examination | Upon scheduling an exam re-take |
| $80 | Cost to re-take the Trade portion of the exam | Upon scheduling an exam re-take |
| $55 | Cost to re-take the Business or Practical portion of the exam | Upon scheduling an exam re-take. |
| $155 | License Fee to receive a Class A or C License | At the testing center on the day that the contractor passes both portions of the exam |
| $104 | License Fee to receive a Class C or D License | At the testing center on the day that the contractor passes both portions of the exam |
| $117 | Renewal Fee to renew a Class A or C License | Every 3 years upon renewal |
| $78 | Renewal Fee to renew a Class B or D License | Every 3 years upon renewal |