The State of New Hampshire Electrician’s Board requires all persons and businesses performing electrical installations, for the purpose of light, heat and power, to be licensed or registered. Licensing is required regardless of the voltage the contractor is working with. As part of the licensing process, Electrical Contractors are required to submit an application, and in some cases, pass an exam.
*At this time, the Board does not have a licensing requirement for those working with signaling circuits, such as fire alarm installations.
License Categories for Electrical Contractors in New Hampshire
The Board offers the following license and registration categories to Electrical Contractors:
- Master Electrician License
- Journeyman Electrician License
- High/Medium Voltage Electrician License
- Apprentice Electrician Registration
- High/Medium Voltage Electrician Trainee Registration
*The requirements for licensing and submitting an application vary depending on the license/registration type, or if the contractor is applying as an individual or a business.
Work Experience, Education and Training Requirements
In order to qualify for a license/registration, contractors are required to meet the Board’s requirements for work experience, education or training, based on their chosen license category:
- Master Electricians- must pass the Journeyman exam and obtain 2,000 hours of work experience, in the field, as a licensed Journeyman performing electrical installations.
- Journeyman Electricians- must have 8,000 hours of work experience as an Apprentice working under a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician. Additionally, Journeyman applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- 600 hours of approved electrical schooling, including a minimum of 24 hours on electrical safety. Schooling may be broken down into blocks of 150 hours per year, including 6 hours per year on electrical safety; OR the applicant must have an associate’s degree or higher in an electrical curriculum
- 10 years of experience as a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician in another jurisdiction; OR have taken and passed the Journeyman or Master exam.
*For a list of approved electrical schools, please visit: NH Electrician’s Board Licensing Requirements
- High/Medium Voltage Electricians- must prove that they have completed a state, federal or employer certification program that is approved by the Board.
*Contact the Board for more information about approved programs:
603-271-2219 - Apprentice and High/Medium Voltage Trainees- must be employed and work under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician or High/Medium Voltage Electrician. They must also be enrolled in an approved electrical school at the time that they are registered.
In order to count toward the work experience requirement, all experience must be “practical,” in a field or classroom setting, performing electrical installations. Field experience must be under the direct supervision of a licensed Master Electrician. All classroom education must meet various criteria and be approved by the Board.
All applicants must prove that they have a high school education or higher.
All businesses are required to employ a licensed Master Electrician or High/Medium Voltage Electrician to oversee all business affairs and supervise all electrical installations.
For more information about the work experience, education or training requirements for each license/registration category, call the Board at:
603-271-2219
OR
Visit: NH Electrician’s Board Licensing Requirements
Preparing and Submitting an Application
For a copy of the license application, please visit:
NH Electrician’s Board Application Forms
Be sure to read and follow all instructions on the application. Applications must be typewritten or filled out by-hand, legibly. Answer all questions on the application. The Board will contact the contractor is they need further information or clarification.
All businesses, including corporations, partnerships, LLCs, LLPs and LPS must provide the following information/documents with their application:
- Business contact information (name, address, phone number, email)
- Type of business (electrical or high/medium voltage)
- Information about the person in charge of all business affairs
- License number and information about the Master Electrician or High/Medium Voltage Electrician who will be in charge of all work performed and supervise the business’ affairs
- Signature of the Master Electrician or High/Medium Voltage Electrician who will be in charge and supervise business affairs
- Certificate of Good Standing from the New Hampshire Secretary of State
Applicants must provide information regarding their work experience, education and training, including:
- Basic information about current/former employer, nature of business, employment dates and description of duties performed
- Name, location, dates attended, courses and certificates/degree obtained for any electrical-related schooling, education or training programs
- Name and address of 3 references that have direct knowledge of the contractor’s work and professional character. References may not be related to the applicant.
- Signature of the licensed electrician verifying the applicant’s work experience
*If the contractor has any felony or criminal convictions, or if they have ever had a license revoked, suspended or sanctioned, they must provide information on the application.
All contractors must attach a photo of themselves to the application. Photographs may not be older than 6 months.
Be sure to sign and date the application.
All license fees and examination fees (if applicable) must be submitted along with the application. The Board does not accept cash payments. Payments must be made in the form of a check, made payable to, “Treasurer, State of NH.” Credit card payments are also acceptable. When making a payment by credit card, use the payment sheet, located inside the application packet.
The license fee is broken down into a base payment that is to be made over the 3-year license term:
- Master Electricians- $90 per year
- Journeyman Electricians- $50 per year
- High/Medium Voltage Electricians- $90 per year
- Apprentice Electricians- $30 per year (registration term only 12 months)
- High/Medium Voltage Electricians- $30 per year (registration term only 12 months)
The amount due at the time the application is submitted depends on the contractor’s birth month. To view a schedule of fees, please visit:
NH Electrician’s Board Fee Schedule
There is also a $50 examination fee for all Master and Journeyman Electrician applicants.
Submit the completed application, along with all the required documents and fees to:
New Hampshire Joint Board
121 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
*Applications are accepted by-mail or in-person.
For more information about completing the application or the application process, contact the Board at:
603-271-2219
The Examination
All Master Electrician and Journeyman Electrician applicants are required to take and pass an exam in order to receive their license.
An examination is not required if the contractor is applying for a High/Medium Voltage Electrician license, or if the contractor is registering as an Apprentice or High/Medium Voltage Trainee.
Contractors must take the exam through an approved testing vendor, as determined by the Board, such as the International Code Council (ICC). For more information about approved testing vendors, please call the Board:
603-271-2219
OR
Visit: International Code Council- Certification and Testing
The Board requires that Journeyman and Master Electricians pass an exam related to:
- National Electric Code (NEC) as copyrighted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Practical applications and electrical installations
- Administrative rules
It is the contractor’s responsibility to make an appointment with the testing vendor to take the exam. The testing vendor will notify the contractor of the date, time and location of their exam.
Contractors must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%.
At the time the contractor passes the exam, they will receive their license.
How Long is a New Hampshire Electrical Contractor License Valid?
Electrical Contractor license categories are good for a period of 3 years in the State of New Hampshire. Trainee and Apprentice registrations are good for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year to remain valid.
The cost to renew a license/registration is:
- Master Electrician License- $270
- Journeyman Electrician License- $150
- High/Medium Voltage Electrician License- $270
- Apprentice Electrician Registration- $30
- High/Medium Voltage Electrician Trainee Registration- $30
Upon renewal, all licensed Master, Journeyman and High/Medium Voltage Electricians are required prove that they meet the Board’s requirement for continuing education.
Contractors must attend 15 hours of continuing education related to the latest, updated National Electric Code as published by NFPA.
Continuing education must be completed within 12 months of January 1st, at the time that NFPA publishes the latest NEC changes.
For more information about continuing education and for a list of approved continuing education providers, please visit:
NH Electrician’s Board Continuing Education Requirements
For more information about renewing a license or registration, contact the Board at:
603-271-2219
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $90 | Yearly Master Electrician Licensing Fee. | Upon submitting the license application. The amount due at the time the application is submitted depends on the contractor’s birth month |
| $50 | Yearly Journeyman Electrician Licensing Fee | Upon submitting the license application. The amount due at the time the application is submitted depends on the contractor’s birth month |
| $90 | Yearly High/Medium Voltage Electrician Licensing Fee | Upon submitting the license application. The amount due at the time the application is submitted depends on the contractor’s birth month |
| $30 | Apprentice Electrician and High/Medium Voltage Electrician Registration Fee | Upon submitting the registration application |
| $50 | Examination Fee for Master and Journeyman Electricians | Upon submitting the license application |
| $270 | Renewal Fee for all Master and High/Medium Voltage Electricians | Every 3 years upon renewal |
| $150 | Renewal Fee for all Journeyman Electricians | Every 3 years upon renewal |
| $30 | Renewal Fee for all Apprentice and High/Medium Voltage Trainees | Every 12 months upon renewal |