How to Become an Electrician in New Hampshire, NH


Check Electrician Schools in New Hampshire, NH

As in many states, in order to work as an electrician in New Hampshire, you have to obtain the appropriate license. There are three categories of licenses:

The licensing and registration is overlooked by the NH Bureau of Electrical Safety and Licensing. Note that the requirements of licensure are determined by the type of circuit of the electrical installation and not the voltage of the circuit. As an example, fire alarm installation are signaling circuits and not license is required for them. There is a voluntary certification program for fire alarm installations administered by the Department of Safety.

Update: As Deb informed us, the NH Bureau of Electrical Safety and Licensing moved to NH Joint Board and the phone number there is 603-271-2219. They are located on Fruit Street in Concord, NH. Please contact them and ask for Donna Knowlton or Pam.

Below, for the qualifications part of the requirements, “practical experience” refers to time accumulated while performing electrical installations in a classroom setting or in the field as part of a course curriculum in a school approved by the board, while “field experience” refers to time accumulated while performing electrical installations in the field under the direction of a master electrician.

Before being able to apply for apply for an electrician’s license you will have to complete an apprenticeship program. Apprentices will obtain identification cards issued by the board which will be valid for a period of 12 months.

Search Electrician Programs

Get information on Electrician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

New Hampshire Electrician Apprenticeship Programs

Before taking the exams for electrical journeyman, an apprenticeship program has to be completed. The apprenticeship program is a four-year program with 8,000 hours of practical training and work experience, roughly 2,000 hours per year, under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master electrician.

Additionally, there is also a minimum of 576 hours of related classroom instruction over that time span. Relevant documentation that proves a minimum of 144 hours of instruction per year is required as part of the application process.

In order to apply as an apprentice, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. The diploma requirement might be waived if you are a registered student in a “youth apprenticeship program for high school students” recognized and approved by the board. For more information about being waived, you may see here.

Apprentices will have to complete a minimum of 150 hours of electrical schooling in an approved training course during the 12 month period that the apprentice identification card is valid.

To apply for or renew your apprentice ID card, contact:

Bureau of Electrical Safety and Licensing
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-4289

For more information on apprenticeship programs check here.

New Hampshire Master Electrician License

As a master electrician, you may install, maintain, alter, repair any wire, cable, conduit, raceway, fixture or equipment that transmits, transforms, or uses electrical energy.

In order to obtain a license as a master electrician, you will have to:

– Submit a completed application and the relevant fee (process described here)
– Have worked for 2000 hours as journeyman and provide certification for each place of employment in the electrical trade
– Meet the qualification requirements as mentioned below
– Meet the examination requirements as described here
– Have no disqualifying felony convictions
– Have a valid electrician’s license, not suspended, revoked or sanctioned in any jurisdiction

As qualifications, applicants for a license of a master electrician shall have to pass the journeyman examination and obtain at least 2000 hours of field experience as a journeyman in performing electrical installations as before being eligible to take the master examination.

In case your master electrician license has been denied, you will have the opportunity for an administrative hearing before the board.

The initial fee for a master electrician license shall be $270.00 for a 3-year license.For more information on the fee schedule check here.

For information on license renewal please check here, for information about license reciprocity here and for the additional fees that apply see here.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Journeyman Electrician License

As a journeyman electrician, you may install, maintain, alter, repair any wire, cable, conduit, raceway, fixture or equipment that transmits, transforms, or uses electrical energy, while under the employment of a Master Electrical Contractor.

In order to obtain a license as a journeyman electrician, you will have to:

– Submit a completed application and the relevant fee (process described here)
– Have worked for 8000 hours and completed 576 hours of electrical education as an apprentice electrician
– Meet the qualification requirements as mentioned below
– Meet the examination requirements as described here
– Have no disqualifying felony convictions
– Have a valid electrician’s license, not suspended, revoked or sanctioned in any jurisdiction

As qualifications, in order to be eligible for a license as a journeyman electrician you should, at least one of the following:

a. After June 1, 2013, obtain 600 hours of electrical schooling, including a minimum of 24 hours on electrical safety: 1. Accomplished in blocks of 150 hours per year, including a minimum of 6 hours on electrical safety or 2. Have an associate or higher degree in an electrical curriculum;
b. After June 1, 2010, have obtained 582 hours of electrical schooling, including a minimum of 6 hours on electrical safety;
c. After June 1, 2011, have obtained 588 hours of electrical schooling, including a minimum of 12 hours on electrical safety;
d. After June 1, 2012, have obtained 594 hours of electrical schooling, including a minimum of 18 hours on electrical safety;
e. Have 10 years of experience as a journeyman or master electrician licensed in another jurisdiction; or
f. Have previously taken the journeyman or master exam in NH.

Note that field experience may be accumulated by working part-time for a master electrician during the full-time post secondary education You shall document field experience as follows:
(1) Dates of employment;
(2) Type of work performed; and
(3) Signature of the master electrician.

Please note that time credited towards practical and field experience shall not be accumulated concurrently.

In case your journeyman electrician license has been denied, you will have the opportunity for an administrative hearing before the board.

The initial fee for a journeyman electrician license shall be $150.00 for a 3-year license.For more information on the fee schedule check here.

For information on license renewal please check here, for information about license reciprocity here and for the additional fees that apply see here.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire High/Medium Voltage Electrician License

In order to obtain a license as a high/medium voltage electrician, you will have to:

– Submit a completed application and the relevant fee (process described here)
– Have certification showing completion of a state, federal or employer certification program approved by the board.
– Have no disqualifying felony convictions
– Have a valid electrician’s license, not suspended, revoked or sanctioned in any jurisdiction

In case your high/medium voltage electrician license has been denied, you will have the opportunity for an administrative hearing before the board.

The initial fee for a high/medium voltage electrician license shall be $270.00 for a 3-year license. For more information on the fee schedule check here.

For information on license renewal please check here, for information about license reciprocity here and for the additional fees that apply see here.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in New Hampshire.

Application Form Process

For applying for a master, journeyman or high/medium voltage electrician license, you will use application on forms supplied by the board. The forms can be obtained from the office of the state fire marshal, bureau of electrical safety and licensing, 110 Smokey Bear Boulevard, Concord, NH 03305, or electronically here.

Completed application forms shall be submitted in person or mailed to the office of the state fire marshal, bureau of electrical safety and licensing, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.

A fee of $50.00 shall be submitted along with each initial application. Note that this fee is not refundable.

For more information about the application procedure, please see here.

New Hampshire Electrician License Examination Requirements

Regarding the format and subject of the examinations, the following apply:

  • All questions on the National Electrical Code (NEC) shall be based upon the 2008 National
  • Electrical Code, copyrighted by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA-70-2008.
  • The first section of the journeyman and the master examinations shall consist of 50 questions based upon the National Electrical Code.
  • The second section of the journeyman and the master examination shall consist of
  • 50 questions based upon RSA 319-C (the board’s administrative rules) and on practical electrical installations.
  • The third section of the journeyman and master examination shall consist of 10 and 25 questions respectively based upon RSA 319-C and the administrative rules.
  • Practical questions shall be based upon the American Electricians Handbook published by McGraw-Hill, current edition.
  • The re-licensing examination shall consist of 20 questions based upon the National Electrical Code.

In order to pass, the applicants must correctly answer at least 70% of the questions on each section of the licensing examination. An applicant who will fail to achieve the passing grade of 70% on all sections of the examination may retake only the section(s) failed upon reapplication and payment of the relevant fee.

The master and journeyman examinations will be performed at Richard M. Flynn Fire Academy on the third week in January, April, July, and October of each calendar year, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The journeyman examination shall be on the third Monday and/or Tuesday and the master examination shall be on the third Wednesday and/or Thursday.

The applicant will be notified to the address provided confirming the time and place of the examination as follows:
(1) By appointment with a testing entity; or
(2) On a date determined by the board, at the Richard M. Flynn Fire Academy.

The examination fees are as follows:
(1) $50.00 for a journeyman or master examination held by the board;
(2) $25.00 for a re-licensing examination held by the board

All fees received by the department shall be deposited with the treasurer, state of NH and are not refundable.

New Hampshire Electrician License Renewal Information

Regarding license renewal, you will have to periodically renew your license. The following apply:

  • Licensees with birth months of March, June, September and December shall renew by the last day of their birth month in the 1st year of the renewal cycle starting in the year 2008.
  • Licensees with birth months of February, May, August and November shall renew by the last day of their birth month in the 2nd year of the renewal cycle starting in the year 2009.
  • Licensees with birth months of January, April, July and October shall renew by the last day of their birth month in the 3rd year of the renewal cycle starting in the year 2010.

The renewal fees are as follows:

  • The 3-year renewal fee for a master electrician license shall be $270.00 due on the last day of the licensee’s birth month in the year of the renewal cycle as described above.
  • The 3-year renewal fee for a journeyman electrician license shall be $150.00 due on the last day of the licensee’s birth month in the year of the renewal cycle as described above.
  • Regarding the apprentice identification card, the annual fee shall be $30.00 due on the last day of the month in which the identification card expires.
  • The annual renewal fee for a high/medium voltage electrician license shall be $90.00 due on the last day of the licensee’s birth month in the year of the renewal cycle as described above.
  • Regarding the high/medium voltage trainee identification card, the annual renewal fee shall be $30.00 due on the last day of the trainee’s birth month.

New Hampshire Electrician License Additional Fees

Some additional fees apply as follows:

  • Certified Copy of License: The fee for a certified copy or statement of a license shall be $10.00 per copy or statement.
  • Replacement Fee: The fee for a replacement of a license or identification card shall be $10.00 each.
  • Photocopy Fee: The fee for a photocopy shall be: (1) $10.00 for the first page; (2) $1.00 per page up to 25 pages; and (3) $0.25 per page, after 25 pages.
  • Late Fee: In addition to any renewal fee, the fee for any license that has expired for more than one month shall be $50.00.
  • Photocopy Fees for Videos and Digital Photographs: (a) The fee for a VHS video copy shall be $50.00. (b) The fee for digital photographs on CD shall be $15.00.

New Hampshire Reciprocal Electrician License Agreements

There are two types of reciprocal agreements in place. First, there are agreements with the States of Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. Additionally, the Electrical Safety Section also participates in the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA) formally known as the Multi-State Electrical Reciprocal Licensing Group.

The Electrical Safety Section currently has active reciprocal agreements for the master and journeyman license with the States for Maine, and Vermont and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With those agreements, the master and journeyman licenses of these areas are recognised as equal to those of New Hampshire.

In order to reciprocate your license with any of these states or the Commonwealth, you should contact the reciprocating agency directly for the necessary application and fees. The Electrical Safety Section will provide a certified letter which will be necessary at the time of application as verification of licensure and which will prove that the applicant is in good standing with the State of New Hampshire.

Note that in the case of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for a reciprocal master license you will have to reciprocate your journeyman license as well as the masters. If you have let your journeyman license lapse due licensure as a master electrician, it can be reinstated for reciprocity purposes by filing the proper application and paying the normal fee for licensure.

The State of New Hampshire is a member of the Multi-State Reciprocal Licensing Group, now known as National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA) and as such has reciprocal licensing agreements, for the journeyman license only, with the following States:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Maine
  • North Dakota
  • Utah
  • Wyoming

If you wish to apply for a reciprocal license with a participating state under the NERA agreement, you should contact that state for the specific requirements, applications and fees.

Applicants will have to:

  • Hold a valid journeyman license from the State of New Hampshire for at least one year.
  • Be active and in good standing with the State of New Hampshire.
  • Have passed the New Hampshire journeyman examination with a minimum grade of 70%.
  • Have successfully completed a minimum of 8000 hours of practical experience in an apprenticeship program or equivalent.

After you submit the relevant application with all applicable forms and fees, the reciprocating state will contact the State of New Hampshire for verification of the above prerequisites. Once the verification is complete, the reciprocating state should issue the journeyman license.

Check Electrician Schools in New Hampshire, NH

1 thought on “How to Become an Electrician in New Hampshire, NH”

  1. The information you have on this website regarding Electrical Safety and Licensing is incorrect. Their division moved to the NH Joint Board and the phone number there is 603-271-2219. They are located on Fruit Street in Concord, NH. Please contact them and ask for Donna Knowlton or Pam. Thank you.

Comments are closed.