Massachusetts Electrician License Requirements
Official classification: Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A) · Issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure).
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In Massachusetts, electricians must hold the Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A), issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed electrician in Massachusetts
Follow these steps to earn your Electrician License (Journeyman Class B / Master Class A). Every figure is verified against the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure); full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class).
- Pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam (theory + applied) and Master Electrician Exam (theory + business & law) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not a statutory condition of the individual license; LLC/LLP electrical contractors must carry professional liability insurance (237 CMR 23.00). No fixed statutory minimum for individuals.).
- Clear the background check. CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required; submit a notarized CORI authorization form.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure) — Journeyman processing fee $60 application fee, plus a Issued after passing the exam (see the DPL fee schedule) license fee. Processing time: Filed online via PSI / the DOL ePLACE portal.
- Keep the license active. Renew every 3 years (expires July 31), completing 21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).
Massachusetts electrician license lookup
To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Massachusetts — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- Journeyman Electrician (Class B) — Installs/repairs electrical wiring under a licensed master's permit.
- Master Electrician (Class A) — Designs, installs, and supervises all-voltage systems; may run an electrical contracting business.
- Systems Technician (Class D) — Installs low-voltage systems (alarms, data, security) under a systems contractor's permit.
- Systems Contractor (Class C) — Runs a low-voltage (Class 2) contracting business.
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class). |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Journeyman processing fee $60 |
| License fee | Issued after passing the exam (see the DPL fee schedule) |
| Renewal fee | Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule) |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years (expires July 31) |
| Continuing education | 21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00). |
| Bond required | No state surety bond is required for an electrician license. |
| Liability insurance | Not a statutory condition of the individual license; LLC/LLP electrical contractors must carry professional liability insurance (237 CMR 23.00). No fixed statutory minimum for individuals. |
| Property damage | Not separately specified by statute |
| Workers' comp | Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152) |
| Background check | CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check required; submit a notarized CORI authorization form. |
| Credit requirement | None |
| Reciprocity | New Hampshire only (Journeyman and Master), and only if the NH license was earned by passing the NH exam (not by endorsement). |
| Processing time | Filed online via PSI / the DOL ePLACE portal. |
Exams
| Journeyman Electrician Exam (theory + applied) | Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% on both parts · Fee: Paid to PSI (two parts; set by the vendor) |
|---|---|
| Master Electrician Exam (theory + business & law) | Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% on both parts · Fee: Paid to PSI (set by the vendor) |
Local / municipal notes
Statewide license issued by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians; apprentices are not registered by the board but work under supervision to accrue hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Massachusetts electrician license cost?
Application: Journeyman processing fee $60. License: Issued after passing the exam (see the DPL fee schedule). Renewal: Journeyman (Class B) $78; Master (Class A) $117 (every 3 years; per the DPL fee schedule).
How do I look up a electrician license in Massachusetts?
Search the official license database at mass.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do electricians in Massachusetts need a surety bond?
No state surety bond is required for an electrician license.
What experience is required for a Massachusetts electrician license?
Journeyman: 8,000 hours over 4+ years under a licensed MA journeyman/master, plus 600 hours of board-approved education and a high-school diploma. Master: hold a MA journeyman license 1+ year, plus 150 hours of master-level education (incl. a 15-hour code-update class).
Is insurance required for electricians in Massachusetts?
Liability: Not a statutory condition of the individual license; LLC/LLP electrical contractors must carry professional liability insurance (237 CMR 23.00). No fixed statutory minimum for individuals. Workers' compensation: Mandatory for any employer (M.G.L. c. 152)
How often must a Massachusetts electrician license be renewed?
Every 3 years (expires July 31). Continuing education: 21 hours per 3-year cycle: 15 hours of Massachusetts Electrical Code update + 6 hours of professional development (237 CMR 17.00).
Official sources
mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-electricians
mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license
mass.gov/regulations/237-CMR-1700-mandatory-continuing-education
licensing.reg.state.ma.us/public/dpl_fees/dpl_fees_results.asp?board_code=EL