Massachusetts Electrician License: Journeyman, Master & Exam Requirements (2026)

Getting an electrician license in Massachusetts is more structured than most states. The Board of State Examiners of Electricians administers a two-tier system — Journeyman and Master — with specific education and experience requirements at each level, a two-part PSI exam, and one of the few state-to-state reciprocity agreements in the country (with New Hampshire only). See our Massachusetts state exam prep page for practice questions aligned to the Massachusetts PSI exam.

This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step for 2026 — verified against the Massachusetts Board's official licensing page.

Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the Board of State Examiners of Electricians before applying.

---

Massachusetts Electrician License Types

Massachusetts issues four electrical license types through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians:

This guide focuses on the Journeyman and Master electrician tracks, which are the standard paths for licensed electrical work in Massachusetts.

[Source: mass.gov — https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license]

---

Journeyman Electrician License Requirements

Experience

8,000 hours of documented work experience under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician, completed over at least 4 years. The experience must be on actual electrical installations — general construction work does not qualify.

Acceptable documentation:

• MA-Only Employment Certification Form (signed by your supervising journeyman)
• Out-of-State Practical Experience Form (if some experience was completed outside MA)
• Apprenticeship completion certificates (IBEW, IEC, or other Board-approved programs)

Education

600 hours of Board-approved electrical education, completed at a Board-approved school. Acceptable programs include:

• Public or private vocational/trade school programs
• IBEW or IEC apprenticeship classroom instruction
• Board-approved in-house employer programs
• Out-of-state programs (with documentation)

Continuing Education (Pre-License)

A 15-hour Code-Update Class is required before applying. This is separate from the 600 hours of initial education and must be completed at a Board-approved provider.

[Source: mass.gov — https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license]

---

Master Electrician License Requirements

To qualify for the Master Electrician exam, you must:

1. Hold a valid Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license
2. Have at least 1 year of experience working as a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman
3. Complete 150 hours of Board-approved education

The master exam is also two parts (Trade + Business/Law), administered by PSI, with a 70% passing score required on both.

[Source: mass.gov — https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license]

---

The Massachusetts Electrician Exam

All exams are administered by PSI and must be scheduled through PSI after the Board approves your application.

Exam Format

Both portions must be passed to receive your license. You must pass each part separately — passing the Trade does not credit you for Business/Law, and vice versa.

[Sources: examprep.org for question count/time; mass.gov for exam structure and PSI as administrator]

Is the Massachusetts Exam Open Book?

Yes. The Massachusetts electrician exam is open book. Per the Board of State Examiners of Electricians' own policies, the current adopted edition of the NEC codebook — tabbed, highlighted, and with margin notes — is permitted in the exam room. The current Massachusetts State Amendments document is also allowed.

However, some reference books are explicitly not allowed — including Ugly's Electrical Reference and the American Electrician's Handbook. Only the NEC and MA State Amendments are permitted.

Because the exam is open book but timed, fast NEC navigation is the critical skill. Tab your codebook by article and practice locating answers under time pressure before exam day.

[Source: mass.gov Board Policies and Guidelines — https://www.mass.gov/lists/board-policies-and-guidelines-examiners-of-electricians]

Exam Topics — Trade Portion

The trade exam covers:

• General electrical knowledge and theory
• Services and feeders
• Grounding and bonding (Article 250)
• Motors and transformers (Articles 430, 450)
• Wiring methods and materials (Articles 300–399)
• Overcurrent protection (Article 240)
• Lighting systems
• Alarm and low-voltage systems
• Special occupancies and equipment

---

Fees

All applications are submitted to and fees paid directly to PSI (money order or cashier's check only — no cash or personal checks accepted).

Journeyman Exam Fees

Note: A separate licensing fee applies after passing. Refer to the Candidate Information Bulletin for the current amount.

Master Exam Fees

Veterans, active military, and military spouses: The MA Board Application Processing Fee is waived under the Valor Act.

[Source: mass.gov fee table — https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license]

---

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Complete your education and experience requirements Document all hours from day one. Get your supervising journeyman to sign your MA Employment Certification Form throughout your apprenticeship — not just at the end.

Step 2: Complete the 15-hour Code-Update Class This is required before applying. Find a Board-approved provider through the MA Board website.

Step 3: Submit your application to PSI Apply online at test-takers.psiexams.com/mael. Include all required documentation — education transcripts, employment certification forms, and the application fee. PSI reviews your application and confirms eligibility before scheduling.

Step 4: Schedule and pass both exam portions Once approved, schedule both the Trade exam and the Business/Law exam through PSI. You can take them on the same day or separately. Both require a 70% passing score.

Step 5: Pay the licensing fee and receive your license After passing, pay the licensing fee. Per the staterequirement.com guide: "You may pay this fee at the test site on the day of your exam, in which case PSI will print and issue your journeyman license immediately."

---

Reciprocity

Massachusetts has a formal reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire only. If you hold a valid NH electrician license, you may be eligible to obtain a MA license without re-examination — check the regulations (237 CMR 15) and apply through the ePLACE portal.

For all other states, you must meet the standard MA licensing requirements. There is no broad interstate reciprocity.

[Source: mass.gov]

---

Continuing Education for License Renewal

After receiving your license, Massachusetts electricians are required to complete continuing education for renewal. Check the Board's current renewal requirements at mass.gov — CE requirements and renewal cycles are subject to change.

---

Tips for Passing the Massachusetts Electrician Exam

1. The exam is open book — but only the NEC and MA State Amendments are allowed in the room. Ugly's Electrical Reference, the American Electrician's Handbook, and other common references are explicitly prohibited. Bring only your tabbed NEC and MA amendments. Practice finding answers fast — the exam is timed and navigating 1,000+ pages under pressure is the real skill being tested.

2. The Business & Law portion is a separate exam — prepare for it separately. Many candidates under-prepare for Business/Law because they focus on the trade exam. It's a distinct body of knowledge covering Massachusetts construction law, contractor regulations, and licensing rules. Budget real study time for it.

3. Document your hours throughout your apprenticeship. The Board requires certified documentation of all 8,000 hours. Getting your supervising journeyman to sign off retroactively years later is far harder than keeping records current.

4. The 15-hour Code-Update Class must be completed before you apply — not after. This is a prerequisite for application eligibility, not a post-license renewal requirement. Don't schedule your exam first.

5. Practice timed NEC lookups — speed matters. The exam is open book but timed. The skill you need is fast, accurate NEC navigation under time pressure. Use timed practice questions, then drill the articles you struggled to find quickly. Tab Articles 210, 230, 240, 250, 300–399, 430, and 450 as a minimum.

---

Key Resources

• Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov): mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license
• PSI Application Portal: test-takers.psiexams.com/mael
• Candidate Information Bulletin: mass.gov/doc/candidate-information-bulletin
• MA Board Regulations (237 CMR 13): 237-cmr-13-eligibility-criteria
• Reciprocity Regulations (237 CMR 15): 237-cmr-15-licensure-without-examination
• ePLACE Portal (reciprocity applications): elicensing21.mass.gov

---

Information in this guide was verified against the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians official licensing page (mass.gov) as of March 2026. Fees and requirements are subject to change — always confirm with the Board before applying.

---

Related guides:

• What to expect on the electrician license test
• Electrician license exam prep: how to pass on your first try
• New York Electrician License: City & Local Requirements
• NEC Article 250: Grounding and Bonding
• Compare electrician license requirements by state