New Hampshire Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply (2026)
New Hampshire licenses all electricians through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) — a statewide system applicable throughout the state from Manchester and Nashua to Concord and Portsmouth. The OPLC issues journeyman, master, and contractor electrical licenses. See our New Hampshire state exam prep page for practice questions aligned to the New Hampshire PSI exam.
This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step for 2026 — verified against the NH OPLC's official licensing information.
Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before applying.
Overview: New Hampshire Electrical Licensing
New Hampshire's electrical licensing is administered by the OPLC Electricians Board. The state adopted NEC 2023 as its current electrical code. New Hampshire's largest employment centers for licensed electricians include Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Portsmouth, with additional demand from the state's tourism, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Types of New Hampshire Electrician Licenses
The OPLC issues the following electrical license types:
| License | Experience Required | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Registered, working under supervision | Work under licensed supervision |
| Journeyman Electrician | Approved apprenticeship or equivalent OJT | Perform electrical work under master supervision |
| Master Electrician | Hold Journeyman + additional experience | Plan, supervise, and direct electrical work |
| Electrical Contractor | Hold Master + business requirements | Operate an electrical contracting business |
Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
To qualify for a New Hampshire Journeyman Electrician license:
Work Experience: Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent documented on-the-job training under a licensed electrician. JATC programs and other OPLC-approved programs qualify. Verify the current experience hour requirement at oplc.nh.gov.
Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Application: Submit a completed application with experience documentation and fees through the OPLC portal at oplc.nh.gov.
Examination: Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician exam with a score of at least 75%.
The PSI Exam: Format & Preparation
New Hampshire's journeyman exam is administered by PSI Exams at testing centers in the state, including locations in Manchester and Concord.
Exam Details:
- Administrator: PSI Exams
- Format: Multiple-choice, open book
- Code Reference: NEC 2023 (bring a tabbed, highlighted copy)
- Passing Score: 75%
- Scheduling: Schedule through PSI at psiexams.com after OPLC application approval
Preparation Tips:
- Study NEC Articles 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 410, and 430
- Practice residential and commercial load calculations
- Learn Tables 310.16, 250.122, and 220.12
- Tab and highlight your codebook before exam day
- Take timed full-length practice tests in the weeks before your exam
Our NEC 2023 practice questions target the content areas most heavily tested on the New Hampshire PSI exam.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Complete your apprenticeship or accumulate qualifying OJT hours (verify at oplc.nh.gov)
- Create an account at oplc.nh.gov
- Submit your application with experience documentation and fees
- Receive your Authorization to Test after OPLC approval
- Schedule your PSI exam at psiexams.com
- Pass the exam (75% or higher)
- Receive your NH license — renew biennially
Fees
Verify all fees at oplc.nh.gov before submitting:
| Fee | Where to Verify |
|---|---|
| License Application Fee | oplc.nh.gov |
| PSI Exam Fee | psiexams.com |
| Biennial Renewal Fee | oplc.nh.gov |
License Renewal & Continuing Education
New Hampshire electrician licenses renew biennially (every 2 years). Renewal requires:
- Payment of the renewal fee through oplc.nh.gov
- Completion of board-approved continuing education hours
Verify current CE requirements at oplc.nh.gov before your renewal deadline.
Master Electrician License
The Master Electrician license in New Hampshire authorizes you to supervise electrical work, pull permits, and serve as the responsible license holder for a contracting entity. Requirements include:
- Active NH Journeyman Electrician license
- Additional documented journeyman-level experience
- Pass the PSI Master Electrician exam (open book, NEC 2023)
Verify exact requirements at oplc.nh.gov.
Reciprocity & Endorsement
New Hampshire may recognize comparable licenses from other states, including neighboring Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. Contact the OPLC at oplc.nh.gov to determine eligibility and documentation requirements.
New Hampshire Electrical Market Outlook
New Hampshire's electrical market is driven by:
- Southern NH (Manchester/Nashua) — the state's most active construction market; residential growth, commercial development, and technology company expansion
- Concord — state government facilities and healthcare construction
- Portsmouth/Seacoast — commercial and hospitality construction, plus New Hampshire's growing defense technology sector
- Lakes Region — seasonal resort and vacation home construction
- Tourism infrastructure — White Mountains resort facilities and ski area electrical work
A valid OPLC license is the legal requirement to work in all of these markets.
Official Resources
- New Hampshire OPLC: oplc.nh.gov
- PSI Exams (scheduling): psiexams.com
- NEC 2023 Codebook: Available at NFPA.org or major electrical supply houses
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Try Free Questions →Related reading: How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License? | Journeyman vs. Master Electrician: What's the Difference? | How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try
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