New Jersey Electrician License: Contractor, EET Registration & Exam Requirements (2026)

New Jersey runs a two-track licensing system that trips up a lot of out-of-state electricians: there's the Electrical Contractor license (a business license) and the Certificate of Registration (the individual worker credential, also called the Electrician EET or journeyman registration). They're different licenses, issued by the same board, with different requirements, fees, and renewal rules.

This guide covers both — along with the three-part PSI exam, experience requirements, fees, and continuing education obligations. Visit our New Jersey electrician licensing page for a quick-reference summary alongside other state comparisons.

Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before applying.

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Who Issues NJ Electrician Licenses?

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors issues both license types. The Board operates under the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General.

Board contact: New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor P.O. Box 45006 Newark, NJ 07101 Phone: (973) 504-6410

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The Two License Types

New Jersey does not use "journeyman" and "master" labels the way most states do. Instead:

Both licenses are required to legally perform electrical work in New Jersey — you either hold a contractor license, a Certificate of Registration, or you work directly under someone who does.

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Certificate of Registration (Journeyman / EET)

Who Needs It

Any individual performing hands-on electrical installation, alteration, or repair in New Jersey must hold a Certificate of Registration — unless they hold an active Electrical Contractor license.

Requirements

To apply for the Certificate of Registration:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Have at least 8,000 hours of documented work experience, with a minimum of 4,000 hours earned within the five years immediately prior to application
• Complete a minimum of 576 hours of classroom training

Experience is typically accumulated through a DOL-approved apprenticeship program (union or non-union) or through documented on-the-job work under a licensed electrician.

Application

Mail a completed Application for a Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician to the Board address above.

Fees and Renewal

Licenses have a triennial expiration (every three years). Failure to renew within 30 days of expiration results in automatic suspension without a hearing.

Continuing Education (Journeyman)

Certificate holders must complete continuing education to renew — 10 hours per year according to some Board-approved CE providers, though the exact annual vs. triennial breakdown should be confirmed directly with the Board at (973) 504-6410. CE is not required during the first triennial period in which the certificate was issued.

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Electrical Contractor License

Who Needs It

Anyone operating an electrical contracting business in New Jersey — pulling permits, performing work as a principal, or advertising electrical services — must hold an Electrical Contractor license and a corresponding Business Permit.

Requirements

To apply for examination for the Electrical Contractor license, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Meet the experience requirements under N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.3 (see table below)
• Submit a notarized, signed application with documentation of experience
• Pay the $100 application fee (non-refundable, certified check or money order payable to State of New Jersey)

Experience Requirements

New Jersey accepts three distinct experience pathways:

All applications must include Work Experience Certification forms signed and sealed by employers covering the full required period. Applications without complete work experience documentation will not be reviewed.

Processing time: Applications typically take 3–4 months to process. Plan for potential additional delays due to the Board's monthly meeting schedule.

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The Three-Part PSI Exam

Once the Board approves your application, you'll receive information from PSI to schedule the examination. The NJ electrical contractor licensing exam is administered by PSI Services LLC at testing centers throughout New Jersey.

Exam Structure

The examination is a three-part, computer-based exam. First-time candidates must take all three parts on the same day. If you fail one or more parts, you only need to retake the failed sections — but you must pass all three parts within 5 years from your eligibility date.

The total examination consists of 150 questions across the three parts. You must score 70% or higher on each part to pass.

Passing Score

70% or higher on each individual part. Scores are provided immediately upon completing each section.

Reference Materials

Part 1 — Electrical Code: The 2020 NEC (NFPA 70) will be provided at the test center. You may bring your own clean, unmarked copy. The NEC Handbook is not permitted.

Part 2 — Business and Law:

• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management: New Jersey, 1st Edition You must bring your own copy. It may be highlighted and tabbed but not written in.

Part 3 — Alarm Systems:

• NFPA 70 (2020 NEC) — provided at test center
• NFPA 72 (2013 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) — bring your own
• NTC Yellow Book: Video Security System Handbook 2018 — bring your own
• NTC Blue Book: Low Voltage System Handbook 2018 — bring your own
• CCTV from Light to Pixels, 3rd edition, 2014 — bring your own

Note: Verify which NEC edition applies to your exam at the time of scheduling — confirm directly with PSI or the Board.

Exam Topics (Part 1 — Electrical Code)

• General Electrical Knowledge
• Grounding and Bonding
• Equipment for General Use
• Conductors and Cables
• Motors and Controls
• Low Voltage and Communications Circuits
• Raceways and Enclosures
• Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
• Overcurrent Protection
• Special Occupancies
• Special Equipment and Conditions

Retake Rules

PSI Exam Fees

Note: Exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are valid for one year from the date of payment.

Arrive at the PSI testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Bring one valid, government-issued, photo-bearing ID. Candidates who arrive late or without proper ID forfeit their exam fee.

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Fees Summary

Insurance and bonding (required for Business Permit):

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After Passing: Getting Your Business Permit

Passing the three-part exam earns you the right to apply for the Business Permit — the operational license required before you can legally conduct electrical contracting work in New Jersey.

Submit your Business Permit application to the Board with:

• Proof of passing exam scores
• Certificate of general liability insurance (minimum $300,000)
• $1,000 surety bond
• Business Permit fee ($50–$150 depending on where you are in the triennial cycle)

The Board issues licenses on a triennial cycle — all electrical contractor licenses and business permits expire March 31 of the applicable renewal year.

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Continuing Education (Electrical Contractor License)

CE requirements apply beginning with the second triennial renewal period. If you do not complete the required hours before renewal, your license will not be renewed.

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Reciprocity

New Jersey has no reciprocity agreements with any other state. Every applicant — regardless of where they are currently licensed — must complete the full NJ application and pass the three-part PSI exam. There are no waivers or partial credit for out-of-state experience or license status.

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Step-by-Step: How to Get Licensed in New Jersey

Path 1: Electrical Contractor License

1. Meet the experience requirement — Complete a 4-year DOL apprenticeship plus 1 year (2,000 hours) as a journeyman, OR document 5 years of direct hands-on electrical construction experience, OR hold an EE degree plus 2 years field experience
2. Gather documentation — Work Experience Certification forms (signed and sealed by employers), high school diploma, any degrees or apprenticeship certificates
3. Submit your application — Notarized application + $100 fee (certified check/money order to State of NJ) to the Board. Expect 3–4 months processing time
4. Receive Board approval — You'll get a notification with PSI exam registration instructions
5. Pay PSI fees and schedule your exam — $84 + $47 + $47 = $178 total; all three parts on the same day for first-time candidates
6. Pass all three parts at 70% — Scores given immediately; you have 5 years from eligibility date to pass all three
7. Apply for your Business Permit — Submit proof of passing scores, $300K liability insurance, $1,000 surety bond, and the tiered permit fee ($50–$150)

Path 2: Certificate of Registration (Journeyman/EET)

1. Accumulate 8,000 hours of documented experience (at least 4,000 in the 5 years before application), plus 576 classroom hours — typically through a DOL-approved apprenticeship program
2. Submit your application — Completed form with documentation, $40 fee, to the Board
3. Receive your Certificate of Registration — No exam required for the EET
4. Renew every 3 years at $160, completing 10 hours of CE annually

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Tips for Passing the NJ Electrical Contractor Exam

1. All three parts must be passed — on the same day the first time. The alarm systems section catches candidates off guard. Build study time for NFPA 72 and the low-voltage references, not just the NEC. You'll be there all day — prepare accordingly.

2. The exam uses the 2020 NEC — confirm before scheduling. NEC editions shift with state adoptions. Verify the current exam edition with PSI or the Board at the time you schedule. Bring the correct edition.

3. Tabbing is allowed — but no writing in the NEC. The NEC provided at the test center is clean and un-tabbed. If you bring your own copy, it must be unmarked. For the B&L and alarm references, you can tab and highlight in advance.

4. The NASCLA Guide is the B&L bible. The Business and Law exam is based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide (New Jersey, 1st Edition). Buy it, read it, tab it, and know the lien law and contract management sections cold.

5. If you fail one part, you wait 6 months. This is a hard rule, not a soft guideline. Failing even one section means a 6-month delay before your next attempt. Come prepared for all three on day one.

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Key Resources

• NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec
• Board Applications and Forms: njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec/Pages/Applications.aspx
• PSI Exam Scheduling: test-takers.psiexams.com/njel
• Board Phone: (973) 504-6410
• NASCLA NJ Business & Law Guide: nascla.org/store

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Information in this guide was verified against njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec, PSI Services exam bulletins (via mtceduservices.com), and servicetitan.com/licensing/electrician/new-jersey as of April 2026. Fees and requirements are subject to change — always confirm with the NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before applying.

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Related guides:

• What to expect on the electrician license test
• How to pass the electrician exam on your first try
• NEC Article 250: Grounding and Bonding
• Journeyman vs. Master Electrician