New Jersey Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
Everything you need to know about the New Jersey electrician license: requirements, exam format, fees, and how to prepare
Note: Our practice questions are based on NEC 2023. The exam format details below are specific to New Jersey.
NEC Edition Notice: New Jersey currently tests on NEC 2020. Questions on this platform are based on NEC 2023. Some provisions added in 2023 (like expanded GFCI/AFCI requirements) may not appear on your exam. Heads up: a state's building code can adopt a different NEC edition than the one its licensing exam tests on, so if this page mentions both, the exam edition shown here is the one that matters for test prep. Always confirm the current exam edition with the New Jersey licensing board before your exam date.
Quick Answer
For the New Jersey electrician license exam, expect 100 questions with a limit of 240 minutes, 70% to pass, open book, aligned to NEC 2020. The exam is delivered by PSI and the fee is $84. New Jersey electricians earn about $74,850 per year ($35.99 per hour), per the BLS.
Last verified: March 26, 2026 • Sources: New Jersey Licensing Board, PSI Testing Portal
Exam Format
Journeyman Electrician
- Vendor:PSI
- Questions:100
- Time Limit:240 minutes (4 hours)
- Passing Score:70%
- Exam Fee:$84
- Format:Open-book (NEC reference allowed)
What's Covered on the Exam
- Grounding & Bonding (NEC Article 250)
- Wiring Methods (Conduit, Cable, Raceways)
- Load Calculations (Article 220)
- Motors & Controllers (Article 430)
- Box Fill & Conduit Fill
- Overcurrent Protection (Article 240)
- Special Occupancies (Hazardous Locations)
- Services & Feeders (Article 230)
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New Jersey Electrician License Overview
New Jersey licenses electricians through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. New Jersey issues Electrical Contractor licenses for businesses and, for individuals, the Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician, a registration based on documented experience with no exam. New Jersey's dense, urbanized market adjacent to both New York City and Philadelphia creates significant demand for licensed electricians, particularly in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The state has some of the highest wages for electricians in the country outside of New York City.
New Jersey Electrician License Types
Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician
Individual registration authorizing the holder to perform electrical work under a licensed contractor. This is a registration based on documented experience; there is no journeyman exam.
Requirements: Documented qualifying experience (typically 3 to 4 years of supervised on-the-job training). No exam is required. Application through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Electrical Contractor License
Business license required for operating an electrical contracting company in New Jersey. The electrical contractor exam is the only exam the Board administers.
Requirements: Documented qualifying experience. Must pass the Electrical Contractor exam. Must meet insurance and financial requirements.
Experience & Education Requirements
Journeyman Requirements
Documented qualifying experience (typically 3 to 4 years of supervised on-the-job training under a licensed electrical contractor) for the Certificate of Registration; no exam is required. Verify current requirements with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Master Requirements
New Jersey's Electrical Contractor license is the equivalent of master and is the Board's only exam-based credential. Requires documented experience and passing the Contractor exam.
Apprenticeship Programs
New Jersey has strong IBEW apprenticeship programs: IBEW Local 164 (Bergen/Passaic), Local 400 (Middlesex), Local 351 (Union), Local 269 (Camden), and Local 102 (Statewide). All run 4–5 year JATC programs.
License Reciprocity
New Jersey participates in limited reciprocity with some neighboring states. Contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to confirm current reciprocity eligibility and required documentation.
License Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
2 years (biennial)
Continuing Education
Verify current CE requirements at njconsumeraffairs.gov
Renewal Fee
Approximately $100–$200 biennial renewal (verify current amounts at njconsumeraffairs.gov)
Important Notes
New Jersey electrical licenses renew biennially. CE requirements are enforced, verify current hours with the Division of Consumer Affairs before your renewal date.
New JerseyElectrician Salary & Job Outlook
Average Salary
$74,850/year
$35.99/hr
Salary Range
Entry-level: $47,520 (10th percentile)
Experienced: $104,870 (90th percentile)
New Jersey employs approximately 18,000 electricians. Proximity to NYC, major pharmaceutical and life science facilities, port infrastructure (Port Newark/Elizabeth), and dense commercial and residential construction all drive sustained demand. New Jersey is expanding offshore wind infrastructure which will create additional electrical employment.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
How to Register for Your Exam
- Confirm Your Eligibility: Check with the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors for current requirements (work experience, education, etc.)
- Submit Your Application: Apply through the state licensing board
- Schedule Your Exam: Once approved, register with PSI at https://candidate.psiexams.com/
- Prepare: Use GetLicenseReady to practice with New Jersey-aligned questions
- Pass Your Exam: Show up confident and ready on exam day
Official Resources
New Jersey Electrician License FAQ
How many hours are needed for a New Jersey electrician license?
Typically 3 to 4 years of documented supervised OJT under a licensed New Jersey electrical contractor for the Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician. Verify the current requirement with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs before applying.
Is the New Jersey electrician exam open book?
There is no journeyman exam in New Jersey; the journeyman credential is a registration based on documented experience. The only Board exam is the electrical contractor exam, which is open book with a tabbed NEC codebook permitted.
How much do electricians make in New Jersey?
The statewide average is about $74,850/year ($35.99/hr). Northern New Jersey electricians, near New York City, earn the most, with experienced union electricians earning $80,000–$105,000+.
Can I use my Pennsylvania or New York license in New Jersey?
New Jersey participates in limited reciprocity with some neighboring states. Contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to confirm current terms.
What is the difference between the journeyman registration and an Electrical Contractor License in New Jersey?
The Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician is an individual registration (based on documented experience, no exam) for performing electrical work as an employee. The Electrical Contractor License is a business license required to operate an electrical contracting company and pull permits, and its exam is the only exam the Board administers.
Common Questions About the New Jersey Electrician License
How much does the New Jersey electrician license exam cost?
The New Jersey electrician exam fee is $84, paid to PSI when you register.
Who administers the New Jersey electrician license exam?
The New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors oversees electrician licensing in New Jersey, and the exam is delivered by PSI.
How much do electricians make in New Jersey?
New Jersey electricians earn about $74,850 per year ($35.99 per hour). Entry level pay is around $47,520 (10th percentile) and experienced electricians earn up to $104,870 (90th percentile). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
How long does it take to become a licensed electrician in New Jersey?
Documented qualifying experience (typically 3 to 4 years of supervised on-the-job training under a licensed electrical contractor) for the Certificate of Registration; no exam is required. Verify current requirements with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Does New Jersey have electrician license reciprocity?
New Jersey participates in limited reciprocity with some neighboring states. Contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to confirm current reciprocity eligibility and required documentation.
Compare Exam Requirements
See how New Jersey's electrician exam compares to nearby states:
Exam Prep Guides
New Jersey Electrician License: Requirements & Exam Guide
New Jersey DCA journeyman and master license requirements, PSI exam, and renewal.
What to Expect on the Electrician License Test
Exam format, NEC topics covered, passing scores, and how to prepare.
How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try
The 10 most-tested NEC topics and a proven 8-week study plan.
NEC Code Study Guides
Deep-dive guides on the NEC articles tested most on the New Jersey exam.
NEC Article 110, Electrical Installations
Working space clearances (Table 110.26), temperature ratings (110.14), interrupting ratings, and workmanlike execution.
NEC Article 210, Branch Circuits
GFCI, AFCI, circuit ratings, outlet spacing, and the continuous load rule.
NEC Article 220, Load Calculations
Step-by-step residential standard and optional methods with worked examples.
NEC Article 230, Services
Overhead clearances, 6-disconnect rule, minimum 100A service, and disconnect location.
NEC Table 310.16, Wire Sizing & Ampacity
Temperature columns, correction factors, adjustment factors, and NEC 240.4(D).
NEC Article 430, Motors
Conductor sizing, SCGF protection at 250%, overload protection, and disconnect rules.
NEC Article 240, Overcurrent Protection
Standard breaker ratings, 240.4(D) small conductors, and the 10-foot and 25-foot tap rules.
NEC Article 250, Grounding & Bonding
Grounding electrode system, bonding jumpers, and equipment grounding conductors.
NEC 314.16, Box Fill Calculations
Five volume categories, cubic-inch table, and exam-style worked examples.
NEC Chapter 9, Conduit Fill
Tables C1–C12, 40% fill rule, and how to size conduit for mixed wire bundles.
Electrician Exam Math: Complete Formula Guide
Ohm's Law, power wheel, voltage drop, three-phase power, and transformer calculations with worked examples.
NEC Article 300, Wiring Methods
Physical protection, burial depths, 6-inch free conductor rule, boxes at splices, and plenum wiring.
NEC Articles 404 & 406, Switches & Receptacles
15A vs 20A receptacle rules, tamper-resistant requirements, wet/damp location covers, and snap switch grounding.
NEC Article 334, NM Cable (Romex)
Permitted uses, 4½-foot support intervals, 12-inch box rule, 1.25-inch edge clearance, and where Romex is prohibited.
NEC 2023 vs NEC 2020, Key Changes
What changed between editions: new AFCI/GFCI locations, EV charging rules, and 2023-specific exam prep notes.
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