MASSACHUSETTS · electrician
Journeyman Electrician (Class B)
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure — Board of State Examiners of Electricians →Scope and Classifications
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 141 and 237 CMR, the Board of State Examiners of Electricians issues four license certificates: Certificate A (Master Electrician), Certificate B (Journeyman Electrician), Certificate C (Systems Contractor), and Certificate D (Systems Technician). Apprentice electricians are registered separately; apprentice registration is a prerequisite to counting hours toward a Class B license. Source: MGL c.141 §3 (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter141/Section3) and the Board of State Examiners of Electricians (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-state-examiners-of-electricians).
Experience
A Class B Journeyman applicant must document 8,000 hours of practical experience, accumulated over at least 4 years, performed under the direct supervision of a Massachusetts-licensed Journeyman or Master. Hours are tracked via the apprenticeship agreement filed with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards. Source: mass.gov application guidance for electrical and systems licenses (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-an-individual-electrical-or-systems-license).
Education
600 clock hours of Board-approved classroom instruction must be completed without substantial interruption, documented on the Board's education verification form. The 600-hour requirement aligns with the related-instruction curriculum delivered through registered MA electrical apprenticeship programs (for example, IBEW/NECA Boston JATC and non-union programs registered with the Division of Apprentice Standards). Source: Board of State Examiners of Electricians Licensing (https://www.mass.gov/board-of-state-examiners-of-electricians-licensing).
Exam
Administered by PSI Services at Massachusetts test centers. The Journeyman examination is delivered in two parts: Part I is 70 questions, 3 hours, open-book; Part II is 30 questions, 1 hour, open-book. A passing score of 70% is required. Test content covers the National Electrical Code edition currently adopted in Massachusetts (with MA amendments codified at 527 CMR 12.00), MGL c.141, and 237 CMR. Candidates should consult the Board's current Electrician Exam Bulletin (https://www.mass.gov/doc/electrician-exam-bulletin/download) for the code edition in effect on their exam date.
FEES
As posted on the Division of Occupational Licensure fee schedule: $226 application fee; $104 license issuance fee paid at the PSI test site after passing; $78 triennial renewal fee. Source: DPL fees and renewal schedule (https://licensing.reg.state.ma.us/public/dpl_fees/dpl_fees_results.asp?board_code=EL). Verify current fees before applying; the Division updates the schedule periodically.
Renewal and CE
Class B licenses renew on a 3-year (triennial) cycle. Licensees must complete 21 hours of Board-approved continuing education per cycle, of which 15 hours must cover the Massachusetts Electrical Code; the remaining 6 hours may come from other Board-approved professional-development topics. Renewal is processed through the DOL ePLACE Portal. Source: mass.gov renewal page (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-electrician-systems-technician-or-systems-contractor-license) and Board-approved CE providers list (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/continuing-education-providers-for-electricians).
Reciprocity
Massachusetts maintains a reciprocal agreement with New Hampshire for Journeyman and Master licenses, but only for licenses originally obtained by passing the New Hampshire examination; NH licenses issued via reciprocity or endorsement are not eligible. Out-of-state applicants apply through the Board's reciprocity process and must submit a license verification letter from the originating board, a CORI authorization form, a passport-quality photo, and any disciplinary records. Source: mass.gov reciprocity application (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-reciprocity-for-an-out-of-state-electricians-license).
Adjacent Classifications
Class A (Master) requires holding a Class B for at least 1 year plus additional experience and a separate exam; a Master is authorized to contract for electrical work and pull permits. Class C (Systems Contractor) and Class D (Systems Technician) govern low-voltage systems work (fire alarm, security, data); Class D requires 4,000 hours of practical experience and 300 hours of Board-approved instruction, and Class C requires at least 12 months as a Class D plus passing the Systems Contractor exam. Source: MGL c.141 §3 (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter141/Section3).
Reciprocity
Accepts from: new_hampshire