Electrical License Requirements in New Hampshire: Quick Reference Table
Item | Details |
|---|---|
License Types | Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, High/Medium Voltage, Electrical Contractor (business) |
Regulatory Agency | Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Electricians’ Board (official board homepage) |
Required Experience | Journeyman: 8,000 hours apprentice + 600 hours education |
Exam | Journeyman & Master: Yes, board-approved (70% passing score) |
Renewal Cycle & CE | Every 3 years (birth month), 15 hours code update (NEC), includes 1 hour on rules/law |
Fees | Not listed on board site. Third-party (2023): $50 initial, $270/3-year license (verify here). |
Official Forms | Journeyman/Master Application, Corporation Application |
Who Needs a License in New Hampshire?
Any individual or business conducting compensated electrical installation work in New Hampshire must hold a license from the OPLC Electricians’ Board. There is no minimum dollar threshold or distinction between residential and commercial projects for the licensing requirement. All “electrical installations,” as defined by RSA 319-C, fall under this mandate.
Electrical installations include installing, repairing, altering, or maintaining electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures for heating, lighting, or power, regardless of voltage. The only exception is for portable appliances that are simply plugged into an existing receptacle. This means that even small projects, if compensated, legally require the proper license.
The employee versus contractor distinction is critical. Journeyman Electricians must work under the direct employment of a licensed Master Electrician or entity. Only Master Electricians may operate their own business or employ others. When an electrical contracting business applies for a company-level license, it must designate a licensed Master as the responsible party.
Homeowner exemptions also apply: if you own and occupy a single-family home, you may perform your own electrical work without a license. However, if you pull a permit and subsequently hire a licensed electrician, that professional must obtain the permit in their name. For more complex arrangements, always consult the statute text for official definitions and be aware of local building department rules.
Electrical License Types
Several classes of electrical licenses exist in New Hampshire, each with its specific requirements and scope of work. The main classifications are:
Apprentice Electrician: This license is intended for individuals learning the trade under the supervision of a Journeyman or Master Electrician. Apprentices cannot work independently or contract with the public.
Journeyman Electrician: Journeymen may perform electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance, but must work for a licensed Master or electrical contractor. They cannot independently contract for work.
Master Electrician: Masters have the highest level of authority. They may supervise Journeymen and Apprentices, own an electrical contracting business, and submit permit applications. They can contract for electrical work with the public or general contractors.
High/Medium Voltage Electrician: This specialized license covers work on distribution systems operating above 600 volts. These electricians must meet additional qualifications outlined in statute and rule. Their scope is restricted to high or medium voltage projects.
Electrical Contractor (corporate/business license): Electrical contracting businesses must hold a separate entity license in addition to employing a Master Electrician responsible for field operations and code compliance. The corporation or LLC cannot lawfully contract for work without this registration.
Each license type has unique prerequisites. For example, the Journeyman Electrician requires lengthy apprentice hours and schooling, while the Master Electrician requires additional field experience after becoming a Journeyman. For a business, at least one licensed Master must appear on the corporate application. Always review the statute and application forms linked in the sources below for precise requirements.
How to Get Licensed in New Hampshire
To satisfy electrical license requirements in New Hampshire, you must follow several formal steps. The process is structured, and all steps should be completed in sequence for the specific license type you are seeking.
Accumulate Required Experience and Education
Apprentices must gain supervised experience. To become a Journeyman, you must log 8,000 hours of apprentice time plus 600 hours of board-approved classroom instruction. For a Master, an additional 2,000 hours of field work as a licensed Journeyman is needed.Gather and Document All Experience
Prepare certified statements from all employers verifying your hours and job duties. Each employment period must have supervisor signatures as detailed on the application forms. Retain all certificates of completed coursework.Secure and Complete the Appropriate Application
Use the versioned board application for either Journeyman or Master, or the business/corporate application for companies. Download these directly from the OPLC Board website to avoid using outdated forms. Attach a current photograph and at least three professional references.Submit the Application and Pay the Fee
File the application by mail or in person. Board forms ask for ink signatures and original documents. There is currently no detailed online filing portal noted in the official documentation as of 2026.Schedule and Take the Required Exam
Once your application is approved, you will be notified regarding the board-approved examination arrangements. Study the latest National Electrical Code (NEC), New Hampshire statutes (RSA 319-C), administrative rules, and practical electrical installations. The passing score is 70% for all relevant exams.Receive License Upon Passing
If you pass, the board will issue your license. For businesses, an additional step is to file the corporation or LLC application designating your Master Electrician in charge of operations and compliance.
Supporting Forms and Documentation
You must also submit a signature card and, in some cases, inspection approval forms. Always include every document requested on the current board application PDF. Refer to the OPLC website for any updated requirements or process changes before applying. For clarifications or updates, always verify at the Electricians’ Board homepage.
Application Requirements
Several documentation and eligibility standards must be met to comply with electrical license requirements in New Hampshire. The information below details each requirement and its practical impact on your application.
Experience and Age
Only those who can formally document their field hours and training qualify for Journeyman or Master status. Journeymen need to submit proof of 8,000 hours as an apprentice plus 600 hours of instruction. Masters must show Journeyman status plus an additional 2,000 hours in the field. No minimum age, citizenship, or residency requirement is found in the official applications, but employment documentation is essential.
References and Photograph
Every Journeyman and Master applicant needs three character references. These generally cannot be immediate family and must confirm your good character specific to electrical work. In addition, submit a passport-style photograph taken within the past six months.
Bond, Insurance, and Financial Checks
No bond or specific insurance requirement (such as general liability or workers’ compensation) appears in the New Hampshire statutes or board rules as of 2026. Financial statements and corporate insurance may be needed separately for business licensing or to meet other state/federal contracting rules outside the electrical board’s jurisdiction.
Background Questions
No fingerprinting or background check is formally required, but application forms do ask about criminal convictions. If you have a record, provide details on the application as instructed. There is no federal certification (such as EPA 608) required for general electrical licensing in New Hampshire.
Exams
To fulfill the electrical license requirements in New Hampshire, both Journeyman and Master Electrician applicants must pass rigorous licensing exams. These are proctored and cover national, state, and practical content.
Exam Structure and Content
Journeyman Exam: 110 questions (50 on the latest NEC, 50 on practical installations per the American Electricians Handbook, and 10 on New Hampshire RSA 319-C and administrative rules)
Master Exam: 125 questions (50 NEC, 50 practical, 25 RSA 319-C/rules)
Relicensing Exam: 20 questions, NEC code only, used for some lapse/renewal situations
The format can be written, oral, or computerized, depending on arrangements made by the board. No exam time limit is stated officially. You must score at least 70% to pass. If you fail, you may re-examine at your own expense, but if a year passes after application, you must reapply entirely.
Exam providers must be approved by the Board. As of the information in the official brief, the specific exam administrator is not named. Verify for current providers at the Electricians’ Board homepage.
Fees
Electrical license requirements in New Hampshire involve fees for both applications and license maintenance. However, as of 2026, the official OPLC site does not list specific fee amounts for applications, exams, renewals, or late payments.
According to the New Hampshire Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau (not the board itself), the most recent fee sample is:
Initial application fee: $50 (as of 2023, not official board listing; always verify)
Three-year license: $270 (as of 2023, verify current costs at the OPLC website)
No information for exam, renewal, late, or bond fees appears on official board documents. Contractors should therefore check the current fee schedule or inquiry page before submitting payment with an application, as rules and rates may update without notice.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Every electrical license in New Hampshire must be renewed every three years, aligned with the licensee’s birth month. Adhering to continuing education is a core requirement for renewal and ongoing code compliance.
Renewal Timeline and Penalties
Renewal occurs on a triennial (three-year) basis. You must submit your renewal by your birth month in the third year after license issuance. Late penalties are not specified in official rules as of 2026, but you risk a lapsed license and, for prolonged lapses, additional education or testing requirements.
Continuing Education (CE) Hours and Content
To meet ongoing electrical license requirements in New Hampshire, licensees must document at least 15 hours of continuing education on the latest edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). At least one hour must cover state law (RSA 319-C), board rules, and installation concerns. CE providers must be approved by the board, and evidence of completion must be submitted with your renewal application.
Lapse and Reinstatement Consequences
If your license has lapsed for six to ten years, you must complete a 90-hour code update course or document ongoing out-of-state licensure. For lapses over ten years, you must retake and pass the initial licensing exam to reinstate your credential. Always confirm your specific case with the Administrative Rules Elec 100–400.
Reciprocity
Electrical license requirements in New Hampshire include formal reciprocity for Master Electricians with three nearby states: Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This allows experienced licensees to apply for a New Hampshire license without duplicating all examinations or experience standards.
To use reciprocity, you must submit a printout from the other state's licensing website or a certified statement confirming your current license. The board will then review your application and, if you qualify, issue the corresponding New Hampshire credential. Journeyman and other classifications may not be eligible; confirm details with the board and supply all paperwork requested in the instructions on the current application form.
Official Links
Journeyman/Master Electrician Application
Inspector Approval PDF
For help with application preparation, see our electrical licensing resources and electrical contractor templates.
