How to get a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license in Massachusetts

Massachusetts licenses electricians statewide through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians.¹ For the Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license you need at least 600 clock hours² of education, at least 8,000 clock hours³ of experience, a passing score on the Journeyman Electrician exam² and a criminal background check². The board lists $31 for the application² and $104 for the initial license², each a separate charge. You renew every 3 years⁴ and complete 21 hours of continuing education⁵.

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 14 official sources

Who issues it

Board of State Examiners of Electricians

Training and experience

Training: at least 600 clock hours²
Experience: at least 8,000 clock hours³

Exam

Journeyman Electrician exam²

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $31²
Initial license fee: $104²

Renewal

Every 3 years⁴, 21 hours of continuing education⁵

From another state

Reciprocity agreements and License by endorsement⁶³ Details

On this page

Massachusetts electrician licenses
Applies to every license level
Who needs a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license
Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license
Renewal and continuing education
Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state
Systems Technician (Class D)
Master Electrician (Class A)
Electrical/Systems Business License
Systems Contractor (Class C)
Check a license or report a problem
Laws and rules
Common questions
Electrician licenses in other states

Massachusetts electrician licenses

Massachusetts issues 5 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

License	What it covers	Training or experience	Exam	Application or license fee
Journeyman Electrician (Class B)	Installs, repairs and maintains wiring and equipment for heat, light, power, fire warning and security systems; may supervise no more than one apprentice.⁴	Training 600 clock hours² Experience 8,000 clock hours³	Yes²	$31²
Systems Technician (Class D)	Installs, repairs and maintains wiring for fire warning, security and signaling (power-limited) systems; works only when employed by a Master Electrician or Systems Contractor; may supervise one apprentice.⁴	Training 15 clock hours³ Experience 4,000 clock hours³	Yes²	$31²
Master Electrician (Class A)	Runs an electrical business with a regular place of business, employing journeymen and apprentices (one apprentice per journeyman).⁴	Training 150 clock hours² Experience 1 year³	Yes²	$66²
Electrical/Systems Business License	License held in the name of a corporation, LLC, LLP or partnership doing electrical or systems work; a licensed Master or Systems Contractor serves as licensee of record.¹	–	–	$233²
Systems Contractor (Class C)	Runs a systems (fire alarm, security, signaling) business with a regular place of business, employing systems technicians and apprentices.⁴	Training 75 clock hours² Experience 1 year³	Yes²	$66²

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Massachusetts electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 5)

How to apply

Apply online: mass.gov⁷

2. Every license level except Electrical/Systems Business License

Requirements

Background check: Background check required²
Applicants with past felony or misdemeanor convictions submit certified court records.⁶

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to
Total for both portions	$135²	PSI
Re-examination Fees: Total for both portions	$135²	PSI

Each line is a separate charge, except the lines “Total for both portions”; “Re-examination Fees: Total for both portions”, which are the board’s own combined figures for other charges; do not add them to the other lines.

How to apply

Complete the required Board-approved education and supervised work hours, plus the 15-hour code-update CE course.³
After Board approval, schedule both exam parts with PSI and pay PSI directly; pass each part with 70%.²

Renewal

How often: Every 3 years⁴
When it expires: All licenses expire July 31 every third year (cycle counted from July 31, 1989); renewal opens in eLIPSE 90 days before; no renewal notices are mailed.⁴
Continuing education: 21 hours each renewal period⁵
Approved courses: The 15-hour course must come from a Board-approved provider; licensees keep certificates for 10 years.⁵
If it expires: Lapsed more than 90 days without CE: complete the latest 15-hour course and a 6-hour professional development course before reinstating.⁵
Expired more than three years (one cycle): must pass the Massachusetts exam again.⁵
Reinstatement application, CE certificates and notarized CORI form filed through eLIPSE.⁸
Renew online: mass.gov⁷

From another state

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Not a waiver: holders of a license obtained by exam in a non-reciprocal state, held at least 1 year, may document equivalent education/experience to qualify for the Massachusetts exam.³

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military education/experience credited (237 CMR 13.10-13.12); VALOR Act II waives the Commonwealth share of the initial license fee for veterans and qualifying service members/spouses; active-duty licenses stay valid until 90 days after release; 5% exam credit for veterans.⁹

3. Journeyman Electrician (Class B) and Systems Technician (Class D)

Requirements

High school diploma or GED: Required³
Education or training: 15 clock hours²³
15-hour Code-Update continuing education course before applying²³

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$31²	Board of State Examiners of Electricians	Not refundable
Initial license fee	$104²	Board of State Examiners of Electricians	Not refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Create a MyMassGov account and file the exam application in eLIPSE with education/work forms, notarized CORI form, CE certificate and photo; pay the $31 application fee.² mass.gov²
Once approved for licensure, pay the $104 license fee in eLIPSE.²

Renewal

Renewal fee: $78²
Exemptions: Journeyman/Systems Technician licenses issued in the 90 days before the renewal date are exempt for that cycle.⁵
Instructors who teach two 15-hour or two 6-hour courses per cycle meet the requirement.⁵
Extensions may be requested for illness or disability with a doctor's letter.⁵

4. Journeyman Electrician (Class B) and Master Electrician (Class A)

Renewal

Required topics: 15 clock hours on the Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00), business and law with a Board-approved provider⁵
6 clock hours of professional development (code, business, law, first aid, safety, building code); provider need not be Board-approved⁵

5. Systems Technician (Class D) and Systems Contractor (Class C)

Renewal

Required topics: 15 clock hours with a Board-approved provider; systems courses focus on the applicable chapters of 527 CMR 12.00 and NFPA 72⁵
6 clock hours of professional development (code, business, law, first aid, safety, building code); provider need not be Board-approved⁵

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: No reciprocity agreement covers systems licenses: the only agreement (New Hampshire) is limited to journeyman and master licenses. 237 CMR 15.01 would allow it only with a written agreement.⁶

6. Master Electrician (Class A) and Systems Contractor (Class C)

Requirements

Education or training: 15 clock hours³
15-hour code-based continuing education course before applying³

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$66²	Board of State Examiners of Electricians	Not refundable
Initial license fee	$155²	Board of State Examiners of Electricians	Not refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Create a MyMassGov account and file the exam application in eLIPSE with education/work forms, notarized CORI form, CE certificate and photo; pay the $66 application fee.² mass.gov²
Once approved for licensure, pay the $155 license fee in eLIPSE.²

Renewal

Renewal fee: $117²
Exemptions: Instructors who teach two 15-hour or two 6-hour courses per cycle meet the requirement.⁵
Extensions may be requested for illness or disability with a doctor's letter.⁵

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license

Installs, repairs and maintains wiring and equipment for heat, light, power, fire warning and security systems; may supervise no more than one apprentice.⁴

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training: At least 600 clock hours²
600 clock hours of classroom instruction (237 CMR 22.01) from a Board-approved program; at most 300 hours may come from a public vocational school program³
Who may teach it: DESE-approved public vocational program, DPL-licensed private occupational school, college/university or other Board-approved trade organization program; education expires 20 years after starting.³
Alternative: Systems-program education (237 CMR 22.03) counts toward the journeyman education requirement.³
Experience: At least 8,000 clock hours³
8,000 clock hours of electrical work over at least 4 years as an apprentice under a Massachusetts licensed journeyman²
Supervision: Direct supervision of a Massachusetts licensed journeyman (one apprentice per journeyman).³
Substitute: Up to 4,000 hours (in not less than 2 years) of systems work supervised by a Systems Technician; vocational-school shop experience may be credited; experience older than 20 years does not count.³
Substitute: Military construction/base maintenance: up to 50% of experience (max 2 years / 4,000 hours).³
Exam: Journeyman Electrician exam²
Given by: PSI²
Passing score: At least 70% on each part (veterans receive a 5% credit on each part).¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approves the eLIPSE exam application first; approval is valid for one year.²
Two parts; each must be passed.¹⁰
Retakes: Wait at least 24 hours to retest; at most 3 attempts before remediation with a Board-approved provider; after 6 attempts the full education must be repeated.¹⁰
Time limit: A failed part must be passed within 12 months of the application approval date, otherwise reapply and take both parts.¹⁰
Also required: Apprentices have no Board license; registered apprentices carry a Division of Apprentice Standards ID card renewed yearly ($35 sponsor fee).⁴

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of State Examiners of Electricians publishes for the Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route: Reciprocity agreements
What the board says: Reciprocity only with New Hampshire, for journeyman and master licenses obtained by passing the NH exam.⁶
States on Massachusetts's list: New Hampshire⁶
This is the list of states whose licenses Massachusetts accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Massachusetts license.
Conditions: Certified NH license verification letter with board seal, notarized CORI form, passport-quality photo, disciplinary/conviction records if any.⁶
Rule standard: 600-hour course equivalent within 10 years and 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an apprentice.¹¹
Fee: $208⁶
Form: mass.gov⁷

Systems Technician (Class D)

Installs, repairs and maintains wiring for fire warning, security and signaling (power-limited) systems; works only when employed by a Master Electrician or Systems Contractor; may supervise one apprentice.⁴

Requirements

Education or training: 300 clock hours of Board-approved systems education (237 CMR 22.03); electrical education may count 25% up to 75 hours³
Who may teach it: DESE-approved vocational program, DPL-licensed private occupational school, or Board-approved college/university program; education expires after 20 years.³
Experience: At least 4,000 clock hours³
4,000 clock hours of systems work over at least 2 years under a Massachusetts Systems Technician or Journeyman²
Supervision: Direct supervision of a Massachusetts Systems Technician or Journeyman.³
Substitute: Electrical work experience: up to 2,000 hours (not less than 1 year); vocational/college shop experience may be credited; experience older than 20 years excluded.³
Exam: Systems Technician exam²
Given by: PSI²
Passing score: At least 70% on each part (veterans receive a 5% credit on each part).¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approves the eLIPSE exam application first; approval is valid for one year.²
Two parts; each must be passed.¹⁰
Retakes: Wait at least 24 hours to retest; at most 3 attempts before remediation with a Board-approved provider; after 6 attempts the full education must be repeated.¹⁰
Time limit: A failed part must be passed within 12 months of the application approval date, otherwise reapply and take both parts.¹⁰

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Master Electrician (Class A)

Runs an electrical business with a regular place of business, employing journeymen and apprentices (one apprentice per journeyman).⁴

Requirements

Education or training: At least 150 clock hours²
150 clock hours of classroom instruction (237 CMR 22.02)³
Who may teach it: Board-approved master program (documented on the Approved Master or Systems Contractor Program Form).²
Experience: At least 1 year³
At least one year as a Massachusetts journeyman license holder actively engaged in electrical work³
License you must hold first: Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license²
Exam: Master Electrician exam²
Given by: PSI²
Passing score: At least 70% on each part (veterans receive a 5% credit on each part).¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approves the eLIPSE exam application first; approval is valid for one year.²
Two parts; each must be passed.¹⁰
Retakes: Wait at least 24 hours to retest; at most 3 attempts before remediation with a Board-approved provider; after 6 attempts the full education must be repeated.¹⁰
Time limit: A failed part must be passed within 12 months of the application approval date, otherwise reapply and take both parts.¹⁰
Business requirements: Corporations, LLCs and partnerships doing electrical work need their own business license with a Master as licensee of record.¹
Business requirements: Signs and ads must show license type and number.¹²

From another state

Route: Reciprocity agreements
What the board says: Reciprocity only with New Hampshire, for journeyman and master licenses obtained by passing the NH exam.⁶
States on Massachusetts's list: New Hampshire⁶
This is the list of states whose licenses Massachusetts accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Massachusetts license.
Conditions: Also needs a current MA journeyman license (or simultaneous journeyman reciprocity application), proof of the MA 150-hour master program, and standing letters for other licenses.⁶
Rule standard: at least five years actively engaged in the work and a current MA Class B license.¹¹
Fee: $310⁶
Form: mass.gov⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical/Systems Business License

License held in the name of a corporation, LLC, LLP or partnership doing electrical or systems work; a licensed Master or Systems Contractor serves as licensee of record.¹

Requirements

Background check: Background check required²
All principals must be of good moral character as determined by the Board.¹
Business requirements: Licensee of record must be a MA Master Electrician or Systems Contractor; entity registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth; SOC filing must name the LOR and state the electrical/systems purpose.¹³
Business requirements: Sole proprietors working in their own name or under a d/b/a business certificate do not need a business license.¹
Business requirements: LLCs and LLPs must file a Limited Liability Certificate of Insurance.¹³

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$233²	Board of State Examiners of Electricians	Not refundable

How to apply

Register the entity with the Secretary of the Commonwealth naming the Master/Systems Contractor licensee of record.¹³
File the business application in eLIPSE with articles, SOC filing, LOR license card and letter of intent; pay the $233 application fee.²
Pay the license fee once approved.¹³

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: Out-of-state entities register a foreign certificate with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and apply like any business; no reciprocity for business licenses.¹³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Systems Contractor (Class C)

Runs a systems (fire alarm, security, signaling) business with a regular place of business, employing systems technicians and apprentices.⁴

Requirements

Education or training: At least 75 clock hours²
75 clock hours of classroom instruction (237 CMR 22.04)³
Experience: At least 1 year³
At least one year as a Massachusetts Systems Technician license holder actively engaged in systems work³
License you must hold first: Massachusetts Systems Technician license²
Exam: Systems Contractor exam²
Given by: PSI²
Passing score: At least 70% on each part (veterans receive a 5% credit on each part).¹⁰
When you can take it: Board approves the eLIPSE exam application first; approval is valid for one year.²
Two parts; each must be passed.¹⁰
Retakes: Wait at least 24 hours to retest; at most 3 attempts before remediation with a Board-approved provider; after 6 attempts the full education must be repeated.¹⁰
Time limit: A failed part must be passed within 12 months of the application approval date, otherwise reapply and take both parts.¹⁰
Business requirements: Business entities doing systems work need their own business license with a Systems Contractor as licensee of record.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Massachusetts, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Massachusetts is on the Massachusetts license lookup page.

Look up a license: mass.gov¹⁴
File a complaint: mass.gov¹⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license in Massachusetts?

The rules set at least 600 clock hours² and at least 8,000 clock hours³ before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my electrician license to Massachusetts?

The Board of State Examiners of Electricians publishes these routes for the Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license: reciprocity agreements⁶ and license by endorsement³. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journeyman Electrician (Class B) license in Massachusetts?

Every 3 years⁴. Continuing education: 21 hours⁵. The renewal fee is $78².

Electrician licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

237 CMR 16.00 Business and other licensure proceduresMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
Apply for an individual electrical or systems licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 13.00 Eligibility criteria for initial licensureMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 12.00 DefinitionsMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 17.00 Mandatory continuing educationMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
Apply for reciprocity for an out-of-state electricians licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
Board of State Examiners of Electricians LicensingMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
Reinstate an electrician licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
DOL licensing benefits for active military, spouses & veteransMassachusetts Division of Occupational LicensureChecked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 14.00 Examinations for licensureMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Dated November 21, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 15.00 Licensure without examinationMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Dated November 21, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
237 CMR 18.00 Rules governing practiceMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
Apply for an electrical/systems business licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026