How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in New Hampshire

New Hampshire licenses electricians statewide through the Electricians' Board.¹ For the Journeyman Electrician license you need at least 600 clock hours² of education, at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training², a passing score on the New Hampshire journeyman electrician examination² and a criminal background check². The board lists $110 for the initial license³ and $90 for the exam³, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years² and complete at least 15 hours of continuing education².

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 9 official sources

Who issues it

Electricians' Board

Training and experience

Training: at least 600 clock hours²
Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²

Exam

New Hampshire journeyman electrician examination²

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $110³
Exam fee: $90³

Renewal

Every 2 years², at least 15 hours of continuing education²

From another state

License by endorsement⁴ Details

On this page

New Hampshire electrician licenses
Applies to every license level
Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license
Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license
How much a Journeyman Electrician license costs
How to apply
Renewal and continuing education
Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state
Electrician apprentice card
High/Medium Voltage Trainee card
Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License
High/Medium Voltage Electrician
Master Electrician
Check a license or report a problem
Laws and rules
Rule changes since January 2024
Common questions
Electrician licenses in other states

New Hampshire electrician licenses

New Hampshire issues 6 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
Electrician apprentice (registration / identification card)	Learns and assists in making electrical installations under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman; must register and get an ID card before doing electrical work.¹	Training 150 clock hours²	–	$33³
High/Medium Voltage Trainee (identification card)	Trains in high/medium voltage work while employed by a high/medium voltage or master electrician.²	–	–	$66³
Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License	Business license for corporations (including LLCs) and partnerships making electrical installations; a licensed master (or, for high/medium voltage, a master or high/medium voltage electrician) must be directly in charge.¹	–	–	$137³
High/Medium Voltage Electrician	Installation, repair and maintenance of power distribution systems over 600 volts, from the source of supply to the first disconnecting means of a building, including associated metering and controls.¹	–	–	$198³
Journeyman Electrician	Installs electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures and other equipment; must be employed by a New Hampshire licensed master electrician or a licensed electrical corporation/partnership.¹	Training 600 clock hours² Experience 8,000 hours²	Yes¹	$110³
Master Electrician	May employ others to do electrical work, or make electrical installations as a principal or auxiliary business on their own account.¹	Training 600 clock hours² Experience 2,000 hours²	Yes¹	$198³

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the New Hampshire 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 6)

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to
License verification to another state	$10³	Electricians' Board

How to apply

Application form: Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵
Processing time: OPLC asks applicants to allow 10 business days after receipt for license issuance or a first request for more information.⁶

Renewal

Renew online: forms.nh.gov⁵

2. Every license level except High/Medium Voltage Trainee (identification card) and Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Duplicate or replacement license	up to $20³	Electricians' Board	Hard-copy replacement; electronic replacement is free

3. Every license level except Electrician apprentice (registration / identification card) and Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License

Requirements

Background check: Background check required²
A felony is disqualifying if it involves theft, forgery, fraud or depriving another of property; perjury, unsworn falsification or falsifying official matters; or has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to be licensed as an electrician.²

4. Every license level except Electrician apprentice (registration / identification card) and High/Medium Voltage Trainee (identification card)

Renewal

How often: Every 2 years²
When it expires: Renew 2 years from the date of issuance.⁶

5. Journeyman Electrician and Master Electrician

Requirements

Education or training: At least 600 clock hours²
600 hours of electrical schooling, including at least 24 hours on electrical safety, taken in courses of 150 hours (each with at least 6 hours of safety).²
Who may teach it: Schooling in board-recognized courses; for the apprentice renewals, a school using an industry-standard published program based on the National Electrical Code.²
Alternative: An associate or higher degree in an electrical curriculum satisfies the schooling requirement.²
Alternative: Instead of the schooling: 10 years of experience as a journeyman or master licensed in another jurisdiction.²
Alternative: Instead of the schooling: having previously taken the journeyman or master exam in New Hampshire.²
Experience: At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
8,000 hours of practical or field experience as an apprentice to a board-licensed journeyman or master electrician.¹
Supervision: Apprentice work under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman electrician; a journeyman may supervise one apprentice in the first licensed year and two afterwards.¹
Substitute: Up to 2,000 hours of credit for completed electrical courses at NH community technical colleges, NH Technical Institute, IBEW/NECA joint apprenticeship schools, state-approved vocational schools or accredited out-of-state schools.²
Substitute: The board may credit military electrical experience toward the apprenticeship hours.¹
Social Security number: Social security number required on the application (RSA 161-B:11, VI-a).²
Also required: Three character references and a photo taken within 6 months.²
Also required: Must be of good professional character.²
Also required: License certificate must be displayed at the place of business or carried and shown to an inspector on request.¹

Fees

Fee	Amount	Notes
Exam fee	$90³	Effective October 8, 2025
Exam retake fee	$70³	Relicensing exam for lapsed journeyman/master licenses. Effective October 8, 2025

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

Complete the Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician and mail it with the fee to OPLC, 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301 (personal check, money order or cashier's check).⁵ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵
OPLC emails the license; allow about 10 business days.⁶

Renewal

Continuing education: At least 15 hours each renewal period²
Required topics: 15 hours on changes to the latest NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), including at least 1 hour on changes to RSA 319-C, the board rules and installation concerns.⁷
Approved courses: Courses must be pre-approved by the board; the provider records completion with the board within 7 days. OPLC uses CE Broker to track code updates.²
Exemptions: The board CE page lists no exemptions.⁸
If it expires: A renewal filed after expiry but within one year is treated as reinstatement and needs the reinstatement fee (the same amount as the license fee in Table 1002.13). Expired licenses cannot be renewed in the online portal.³
Lapsed over 1 and up to 3 years: take a 15-hour National Electrical Code course (and pass the licensing exam or apply for the master/journeyman exam).²
Lapsed 3-6 years: also a 45-hour NEC course or proof of licensed work elsewhere; 6-10 years: a 90-hour NEC course or proof of licensed work elsewhere.²
Lapsed 10 years or more without a license in another state: retake and pass the initial licensing exam.²
OPLC FAQ: expired more than one year means reapplying and re-examining (if licensed by exam) or a new reciprocity application.⁶
Failing to complete the code-update CE makes the license invalid until the hours are completed.¹

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: A master or journeyman electrician serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can be placed on inactive status on written request with proof of service, and returns to active status by paying the renewal fee, showing current continuing education and proving discharge was not more than one year earlier.²

6. Electrician apprentice (registration / identification card) and High/Medium Voltage Trainee (identification card)

Renewal

How often: Every year²

7. Electrician apprentice (registration / identification card) and High/Medium Voltage Electrician

Requirements

Social Security number: Social security number required on the application.²

8. Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License and High/Medium Voltage Electrician

Renewal

If it expires: A renewal filed after expiry but within one year is treated as reinstatement and needs the reinstatement fee (the same amount as the license fee in Table 1002.13). Expired licenses cannot be renewed in the online portal.³

9. High/Medium Voltage Electrician and Master Electrician

Renewal

Renewal fee: $198³ (Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license)
Late renewal: Reinstatement fee: $198³ (renewal filed after expiry but within 1 year is processed as reinstatement (Plc 1001.13))

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license

Installs electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures and other equipment; must be employed by a New Hampshire licensed master electrician or a licensed electrical corporation/partnership.¹

Work that does not need this license:

Homeowners may do electrical work on the single-family home they own and live in (or will live in).¹
A license is needed for work at 30 volts or higher; automatic irrigation systems at 30 volts or less are exempt.¹
Utility work, in-plant industrial work by plant employees, incidental electrical work by property employees or handymen, and several other categories are exempt.¹

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Exam: New Hampshire journeyman electrician examination²
Given by: ProV⁹
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: Board approval is needed before booking: the electrician exams are an exception to ProV's no-preapproval rule; applicants are notified of approval by mail.⁹
50 questions on the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 edition adopted by NH)²
50 questions on practical electrical installations²
10 questions on RSA 319-C and the board rules²
Retakes: A candidate who fails may be re-examined as often as desired, each time with a new written application and the fee.¹

How much a Journeyman Electrician license costs

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$110³	Electricians' Board	Journeyman electrician license application processing and licensing: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement after expiration of license (2 years). Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Register as an apprentice, then work 8,000 hours under a licensed journeyman or master and complete 600 hours of electrical schooling (or a listed alternative).²
Wait for the board's approval notice, then book the journeyman exam with ProV and pass with 70%.⁹

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee: $110³ (Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license)
Late renewal: Reinstatement fee: $110³ (renewal filed after expiry but within 1 year is processed as reinstatement (Plc 1001.13))

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your New Hampshire Journeyman Electrician license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state

These are the routes the Electricians' Board publishes for the Journeyman Electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: License by endorsement (HB 594 reciprocity) for journeyman electricians licensed in a listed qualifying jurisdiction, with one year of experience in the category.⁴
States on New Hampshire's list: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington⁴
This is the list of states whose licenses New Hampshire accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a New Hampshire license.
Conditions: One year of professional experience in the license category sought.⁷
All licenses held must be in good standing; an encumbered license disqualifies an applicant from reciprocity under HB 594.⁴
Anyone licensed by reciprocity must meet the same renewal and continuing-education requirements.⁴
Form: oplc.nh.gov⁵

Electrician apprentice card

Learns and assists in making electrical installations under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman; must register and get an ID card before doing electrical work.¹

Requirements

Minimum age: 16 years old²
High school diploma or GED: Not required²
Education or training: At least 150 clock hours²
To renew each year, adult apprentices show at least 150 hours of electrical schooling in the past 12 months (a one-time letter of intent to enroll is accepted at the first renewal).²
Alternative: High-school CTE electrical program graduates get credit for year one (150 hours) of schooling and up to 500 hours of practical experience.²
Experience: Must be employed by a master electrician (or an employer outside the electrical business that employs a NH master who directs the apprentice).²
Supervision: Direct supervision by a master or journeyman; ratio limits in RSA 319-C:2-a.¹
Background check: Background check required²
Felonies involving theft/fraud, falsification, or with a direct bearing on being an apprentice are disqualifying.²
Also required: Application must carry the supervising master's signature and license number, three references and a color photo taken within 6 months; a Signature Card is also filed.²
Also required: Employers of apprentices under 18 must meet Department of Labor requirements, and minors add a 10-hour OSHA course at first renewal.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$33³	Electricians' Board	Initial or renewal; 12-month registration. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Get hired by a NH master electrician (or an employer with a NH master on staff).²
Complete the Application for Electrician Apprentice with the master's signature, three references, a recent color photo and the Signature Card; mail with the fee to OPLC.⁵ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵
Receive the apprentice ID card before doing any electrical work; renew it every 12 months with proof of 150 hours of schooling.²

Renewal

When it expires: Renew on the last day of the month one year after the ID card was issued; ID cards for high-school and CTE student apprentices expire each September 30.²
Renewal fee: $33³ (Initial or renewal; 12-month registration)
Continuing education: 30 hours each renewal period⁸
Required topics: General CE⁸
Approved courses: Courses must be pre-approved by the board.⁸
Late renewal: Reinstatement fee: $33³ (expired under 1 year: reinstatement application with Signature Card (Plc 1001.13 / OPLC Applications page))
If it expires: Expired less than 1 year: reinstatement application plus Signature Card and reinstatement fee; more than 1 year: new initial application.⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

High/Medium Voltage Trainee card

Trains in high/medium voltage work while employed by a high/medium voltage or master electrician.²

Requirements

Experience: Employed by a high/medium voltage or master electrician.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$66³	Electricians' Board	Initial or renewal; 12 months. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Mail the Application for Electrician Apprentice or High/Medium Voltage Trainee with the fee.⁵ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵

Renewal

When it expires: Renew on the last day of the month one year after issue.²
Renewal fee: $66³ (Initial or renewal; 12 months)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Electrical Corporation or Partnership License

Business license for corporations (including LLCs) and partnerships making electrical installations; a licensed master (or, for high/medium voltage, a master or high/medium voltage electrician) must be directly in charge.¹

Requirements

Experience: A currently licensed NH master electrician directly in charge of all electrical installations.²
Business requirements: Certificate of good standing from the NH Secretary of State; all corporations and partnerships, including foreign ones, must be registered with the Secretary of State.²
Business requirements: The license is void if the named licensed person dies or leaves the company.¹

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$137³	Electricians' Board	Electrical or high/medium voltage electrical corporation or partnership license application processing and licensing: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement after expiration of license (2 years). Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Register the business with the NH Secretary of State and get a certificate of good standing.²
Mail the Corporation Application naming the NH master (or high/medium voltage) electrician in charge, with the fee, to OPLC.⁵ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵
OPLC issues the license and ID card to the master or high/medium voltage electrician in charge.²

Renewal

Renewal fee: $137³ (Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license)
Late renewal: Reinstatement fee: $137³ (renewal filed after expiry but within 1 year is processed as reinstatement (Plc 1001.13))

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: Foreign corporations and partnerships must register with the NH Secretary of State and have a NH-licensed master in charge.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 4 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

High/Medium Voltage Electrician

Installation, repair and maintenance of power distribution systems over 600 volts, from the source of supply to the first disconnecting means of a building, including associated metering and controls.¹

Requirements

Education or training: Completion of a state, federal or employer certification program approved by the board (Elec 306).²
Experience: Experience is documented through the high/medium voltage employers named on the application (on-the-job training verification).²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$198³	Electricians' Board	High/medium voltage electrician license application processing and licensing: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement after expiration of license (2 years). Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Complete a board-approved high/medium voltage certification program.²
Mail the Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician with the certificate, signature of a licensed master or high/medium voltage electrician, and the fee.⁵ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 7, group 8 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Master Electrician

May employ others to do electrical work, or make electrical installations as a principal or auxiliary business on their own account.¹

Requirements

Experience: At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Pass the journeyman exam, then 2,000 hours of field experience as a journeyman before sitting the master exam.²
License you must hold first: Journeyman exam passed (journeyman qualifications of Elec 304.01 apply).²
Exam: New Hampshire master electrician examination²
Given by: ProV⁹
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: Board approval is needed before booking: the electrician exams are an exception to ProV's no-preapproval rule; applicants are notified of approval by mail.⁹
50 questions on the National Electrical Code²
50 questions on practical electrical installations²
Retakes: A candidate who fails may be re-examined as often as desired, each time with a new written application and the fee.¹

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$198³	Electricians' Board	Master electrician license application processing and licensing: Initial, renewal, or reinstatement after expiration of license (2 years). Initial, renewal or reinstatement; 2-year license. Effective July 1, 2025

How to apply

Hold the journeyman qualifications, pass the journeyman exam and log 2,000 hours as a journeyman.²
After board approval, book the master exam with ProV and pass with 70%.⁹

From another state

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: License by endorsement (HB 594 reciprocity) for master electricians licensed in a listed qualifying jurisdiction, with one year of experience in the category.⁴
States on New Hampshire's list: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington⁴
This is the list of states whose licenses New Hampshire accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a New Hampshire license.
Conditions: One year of professional experience in the license category sought.⁷
All licenses held must be in good standing; an encumbered license disqualifies an applicant from reciprocity under HB 594.⁴
Anyone licensed by reciprocity must meet the same renewal and continuing-education requirements.⁴
Form: oplc.nh.gov⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license: forms.nh.gov⁷
File a complaint: oplc.nh.gov⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

July 1, 2025: OPLC fee rule Plc 1002.13 re-adopted: journeyman license fee now $110 for 2 years.³ OPLC fee rule Plc 1002.13 re-adopted: master license fee now $198 for 2 years.³
May 12, 2025: Electrician exams moved to vendor ProV.⁹

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journeyman Electrician license in New Hampshire?

The rules set at least 600 clock hours² and at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training² before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: OPLC asks applicants to allow 10 business days after receipt for license issuance or a first request for more information.⁶

Can I transfer my electrician license to New Hampshire?

The Electricians' Board publishes this route for the Journeyman Electrician license: license by endorsement⁴. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journeyman Electrician license in New Hampshire?

Every 2 years². Continuing education: at least 15 hours². The renewal fee is $110³.

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.

RSA Chapter 319-C ElectriciansNew Hampshire General CourtChecked November 7, 2026
Elec 100-400 Electricians' Board rulesNew Hampshire General Court (Office of Legislative Services, administrative rules)Checked November 7, 2026
N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 1000 (OPLC license fees)New Hampshire General Court (Office of Legislative Services, Administrative Rules)Dated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
New Changes to Reciprocity in New HampshireNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
Applications for Electricians | NH OPLCNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
FAQs for Electricians | NH OPLCNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
Electricians' Board | NH OPLCNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
Electricians Continuing Education | NH OPLCNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
Important Update: Examination Information effective 5/12/2025 (OPLC notice)New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026