Electrician license
Massachusetts electrician license
The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians licenses Journeyman Electricians, Master Electricians, Systems Technicians and Systems Contractors statewide. The Board approves applications and PSI gives the exams. The licenses are Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician and Systems Technician. Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | 8,000 hours | 80 questions | $31 application fee and $104 license fee |
| Master Electrician | Not set in hours | 90 questions | $66 application fee and $155 license fee |
| Systems Technician | 4,000 hours | Yes | $31 application fee and $104 license fee |
How to get each Massachusetts license
Journeyman Electrician
Requirements. 600 hours of Board-approved education, a 15-hour code update class, and 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts journeyman. Then pass both parts of the PSI exam.
Experience. 8,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% on each part: 56 of 80 on Part 1 and 21 of 30 on the Part II applied portion. |
| Code book | Open book: bring the current NEC with Massachusetts amendments, the Board's rules and other listed references. Tabs and highlighting are allowed; the bulletin conflicts on handwritten notes, so confirm with PSI. |
| Exam fee | $135 total: $80 for Part 1 and $55 for Part 2, paid to PSI |
| Official bulletin | PSI Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 9/30/2026) |
Fees. $31 application fee and $104 license fee.
Part 1 is 80 questions in 180 minutes; Part II (applied) is 30 questions in 60 minutes. Both parts must be passed within 12 months of application approval.
Free practice. The journeyman electrician practice test with 2026 and 2023 NEC versions has 30 questions on code and calculations, scored by subject, with no account. It is general NEC practice, not built from the Massachusetts exam outline.
Sources: Mass.gov: Apply for an individual electrical or systems license; PSI Massachusetts Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 9/30/2026.
Master Electrician
Requirements. Hold a Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license, have at least 1 year of work experience, and complete 150 hours of Board-approved education. Then pass the Master exam and the Business and Law exam.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | 90 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% (63 of 90) on Part 1; 70% on Business and Law. |
| Code book | Open book. |
| Exam fee | $135 total: $80 for Part 1 and $55 for Business and Law, paid to PSI |
| Official bulletin | PSI Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 9/30/2026) |
Fees. $66 application fee and $155 license fee.
Sources: Mass.gov: Apply for an individual electrical or systems license; PSI Massachusetts Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 9/30/2026.
Systems Technician
Requirements. 300 hours of Board-approved education, a 15-hour code update class, and 4,000 hours of work over at least 2 years under a licensed Massachusetts Systems Technician or Journeyman Electrician.
Experience. 4,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Exam fee | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Official bulletin | PSI Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 9/30/2026) |
Fees. $31 application fee and $104 license fee.
Sources: Mass.gov: Apply for an individual electrical or systems license; PSI Massachusetts Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 9/30/2026.
How to apply
Apply online through the Division of Occupational Licensure's eLIPSE portal with your education and work experience forms and a CORI form. Once approved, schedule both exam parts with PSI. Apply on the official site.
Source: Mass.gov: Apply for an individual electrical or systems license.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every three years, with licenses expiring July 31. Renewal opens 90 days before expiration. Renewal fee is $78 for journeymen and $117 for masters. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 21 clock hours each three-year cycle: 15 hours on the Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) from an approved provider, plus 6 hours of professional development. |
Sources: Mass.gov: Renew your electrician, systems technician, or systems contractor license; 237 CMR 17.00: Mandatory Continuing Education.
Reciprocity with other states
New Hampshire only: Massachusetts accepts New Hampshire journeyman and master licenses that were earned by passing New Hampshire's exam. The fee is $208 for journeyman and $310 for master.
Source: Mass.gov: Apply for reciprocity for an out-of-state electricians license.
Look up a Massachusetts electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official Mass.gov: Check an Occupational Board license.
Good to know
Installing security systems also requires a Security Clearance Certificate (S-License) from the Office of Public Safety and Inspections.
Source: PSI Massachusetts Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 9/30/2026.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians licenses Journeyman Electricians, Master Electricians, Systems Technicians and Systems Contractors statewide. The Board approves applications and PSI gives the exams.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Massachusetts?
Journeyman Electrician: 600 hours of Board-approved education, a 15-hour code update class, and 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts journeyman. Then pass both parts of the PSI exam. Apply online through the Division of Occupational Licensure's eLIPSE portal with your education and work experience forms and a CORI form. Once approved, schedule both exam parts with PSI.
How many hours do you need to become a journeyman electrician in Massachusetts?
8,000 hours for the Journeyman Electrician.
How many questions are on the Massachusetts journeyman electrician exam?
80 questions in 180 minutes (3 hours), and the passing score is 70% on each part: 56 of 80 on Part 1 and 21 of 30 on the Part II applied portion.
Does Massachusetts accept electrician licenses from other states?
New Hampshire only: Massachusetts accepts New Hampshire journeyman and master licenses that were earned by passing New Hampshire's exam. The fee is $208 for journeyman and $310 for master.
How often does a Massachusetts electrician license renew?
Every three years, with licenses expiring July 31. Renewal opens 90 days before expiration. Renewal fee is $78 for journeymen and $117 for masters. Continuing education: 21 clock hours each three-year cycle: 15 hours on the Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) from an approved provider, plus 6 hours of professional development.
How do I look up an electrician license in Massachusetts?
Use the official Mass.gov: Check an Occupational Board license at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-an-occupational-board-license
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Massachusetts's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- Mass.gov: Apply for an individual electrical or systems license, opened November 11, 2026
- PSI Massachusetts Electricians Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 9/30/2026, opened November 11, 2026
- Mass.gov: Renew your electrician, systems technician, or systems contractor license, opened November 11, 2026
- 237 CMR 17.00: Mandatory Continuing Education, opened November 11, 2026
- Mass.gov: Apply for reciprocity for an out-of-state electricians license, opened November 11, 2026
- Mass.gov: Check an Occupational Board license, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.