Electrician license
New York electrician license
New York State does not issue an electrician license. Electricians are licensed locally: in New York City the Department of Buildings licenses Master and Special Electricians, and counties such as Westchester and Ulster run their own electrical licensing boards. This page covers Master Electrician (New York City) and Special Electrician (New York City). Local licensing in New York City, Westchester County and Ulster County is covered below.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Electrician (New York City) | Not set in hours | 80 questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Special Electrician (New York City) | Not set in hours | 80 questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
How to get each New York license
Master Electrician (New York City)
Requirements. Be at least 18, read and write English, and have 7 years of experience within the last 10 working with your tools under a licensed master or special electrician, at least 2 of them in New York City. A bachelor's in electrical engineering plus 3 years, or a New York State registered apprenticeship plus 5 years, also qualifies. Pass a written and a practical exam, then a background investigation.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | CPS HR Consulting, for the NYC Department of Buildings |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% (56 of 80) on the written exam. The practical exam requires 71% on plan reading and a 70% average on five hands-on exercises. |
| Code book | Closed book: no reference materials are allowed. |
| Exam fee | $585 for the written exam and $530 for the practical exam |
| Official bulletin | CPS HR Consulting: NYC DOB Master and Special Electrician exam outline |
Fees. Not confirmed: check with the board
You have 24 months from the written exam result to pass the practical exam, and one year after the practical to file the license application in DOB NOW.
A Master Electrician must be an officer, partner or sole proprietor of an electrical business with a place of business in New York City, and carry general liability, workers' compensation and disability insurance.
Sources: NYC DOB: Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License; CPS HR Consulting NYC DOB exam site: Master and Special Electrician.
Special Electrician (New York City)
Requirements. Same experience, written exam and practical exam as the Master Electrician. A Special Electrician does electrical work in or on specific buildings while employed by the building owner.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | CPS HR Consulting, for the NYC Department of Buildings |
|---|---|
| Code edition | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Questions | 80 questions |
| Time | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Closed book. |
| Exam fee | $585 for the written exam and $530 for the practical exam |
| Official bulletin | CPS HR Consulting: NYC DOB Master and Special Electrician exam outline |
Fees. Not confirmed: check with the board
Civil service electricians can qualify for the Special Electrician license with a civil service exam report instead of the written and practical exams.
Sources: NYC DOB NOW: Licensing Presentation (Electrician), Winter 2026; CPS HR Consulting NYC DOB exam site: Master and Special Electrician; NYC DOB: Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License.
Local electrician licenses in New York
New York City: Master Electrician and Special Electrician
The Department of Buildings licenses Master Electricians (independent contractors anywhere in the five boroughs) and Special Electricians (work in specific buildings for an owner). Both need 7 years of experience within 10, 2 of them in NYC, and must pass a written and a practical exam. Issued by NYC Department of Buildings. Official page.
Source: CPS HR Consulting NYC DOB exam site: Master and Special Electrician.
Westchester County: Master Electrician and Special Electrician
Westchester County licenses Master and Special Electricians. Apply to take the county exam first; applicants must document 7 and a half years of experience under the county electrical licensing law. Issued by Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection, Electrical Licensing Board. Official page.
Sources: Westchester County Master/Special Electrician Exam Application (02/2026); Westchester County Consumer Protection: Apply for a Plumbing or Electrical License.
Ulster County: Master Electrician
Ulster County licenses Master Electricians. Applicants need at least 7 years of full-time electrical construction experience and must pass a written exam on the 2023 NEC with 75% or higher. Issued by Ulster County Electrical Licensing Board. Official page.
Source: Ulster County Electrical Licensing Board: Master Electrician's License Application.
Practice for the exam
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 New York exam outline.
How to apply
Pay for the exams through the License Exam Application/Payment function on the DOB NOW public portal. After passing both exams, file the license application with the background documents in DOB NOW: Licensing; paper and walk-in applications are no longer accepted. Apply on the official site.
Source: NYC DOB: Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every three years (New York City). Renewal opens 90 days before expiration. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | New York City: an 8-hour Department-approved course on the NYC Electrical Code in the year before each renewal |
Sources: NYC DOB NOW: Licensing Presentation (Electrician), Winter 2026; NYC DOB: 8-hour electrician continuing education course.
Reciprocity with other states
Not confirmed: check with the board
Look up a New York electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official NYC DOB Check License & Registration Status.
Good to know
New York City adopted the 2025 New York City Electrical Code, based on the 2020 NEC, effective December 21, 2025.
Source: NYC DOB: Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in New York?
New York State does not issue an electrician license. Electricians are licensed locally: in New York City the Department of Buildings licenses Master and Special Electricians, and counties such as Westchester and Ulster run their own electrical licensing boards.
How often does a New York electrician license renew?
Every three years (New York City). Renewal opens 90 days before expiration. Continuing education: New York City: an 8-hour Department-approved course on the NYC Electrical Code in the year before each renewal.
How do I look up an electrician license in New York?
Use the official NYC DOB Check License & Registration Status at https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/check-license-registration-status.page
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from New York'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.
- NYC DOB: Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License, opened November 11, 2026
- CPS HR Consulting NYC DOB exam site: Master and Special Electrician, opened November 11, 2026
- NYC DOB NOW: Licensing Presentation (Electrician), Winter 2026, opened November 11, 2026
- NYC DOB: Check License & Registration Status, opened November 11, 2026
- Westchester County Consumer Protection: Apply for a Plumbing or Electrical License, opened November 11, 2026
- Westchester County Master/Special Electrician Exam Application (02/2026), opened November 11, 2026
- Ulster County Electrical Licensing Board: Master Electrician's License Application, opened November 11, 2026
- NYC DOB: 8-hour electrician continuing education course, 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.