Massachusetts Electrical License: Everything You Need to Know

Learn how to get an electrician license in Massachusetts and start your own electrician business.

Getting your Massachusetts electrical license is the gateway to a rewarding career. Every home, business, and industrial site depends on electricity to function. When you enter this career, there are several directions you can go. You might work as a journeyman for a major company or become a master electrician and run your own business.

The electrician job growth outlook for the next ten years is far above the overall job growth rate for the country; the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that it will increase by 11%. Massachusetts’ electrician job growth is on par with the rest of the country, estimated to improve at a robust rate of 11% over the next decade.

This guide explains the process of earning an electrical license. It includes helpful links for education and training, obtaining your license, and using your Massachusetts electrician license to get a job.

Does Massachusetts require an electrical license?

You must possess a Massachusetts electrical license to perform professional electrical work in the state. All licenses are issued by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. In addition, apprentice electricians must file an apprenticeship agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards. The cost is $35, and the registration card must be carried with you at all times while you’re on the job.

What are the different types of electrical licenses in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians grants four different types of licenses. Each of these licenses authorizes you to do different kinds of electrical work.

There are two licenses for general electrical work:

• Journeyman: A journeyman electrician (Class B license) has completed an apprenticeship and passed the journeyman exam. You can do any electrical work under the supervision of a master electrician. If you are not interested in owning a business, you can work at the journeyman level throughout your career.
• Master Electrician: A master electrician (Class A license) works as a journeyman for several years, enrolled in an advanced course of study, and passed the master electrician exam. This level of license allows you to do any electrical work independently including planning electrical systems. You also can hire and supervise apprentices and journeyman electricians. You must earn a master electrician license to run your own business or supervise a department for a company.

In addition to the two general electrician licenses, Massachusetts has two licenses specific to electronic systems, like security and fire detection:

• Systems Technician: A systems technician (Class D license) installs and maintains electrical systems in residential and commercial settings, including security alarms and fire detection devices.
• Systems Contractor: A systems contractor (Class C license) designs and oversees the installation of electrical systems in homes and businesses, including security alarms and fire detection systems.

How to get an electrician license in Massachusetts

There are a few ways to get started on the path toward a Massachusetts electrical license. You can start right after high school by going to a vocational school or community college to pursue an associate’s degree in electrical work. Each license requires a separate exam. All exams are administered by PSI and offered at testing centers located in Auburn, Boston, Fall River, Lawrence, and Springfield. You can find study materials and practice tests here.

Apprentice electrician requirements

If you decide to become an electrician after high school, you will need to enroll in a journeyman electrician program at one of the many community colleges or technical schools in the state such as the Benjamin Franklin School of Technology in Boston or Worcester Electrician School. Most of these programs provide financial aid. In addition, several local unions have journeyman education programs as part of their apprenticeship programs.

Regardless of how you complete the 600 hours of classwork, you will need to do 8000 hours of practical work as an apprentice over four years to become a journeyman. An apprenticeship is a paid position working under a master electrician, normally at half to two-thirds of a journeyman electrician’s salary.

You will work a full day doing basic electrical installations and maintenance. Some programs supply you with basic tools. Others will give you a list of tools to purchase.

Journeyman electrician information

The next step after an apprentice is to become a journeyman electrician. If you wish, you can remain a journeyman electrician for the remainder of your career, become a master electrician, or obtain your specialty systems license.

Once you complete the Massachusetts apprenticeship requirements, you can take the exam to become a journeyman electrician. The exam is administered by PSI and costs $80 to take Part I and $55 to take Part II. Both parts must be taken on the same day. The exam is open-book; you may use references such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) and information from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

After passing the exam and a criminal background check, the state will issue your license. You can find information about applying for your journeyman license and candidate information here.

Master electrician requirements

To become a master electrician, you are required to further your education. You must have spent at least one year as a journeyman and complete a 150-hour master electrician curriculum. These classes are offered at technical schools, community colleges, and unions. A few electrician companies also offer these courses in-house for employees. The exam for a master electrician has two parts: trade knowledge and business and law knowledge. Total fees are $276.  

Part I of the master electrician exam consists of 80 questions to be completed within four hours. Applicants may reference the NEC, the NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, and the Massachusetts Electrical Code during the exam. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass.

Systems electrician license information

Since systems technicians and contractors focus on a specific part of electrical systems, they have different requirements. The systems technician curriculum involves 300 hours of classwork within two years and 4000 hours of practical experience. The systems contractor license requires a 75-hour curriculum and one year as a system technician. The state grants both of these licenses after passing exams.

The cost to get a Systems Contractor license in Massachusetts is $276 for the application and exam plus $155 for the license. The renewal fee is $117. The total cost of a systems technician license in Massachusetts is $226, which includes the application and exam fees. The license fee itself is $104.

Optional certifications for Massachusetts electricians

If you want to do electrical work in Massachusetts, you must pass an electrician’s exam (or register as an apprentice). Many electricians go further, continuing their education and training to specialize or earn certifications that showcase their expertise. Depending on your career goals, these certifications can be a great way to stand out and advance in the field.

NECA certifications

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is a highly respected organization for electricians across the U.S. It is open to all professional electricians, from apprentices to contractors, and offers fantastic networking and continuing education opportunities. NECA also provides certifications for electricians at every stage of their careers, helping them showcase their skills to clients and employers.

National Fire Protection Association certification

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers certifications for electricians who specialize in fire suppression systems, building security alarms, and related areas. It also provides a range of certifications and continuing education programs to help professionals stay sharp and grow their expertise.

Independent Electrical Contractors Certified Professional Electrician

The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) designation recognizes the nation’s top electricians and is accepted in every state. If you’re not ready for the CPE, IEC also offers a variety of other certifications, including specialty ones, to support electricians exploring niche fields. They provide continuing education, industry updates, and apprenticeship opportunities. For those looking for an alternative to union apprenticeships or trade schools, IEC is a great option for foundational training and career development at any stage.

How much does an electrician make in Massachusetts?

Electricians in Massachusetts enjoy competitive pay, especially in larger metro areas, with plenty of opportunities from entry-level to management roles. Below are the average salaries for some of the most commonly advertised electrician positions in the state:

• Apprentice electrician: $24.30 per hour
• Electrical technician: $27.82 per hour
• General electrician: $87,553 per year
• Journeyman electrician: $40.75 per hour
• Electrical foreman: $86,514 per year
• Electrical Project Manager: $109,374 per year

Electrician salaries in Massachusetts are notably higher than the national average. For instance, general electricians in Massachusetts earn an average of $87,533 annually, compared to the U.S. average of $63,666 per year. Entry-level electrical positions also pay more in Massachusetts than in other parts of the country; an apprentice here makes $24.30 per hour, while the average across the U.S. is $22.04 per hour.

As an hourly employee, you can boost your earnings by working overtime or getting extra pay for handling emergency calls at night or on weekends. If you own your own electrical contracting business, the earning potential is even higher, though running a business comes with its own unique challenges.

Should I join an electrician union in Massachusetts?

Becoming an electrician union member may be a good decision if you seek job stability. Unions resolve disputes between employers and employees. Unions help members get pay raises, vacation pay, pensions, and sick leave.

The largest electrical workers’ union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), offers many of these benefits for members, as well as apprenticeship opportunities. If you are interested in joining the IBEW, you can find a Local in many large metro areas in Massachusetts, including IBEW Local 96 in Worcester and Central Massachusetts, IBEW Local 223 in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands, and IBEW Local 103 in Boston.

How to use your electrician license to get a job

As a licensed electrician, you have bright job opportunities. You might do your journeyman work with the same master electrician who supervised your apprenticeship. Large electrical contractors are often looking for new talent, too. Your union can connect you with a master electrician who needs help. Many companies also list positions on online job search sites. For the interview, dress professionally. Arrive on time and be prepared to show your practical skills.

If you’re a union member, you may be able to find a job through your union connections. Similarly, if you’re a member of another professional organization, you may be able to find a job through that network, too.

You can also look online. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts lists state jobs on its website, or you could try a popular job board like Indeed, Career Builder, or ZipRecruiter.

Electrician insurance in Massachusetts

Electricians of all levels need basic health insurance. Your employer will offer you a benefits package. If you run your own business, you can get insurance through a union or purchase your own plan. As a business owner,  you may purchase electrician insurance. This insurance covers basic business concerns like stolen tools or damaged property. Electrician insurance helps keep your business protected.

Massachusetts requires business owners who have employees or who are an employee of their company to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage.

Electrician industry trends

The technology in the electrical field is constantly changing. New specialties form as more and more businesses depend on electronics to function. Stay up-to-date with current trends and electrical tools by attending electrician trade shows. You will learn about the latest electrical regulations, marketing strategies, and consumer products at these shows.

Alternative energy is a growing field. If you have specialty skills for working on wind turbines or transferring harvested energy from the turbines to local electrical grids, you may find an excellent career at one of the state’s wind farms or offshore wind farms.

FAQs

Is my license only valid in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has a reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire. If you have an out-of-state license and want a Massachusetts electrical license, you must apply through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. In addition, if you need to change any information on your license or need a duplicate license, you can handle it through the state board website for a small fee.

How often do I need to renew my electrician license in Massachusetts?

You will renew your electrician’s license every three years. The cost is $78 for a journeyman or systems technician. The fee is $117 for a master electrician or systems contractor. Massachusetts also requires a 21-hour continuing education course for electricians.

How do I change my address on my license?

All information changes and requests for replacement copies of your electrician license must be made through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. To make changes or request another copy of your license, access your profile on the Board’s ePlace Portal.