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How to get an electrician license in Massachusetts

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Massachusetts, pulled from official MA sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure)
  • State journeyman license: Yes (The Board licenses journeyman and master electricians statewide; applications and renewals go through the eLIPSE portal.)
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years as an apprentice under a licensed Massachusetts journeyman, plus 600 hours of Board-approved education, a 15-hour code update class and a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience or education more than 20 years old does not count.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: The exams use the current adopted edition of the National Electrical Code with the Massachusetts amendments (527 CMR 12.00); the Board adopts a new code on January 1 of the code year and exam content follows in July.

Requirements by license

Journeyman Electrician

Experience8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years as an apprentice under a licensed Massachusetts journeyman, plus 600 hours of Board-approved education, a 15-hour code update class and a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience or education more than 20 years old does not count.Source: mass.gov · as of · 237 CMR 13.03: mass.gov
ExamPSI. Open book. Two parts, open book, 70% to pass each: Part 1 has 80 questions in 180 minutes; Part II (applied) has 30 questions in 60 minutes. Bring the NEC, the Massachusetts amendments, the Board rules and NFPA 72; tabs, highlighting and margin notes are allowed. You can retake a failed part up to 6 times within 1 year of approval.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · PSI candidate bulletin effective 9/30/2026.
Fees
  • Application: $31
  • License (after you are approved): $104
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $80 Part 1 + $55 Part 2: $135
Source: mass.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires July 31; renew online in eLIPSE starting 90 days before. No renewal notices are mailed. $78 to renew. A $57 late fee is added if you renew after the expiration date.Source: mass.gov · as of · 3-year cycle: 237 CMR 17.01 (mass.gov). · Late fee: licensing.reg.state.ma.us
CE to renew21 hours per 3-year renewal
  • 15 hours from a Board-approved provider on 527 CMR 12.00 (Massachusetts Electrical Code amendments), business, law and related topics
  • 6 hours of professional development of your choice (code, business, law, first aid, safety, building code); the provider need not be Board-approved
Completed in the 3 years before renewal. Keep certificates for 10 years; the Board may ask for them. A journeyman licensed by exam or reciprocity in the 90 days before the renewal date is exempt for that cycle.
Source: mass.gov · as of · 237 CMR 17.01. Provider list: mass.gov

Master Electrician

ExperienceA Massachusetts journeyman license, at least 1 year of work experience as a journeyman, and 150 hours of Board-approved education.Source: mass.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Open book. Two parts, open book, 70% to pass each: Part 1 has 90 questions in 240 minutes; Part II (Business and Law) has 50 questions in 120 minutes.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · PSI candidate bulletin effective 9/30/2026.
Fees
  • Application: $66
  • License (after you are approved): $155
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $80 Part 1 + $55 Part 2: $135
Source: mass.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires July 31; renew online in eLIPSE starting 90 days before. $117 to renew. A $57 late fee is added if you renew after the expiration date.Source: mass.gov · as of · Late fee: licensing.reg.state.ma.us · Late fee: licensing.reg.state.ma.us
CE to renew21 hours per 3-year renewal
  • 15 hours from a Board-approved provider on 527 CMR 12.00 (Massachusetts Electrical Code amendments), business, law and related topics
  • 6 hours of professional development of your choice (code, business, law, first aid, safety, building code); the provider need not be Board-approved
Completed in the 3 years before renewal. Keep certificates for 10 years; the Board may ask for them. A journeyman licensed by exam or reciprocity in the 90 days before the renewal date is exempt for that cycle.
Source: mass.gov · as of · 237 CMR 17.01. Provider list: mass.gov

License types in Massachusetts

  • Journeyman Electrician
  • Master Electrician
  • Systems Technician (fire warning and security systems)
  • Systems Contractor
Source: mass.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Massachusetts has a reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire only. Check the Board regulations before applying in eLIPSE.Source: mass.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Massachusetts have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. The Board of State Examiners of Electricians licenses journeyman electricians; you need 8,000 hours over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts journeyman, 600 hours of approved education and a 15-hour code update class.

Is the Massachusetts journeyman electrician exam open book?

Yes. The PSI journeyman exam is open book and has two parts: 80 questions in 180 minutes and an applied part of 30 questions in 60 minutes, with 70% needed on each.

How do you become a master electrician in Massachusetts?

You need a Massachusetts journeyman license, at least 1 year of experience as a journeyman and 150 hours of approved education, then you pass a two-part PSI exam that includes Business and Law.

Does Massachusetts have electrician license reciprocity?

Massachusetts has a reciprocity agreement with New Hampshire only.

Already licensed? See Massachusetts electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.