Electrical Contractor License New
In New Hampshire, an electrical contracting company must license its corporation/partnership with the Electricians’ Board and designate a NH‑licensed master electrician in charge. Exact fees, experience hours, exams, CE, and renewals are set in RSA 319‑C, Elec rules, and OPLC Plc 1002.13.
To get a electrical contractor license in New Hampshire, you must hold (or employ) a New Hampshire master electrician, then license the business as a corporation/partnership with the Electricians’ Board, pay the set fees, and keep up with NEC continuing education and biennial renewals.
Requirements last verified: 2026-11-01
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | NH Office of Professional Licensure & Certification (OPLC) – Electricians’ Board (RSA 319‑C). |
| Who can be an “electrical contractor” | Corporations/partnerships may be licensed if a NH-licensed master electrician is directly in charge of electrical business affairs (RSA 319‑C:10; Elec 303.01 & 302.02(d)). |
| Business license fees (corp./partnership) | $175 initial or reinstatement; $125 renewal (2‑year cycle) (Plc 1002.13, Table for Electricians’ Board). |
| Individual master fees | $213 initial/reinstatement; $180 renewal (2‑year) (Plc 1002.13). |
| Individual journeyman fees | $133 initial/reinstatement; $100 renewal (2‑year) (Plc 1002.13). |
| Exam & passing score | Board‑approved written exam; 70% passing; $50 exam admin fee to OPLC (Elec 305.02; RSA 319‑C:8; Plc 1002.13). |
| Experience (journeyman) | 8,000 hours practical/field experience plus 600 hours schooling (or listed equivalents) (Elec 304.01(a)–(b); see also RSA 319‑C:7 II(a)–(b)). |
| Experience (master) | Pass journeyman exam, then 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman before the master exam (Elec 304.01(f)). |
| Minimum age | Apprentice registration generally 18+; limited pathways at 16–17 via high school/CTE enrollment (Elec 304.02(c)). |
| Insurance/bond | No state bond or liability insurance is specified for electrician or corporate licensure in RSA 319‑C or Elec rules (confirm local/contract requirements) (RSA 319‑C; Elec 100‑400). |
| Renewal & CE | Biennial renewal for master/journeyman/corporate licenses (Elec 401.01) and 15 hours NEC update each code cycle (incl. NH law/rules content), reported by providers (Elec 403.01; OPLC CE provider guidance; RSA 319‑C:6‑c). |
| Application forms | Individual Electrician Application (PDF); Corporation/Partnership Application (PDF). |
How to get a electrical contractor license in New Hampshire
- Qualify as a journeyman. Register as an apprentice, complete 8,000 hours of experience plus 600 hours of schooling (or allowed equivalents), and pass the journeyman exam (Elec 304.01(a)–(b); RSA 319‑C:8).
- Earn your master electrician license. Log 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman, then pass the master exam; submit the OPLC electrician application and fees (Elec 304.01(f); application).
- License the business entity. Form your corporation/LLC or partnership with the NH Secretary of State, obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, designate your NH master as the person in charge, and file the OPLC corporation/partnership application with the $175 fee (RSA 319‑C:10; Elec 302.02(d); form; Plc 1002.13).
- Meet exam/fee requirements. Plan for the $50 OPLC exam administration charge; passing score is 70% (Elec 305.02; Plc 1002.13).
- Renew and complete CE. Renew master/journeyman and the corporate license every 2 years and complete a 15‑hour NEC update each code cycle (providers report completion) (Elec 401.01; Elec 403.01).
New Hampshire electrical contractor license: key points
NH uses a master-plus-entity model
In New Hampshire, the “contractor” authority is the licensed master electrician. To operate as a company, you also license the corporation/partnership and designate that master as responsible in charge (RSA 319‑C:10).
Exact, current state fees
The Electricians’ Board fee rule sets these amounts: corporate/partnership $175 initial/$125 renewal; master $213 initial/$180 renewal; journeyman $133 initial/$100 renewal; apprentice registration $60; exam administration $50 (Plc 1002.13).
Experience, schooling, and exams
A journeyman needs 8,000 hours experience plus 600 hours schooling (with listed alternatives/credits). A master must first pass the journeyman exam and then complete 2,000 journeyman hours before taking the master exam; passing score is 70% (Elec 304.01(a)–(f); Elec 305.02).
Continuing education and renewal timing
Masters and journeymen must complete a 15‑hour NEC update each code cycle; providers report completions and include NH law/rules content. Licenses (including the corporate/partnership license) renew every 2 years (Elec 403.01; OPLC CE provider guidance; Elec 401.01).
Forms you’ll file
Use the OPLC Electrician Application for journeyman/master and the Corporation/Partnership Application for the business entity. Corporate filings must include a Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing and the signature of the designated NH master (individual application; corporate application; Elec 302.02(d)).
Insurance and bonds
Neither RSA 319‑C nor the Electricians’ Board rules impose a state liability insurance or license bond requirement for electrician or corporate licensure; however, municipalities, project owners, or lenders may require coverage contractually (RSA 319‑C; Elec rules).
Timeline: becoming a master and licensing your NH electrical contracting business
Most applicants progress from apprentice to journeyman to master before licensing their company. If you’re comparing trades, our breakdown of HVAC contractor license costs in New Hampshire and the full NH HVAC licensing guide can help you plan multi‑trade operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a master electrician and an electrical contractor in NH?
New Hampshire licenses people (journeyman, master) and also licenses corporations/partnerships. The master electrician is the responsible individual; a company becomes the “contractor” by obtaining the corporation/partnership license and designating that master in charge (RSA 319‑C:10).
How much are NH electrical contractor (business) fees right now?
The Electrical or High/Medium Voltage Corporation/Partnership license costs $175 to start or reinstate and $125 to renew every two years. Individual master fees are $213 initial/$180 renewal; journeyman fees are $133 initial/$100 renewal; the exam administration fee is $50 (Plc 1002.13).
What experience is required before I can sit for the master exam?
You must pass the journeyman exam, then complete 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman performing electrical installations before you’re allowed to take the master exam (Elec 304.01(f)).
Do I need insurance or a bond to get licensed in NH?
State law and board rules do not specify a liability insurance or surety bond requirement for electrician or corporate licensure; verify any local permit or contract insurance requirements with AHJs and clients (RSA 319‑C; Elec 100‑400).
What continuing education do NH electricians need?
Masters and journeymen must complete a 15‑hour NEC update each code cycle; providers report completion to the board and include NH law/rules content. Failure to complete CE renders the license invalid until made up (Elec 403.01; RSA 319‑C:6‑c).
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.