Get NJ electrical contractor license

To get an electrical contractor license in New Jersey, you must be 21+, meet five years of hands‑on experience (or approved apprenticeship/degree alternatives), pass three PSI exams, pay the Board’s application and licensing fees, then obtain the mandatory business permit, bond, and $300,000 liability insurance.

Requirements last verified: 2026-11-01

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs — Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (official board page).
Minimum age & education	Must be over 21 and hold a high school diploma or equivalent, per N.J.A.C. 13:31‑2.1 (regulation).
Experience	Five years of practical, hands‑on electrical experience immediately preceding application; or a U.S. DOL‑approved 4‑year apprenticeship plus 1 year hands‑on; degree/apprenticeship credit options as outlined by the Board (N.J.A.C. 13:31‑2.1; Application for Examination).
Exam	Three PSI exams: Electrical Contracting ($84), Business & Law ($47), and Alarm Systems ($49). See the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin updated 3/5/2026 (PSI bulletin).
Application fee	$100 nonrefundable to the Board with your examination application (Applicant Instructions; Application for Examination).
Initial license fee	Prorated by triennial cycle per N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.6: $225 (year 1), $150 (year 2), $75 (year 3) (fee schedule).
Business permit (required to contract)	Separate Board business permit after licensure; fee $150 (year 1), $100 (year 2), $50 (year 3) of the 2024–2027 cycle; permit expires Mar 31, 2027 (Initial Business Permit application; Board overview).
Insurance & bond	Certificate of general liability insurance or bank letter of credit of at least $300,000, plus a $1,000 surety bond, filed with the Board for the business permit (permit application; statute excerpt).
Pressure seal	$25 for initial or replacement pressure seal; required once a business permit is issued (permit application; fee schedule).
Renewal cycle & CE	License and business permit renew every three years. Electrical contractors must complete 34 hours of CE per triennium, including 9 hours NEC and 1 hour NJ law/rules (Board FAQ; N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.7).

How to get an electrical contractor license in New Jersey

1. Confirm eligibility. Ensure you are 21+, hold a high school diploma/equivalency, and can document the required hands‑on experience or apprenticeship/degree pathway as defined in N.J.A.C. 13:31‑2.1 (regulation).
2. Apply to the Board to test. Submit the Board’s online Application for Examination with the $100 fee and required Work Experience Certifications (Applications & Forms; PDF application).
3. Schedule your PSI exams. After Board approval, register with PSI and pay exam fees: Electrical Contracting ($84), Business & Law ($47), Alarm Systems ($49) (PSI bulletin).
4. Pass all three exams. You must pass all required parts within PSI’s retake/attempt limits to qualify for licensure (PSI bulletin).
5. Pay the initial license fee. Upon passing, the Board will invoice a prorated initial license fee per N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.6 ($225/$150/$75 by year) (fee schedule).
6. Obtain your Business Permit. File the Initial Business Permit application, purchase the $25 pressure seal, furnish a $1,000 bond and $300,000 GL insurance (or bank letter), and pay the permit fee for the current triennial year (permit application).
7. Maintain compliance and renew. Track the triennial renewal dates for both license and business permit and complete 34 CE hours (9 NEC/1 law) before renewal (Board FAQ; N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.7).

New Jersey electrical contractor license: eligibility pathways

New Jersey recognizes multiple ways to document experience. Most applicants qualify with five years of recent, hands‑on work with tools on wiring for light, heat, or power. Alternatives include a U.S. DOL‑approved four‑year apprenticeship plus one year of hands‑on experience, or limited degree credit toward the five years (N.J.A.C. 13:31‑2.1; Application for Examination).

Business permit, bond, insurance, and the pressure seal

Holding the individual license alone does not authorize you to contract. You must secure a separate business permit and use a Board‑issued pressure seal. The permit requires a $1,000 surety bond and proof of at least $300,000 general liability insurance (or a bank letter of credit). Fees for this 2024–2027 cycle are $150/$100/$50 by year, and the seal costs $25 (permit application & fee table).

Exam format, references, and scheduling

The license requires passing three PSI exams: trade, Business & Law, and Alarm Systems. The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin details the open‑book format, content outlines, timing, attempt windows, and current fees ($84/$47/$49). Testing is at NJ PSI sites only (PSI bulletin).

Renewal: triennial deadlines and continuing education

Both your individual license and your business permit renew every three years; the current cycle ends March 31, 2027. Before renewing, complete 34 CE hours including nine hours on the most recent NEC and one hour on NJ laws/rules (Board FAQ; N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.7).

Costs to budget for your New Jersey electrical contractor license

Plan for the $100 Board application fee, PSI exam fees ($84 + $47 + $49), the prorated initial license fee ($225/$150/$75), your business permit fee for the current triennium ($150/$100/$50), the $1,000 bond, $300,000 liability coverage, and the $25 pressure seal (N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.6; permit application). For a deeper budgeting walkthrough, see our breakdown of the NJ electrical contractor license cost.

Related New Jersey trade licensing

If you’re expanding services into mechanical trades, review our detailed guide on how to get an HVAC contractor license in New Jersey and our analysis of the HVAC license cost in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a business permit if I already hold the individual license?

Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 45:5A‑9 and Board policy, you must hold both the individual electrical contractor license and a separate business permit to engage in contracting, use your pressure seal, and pull permits. The permit also triggers the bond and insurance requirements (statute; permit application).

What insurance is required for New Jersey electrical contractors?

For the business permit, file either a certificate of general liability insurance or a bank letter of credit for at least $300,000 (combined property damage and bodily injury), and maintain a $1,000 surety bond with the Board listed appropriately (permit application).

How many continuing education hours are required to renew?

Electrical contractors must complete 34 CE hours every three years, including nine hours on the most recent NEC and one hour on New Jersey laws/rules before license renewal. First‑time renewers are exempt for their initial cycle (Board FAQ; N.J.A.C. 13:31‑1.7).

What are the exact exam fees and format?

PSI charges $84 for Electrical Contracting, $47 for Business & Law, and $49 for Alarm Systems. Exams are computer‑based, open‑book, and administered at New Jersey PSI centers. See the March 5, 2026 Candidate Information Bulletin for current details (PSI bulletin).

How long does Board approval take?

Timelines vary. For business permits, the Board requests complete submissions 10 business days before a monthly Board meeting; approvals are issued after Board review. Plan extra lead time for document completeness and meeting schedules (permit application instructions).

Ready to navigate each filing, fee, and form without surprises? License Navigator can build your personalized plan to get and keep your New Jersey electrical contractor license on schedule.