Becoming an electrician can be a rewarding and lucrative career. To become a licensed electrician in New Jersey, you’ll need to complete an apprentice program, which will require at least 7,000 hours of training. You’ll also need to pass the state’s examination.

Before you begin your journey to becoming a licensed electrician in NJ, you should know that there are certain requirements you’ll have to meet before being accepted into the program. They include:

-A high school diploma or its equivalent

-Be at least 18 years old

You’ll also need to pass a drug screening and physical exam before being admitted into the program. Once you’re accepted, you’ll receive training on topics like electrical theory and practices, wiring techniques, electrical calculations and code compliance standards. You’ll also learn how to safely operate tools like drills and saws while building things like light fixtures from scratch.

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship requirements (7,000 hours), passed the state’s examination and received your license from the NJ Board of Examiners for Electrical Contractors (BEC), it’s time for you to put what you’ve learned into practice! If you work hard enough at it then there’s no limit.

How To Become An Electrician Nj

Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 729,600 electricians nationwide and 17,570 work in New Jersey. The national number is predicted to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030.

The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience. 

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Electrical Contractor Licensing Requirements for New Jersey

Is a license required for electricians in New Jersey? Yes.

To perform electrical work in the state of New Jersey, you must hold an electrical contractor license, a journeyman electrician license, or work under a licensed electrician. 

Steps to Get an Electrician License in New Jersey

1. Hold some form of U.S. identification and be at least 18 years of age
2. Possess a high school diploma or GED
3. Become an apprentice electrician to gain work experience and classroom instruction
4. Apply to be a journeyman electrician
5. Seek an electrical contractor license and pass the electrical contractor exam 

How to Become an Electrician in New Jersey

GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: To become an apprentice electrician, you must complete lab-based classroom training and gain experience in the electrical field under the supervision of a qualified journeyman electrician. Apprentices do not require licensing in the state of New Jersey. A majority of aspiring apprentices obtain experience through trade schools, or through union or non-union apprenticeship programs.

APPLY TO BE A JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN: To apply for your journeyman electrician license, you need 8,000 hours of documented experience, with at least 4,000 hours accomplished within five years prior to applying. You must also fulfill a minimum of 576 hours of classroom training. 

Applicants mail a completed Application for a Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician to:

New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor P.O. Box 45006 Newark, NJ 07101

The initial cost to apply for a journeyman license is $40. Licenses must be renewed every three years and cost $160. To comply, you must file and mail the renewal form to the licensing board. In addition, you must complete 10 hours of continuing education units each year. 

APPLY FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE: To apply for an electrical contractor license, you must be over 21 years of age, pass an exam, and provide evidence of at least five years of experience working in the electrical field. 

Aspiring electrical contractors gain this experience in one of the following ways:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, plus two years of field work.
• Complete a four-year apprenticeship program, with one year of hands-on experience.
• Obtain a journeyman electrician license, along with one year of additional on-the-job experience. 

Application for the exam costs $100 and is non-refundable. Licensees must renew every three years, pay $150, and show proof of at least 34 hours of continued education. Mail both renewal forms and exam applications to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

TAKE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM: You must achieve 70% or higher to pass the electrical contractor licensing exam, which is administered through PSI. Examinees are permitted to use the most current version of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The examination consists of 150 questions and covers the following topics:

• General Electrical Knowledge
• Grounding and Bonding
• Equipment for General Use
• Conductors and Cables
• Motors and Controls
• Low Voltage and Communications Circuits
• Raceways and Enclosures
• Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
• Overcurrent Protection
• Special Occupancies
• Special Equipment and Conditions

For more details, check the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors’ Electrical Contractor Licensure Examination Bulletin.

Types of Electrical Licenses in New Jersey

What are the different types of electrician licensing in New Jersey? 

There are two types of electrical licenses in New Jersey: an electrical journeyman license and an electrical contractor license. You can apply for either license with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Contractor in New Jersey

There are many benefits to getting a New Jersey electrician license:

• Most important, it is required by law in New Jersey to be licensed as either a journeyman electrician or electrical contractor to legally perform electrical work.
• There is a high demand for licensed electricians in New Jersey. The State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development predicts an 18.5% increase of jobs in the electrical trade through 2024.
• A trade license provides proof of your experience and skill.
• Only licensed electricians can: work independently as an electrical contractor, operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance and bonding, pull electrical permits, pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
• Obtaining a license protects your company and your customers.
• An electrician license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
• It also increases your earning potential as an electrician.

What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrician in New Jersey?

The annual mean wage for electricians in New Jersey is $79,940 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.

• Electrician Apprentice: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $22.10 per hour in New Jersey and $6,313 overtime per year.
• Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $26.82 per hour in New Jersey and $8,250 overtime per year.
• Master Electrician: The average salary for an electrician apprentice is $39.55 per hour in New Jersey and $10,000 overtime per year.

Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly. 

ServiceTitan features:

• SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
• Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
• Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
• The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
• Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
• Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.

To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrical Contractors License in New Jersey?

It can cost up to $20,000 to attend an electrical trade school or vocational school in New Jersey. Costs vary, depending on the school and program. Additional electrical exam application fees and licensing fees also apply.

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How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License in New Jersey?

Obtaining an electrician license in New Jersey takes a minimum of four years, or 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience, combined with at least 576 hours of classroom work.

New Jersey Electrician Programs and Schools

There are several community colleges, trade schools, and educational programs to get the training you need to become an electrical professional in New Jersey. You have options all over the state, including big cities like Newark, Trenton, and Jersey City, and smaller communities like Hackensack, Union, or Scotch Plains.

Some trade schools include:

• Bergen County Technical Schools (Hackensack): Offers certificate program in electrical technology. Tuition costs about $11,700 per year, while study materials cost roughly $373.
• Hohokus School of Trade & Technical Services (Paterson): Offers certificate-level electrician apprenticeship. Tuition costs about $17,560, while study materials cost about $600.
• Lincoln Tech (Union): Offers certificate program in electrical/electronics. Tuition costs about $21,900, while study materials cost about $1,425.
• Ocean County Vocational Technical School (Brick): Offers certificate-level electrical trades program. Tuition costs about $6,550 per year, while study materials may cost roughly $300.
• Pennco Tech (Blackwood): Offers certificate-level electrician program. Tuition costs $16,527 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,170.
• Union County Vocational Technical School (Scotch Plains): Offers certificate-level electrical program. Tuition costs about $5,500 per year, while books and supplies cost about $440.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs

Union-based apprenticeships require membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Through the Electrical Training Alliance program, apprenticeships are managed by the IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The New Jersey Joint Apprentice Training Committee (NJJATC) provides union apprenticeships at the following JATC offices throughout the state:

• Asbury Park Area Electrical JATC in East Wall
• Folsom JATC
• Trenton JATC
• North Brunswick JATC
• Jersey City Electrical JATC in Paramus
• Paterson Electrical JATC in Parsippany

You can acquire a non-union apprenticeship by enrolling in programs offered through the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors.

Who Issues Electrician Licenses in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC) grants electrician licenses.

Does My New Jersey Electrical License Work in Any Other State?

No. New Jersey does not participate in any reciprocity agreements with other states.

National Electrician Certifications

While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates into more job opportunities and higher pay. 

These include the Independent Electrical Contractors’ Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) distinction, certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among dozens of additional electrician certifications available.