Journeyman Electrician License (Class B)

Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician License (Class B)

The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians issues the Class B Journeyman Electrician certificate under M.G.L. c.141 §3 to anyone who passes the Board's examination. It authorizes the holder to work in the occupation of journeyman electrician; the Class A master certificate is the one issued to people and firms in the business of electrical installation.

Requirements

Per the Board's application page:

• Education: 600 hours of Board-approved education.
• Code update: a 15-hour Code-Update class.
• Experience: 8,000 hours of work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman.
• Examination: apply on the eLIPSE portal to be approved to schedule the exam with PSI, the Board's exam vendor.
• Insurance: M.G.L. c.141 §8 bars a city or town from issuing an electrical permit unless the licensee shows liability insurance with completed-operations coverage (or an equivalent bond or indemnity), or the owner signs the permit application. The requirement attaches to the permit, not to holding the Class B certificate.

Fees

• Application Fee: $31, paid to the Board when you submit the application for review.
• License Fee: $104, paid once you are approved for licensure.
• State fees to become licensed: $135 ($31 + $104), per the Board page and 801 CMR 4.02.
• Examination Fees: $135 for both portions ($80 Trade, $55 Business/Practical), paid directly to PSI when you schedule. Re-examination is priced by the portion you retake.
• Renewal Fee: $78 every 3 years.

Renewal

• Renewal Period: Certificates expire July 31 every third year (M.G.L. c.141 §3). Renewal opens in eLIPSE 90 days before July 31, and no renewal notices are mailed.
• Continuing Education: 21 hours of continuing education completed in the three years before renewal, as required by 237 CMR 17.00.
• Late renewal: There is no grace period. A license not renewed by July 31 can get a deferred renewal on payment of the fees that would have been due had it been continuously renewed, but the renewed license does not cover any period before it is issued (M.G.L. c.141 §3).

Advancement

A Class A Master Electrician certificate requires holding the Class B certificate for at least 12 months (M.G.L. c.141 §3); the Board page also lists at least 1 year of work experience and 150 hours of Board-approved education.

Penalties

Working without complying with M.G.L. c.141 is punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $1,500 for a first offense, $1,500 to $2,000 for a second, and $2,000 to $2,500 or up to six months in the house of correction (or both) for each subsequent offense (M.G.L. c.141 §5).

*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements and fees directly with the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians.*