Master Electrician License (NYC)

What This License Authorizes

The NYC Master Electrician license, issued by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), is the credential required to pull electrical permits, operate an electrical contracting business, and supervise all electrical work in the five boroughs. New York State issues no statewide master electrician license — the DOB credential is the governing authority for NYC electrical work.

Experience and Exam Requirements

Applicants must meet one of these experience tracks:

• Standard path: At least 7 years of hands-on electrical work within the 10 years prior to application, under direct supervision of a licensed master or special electrician, with at least 2 years in New York City.
• Engineering degree path: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or engineering technology, plus at least 3 years of hands-on electrical work within the 5 years prior to application, with at least 2 years in NYC.
• Apprenticeship path: Completed NYS DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship program, plus at least 5 years of hands-on electrical work within the 10 years prior to application, with at least 2 years in NYC.

Before submitting a background application, pass both a written exam ($585) and a practical exam ($530) through DOB NOW. The written exam is multiple-choice, covers NYC Electrical Code, requires a 70% passing score, and permits no reference materials. After passing the written exam, candidates have 24 months to pass the practical exam.

Required documents: passing Examination Score Report, LIC62 Physical Exam Form (physician-signed within 90 days), Experience Verification Form (signed by all supervisors), Social Security earnings history for claimed years, government-issued photo ID, and Social Security card. Submit the background application through DOB NOW with a $310 application fee within 1 year of your practical exam notification.

Business and Insurance Requirements

Applicants must be an officer, partner, or sole proprietor of a business with an active NYC place of business in a commercially zoned location. Corporations must maintain active NYS Division of Corporations status — inactive status blocks renewal.

All Master Electrician businesses must carry:

• General liability: minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence
• Workers' compensation insurance
• Disability insurance

Annual Renewal: $90 Total

The Master Electrician license renews annually at a total fee of $90 ($60 license fee + $30 seal fee), submitted through DOB NOW: Licensing. Renewals also require a completed LIC62 Physical Exam Form (physician-signed within 90 days prior) and proof of 8 hours of DOB-approved continuing education — submit the original CE certificate from an approved school.

Late renewal penalty: $400 — paid on top of the $90 renewal fee, not included in it. Late filers must also submit a notarized affidavit on the electrician's letterhead bearing their DOB-issued seal explaining why the renewal is late.

Practical Takeaway

File exam fees through DOB NOW: $585 for the written exam first, then $530 for the practical after passing. Once you have both scores, gather your supervisor-signed EVF, order your Social Security earnings history, schedule your LIC62 physical, and submit your background application within 1 year of your practical exam notification. For renewals, book your 8-hour CE course and LIC62 physical well ahead of the annual deadline — the $400 late penalty plus the required notarized affidavit make late renewal significantly more burdensome than filing on time.