New York Master Electrician License Requirements (2026)

New York does not license electricians at the state level. The dominant electrician credential in New York is the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Master Electrician License, administered under Title 27 Subchapter 3 of the NYC Administrative Code and 1 RCNY §11-01. The Master Electrician is the qualifier required for any business that performs electrical work in the five boroughs. Outside of NYC, several upstate cities (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers) and Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island maintain their own electrician licensing programs with separate exams and experience requirements.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with New York City Department of Buildings (Licensing Unit) (NYC DOB), which issues and polices it under New York City Administrative Code Title 28 (Construction Codes); Rules of the City of New York Title 1 Chapters 11, 26 (electrical), 27 (plumbing); New York State Education Law Article 145 does NOT apply to construction trades.. NYC DOB issues and administers construction trade licenses for the five boroughs, including General Contractor, Master Plumber, Master Electrician, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, and Class A and B Oil Burner Equipment Installers. DOB enforces violations through its Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Official portal: https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/business/licenses.page
Address: 280 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 393-2259

The Eligibility Audit

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 21 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No state residency requirement. NYC DOB requires the qualifier to appear in person at the Licensing Unit in Manhattan.

Good moral character

NYC DOB conducts a fitness review on every applicant under 1 RCNY §11-01. Convictions for fraud, theft, electrical theft (utility tampering), or any felony within the prior ten years are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

NYC DOB conducts an FBI/NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services fingerprint background check.

Experience and Education Standards

A minimum of 7 years of seven and one-half years (specifically 90 months) of progressive experience in the planning, layout, installation, and supervision of electrical wiring and apparatus, of which at least 24 months must have been performed under the direct supervision of a New York City licensed Master Electrician must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Form ELEC-1 — Master Electrician Application
Notarized affidavits from each supervising NYC Master Electrician documenting the dates and scope of supervised work
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records
Approved electrical apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Up to 36 months of the 90-month experience requirement may be substituted with credit from an approved electrical apprenticeship program or accredited electrical engineering technology degree. The 24 months of NYC-supervised experience cannot be substituted.

The Exam Syllabus

NYC Department of Buildings (in-house, not Pearson VUE or PSI) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Master Electrician Written Examination — NYC Electrical Code, NEC, NYC laws and rules — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $525 examination fee paid to NYC DOB at application; the practical exam is administered separately at the DOB testing facility in Long Island City.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken every six months, with a maximum of three attempts before the candidate must wait one year and reapply.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

A $25,000 surety bond, in the form prescribed by the NYC DOB, must be posted as a condition of licensure.

General liability

NYC DOB requires $1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence and a $25,000 surety bond from each licensed Master Electrician under 1 RCNY §11-02. Most owners contractually require $2,000,000/$4,000,000 for commercial work.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation and disability benefits insurance are mandatory under NYS WCL §10 for any business with employees.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$525
Initial license	$50
Renewal (every 3 years)	$50

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The New York City Master Electrician License runs on a 3 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $50. NYC Master Electrician licenses renew every three years. A lapse in insurance or bond results in immediate suspension.

Continuing education: NYC DOB requires continuing education hours covering NYC Electrical Code updates and safety topics each renewal cycle. Specific hour counts are set by DOB rule and updated periodically.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New York Electrician License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, New York does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

NYC DOB does not recognize any out-of-state Master Electrician credential. Out-of-state Master Electricians must satisfy the full NYC experience and examination requirements. Upstate New York cities maintain their own programs with no formal reciprocity to NYC or to each other.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Electrician license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Accumulate 90 months of qualifying electrical experience. Include at least 24 months under direct supervision of a NYC-licensed Master Electrician. Up to 36 months may be substituted with apprenticeship or degree credit.
Collect notarized supervisor affidavits. Each supervising NYC Master Electrician must provide a notarized affidavit detailing dates, scope of work, and direct supervision. NYC DOB cross-checks the affidavit signatures against its license database.
Submit the Master Electrician Application (Form ELEC-1). File via DOB NOW: Licensing with the $525 examination fee. Include fingerprints, business references, and the supervisor affidavits.
Pass the written examination. Score 70% or better on the 100-question Master Electrician Written Examination covering the NYC Electrical Code, the National Electrical Code, and NYC laws and rules.
Pass the practical examination. Score 70% or better on the practical examination at the DOB testing facility in Long Island City. The practical includes conduit bending, panel wiring, and fault diagnosis.
Procure insurance and post the surety bond. Provide the $1,000,000 commercial general liability certificate, workers compensation and disability benefits certificates, and the $25,000 surety bond.
Attend the in-person interview. Appear at 280 Broadway, 6th Floor, Manhattan for the Licensing Unit interview. Bring all original documents.
Receive the Master Electrician license. NYC DOB issues the license card after the interview. The license must be renewed every three years.

Recommended Study Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

NYC Electrical Code (NYC Administrative Code Title 27 Subchapter 3) — City of New York. Primary technical reference for the NYC Master Electrician written examination. NYC adopts the NEC with extensive local amendments.
National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), current adopted edition — National Fire Protection Association. Federal baseline. The NYC code modifies portions of the NEC, so candidates must know both.
1 RCNY Chapters 11 and 26 — City of New York. NYC DOB licensing rules — heavily tested on the law portion.
Tom Henry Master Electrician Exam Prep — Tom Henry Books. Widely used by NYC applicants for NEC calculation problems.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to NYC DOB:

☐ NYC DOB Master Electrician Application (Form ELEC-1) with $525 fee
☐ Notarized supervisor affidavits totaling 90 months of qualifying experience
☐ Commercial general liability insurance — $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence
☐ Workers compensation and disability benefits insurance certificates
☐ $25,000 surety bond on file with NYC DOB

Where Applications Stall

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a New York Electrician application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Counting non-NYC supervised hours toward the 24-month requirement

The 24 months of direct supervision must be performed under a NYC-licensed Master Electrician. Out-of-state Master Electrician supervision does NOT count, even if the work is identical.

Self-collected supervisor affidavits

NYC DOB rejects affidavits that appear to have been completed by the applicant. Each supervising Master Electrician must complete and sign in front of a notary, and DOB cross-checks signatures against its license database.

Underestimating the practical exam

The practical exam at the Long Island City testing facility includes physical conduit bending and panel wiring tasks. Candidates who pass the written exam often fail the practical on first attempt.

Forgetting the $25,000 bond

NYC DOB will not issue or renew a Master Electrician license without the $25,000 surety bond on file. The bond is separate from the insurance certificate.

Assuming reciprocity exists

NYC has no reciprocity with any other jurisdiction for Master Electrician. Master Electricians from other states must complete the full NYC application.

Other New York Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional New York trades; the published ones are listed here:

Common Questions

Does New York State license electricians?

No. New York does not license electricians at the state level. Electrical licensing is administered locally — overwhelmingly by the NYC Department of Buildings, with separate municipal programs in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, and on Long Island.

How many years of experience does NYC require for a Master Electrician license?

90 months (7.5 years) of progressive electrical experience, of which at least 24 months must be under direct supervision of a NYC-licensed Master Electrician. Up to 36 months may be substituted with credit from an approved apprenticeship or accredited electrical engineering technology degree.

Does NYC reciprocate with other states for Master Electricians?

No. NYC DOB does not recognize any out-of-state Master Electrician credential. Out-of-state Master Electricians must satisfy the full NYC experience requirement and pass the NYC written and practical examinations.

What insurance does a NYC Master Electrician need?

$1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence, workers compensation and disability benefits insurance, and a $25,000 surety bond under 1 RCNY §11-02. NYC DOB will not issue or renew a license without all three on file.

How often does the NYC Master Electrician license renew?

Every three years. Renewal requires continuing education and proof that the insurance and bond remain in force.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-02