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 762,600 electricians nationwide and 14,350 work in New Jersey. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, adding more than 50,000 to the ranks. That growth rate is expected to be more than double that in New Jersey — projected at 15%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
If you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready. The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
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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.
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.
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:
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:
For more details, check the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors' Electrical Contractor Licensure Examination Bulletin.
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.
There are many benefits to getting a New Jersey electrician license:
The annual mean wage for electricians in New Jersey is $78,530 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.
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.
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.
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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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