In New Jersey, there is no better time than now to take a step to become an electrician. There is a prediction by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development that there would be an increase by 18.5% in the number of jobs for electricians before the year 2024.
This article covers the steps to becoming a licensed electrician in Jew Jersey, starting from apprenticeship to journeyman and then becoming a licensed electrical contractor.
Table of Contents
How to Get an Electrician License in New Jersey?
The steps to take if you intend to build your electrical career in the state of New Jersey are:
Step 1: Obtain a necessary electrical training program to acquire the experience you need to get your journeyman license.
Step 2: Obtain your journeyman electrician license in New Jersey
Step 3: Sit for the electrical contractor exam to receive the license.
Step 1 – Obtain a Necessary Electrical Training Program to Get Your Journeyman License.
The very first step to becoming an electrician in New Jersey is enrolling in an electrical training program. This can be typically done in one of two ways. It is either you decide to enroll in a trade school or go for an apprenticeship program.
If you opt for a trade school, you are sure to gain both electrical education and hands-on experience.
Qualifying Program of Trade School in New Jersey
Some of the trade schools that offer qualifying programs in New Jersey are:
- Atlantic Co. Vocational Technical School—Mays Landing
- Bergen County Technical Schools—Hackensack
- Camden County Technical School—Sicklerville
- Hohokus School of Trade & Technical Services—Paterson
- Hudson County Area Vo-Tech School—North Bergen
- Hudson Electrical Institute Inc.—Jersey City
- Lincoln Tech—Union
- Mercer County Technical School—Trenton
- Middlesex County Vocational School—Perth Amboy
- Monmouth County Vocational School—Freehold
- Ocean County Vocational-Technical School—Brick
- Pennco Tech—Blackwood
- Raritan Valley Community College—Somerville
- Union County Vo Tech—Scotch Plains
Topics Cover in Electrical Eduction
Below are some of the topics that would be covered in electrical education:
- Trade Electricity
- DC Electronics
- Commercial Wiring
- Techniques of the Trade
- Motor and Motor Control
- AC Electronics
- Basic Applied Electronics Math
- Conduit Bending
- Fundamentals of Electric Motor Control
- Building Inspection/Electrical
Other than the classroom and lab-based study, you would have to complete electrical tasks such as residential and commercial wiring, installation, and maintenance of electric equipment while being supervised by a licensed electrician in the state. This program would most likely include an internship with a state-licensed contractor. When you round off the program, you can then move on to becoming a full-time employee as a technician trainee or go for a formal paid apprenticeship to acquire the experience you need to become a journeyman.
If you choose an apprenticeship instead, then you could go with either a unionized apprenticeship or one without any union affiliations.
You can go for a union apprenticeship through Electrical Training Alliance programs managed jointly between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
Going with a union apprenticeship would also mean becoming a member of the union.
However, you can also choose to be a non-union apprenticeship by applying through the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors.
Step 2 – Obtain Your Journeyman Electrician License
Once you have completed all the training and hands-on experience required to become a journeyman, you can then go ahead to apply for a journeyman license.
Below are some of the requirements in order to get your journeyman electrician license:
- 8,000 hours of hands-on electrical experience
- At least 576 hours of classroom instruction
You would be required to print and fill out the Application for a journeyman electrician license which will permit you to practice as a journeyman electrician. You would have to mail this application 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, New Jersey 07101.
One of the information you would have to supply in this application includes a comprehensive account of your work experience, including your experience with the use of tools in the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring.
There is also the need to submit a reference form by an employer who has also been a supervisor of yours.
Step 3 – Consider Becoming a Licensed Electrical Contractor in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the last step to take in your electrical career would be becoming an electrical contractor. But you cannot just apply because you want to. You need to have a passing score on the exam and at the same time meet other requirements, which are:
- You must be nothing less than the age of 21.
- You must have completed your high school education.
- You must have in your possession a document proving you have at least five years of experience in the appropriate use of tools to install, repair or alter electric wiring. These five years of experience could be in the form of a four-year apprenticeship program together with a year of hands-on experience. Alternatively, it could be a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering as well as two years of hands-on experience.
The electrical contractor exam would cost you about $100.00. Your application should be mailed to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
You would be faced with 150 questions on the exam and will need at least a 70% pass to be considered qualified.
Below are some of the topics that would be covered:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Special occupancies
- Raceways and Enclosures
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Grounding and bonding
- Overcurrent Protection
- Conductors and Cables
- Special Equipment and Conditions
- Motors and Controls
- Equipment for General Use
- Low Voltage and Communications Circuits
You would also be permitted to use the most current version of the National Electrical Code while writing the examination.
Electrician License Renewal in New Jersey
Journeyman License: Once you receive your journeyman electrician license, you would have to renew it every three years. This would be done while completing 10 hours of continuing education units every three years. Once it has been renewed, the board in charge in the state of New Jersey requires that you submit certificates to show that you completed each credit. This renewal form would be mailed to the board together with a sum of $160.00 which will serve as the renewal fee.
Electrical Contractor License: Once you receive your electrical contractor license, you would be required to renew it every three years with a sum of $150 which will serve as the renewal fee. You would also need to complete at least 34 hours of continuing education and submit proof that you did to the board.
Electrician License Reciprocity in New Jersey
In New Jersey State, there are no electrical license reciprocity agreements with any other state. However, if you would like to perform electrical work in another state with your New Jersey electrical license, then you might want to apply in that regard.
Conclusion
A decision to become an electrician in New Jersey is a decision that should not be taken lightly. However, job opportunities continue to open for electricians in the state, so now is the right time to act if you’re looking to become one.
References
- ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to Become an Electrician in New Jersey
- Housecall Pro New Jersey Electrician License: Everything You Need To Know
