In New York, the job of an electrician does not come easy. It typically requires a certain degree of hard work and commitment. Interestingly, more and more people are beginning to embrace the electrical profession in New York. And why not?
Since New York is without state-wide regulations regarding electrician licensing, each city has the right to license qualified electricians within their jurisdiction.
This article covers steps to become a licensed Electrician in New York. So let get started!
Table of Contents
How to Get Licensed Electrician in New York? Step by Step Guide
If you ever decide to become a licensed electrician in New York, you’ll have to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Obtain experience and technical training you need to become licensed
- Step 2: Sit for licensing examination and apply for licensure
- Step 3:Apply for the Master Electrician license
Step 1 – Obtain experience and technical training you need to become licensed
Because New York City is a jurisdiction that does not have a multi-stage licensing process that would involve you moving from journeyman to master electrician, you would have to write an exam for either a special electrician license or master electrician license after the initial period of training.
Before you can take the examination, however, you would be required by the New York City Department of Buildings to have acquired one of the following:
- Finished from a vocational, industrial, trade school, or apprenticeship program in electrical technology registered with the New York State Department of Labor as well as acquired at least five and a half years of experience performing electrical work; or
- Finished college-level courses in an electrical or mechanical engineering degree program acquired a Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering and applied half the number of years spent in school to gain the needed experience; or
- Attended a registered vocational, industrial, or trade school in the New York and apply for half the number of years in school toward the standard 7.5 years experience requirement; or
- Acquired 7.5 years of experience in the ten years before applying for a license and must have a minimum 10,500 hours spent performing electrical work as a union or non-union journeyman while being supervised by a licensed electrician; or
- Own a Master of Science as well as acquire 3,500 hours of experience performing electrical work while being supervised by a licensed electrician; or
- Own a Bachelor of Sciences well as acquire 4,900 hours of experience performing electrical work while being supervised by a licensed electrician
Technical School Programs
You can decide to enroll in an electrical program through one of New York’s many trade schools to earn yourself a certificate, diploma, or Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology. One of the benefits you would enjoy by going through a technical school would be a significant reduction in the experience requirements for licensure.
The trade school program will cover classroom and lab-based training. There could be an internship that will require you to work in the field so that you can gain real-world experience working for an electrical contracting company while being supervised by a licensed electrician.
Once you’re done with your program, you would then be employed fully as an entry-level technician or an apprentice or entry-level technician. Then, you will begin to work towards meeting the licensing requirements.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are also apprenticeship opportunities in New York that can be gotten through the New York State Department of Labor’s database of programs.
These apprenticeships could either be unionized or non-union ones. The unionized ones are sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) which is under the Electrical Training Alliance.
Step 2 – Sit for licensing examination and apply for licensure
In the state of New York, two types of electrician licenses are issued out through the New York City Department of Buildings:
- Special Electricians: Their license restricts them from performing electrical work on specific buildings.
- Master Electricians: Their license permits them to perform electrical work on any building in New York City without any form of restrictions.
Before you can be qualified to apply for a Special Electrician license, you must:
- Be up to twenty-one years of age.
- Present the Background Investigation Questionnaire and the Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire if applicable
- Possess a minimum of 10,500 hours of experience in the installation, alteration, and repair of electrical appliances acquired while under the supervision of a master electrician or special electrician.
- Present the Experience Verification Form to show proof of your qualification through experience
That is not all. You would also be required to sit for and pass a written and practical exam.
The written exam will cover questions bordering on:
- The NYC Electrical Code
- The National Electrical Code
- Applicable Rules and Regulations
You can only move on to take the practical exam after you must have passed the written one with at least a 70%.
Step 3 – Send in an application for the Master Electrician license
You could move a step further by applying for a master electrician license.
Some of the requirements for the application are:
- Be up to twenty-one years of age.
- Present the Background Investigation Questionnaire and the Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire if applicable.
- Possess a minimum of 10,500 hours of experience in the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances.
- Submit the Experience Verification Form to show proof of your qualification through experience
You would also need to pass a written and practical exam before earning the master’s electrician license.
Electrician License Renewal in New York
- Special Electrician License: This license is to be renewed once yearly.
- Master Electrician License: This license has to be renewed yearly.
Electrician License Reciprocity in New York
New York does not have electrical reciprocity agreements with other states since it does not issue electrical licenses.
References
- Housecall Pro New York Electrician License: Everything You Need To Know
- ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to Become an Electrician in New York
