Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

General Questions

1. How do I file a complaint against an electrical contractor?

   A complaint form may be obtained from this web site. From any page, click on the red "File a Complaint" box on the top navigation bar, then follow the directions. When submitting a complaint, please include as much supporting documentation as you are able to provide, including, if applicable, items such as related correspondence, contracts, canceled checks, permits, inspections, etc. Should you have additional questions regarding the complaint form or process, you may contact the Board office at (973) 504-6410.

2. How can I find out if a person is licensed as an electrical contractor?

   On the website click on Licensee Information then select Licensee Search or contact the Board's office at (973) 504-6410.

Licensing Questions

1. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.
   

2. What is the licensing process for electrical contractors?

   Applications for examination must be submitted to the Board for review. An applicant for examination must show proof that he/she has completed the 4 year approved apprentice program through the US Department of Labor followed by 1 additional Journeyman year.
   

   Once the application has been Board-approved, the applicant will receive information regarding exam registration, content and reference materials. The applicant must pass a three-part examination. Upon successfully passing the three-part examination (electrical contractor [trade], alarm systems and business and law), the applicant will receive a packet of licensing information.

   Applications for Examination, examination dates, and pertinent information may be obtained from this web site. From the home page simply click on the Applications link. Complete details regarding qualifications of applicants may also be viewed from this web site. From the home page click on Laws and Regulations, then select Electrician Regulations. Refer to N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.1. Should you have any additional questions about the licensing process you may contact the Board's office at (973) 504-6410.

3. When do licensed electrical contractors renew their licenses/business permits?

   All electrical contractor licenses and business permits have a triennial expiration date of March 31 and should be renewed by that date in the applicable renewal year (2015, 2018, 2021, etc.).

   Should you fail to renew your license/permit by the expiration date, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.3, you may still renew your license within 30 days following the date of license expiration, however, a licensee who fails to submit a renewal application within 30 days following the date of expiration shall have his or her license suspended without a hearing. Be aware also that, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:31-1.6, a late renewal fee of $50.00 will be charged if you submit your renewal application within 30 days following the date of expiration.

4. Can a licensee renew his/her license as inactive?

   A licensee may renew his/her license by choosing inactive status. Information on inactive status may be obtained from this web site. From the home page, click on Laws and Regulations, and then select Electrician Regulations. Refer to N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.4.

5. Does New Jersey have reciprocity agreements with other states?

   No. New Jersey does not have reciprocity with any other state.

6. Can an individual be the responsible managing employee for more than one electrical contracting entity?

   No. A licensed New Jersey electrical contractor may only be the license qualifier for one electrical contracting entity.

7. Do joint ventures need to be licensed?

   Where two or more persons form a joint venture for the purpose of contracting to perform electrical work in New Jersey, each party to the joint venture must hold a business permit issued by the Board to engage in electrical contracting in New Jersey. Information on joint ventures may be obtained from this web site. From the home page, click on Laws and Regulations, then select Electrician Regulations. Refer to N.J.A.C. 13:31-3.5.

8. Who should have possession of the pressure seal?

   The pressure seal shall be used exclusively by the licensed electrical contractor in the conduct of his/her practice.

9. When must I return my pressure seal to the Board office?

   N.J.A.C. 13:31-3.3(c) states, "A licensee whose license is suspended or revoked as a result of either a disciplinary order or a failure to pay licensing fees, or who has registered with the Board as inactive…or who has been terminated or has resigned from his or her position as a qualifying licensee for a business, shall immediately return to the Board the previously issued official pressure seal."

10. Does New Jersey offer a "low voltage" electrical license, or any other category of "limited" electrical license, as an alternative to meeting the qualifications needed to obtain an electrical contractor's license?

    No. The electrical contractor license is the only category of electrical license available in New Jersey.

    Anyone interested in performing any type of electrical work in New Jersey should fully familiarize themselves with N.J.S.A. 45:5A-18 "Exempt work or construction". There you will find details regarding "Electrical work or construction which…shall not be included within the business of electrical contracting so as to require the securing of a business permit…". Generally speaking, unless the electrical work you are interested in performing is covered within this section, an electrical contractor's license is required. Of particular note is N.J.S.A. 45:5A-18(j) "Any work with a potential of less than 10 volts". Again, generally speaking, electrical work with a potential of 10 or more volts is not exempt from licensing requirements.

    You may read applicable Statutes on this web site. From the home page, click on Laws and Regulations, then select Electrician Laws. Should you have any additional questions about licensing requirements you may contact the Board's office at (973) 504-6410.

11. What is a limited telecommunications wiring exemption and how do I obtain an application?

    In essence, any work other than wiring for voice and/or data transmission is not within the permissible scope of work for the holder of a limited telecommunications wiring exemption. A limited telecommunications wiring exemption should never be construed as authorization to perform what is often erroneously referred to as "low voltage" electrical work.

    Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:31-4.1(b) , "telecommunications wiring" means wiring within a premises, either inside or outside a building for voice and/or data transmission at voltage(s) compatible with the system being installed and connected to an F.C.C.-recognized communication network at the point of connection provided by the public utility providing communication services to the customer. It shall also include the interconnection of data wiring between computers and/or terminals.

    An application may be obtained from this website. Click on Applications or contact the Board office at (973) 504-6410.

12. When do I need to register with the Board as a qualified journeyman electrician?

    A person shall register as a qualified journeyman electrician in order to engage in the activities set forth in N.J.S.A. 45:5A-18(k) and (l), and, if the person is not a licensee, in order to supervise the performance of electrical work pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:31-3.4. An application may be obtained from this web site. From the home page, click on Applications or contact the Board office at (973) 504-6410.

13. As a consumer, how may I find out if a person is licensed as an electrical contractor?

    From the home page of this web site click on Licensee information, then select Licensee Search. Alternatively, you may contact the Board's office at (973) 504-6410.

Continuing Education Questions

1. Are electrical contractors required to meet continuing education requirements?

   Yes. Prior to renewing his/her license in each triennial cycle, a licensee must complete a total of 34 hours of continuing education which includes nine hours of Code and one hour of New Jersey laws, rules and regulations. Licensees shall not be required to complete the continuing education requirements for the triennial registration period in which they initially received licensure.

2. I will be renewing my license for the first time. Am I required to have earned continuing education credits?

   No. Continuing education credits are not required of licensees for the triennial registration period in which their license was initially issued. Be aware, however, that on your renewal application you should respond "Yes" to the question asking if you have completed the required continuing education credits during the past three years.