New Jersey Electrical License Requirements
New Jersey primarily licenses electrical contractors, not individual journeymen. Qualified journeymen register with the state but work under a licensed contractor.
Registered Apprentice
Enrolled in approved program
Must be registered with DOL or state-approved program; no individual license issued
Qualified Journeyman
8,000 hours + 576 classroom hours
Registration required to be recognized as journeyman; must work for licensed contractor
Electrical Contractor
5 years experience + exams
Must pass business/law exam and trade exam; this is the primary license type
Burglar Alarm Business
Separate license
Special license required for alarm system installation businesses
New Jersey is Strictly Regulated
New Jersey has some of the strictest electrical licensing laws in the country. You cannot perform electrical work for the public without a contractor license or employment by a licensed contractor. Unlicensed work is taken seriously and can result in significant fines. Always verify that you're working for a properly licensed electrical contractor.
Apprenticeship Programs in New Jersey
New Jersey offers quality apprenticeship programs through IBEW JATCs across the state, plus ABC and community college options.
NJATC Local 102
Parsippany, NJ
Comprehensive 5-year apprenticeship program serving North-Central New Jersey
Bergen-Essex-Hudson JATC (Local 164)
Paramus, NJ
Training center serving the densely populated northeastern NJ corridor
South Jersey Electrical JATC (Local 351)
Folsom, NJ
Apprenticeship training for southern New Jersey region
ABC New Jersey Chapter
Edison, NJ
Merit shop apprenticeship and journeyman upgrade training
County College of Morris
Randolph, NJ
Electrical technology program partnering with apprenticeship providers
Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ
Pre-apprenticeship and electrical fundamentals coursework
IBEW Locals in New Jersey
New Jersey has six IBEW locals providing union representation and apprenticeship training across the state.
IBEW Local 102
Parsippany
North-Central New Jersey including Morris, Sussex, Warren counties
IBEW Local 164
Paramus/Jersey City
Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties
IBEW Local 269
Trenton
Central New Jersey including Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset counties
IBEW Local 351
Folsom
South Jersey including Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland counties
IBEW Local 400
Wall (Asbury Park)
Monmouth and Ocean counties along the Jersey Shore
IBEW Local 456
New Brunswick
Middlesex and Union counties
Required OJT Hours in New Jersey
To be recognized as a qualified journeyman in New Jersey, you must complete a comprehensive apprenticeship with both practical and classroom components:
8,000 OJT Hours
Practical experience required to qualify as a journeyman electrician
576 Classroom Hours
Related technical instruction covering NEC, theory, and safety
Work Under Licensed Contractor
Must be employed by and work under a NJ licensed electrical contractor
5 Years for Contractor License
Additional experience and exams required to become a licensed contractor
How to Track Hours in New Jersey with SparkShift
Whether you're working high-rise construction in Jersey City or residential in South Jersey, SparkShift helps you document every hour of your apprenticeship.
GPS-Verified Hours
Clock in from any NJ jobsite with automatic location verification
Program-Ready Reports
Generate PDF reports accepted by NJ training programs and JATCs
Track All Categories
Log hours across all 12 IBEW work categories for comprehensive documentation
New Jersey Electrical Board Contact Info
Official contact information for New Jersey's electrical licensing authority.
New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
The Board of Examiners handles electrical contractor licensing, examinations, and enforcement. Contact them for questions about license applications, renewals, and continuing education requirements.
FAQ for New Jersey Electricians
Common questions about electrical licensing and apprenticeships in New Jersey.
What are the requirements to become a journeyman electrician in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires 8,000 hours of practical experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction to be recognized as a qualified journeyman electrician. However, NJ doesn't issue a 'journeyman license' - instead, you register as a qualified journeyman to work for a licensed electrical contractor. The state primarily licenses contractors, not individual journeymen.
How do I become a licensed electrical contractor in New Jersey?
To become a licensed electrical contractor in New Jersey, you need at least 5 years of electrical experience, must pass both a business/law exam and a trade exam, and meet insurance requirements. The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors administers the licensing process. Contractors must renew every three years with 34 hours of continuing education.
Which IBEW locals serve New Jersey?
New Jersey is served by six IBEW locals: Local 102 (Parsippany/North-Central NJ), Local 164 (Paramus/Bergen-Hudson), Local 269 (Trenton/Central NJ), Local 351 (Folsom/South Jersey), Local 400 (Wall/Shore region), and Local 456 (New Brunswick/Middlesex-Union). Each local operates its own JATC apprenticeship program.
Is New Jersey a heavily regulated state for electricians?
Yes, New Jersey is one of the more regulated states for electrical work. You cannot perform electrical work for the public without an electrical contractor license. As a journeyman, you must work under a licensed contractor. The state takes enforcement seriously, and unlicensed work can result in significant penalties.
What continuing education is required in New Jersey?
Licensed electrical contractors in New Jersey must complete 34 hours of continuing education every three years for license renewal. This typically includes updates on the National Electrical Code, safety training, and business practices. Individual journeymen don't have separate CE requirements but should stay current through their employers or unions.
How do I track my apprentice hours in New Jersey?
SparkShift is the easiest way to track your NJ apprenticeship hours. The app provides GPS-verified time logging, tracks all 12 IBEW work categories, allows digital supervisor sign-offs, and generates PDF reports that meet training program requirements. Whether you're working commercial in Newark or residential on the Shore, SparkShift keeps your hours organized.
