Otis Singleton
New York City has strict requirements for obtaining an electrician's license. The NYC Department of Buildings issues two types of electrical contracting licenses: Master Electrician and Special Electrician. To obtain either, you must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, and have 7.5 years of practical field experience, with 10,500 hours spent on wiring and appliance installation, repair, or alteration. Applicants must pass a written exam and a practical exam. Changes to Electrical Licenses must be submitted by mail, drop-off, or appointment to the NYC Department of Buildings, and may require Electrical Board approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Submission Method | Mail (priority mail, FedEx, UPS or another trusted delivery service), drop-off, or by appointment |
| Submission Address | NYC Department of Buildings, Licensing & Exams Unit, 280 Broadway, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10007 |
| Drop-off Time | 9:00 am to 1:30 pm |
| Appointment Scheduling | Email [email protected] |
| Required Documentation | Completed LIC38 application (and LIC34 if applicable), original telephone bill with business name, telephone number and address, notarized letter requesting the change, proof of all inspections and filing fees being paid in full, notarized letter from the owner of the old firm stating the disposition, and a notarized letter from the president of the previous firm stating no liens, lawsuits or bankruptcy proceedings against the firm |
| Additional Requirements for Multiple Licensees | Letter designating one Master Electrician as the responsible representative of the firm |
| Special Electrician License Transition to Master Electrician License | Apply as a new candidate |
| Business Address Change | Submit LIC33 application to the Department before moving to a new location |
| Partner/Officer Change | Submit updated minutes reflecting the election of new officers |
| Seal Replacement | Submit documentation by mail or drop-off, and if lost or stolen, include a police report; if damaged or defective, return the original seal |
| Minimum Age | 21 years old |
| Education Requirements | High school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, and a passing grade in algebra |
| Experience Requirements | 7.5 years of experience within 10 years prior to application, with a minimum of 10,500 hours of satisfactory experience in installation, repair, and alteration of wiring and appliances |
| Examination Requirements | Written exam (fee: $525, passing grade: 70%) and practical exam (fee: $350) |
| Background Investigation | Submission of specified documents, including a questionnaire about criminal convictions |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements for a Master Electrician License
To obtain a Master Electrician License in New York, applicants must meet a set of stringent requirements. Firstly, applicants must be at least 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and have a passing grade in algebra. In addition, applicants should have good eyesight, good hand-eye coordination, strong customer service skills, and the ability to work independently and manage their time effectively.
In terms of specific qualifications, applicants must have at least 7.5 years of practical field experience in electrical work, and this experience must fall within 10 years of the date of their application. Out of these 7.5 years, 10,500 hours must have been dedicated to installing, repairing, or altering wiring or electrical appliances in buildings. For applicants with experience outside of New York City, a portion of their experience must be obtained under the direct supervision of a qualified individual or entity, as outlined by the Buildings Commissioner.
To initiate the licensing process, applicants must submit the completed LIC41 exam application form, indicating their intention to pursue the Master Electrician license. This written exam costs $525 and consists of multiple-choice questions assessing knowledge of the NYC Electrical Code, rules, and regulations. Achieving a passing score of 70% or higher is necessary to move forward in the process.
Upon successfully passing the written exam, applicants must apply for the practical exam, LIC42, which comes at a cost of $350. This exam covers practical aspects of the field, such as conduits, starters, and lighting. Passing the practical exam is the final step before receiving a letter confirming the successful completion of the Master Electrician License requirements.
It is important to note that applicants must also undergo a background investigation as part of the licensing process. This involves submitting specified documents, including a questionnaire about criminal convictions, through the DOB NOW Portal. Overall, the process of obtaining a Master Electrician License in New York is comprehensive and designed to ensure that licensees possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and character to perform electrical work within the city.
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Application requirements for a Special Electrician License
The requirements to obtain a Special Electrician License in New York City are strict and complex. The NYC Department of Buildings is responsible for issuing Master and Special Electrician licenses, and administering the qualifying examinations.
Firstly, all applicants must be at least 21 years old, be able to read and write in English, and be of good moral character. This includes passing a background investigation, which requires the submission of specified documents, including a questionnaire about criminal convictions.
Secondly, applicants must have at least 7.5 years of practical field experience in electrical work, and this experience must have been gained within 10 years of the date of application. Of those 7.5 years, 10,500 hours must have been spent installing, repairing, or altering wiring or appliances that generate electric power, heat, or light in buildings.
Thirdly, applicants must pass a written and practical exam. The written exam costs $525 and is a closed-book, multiple-choice test of the applicant's knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), the New York City Electrical Code, and other applicable rules and regulations. A passing grade is 70%. The practical exam costs $350 and covers field parameters such as conduits, starters, and lighting.
Finally, applicants must submit all required business documents within one year of Board approval. This includes a completed LIC41 exam application, indicating the Special Electrician candidate option, and the $525 fee. After passing the written exam, applicants must apply for the practical exam (LIC42) and submit the $350 fee.
It is important to note that New York City does not issue licenses to journeymen, and the Special Electrician License is specific to the city's five boroughs.
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Required documentation for license changes
To change the holder of an electrical license in New York, you must submit the required documentation to the NYC Department of Buildings, Licensing & Exams Unit. This can be done by mail, drop-off, or by appointment.
The specific documentation required will depend on the nature of the change. For instance, to change the partner or officer information associated with a Master Electrician license, you must submit updated minutes reflecting the election of new officers. If there is more than one licensee, a letter designating one Master Electrician as the responsible representative of the firm must be submitted.
To change from a Special Electrician to a Master Electrician license, you must apply as a new candidate. This involves demonstrating that you meet the qualifications for a Master Electrician license, including having at least 7.5 years of experience and passing the required examinations.
In general, when making changes to your business, you must submit a completed LIC38 application (and LIC34 if applicable), an original telephone bill with the business name, telephone number, and address (or a utility bill if it's a non-traditional landline service), and a notarized letter requesting the change. If you are changing your business address, you must first submit a LIC33 application.
Additionally, you may need to provide proof of all inspections and filing fees being paid in full, as well as notarized letters from the previous firm stating the disposition of the firm and confirming that there are no liens, lawsuits, or bankruptcy proceedings against the firm.
It's important to note that some changes may require an appointment and Electrical Board approval. Therefore, it's recommended to check with the NYC Department of Buildings or refer to their website for specific requirements and procedures.
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$13.99
Examination process
To obtain a New York electrical license, candidates must pass a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice test that assesses the applicant's knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), the New York City Electrical Code, and other applicable rules and regulations. The fee for the written exam is $525, and a passing grade is 70%.
After passing the written exam, candidates must apply to take the practical exam, LIC42, by completing the exam application and submitting the $350 application fee. The practical exam covers field parameters such as conduits, starters, and lighting. Once the application is accepted, candidates will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam. Exams are given at several locations across the state.
To qualify for the examinations, candidates must be at least 21 years old, read and write English, and be of good moral character. They must also have at least 7.5 years of practical field experience in electrical work within the 10 years prior to their application, with a minimum of 10,500 hours spent installing, repairing, or altering wiring or appliances that generate electric power, heat, or light in buildings. This experience must be obtained under the direct supervision of a Department-licensed Master Electrician or Special Electrician.
In addition to the examinations, applicants must pass a background investigation, which includes the submission of specified documents and a questionnaire inquiring about criminal convictions. The background investigation is required to obtain either a Master or Special Electrical license in New York City.
It is important to note that New York City has strict electrician licensing requirements, and the process of obtaining a license can be complex. The NYC Department of Buildings is responsible for issuing Master Electricician and Special Electrician licenses, as well as administering the qualifying examinations. Candidates should refer to the Department of Buildings website for specific requirements and guidelines.
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License renewal
To renew a Master or Special Electrician license in New York, the process must be completed online. Master and Special Electricians must submit the following documents in PDF format via the DOB NOW Portal in the BIS Options section:
- Original, typewritten LIC38: Electrical License Application
- Recent utility bill (electric, gas, water), bank statement, lease or deed with the licensee’s name and address, if the home address has changed
- Completed, typewritten LIC34: Licensing Supplemental Affidavit (if applicable)
- LIC51 application (renewal applicants may fill out the LIC51 Voluntary Authorization for Service of Process by email if they would like to receive Notices of Violation (NOV) by email)
- Physical Exam Form (completed within 90 days prior to the application date)
- Experience Verification Forms from all supervisors for the years being claimed as experience
- Social Security History of Earnings for the years being claimed as experience
As of January 1, 2016, all Master & Special Electrician license renewals require the completion of a Department-approved Course of at least eight hours, with the original certificate from an approved school submitted. A Firm Account Receipt with a zero balance must also be provided.
The cost of the license is $60, with an additional $30 for the seal, and $400 paid at the time of renewal via an online portal. A notarized affidavit on the electrician’s letterhead, bearing their department-issued seal, must be submitted, indicating why the $400 fee should not be paid.
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Frequently asked questions
New York City issues two types of electrical contracting licenses: Master Electrician License and Special Electrician License.
To obtain a Master Electrician License in New York, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have at least 7.5 years of experience in electrical work within the last 10 years
- Have a minimum of 10,500 hours of experience in installing, repairing, or altering wiring and appliances
- Pass a written exam and a practical exam
- Pass a background check
To change the partner or officer information on your Master Electrician license, you must submit updated minutes reflecting the election of new officers. You can submit these changes by mail, drop-off, or by scheduling an appointment with the NYC Department of Buildings.
If your electrical license seal is lost or stolen, you must submit a police report and apply for a replacement seal by mail or in person at the NYC Department of Buildings.
