Blog

In 1925, just a century ago, only about half of homes in the U.S. had electricity. Today, electricity has become an essential part of modern life, so it’s no surprise that electricians are in high demand. If you’re interested in installing, erecting, repairing, or altering electrical equipment for homes and businesses, you could enjoy a stable and rewarding career as an electrical contractor.

First, however, you’ll have to meet certain criteria, and most states have licensing requirements to ensure safety and quality of service for consumers. If you want to obtain an electrical contractor license from the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, several conditions must be met. What do you need to do to become an electrician in New Jersey?

Requirements for Licensure

Before you can become a licensed electrical contractor, you must be 21 years of age or older and hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. You’ll also have to complete five years of practical experience in the electrical field before you apply for licensure, and there are a few ways you can obtain it.

Perhaps the easiest way to get needed experience is through a four-year electrical apprenticeship program approved by the state board, followed by a year of hands-on work experience. Or you could pair a year of work experience with requirements to become a journeyman electrician. These requirements include 8,000 hours of experience (at least 4,000 within the last five years) and 576 hours of classroom training.

A background in engineering could also qualify if you pair a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with two years of hands-on experience. Finally, you could simply spend the five years preceding your application working in electrical contracting.

Once you have the needed experience, you’ll have to pass state exams to complete the application process and obtain your license. What exams do you need to take?

State Exams

In New Jersey, those in skilled commercial trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVACR are required to take both a trade exam and the Business & Law Exam. The Electrical Contractor Exam covers topics specific to electricians, including:

• General electrical knowledge
• Raceways and enclosures
• Services, feeders, and branch circuits
• Overcurrent protection
• Conductors and cables
• Grounding and bonding
• Equipment for general use
• Special occupancies
• Special equipment and conditions
• Motors and controls
• Low voltage and communications circuits
• Safety

This open-book test consists of 100 questions, and you must answer at least 70% correctly to pass. You’ll have 260 minutes to complete the exam.

The Business & Law Exam is meant to determine your knowledge of business laws and practices, and it includes topics like:

• Business organization
• Licensing
• Estimating and bidding
• Contract management
• Project management
• Risk management
• Safety
• Labor law
• Financial management
• Tax law
• Lien law

This open-book test has 50 questions, and you must answer a minimum of 70% correctly to pass. You’ll be given 130 minutes to complete the exam.

Choosing the Right Course to Prepare for Exams

The right exam prep program for working professionals will offer the flexibility of self-paced, online learning. If you’re ready to obtain your electrical contractor license in New Jersey, contact RocketCert today to learn more.