Overview
Massachusetts has one of the most rigorous electrical apprentice licensing programs in the United States, administered by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians under the Department of Public Safety. To obtain a Journeyman Electrician (Class A) license, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) plus 600 hours of approved classroom instruction. The 600-hour classroom requirement is among the highest in the nation, reflecting Massachusetts' emphasis on formal education alongside hands-on experience.
Massachusetts divides its hour tracking into two categories: General Electrical Work and Systems Work. The General category has no individual cap and covers the full range of electrical installation, maintenance, and repair. The Systems category is capped at 2,000 hours (25% of the total), covering low-voltage and specialized systems such as fire alarm, security, telecommunications, and building automation. This two-category structure ensures that apprentices gain substantial experience with full-voltage electrical work rather than being limited to low-voltage systems.
One of the most critical rules unique to Massachusetts is the six-year expiration of training hours. If you do not complete your 8,000 OJT hours and 600 classroom hours within six years of starting, your earliest hours begin to expire on a rolling basis. This means an apprentice who takes a break from the trade for a few years may lose previously earned hours. The six-year window creates urgency for apprentices to maintain steady progress and avoid extended gaps in their training. Additionally, Massachusetts requires notarization of certain experience verification documents, adding another layer of documentation that apprentices must plan for.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Massachusetts requires 8,000 hours across 2 categories. Plus 600 hours of classroom instruction.
General Electrical Work
All standard electrical installation, maintenance, and repair performed on systems operating at 50 volts and above. Includes branch circuit wiring, panel installations, service entrance work, motor connections, conduit systems, and power distribution. This category has no explicit cap — all 8,000 hours may come from general electrical work. However, a practical minimum of 6,000 hours applies since systems work is capped at 2,000.
Systems Work
Installation and maintenance of low-voltage and specialty systems operating below 50 volts. Includes fire alarm systems, security and access control, telecommunications and data cabling, nurse call systems, and building automation/controls. Capped at 2,000 hours (25% of total). Hours beyond 2,000 in this category do not count toward the 8,000-hour total.
Application Process
- 1
Enroll in a Massachusetts-approved electrical apprenticeship program. You must register as an apprentice with the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) before your hours begin counting.
- 2
Complete your on-the-job training hours under the supervision of a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman or Master Electrician. Your supervisor must hold a current, active license.
- 3
Complete 600 hours of approved classroom instruction. This is typically provided through your apprenticeship program (JATC), a vocational-technical school, or an approved private provider. The curriculum must cover the NEC, electrical theory, mathematics, blueprint reading, and safety.
- 4
Maintain detailed records of both OJT hours and classroom hours throughout your apprenticeship. Track the category (General vs. Systems) for each OJT entry.
- 5
When you have completed the requirements, obtain the Experience Verification form from the Board of State Examiners of Electricians.
- 6
Have your supervising electrician(s) complete and sign the experience verification. Massachusetts requires that certain verification documents be notarized — check the current form requirements and have a notary public witness the signatures.
- 7
Submit the completed, notarized verification along with your classroom instruction completion certificates to the Board.
- 8
Once the Board verifies your hours and education, you will receive authorization to take the Journeyman Electrician (Class A) examination.
- 9
Pass the exam and pay the license fee. Your Journeyman license is valid for three years.
Important Rules & Gotchas
Six-year expiration: This is the most commonly overlooked rule in Massachusetts. OJT hours expire six years after they were earned, on a rolling basis. If you started logging hours in 2020 and have not completed by 2026, your 2020 hours drop off. There is no extension or waiver for this rule.
Systems category cap at 2,000 hours: Only 25% of your total may come from systems work. Apprentices at fire alarm or low-voltage shops frequently hit this cap and must find full-voltage electrical work to complete their remaining hours.
Notarization requirement: Massachusetts requires notarized signatures on experience verification documents. This is an extra step that costs money (notary fees) and requires advance planning. Do not wait until the last minute to get documents notarized.
Classroom hours are substantial: 600 hours is roughly 15 weeks of full-time class or more realistically, one evening class per week for 4-5 years. Falling behind on classroom hours is a common reason apprentices cannot sit for the exam even after completing their OJT.
No reciprocity for most states: Massachusetts does not have broad license reciprocity agreements. Moving to Massachusetts from another state usually requires meeting the full Massachusetts requirements or passing the exam with documented equivalent experience.
Paper submissions only: Massachusetts does not accept electronic submissions for experience verification. All forms must be submitted on paper with original signatures and notarization.
Supervisor license must be active: Hours logged under an electrician whose license was expired or suspended at the time of supervision will not be counted.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Massachusetts requires 600 hours of approved classroom instruction — the highest among the four launch states covered here. This is a core component of the Massachusetts licensing structure, not an optional supplement.
Classroom instruction must cover the following subjects: National Electrical Code (current edition), electrical theory and principles, AC/DC circuits, electrical mathematics, blueprint reading and schematic interpretation, electrical safety (OSHA standards), Massachusetts electrical code amendments and state regulations, and motor controls and programmable logic.
Most apprentices fulfill the 600-hour requirement through their JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) program, which integrates classroom sessions alongside OJT. Typical schedules include two evenings per week of classroom instruction over 4-5 years.
If you are not in a JATC program, you must find an approved education provider. Vocational-technical schools, community colleges, and some private trade schools offer approved curricula. Verify approval with the Board of State Examiners before enrolling.
Keep all transcripts, certificates of completion, and attendance records. You will need to submit proof of completing the full 600 hours when applying for the exam.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician (Class A) licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed before the expiration date.
The renewal fee is approximately $78 (subject to change). Renewal can be processed by mail using the form provided by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians.
You must complete 21 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each three-year renewal cycle. CE courses must be from a provider approved by the Board.
CE topics must include updates to the National Electrical Code and Massachusetts amendments. Courses covering safety, specialized electrical systems, and renewable energy also qualify.
If your license expires without renewal, you must stop performing electrical work immediately. Reinstatement within one year of expiration typically requires completing outstanding CE hours and paying a late fee. Beyond one year, you may need to re-examine.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Mind the six-year clock from day one. Calculate your projected completion date and ensure you are on pace. If you are averaging fewer than 1,400 hours per year, your earliest hours may expire before you finish. WireHours shows your hour expiration timeline so you can plan accordingly.
Separate General and Systems hours immediately. Do not log generic "electrical work" and try to sort it later. If you installed fire alarm cabling, that is Systems. If you wired a panel, that is General. The distinction matters for your 2,000-hour systems cap.
Stay on top of classroom hours. It is easy to focus on OJT and let classroom attendance slide. With 600 hours required, you need to average about 120 classroom hours per year across a typical 5-year apprenticeship. Missing classes compounds quickly.
Get experience verification signed periodically. Do not wait until all 8,000 hours are complete to get your supervisor's signature. If you change employers or supervisors, get the verification for that period signed before you leave.
Budget for notarization. It is a small cost, but notarizing verification documents takes time and scheduling. Know where your nearest notary is and plan ahead.
Track your hours in WireHours to see real-time progress against both the 8,000-hour OJT target and the 2,000-hour systems cap. The app also displays expiration warnings when your oldest hours are approaching the six-year mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many total hours do I need for a Massachusetts electrician license?
You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 600 hours of approved classroom instruction. The classroom requirement is among the highest in the nation. Both must be completed before you can sit for the exam.
What is the systems category cap in Massachusetts?
Systems work (fire alarm, low-voltage, telecommunications, etc.) is capped at 2,000 hours, which is 25% of the total. You need at least 6,000 hours of general electrical work on systems 50 volts and above.
Do Massachusetts apprentice hours expire?
Yes. OJT hours expire six years after they were earned. This is a rolling expiration — your oldest hours drop off first. If your apprenticeship takes longer than six years, you will lose hours from the beginning of your training.
Is notarization required for Massachusetts electrician forms?
Yes. Massachusetts requires notarization of experience verification documents. You will need to have a notary public witness the signatures on your forms, which adds a step and small cost to the documentation process.
Built for Massachusetts's Requirements
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