Overview
New York follows the Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship model for electrical training. Unlike many states that issue a single statewide journeyman electrician license, New York does not have a statewide journeyman licensing program. Instead, electrical licensing is handled at the municipal level — New York City, Westchester County, Nassau County, and other jurisdictions each set their own licensing requirements, exams, and fees. The NYS DOL apprenticeship standard calls for 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of related classroom instruction.
This municipal licensing structure means that the specific license you need depends on where you plan to work. New York City, for example, has its own licensing board and requires 10,500 hours for a Master Electrician license — significantly more than the DOL apprenticeship standard. Other municipalities may have different hour requirements, exam formats, and application procedures. However, the 8,000-hour DOL apprenticeship standard is widely recognized across the state and serves as the baseline for most local licensing programs.
Despite the complexity of the municipal system, WireHours tracks your hours against the NYS DOL registered apprenticeship standard. This gives you a solid foundation regardless of which municipality you ultimately seek licensure in. If your municipality requires additional hours beyond 8,000, WireHours will continue tracking seamlessly past the DOL standard.
Hour Categories & Requirements
New York requires 8,000 hours across 1 category. Plus 576 hours of classroom instruction.
General Electrical Work
All types of electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work performed under the supervision of a licensed electrician. New York's DOL apprenticeship standard uses a single comprehensive category. There are no subcategory breakdowns, caps, or minimum requirements within the category — all qualifying electrical work counts equally toward the 8,000-hour total.
Application Process
- 1
Enroll in a New York State DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship program. Contact your local IBEW chapter, a JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee), or an approved employer-sponsored program.
- 2
Complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Log your hours consistently throughout the apprenticeship.
- 3
Complete 576 hours of related classroom instruction through your apprenticeship program. Classroom topics typically include the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, blueprint reading, safety, and New York-specific electrical regulations.
- 4
Obtain your Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the NYS DOL upon finishing the required OJT and classroom hours.
- 5
Determine which municipality or jurisdiction you plan to work in and apply for that locality's electrician license. Each municipality has its own application, exam, and fee structure.
- 6
For New York City: apply to the NYC Department of Buildings for a journeyman or special electrician license. NYC requires a separate exam and has additional requirements beyond the DOL apprenticeship.
- 7
For other municipalities: contact the local building department or licensing board for specific application procedures and exam scheduling.
Important Rules & Gotchas
No statewide journeyman license: New York does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician license. You must obtain a license from the specific municipality where you plan to work. Moving between jurisdictions may require obtaining additional licenses.
NYC has higher requirements: New York City requires 10,500 hours for a Master Electrician license, significantly more than the 8,000-hour DOL apprenticeship standard. If you plan to work in NYC, plan for the longer timeline.
Municipal requirements vary widely: Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, and other counties each have their own licensing requirements. Research your specific jurisdiction early in your apprenticeship.
Paper submissions for DOL documentation: The NYS DOL apprenticeship completion process involves paper documentation. Allow time for processing and keep copies of all submitted materials.
Reciprocity is limited: A license from one New York municipality does not automatically transfer to another. Moving from upstate to NYC, for instance, typically requires meeting NYC's specific requirements.
Union vs. non-union paths: IBEW apprenticeship programs and non-union programs both satisfy DOL requirements, but some municipalities may have preferences or additional requirements for one path over the other.
Classroom & Education Requirements
The NYS DOL registered apprenticeship standard requires 576 hours of related technical instruction. This is typically spread across the 4-5 year apprenticeship period, with classes held one or two evenings per week or in periodic block sessions.
Classroom instruction must cover the National Electrical Code (current edition), electrical theory and calculations, AC/DC circuits, blueprint and schematic reading, electrical safety (including OSHA 10 or equivalent), and New York State electrical regulations.
Most apprentices fulfill their classroom hours through their JATC or apprenticeship program. If you are in an employer-sponsored program, verify that your classroom provider is approved by the NYS DOL.
Keep all attendance records, transcripts, and certificates of completion. You will need proof of classroom hours both for your DOL apprenticeship completion and for any municipal license application.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
License renewal requirements are set by your municipality, not the state. Most New York municipalities require triennial (every 3 years) license renewal.
Continuing education requirements vary by municipality. The NYS DOL apprenticeship standard recommends 36 CE hours per renewal cycle, but your specific municipality may require more or fewer hours.
New York City requires continuing education for license renewal. Check with the NYC Department of Buildings for current CE hour requirements and approved course providers.
Renewal fees are set by each municipality. Budget approximately $150 for a typical municipal license renewal, though fees can vary significantly.
Keep your license current in every jurisdiction where you work. Working with an expired license can result in fines and loss of license privileges.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Start with the 8,000-hour DOL standard. Even if your target municipality requires more hours, the DOL apprenticeship is the foundation that most local licensing programs build upon.
Research your target municipality early. If you plan to work in NYC, know that you need 10,500 hours for a Master license and plan your career timeline accordingly.
Log detailed work descriptions. Even though New York uses a single category, detailed logs help when applying for municipal licenses that may categorize work differently.
Track supervisor information carefully. Record the name, license number, and license jurisdiction of every electrician you work under. Municipal applications often require this information.
Keep records of every employer and jobsite. Municipal licensing boards may verify your work history, and having organized records speeds up the application process.
Use WireHours to maintain a complete, real-time record of your hours. When you apply for a municipal license, you will have a clean, verifiable hour log ready to submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York have a statewide journeyman electrician license?
No. New York does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician license. Licensing is handled at the municipal level. Each city, county, or jurisdiction sets its own requirements, exams, and fees. The NYS DOL apprenticeship standard (8,000 hours + 576 classroom hours) serves as the baseline that most local programs build upon.
How many hours do I need for a New York City electrician license?
The NYC Department of Buildings requires 10,500 hours of experience for a Master Electrician license, which is significantly more than the 8,000-hour DOL apprenticeship standard. NYC also has its own exam, application process, and insurance requirements.
Can I transfer my electrician license between New York municipalities?
Generally no. A license from one New York municipality does not automatically transfer to another. You will typically need to apply for a new license in each jurisdiction where you want to work, though some municipalities may give credit for experience documented in other jurisdictions.
How many classroom hours does New York require?
The NYS DOL registered apprenticeship standard requires 576 hours of related technical instruction covering the NEC, electrical theory, blueprint reading, safety, and state regulations. Individual municipalities may have additional education requirements.
Built for New York's Requirements
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