New York Electrician License: How to Get Certified as an Electrician in NY

Do you need an electrician license in New York?

Yes, you need an electrician license to operate within the State of New York. However, contractor licensing happens at the county and city levels, so before you begin a project, you will need to determine the specific requirements for the region in which you want to work.

Licensed electricians typically install, repair, and maintain electrical systems for power, light, and heat, including communications in buildings and infrastructure on streets and highways. 

In this guide, we’ll highlight the licensing process to work as an electrician in New York City, Syracuse, and Rochester. To work as an electrician in other New York cities or counties, be sure to contact the local regional authority to determine their specific licensing process.

Types of electrician licenses in New York

The type of electrician license you need will vary slightly depending on where in New York you apply. Here are the license types for New York City, Syracuse, and Rochester.

New York City

In New York City, electrician licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings. There are two different license types:

Syracuse

In Syracuse, electrician licenses are issued by the Division of Code Enforcement. There are four different license types:

Rochester

In Rochester, electrician licenses are issued by the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development. There are two different license types:

New York electrician license requirements

To be eligible for an electrician license in any of the three cities discussed in this guide, you will need to meet certain requirements and have some level of relevant work experience.

New York City

For both the license types in New York City, you’ll need to:

• be 21 years or older
• pass a written and practical exam

be able to prove that you meet the following work experience requirements:

Syracuse

For any of the license types in Syracuse, you will need to document the following experience requirements to be eligible for licensure: 

*Note that 2,000 work hours is equal to one year of experience. 

Rochester

For both the license types in Rochester, you’ll need to be able to provide proof of the following experience requirements: 

New York electrician license exam

Exam requirements for getting your electrician license also vary depending on your location. Here is some information about the licensing exams for each of the three cities: 

New York City

Exams are conducted at multiple locations throughout the state.

Syracuse

For exam details, dates, and locations, you’ll need to contact the city of Syracuse at 315-448-8773 or watch the webpage for updates on the exam for electrical licenses.

Rochester

Both the Master (Journeyman) and the Single-Phase (Residential) exams are held online through the Pronto Exam Portal. Here are details about both of the exams:

How do I get an electrician license in New York?

If you meet the requirements for your respective region, it’s time to apply. 

Let’s take a look at the steps involved in getting your electrician license in the different cities.

New York City

Here’s the process from NYC’s Department of Buildings to get your Master Electrician or Special Electrician license:

1. Complete the written exam application and submit it with your exam fee to:
   
   NYC Department of Buildings
   Licensing and Exams Unit
   280 Broadway, 1st floor
   New York, NY 10007
2. Schedule your written exam once you’ve been approved
3. Once you’ve passed the written exam, you’ll need to complete a practical application and submit it with your exam fee to: 
   
   NYC Department of Buildings
   Licensing and Exams Unit
   280 Broadway, 6th floor
   New York, NY 10007
   
   (The mailing address is the same for both applications except for the floor number.) 
4. Schedule your practical exam once you’ve been approved
5. Fill out a supplemental investigation questionnaire
6. Pass a background investigation and submit the following documents on the online DOB NOW portal:
   – A physical examination form filled out 90 days prior to the application date
   – An experience verification form
   – A voluntary authorization for service of process by email application, if desired
   – A Social Security history of earnings for the years you are claiming as experience
   – A current photo ID
   – An original Social Security card
   – Proof of residence
   – Your latest pay stub or W-2 to qualify your experience, if needed
   – A child support certification form
7. Secure all necessary insurance policies
8. Pay the background fee and the license fee

You can also refer to the New License Application step-by-step guide for help navigating the online DOB NOW portal.

Once you have passed the exams and the background check, you can obtain your license card by scheduling an appointment within the DOB NOW portal. You have one year to complete the process, or you will need to retake the exams.

If you are applying for a license as a business, you must also:

1. Fill out the business address verification form
2. Fill out the proper forms for insurance, including general liability (a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence), workers’ compensation, and disability
3. Provide a telephone bill, utility bill, or lease agreement in the name of the business

Keep in mind that there are additional requirements for corporations and limited liability companies.

Syracuse

Here is the process to get any of the license types from the Syracuse Division of Code Enforcement:

1. Document each year’s work experience using any of the following forms of proof:
   1. W2 forms
   2. Underwriter’s permits
   3. 1040 forms if self-employed
   4. Letters from employers or unions stating the type of electrical work performed and the duration of the project
2. Pass the licensing exam
3. Secure all necessary insurance policies
4. Complete the application and have it notarized
5. Pay the application fee

Submit your application, fee, and supporting documents to:

Division of Code Enforcement
201 E. Washington St.
Syracuse, NY 13202

Rochester

Here is the process to get either your Master (Journeyman) or Single-Phase (Residential) license from the Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development:

1. Create an account for the OneStopROC online portal and complete the application
2. Gather proof of experience requirements, if applicable, in case the Board requests to review them
   1. Hours worked (resume, reference letters, or union hall verifications)
   2. Work completed (inspection certificates)
   3. Education (transcripts or diplomas)
3. Complete the ICC exam registration for the Master (Journeyman) license or the ICC exam registration for a Single-phase (Residential) license
4. Secure all necessary insurance policies
5. Pay the exam fee and any relevant licensing fees online

Does New York Reciprocate electrician licenses?

Reciprocal license agreements let professionals from out of state apply directly for an electrician license. New York City, Syracuse, and Rochester do not currently offer reciprocity to out-of-state electricians.

Because licensing is not conducted at the state level, you will need to check with your regional authority to determine if reciprocity is possible.

How much does an electrician license cost in New York?

You can expect to pay several hundred to several thousand dollars for your initial electrician license, depending on the location in which you plan to work. Here are the fees associated with licensing in the three cities:

Do I need to renew my electrician license? 

Many electrician licenses in New York will expire one year from their issuance date, but be sure to check in with your specific regional authority for license renewal regulations.

What happens if my electrician license expires? 

No matter where you are in New York, you should stop all work if your license or insurance has expired. Otherwise, you open yourself up to fines, penalties, and even legal action.

For example, in New York City, the cost of renewing an expired electrical license is $400—not including additional fines and penalties if you’re caught operating without a license.

After determining the status of your license with your local authority, you need to fill out a renewal form and pay any necessary fees. If the license has lapsed for too long, then you may have to go through the initial licensing process again.

How to start an electrician business in New York

Once you have your license and have built up some experience, you’re ready to take the next step: starting your own electrician business. New York offers guidance to people looking to start their own businesses in the state. You can learn about:

• Different business types, such as sole proprietorships and business corporations
• How to register for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS
• How to set up an NY.Gov ID to apply for new licenses and manage existing licenses and permits
• How to apply for required insurance policies

The New York Small Business Development Center even offers free counseling, training, and research help. You can also research local business requirements where you’re working. For instance, if you’re starting a business in New York City, you can follow their guide to get started. In this roadmap, you’ll be given information about:

• Creating a business plan
• Registering your business
• Financing your business
• Finding, planning, and building out your space
• Preparing to open

There are also some practical considerations for starting an electrician business, including:

•  coming up with an electrical company name
• setting up business accounting
• purchasing electrical equipment
• learning how to estimate jobs
• choosing the best apps, including electrician business software.

See our free electrical contractor resources to get all the information and tools you need to start and run a successful business.

Does an electrical license in New York increase your earning potential? 

Yes, having an electrician’s license will increase your earning potential over time and legitimize your credentials to future employers and clients.

When you first get into the industry in New York, you can expect to earn about $41,000 annually. But as you gain more experience, that amount can increase to nearly $70,000. And if you decide to start your own business, you can earn beyond these averages.

If you’re interested in learning more about this lucrative field, continue reading How to run a successful electrical business.