Journeyman and master electrician license and test requirements in New York — what the state requires, who gives the exam, which NEC edition it is written on, the fees, and how to sign up. Free — no account needed.
New York has NO statewide journeyman license; requirements are set by each municipality. Many cities (Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse) issue a journeyman/limited license typically requiring ~5 years of experience under a licensed master electrician and a local exam.
No statewide master license. In NYC, the Department of Buildings issues the Master Electrician (and Special Electrician) license: about 7.5 years of practical experience (at least ~5 years in NYC) plus DOB-administered written and practical exams. Other cities (Buffalo, Albany, etc.) run their own master exams.
Kevin's Electrical Prep Course is built by a licensed master electrician, instructor and electrical inspector: 630+ practice questions with every math problem worked out step by step, timed practice exams, video lessons and drive-along audio. Both code books included — NEC 2023 and NEC 2026. Note: New York currently tests on the NEC 2017. This course teaches the 2023 and 2026 editions, so use it for the code that does not change between editions — theory, math, and how to read the book — and check New York's own amendments for the rest. $200 for 6 months, and a pass guarantee.
See the course & take 15 free sample questions → Get 6-month access — $200New York uses N/A - local (NYC DOB administers its own Master/Special Electrician exams) as its testing provider. Licensing is handled by Licensed at the city/local level (no statewide license); e.g., NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
Varies by city (e.g., NYC uses its own Electrical Code based on the NEC). No statewide license or exam; NYC's Electrical Code is based on the 2017 NEC with NYC amendments, and other cities set their own edition. Check the specific municipality.
New York has NO statewide journeyman license; requirements are set by each municipality. Many cities (Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse) issue a journeyman/limited license typically requiring ~5 years of experience under a licensed master electrician and a local exam.
No statewide master license. In NYC, the Department of Buildings issues the Master Electrician (and Special Electrician) license: about 7.5 years of practical experience (at least ~5 years in NYC) plus DOB-administered written and practical exams. Other cities (Buffalo, Albany, etc.) run their own master exams.
Journeyman: New York has NO statewide journeyman license; requirements are set by each municipality. Many cities (Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse) issue a journeyman/limited license typically requiring ~5 years of experience under a licensed master electrician and a local exam. Master: No statewide master license. In NYC, the Department of Buildings issues the Master Electrician (and Special Electrician) license: about 7.5 years of practical experience (at least ~5 years in NYC) plus DOB-administered written and practical exams. Other cities (Buffalo, Albany, etc.) run their own master exams.
No statewide license, so no statewide reciprocity; licensing and any reciprocity are municipal and generally do not transfer between NY cities. Varies by city - check with the specific municipality (e.g., NYC DOB, Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse).
License electricians at the CITY level - there is no NY statewide journeyman/master license. Point applicants to the specific city: NYC DOB for New York City; Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse and other cities have separate licensing boards with no reciprocity. A statewide Master Electrician Waiver exists at NY Dept. of State (dos.ny.gov/master-electrician-waiver) but it is not itself a license. Fees/forms are city-specific; as of Feb 2026 NYC master/special applications and exam payments go through DOB NOW: Licensing.
Everything above is kept current, but New York can change a fee, a form or an exam provider at any time — and the state's own site is always the live answer. Before you register, click through and confirm:
These open New York's official pages in a new tab. Nothing on this site replaces what your state board publishes.