Obtain a: Master & Special Electrician License - Buildings

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Obtain a: Master & Special Electrician License

UPDATES

New Application Fees

LIC41: Written Exam Application – new fees are $585
Use this form to apply for the written exam for the following license types: Master and Special Electrician, Master Plumber, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, Master Rigger, Master Sign Hanger, High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer, Oil Burner Equipment Installer, Tower/Climber Crane Rigger, Site Safety Manager, Private Agency Elevator Director/Inspector, and Gas Work Qualification.

LIC42 Practical Exam Application – new fees are $530
Use this form to apply for the practical exam for the following license types: Master and Special Electrician, Master Plumber, Special Rigger, Master Rigger, Special Sign Hanger, Master Sign Hanger, High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer, Oil Burner Equipment Installer, Tower/Climber Crane Rigger.

New License Application Requirement
All new license applications must be submitted online at nyc.gov/dobnow. See the New License Application User Guide for step-by-step directions. For reference, please read the New License Application Service Notice. Also, the Licensing & Exams Unit is not accepting any walk-in transactions, or paper applications for this process..

STEP 1: Exam Guidelines

To obtain a Master or Special Electrician license, you must meet the following qualifications:

Be at least twenty one (21) years old

Be able to read and write the English language

Have good moral character so as not to adversely impact your fitness to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Master or Special Electrician

Have at least seven and a half (7.5) years of experience or the equivalent (as indicated below) within the ten (10) years prior to application with a minimum of 10,500 hours or the equivalent (as indicated below) of satisfactory experience in the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for electric light, heat, and power in or on buildings or comparable facilities. Experience must be obtained either under:

The direct supervision of a Department-licensed Master Electrician or Special Electrician
OR

For applicants with experience outside the New York City area, the direct supervision of an individual with comparable qualifications as determined by the Buildings Commissioner and while employed by a Master Electrician business as defined herein, or an individual, partnership, or corporation owning, leasing, or managing a building, buildings, or parts and employing a Special Electrician to perform electrical work in/on specific buildings, lots, or parts owned, leased, or managed by such individual, corporation, or partnership, or an individual, a partnership, or a corporation deemed acceptable by the Buildings Commissioner.
*NOTE: No more than 25 percent of such satisfactory experience shall be obtained while working outside the United States unless the Buildings Commissioner determintes that the licensing system and Electrical Code of the foreign jurisdiction is essentially similar to licensing systems and Electricl Codes in the United States.*

All applicants must also meet one (1) of the following levels of experience. Please check the one that applies to you.

I am a journeyman electrician who has at least seven and a half (7.5) years of work experience with a minimum of 10,500 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for light, heat, and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities

I have a Master of Science (M.S.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in electrical engineering and:

For applicants with master degrees, at least two and a half (2.5) years of experience with a minimum of 3,500 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for electric light, heat, and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities

For applicants with bachelor degrees, at least three and a half (3.5) years of experience with a minimum of 4,900 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration and repair of wiring and appliances for electric light, heat and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities

I am a graduate of a vocational, industrial, trade school, or apprenticeship program registered with the New York State Department of Labor specializing in electrical wiring, installation and design or applied electricity, and at least five and a half (5.5) years of experience with a minimum of 7,700 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for electric light, heat, and power in or on buildings or comparable facilities

I took college or university courses in an electrical or mechanical engineering degree program, or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in electrical, or mechanical engineering program and this experience,* combined with my work experience, equals seven and a half (7.5) years of work experience with a minimum of 7,000 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for light, heat, and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities
*Such applicants can count 50 percent of the curricula years he or she satisfactorily completed in the degree program towards the seven and a half (7.5) years of total required work experience as long as he or she passed all the subjects in the required courses. The number of years credited shall not exceed two and a half (2.5) years of the satisfactory experience.*

I took courses at a vocational, industrial, or trade school, registered with the New York State Department of Labor specializing in electrical wiring, installation and design or applied electricity, and this experience*, combined with my work experience equals seven and a half (7.5) years of work experience with a minimum of 7,700 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for light, heat, and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities.
*Such applicants can count 50 percent of the curricula years he or she satisfactorily completed at the vocational, industrial or trade school towards the seven and a half (7.5) years of total required work experience. The number of years credited shall not exceed two (2) years of the satisfactory experience*

I am an employee of a government agency, private inspection agency, or other entity, accepted by the Buildings Commissioner whose duties primarily involve the inspection of electrical work for compliance with the electrical code, and the electrical code technical standards, and/or other laws relating to the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring or appliances and this experience*, combined with my work experience, equals seven and a half (7.5) years of work experience with a minimum of 7,000 hours of this experience working with tools on the installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for light, heat, and power in/on buildings or comparable facilities.
*Such applicants can count 50 percent of the years he or she was satisfactorily employed in the above work towards the seven and a half (7.5) years of total required work experience as long as it was obtained within ten (10) years prior to application. The number of years credited shall not exceed two and a half (2.5) years of the satisfactory experience. The ten (10) year requirement does not apply to applicants who have five (5) or more years of work experience*

STEP 2: Applying for The License

You must pass a written and practical exam in order to become a Master or Special Electrician.

Written

You must complete the exam application LIC41, check the box that indicates you are an Master or Special Electrician candidate, and submit the application with the $525.00 fee to the Department (see contact information below).

Practical

After passing the written exam, you must apply to take the practical exam LIC42. To do this you must complete the exam application, check the box that indicates you are a Master or Special Electrician candidate, and submit the application with the $350.00 fee payable by money order only to:

NYC Department of Buildings
Attn: Licensing & Exams Unit - Exams
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

STEP 3: Scheduling Your Exam

After submitting your exam application, you must next schedule your exams.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an email from the exam administrator in one (1) to two (2) weeks with instructions on how to schedule your exam. Exams are given at several different locations in the State

The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess your knowledge of the NYC Electrical Code, rules, and applicable regulations. You will not be allowed to use reference materials during the exam

Passing score is seventy (70) percent. If you pass the written exam you will receive your report (printed by the site proctor) at the exam site at the time of testing, and a practical exam will be scheduled

If you pass the practical exam, you will receive a letter via US Mail by CPS approximately 3-4 weeks after the date of the practical exam.

STEP 4: Background Investigation

To become a Master or Special Electrician, you must also pass a background investigation by submitting the documents listed below as scanned PDFs via the DOB NOW Portal. Applicants that do not currently have an eFiling account will need to create an account by completing the registration form.

Please see the New License Application User Guide for step-by-step directions.

Applicants have one (1) year to complete the submission of all documentation

Examination Score Report Form

Typed and notarized LIC38 application

LIC34 (if applicable)

Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire

Notarized Background Investigation Questionnaire

LIC51 application
*NOTE: Renewal applicants may fill out the LIC51 Voluntary Authorization for Service of Process by email if they would like to receive Notices of Violation (NOV)/Summonses via email.*

LIC62: Physical Exam Form (must completed within 90 prior to application date)

Experience Verification Forms from all supervisors for the years you are claiming as experience;
*NOTE: Experience Verification Forms from company Human Resources will not be accepted.*

Social Security History of Earnings for the years you are claiming as experience
*NOTE: There is a fee charged by the Social Security Administration for this service. You must request the report to be run by 'company name.' You may request the information by mail or in person (ordinarily you can receive this instantly in person). Visit Social Security Earnings for more information.*

Current Photo ID (driver’s license, learner’s permit, State ID, green card, or passport)

Original Social Security Card

Proof of residence with a utility bill, bank statement, lease or deed, or a typed notarized letter and bill from the person you are residing with
*NOTE: Cell phone bills will not be accepted.*

Latest pay stub or W-2 if needed for qualifying experience

Child Support Certification Form

Background Fee - $500 payable within the DOB NOW Portal

License Issuance Fee - $360 payable within the DOB NOW Portal

Business Documents as Described Below

All electrician businesses must submit an LIC33 application for business address approval;

All electrician businesses must have General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Disability Insurances, see the Insurance Guidelines section for more information about insurances.

Telephone Bill in the business’ name at the approved business location (if the phone service provides a non-traditional landline service, you will need to provide a utility bill (water, electricity, or gas), or a signed and notarized lease/rental agreement in the business name stating all utilities are covered as part of the agreement).

Additional Requirements for Corporations

All corporations must provide the following documentation in addition to the above required documentation in STEP 4:

A certified copy of your corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation from the New York State Department of State;
*Must include the all-purpose clause stating: This Corporation is formed to do Electrical work, bid on Electrical contracts, and perform such other functions as may be ancillary to an Electrical contracting business.*

A copy of your corporation’s Filing Receipt or Certificate of Good Standing;
*NOTE: all firms, corporations, or partnerships must have Electric or Electrical as part of the official name.*

A copy of your corporation’s minutes stating the names of the corporation’s elected officers.
* Minutes must contain the Name, Address, and titles of all partners.
** Licensee must be designated as an officer of the firm.
*** If there is more than one licensee at the firm, one licensee must be designated as the Responsible Representative; this must be submitted on a company letter head and notarized by the licensee.

Additional Requirements for Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

All LLCs must provide the following documentation in addition to the above required documentation in STEP 4:

A certified copy of your LLC’s Filing Receipt or Certificate of Good Standing;
*NOTE: all firms, corporations, or partnerships must have Electric or Electrical as part of the official name.*

A certified copy of your LLC’s Articles of Organization from the New York State Department of State;
*Must include the all-purpose clause stating: This Company is formed to do Electrical work, bid on Electrical contracts, and perform such other functions as may be ancillary to an Electrical contracting business.*

A copy of your LLC’s minutes stating the names of the LLC’s elected officers.
* Minutes must contain Name, Address, and titles of all partners.
** Licensee must be designated as an officer of the firm.
*** If there is more than one licensee at the firm one licensee must designated as the ‘Responsible Representative’; this must be submitted one a company letter head and notarized by the licensee.

Additional Requirements for Partnerships

All partnerships must provide the following documentation in addition to the above required documentation in STEP 4:

Your partnership’s Certificate of Partnership stating all present officers and their percentage of ownership.

Additional Requirements for Individuals with a Business Name (Sole Proprietors)

All individuals with a business name (sole proprietors) must provide the following documentation in addition to the above required documentation in STEP 4:

A copy of your Business Certificate from the County Clerk.

Additional Requirements for Businesses located outside of New York State

All companies formed outside of New York State must provide the following documentation in addition to the above required documentation in STEP 4:

A certified copy of your Application for Authority from the New York State Department of State.

STEP 5: Obtaining the License Card

Once you have passed the exams and background investigation, you need to obtain your Master or Special Electrician license.

Once all documentation is submitted and approved, you will be able to schedule an appointment within the DOB NOW Portal to take a picture and receive the Master or Special Electrician License card.

You have one (1) year from the date of Board approval to begin submitting the required business documents for your license. If you do not complete the process within one (1) year of the date on the letter, you will be required to retake the exam

*Please refer to the LIC38 Instructions for Master and Special Electricians for additional details regarding required documents that you will need to bring when submitting for your background and picking up your license.

Forms

Background Investigation Questionnaire

Child Support Form

Experience Verification

Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire

LIC 34

LIC 38

Helpful Links

Printer Friendly Guide

Guidelines on Insurance Requirements