Pennsylvania to Michigan: master electrician license reciprocity
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide master electrician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is Michigan's standard path for out-of-state applicants.
Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.
Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.
Out-of-state master (all states; Michigan has no reciprocity)
Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.
Michigan does not reciprocate with any state, so an out-of-state master electrician must take and pass the Michigan Master Electrician exam regardless of where they are licensed. The out-of-state license and experience serve only to establish eligibility: LARA's Out-of-State License Verification instructions say applicants with out-of-state experience must be approved by the Electrical Administrative Board to sit for the exam and may receive credit for experience earned in other states. The applicant submits Form BCC-341 with the $50 license fee, a copy of the current out-of-state license and that state's licensing requirements, the Out-of-State License Verification form completed and sealed by the issuing board, and notarized employer letters documenting 12,000 hours over at least six years under a master electrician; MCL 339.5713 also requires an electrical journeyman license held for at least two years. The board reviews out-of-state applications at its quarterly meetings; once approved the applicant schedules the PSI exam ($100), passes at 75%, and the license issues. There is no separate law or business exam for individual electricians.
Whether an out-of-state journeyman license satisfies the two-year journeyman requirement in MCL 339.5713(1)(b) was not confirmed from an official page; the verification form collects license dates from the issuing state and the board decides equivalence under MCL 339.5709. BCC-341 specifies supervision by a Michigan-licensed master, so out-of-state hours are credited at the board's discretion. The 90-day timeline reflects the board's quarterly meeting cycle and is an estimate. A separate examination waiver exists only for service members, veterans and their dependents who hold an active electrical license in another state.
At a glance
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Out-of-state hours
- Count toward eligibility
- Typical processing
- About 90 days
What you must already have
- You must document at least 12,000 hours of qualifying work experience.Obtained over six years or more under the supervision of a master electrician (MCL 339.5713); out-of-state hours are credited only if the board accepts them as equivalent.
- Held an electrical journeyman license for at least two years
- At least 22 years old
What you'll do to get licensed in Michigan
- 1License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($50). Master Electrician license fee, paid with the BCC-341 application (non-refundable), MCL 339.5707(2).
- 2Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($100). PSI examination fee, paid to PSI when scheduling; non-refundable and valid for one year (MCL 339.5707(1)).
- 3Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Michigan Master Electrician examination administered by PSI (75% to pass; 2023 NEC and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8).
- 4Other. Out-of-State License Verification form completed and sealed by the issuing state board, plus a copy of the current license and that state's licensing requirements.
- 5Other. Notarized letters from each employer stating dates, hours, type of electrical work and the supervising master electrician.
Published fees on this path total $150, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
What you'll need to buy or arrange
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Exam fee · $100
- Trade exam
How Michigan licenses master electricians
Michigan master electrician · “Master Electrician”
State license plus local requirements
Michigan issues a statewide, person-held Master Electrician license through LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes under MCL 339.5713; the Electrical Contractor license is a separate business credential that requires a qualifying master and no exam, and is not covered here. A new master applicant must be at least 22, have held an electrical journeyman license for at least two years, document 12,000 hours over at least six years under a master electrician with notarized employer letters, pass the PSI-administered master exam (75% to pass, 2023 NEC) for a $100 exam fee, and pay the $50 license fee; the license renews every year for $50. Michigan has no reciprocity agreements with any state and requires every out-of-state master to pass the Michigan exam, though out-of-state experience may be credited after board review. Under MCL 339.5733 the City of Detroit licenses master electricians who are Detroit residents, and Detroit licenses are valid statewide.
How local licensing works in Michigan
Under MCL 339.5733 a municipality with an equally stringent licensing ordinance may examine and license master electricians within its jurisdiction, and those licenses must be recognized by all municipalities. The City of Detroit's Board of Electrical Examiners examines and licenses Master Electricians who are Detroit residents (12,000 hours over at least six years under a master, journeyperson license held two years); Detroit licenses are valid throughout Michigan and equivalent to state licenses. Non-residents of Detroit apply to LARA.
Why Pennsylvania has nothing to transfer
Pennsylvania master electrician
Licensed by cities and counties
Pennsylvania issues no statewide master electrician or electrical contractor license; none of the Department of State's licensing boards covers the trade, so the master-level credential exists only at the city level under names that vary: Philadelphia's Electrical Contractor License (four years with a licensed contractor, the ICC-administered Philadelphia Electrical Contractor exam, eight hours of NFPA 70 coursework, insurance, $60 application, $262 license and $202 annual renewal), Pittsburgh's Electrical Trade License (six years of combined experience and education, an ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam or the city exam, $1M/$2M liability insurance, $90 per year with eight hours of CE), and Master Electrician licenses in Allentown (four years, ICC G16, $50 application), Harrisburg (six years, ICC master exam, $125), Reading (two years as a journeyman, ICC G16Y, $90) and Scranton (four years plus ICC master exam, $250), with Erie licensing electrical contractors through its Trades Licensing Board. Because nearly every city relies on the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam, a passing ICC score earned in another state is the most portable credential, and Pittsburgh's rules expressly allow the License Officer to accept equivalent out-of-state certification tests. Formal reciprocity is limited to Harrisburg (Maryland, Delaware and several Pennsylvania cities) and Reading (a published list that includes Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia); an out-of-state master must otherwise apply to each city separately, document local experience thresholds and pay each city's fees.
How local licensing works in Pennsylvania
How local licensing works. Pennsylvania has no state electrical board. Each city that licenses electricians does so under its own ordinance through a local board, and a license is valid only in the issuing city unless that city's rules recognize another jurisdiction. Nearly all cities use ICC exams, and several accept any ICC master exam regardless of code year.
Philadelphia. The Department of Licenses and Inspections issues the Electrical Contractor License (Philadelphia Code 9-1006), the city's only master-level electrician credential; it is issued to the individual, who must also hold a Commercial Activity License. Requirements: a minimum of four years of employment doing electrical work for a company licensed through a local or state jurisdiction (two years of electrical education equals one year of experience, up to two years), proven by tax records from a licensed contractor or proof of licensure through a local or state jurisdiction subject to L&I approval; a passing Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination administered by ICC referencing the current Philadelphia Code (or an application within 12 months of passing); eight hours of NFPA 70 coursework approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry within the preceding 12 months; general liability $500,000 per occurrence, auto $300,000 and workers' compensation $100,000/$100,000/$500,000 naming the city as certificate holder. Fees: $60 non-refundable application, $262 license, $202 annual renewal with a 1.5 percent monthly surcharge after 60 days. Out-of-state licensure can serve as proof of experience but does not waive the Philadelphia exam.
Pittsburgh. The Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections issues the Electrical Trade License to individuals performing work that requires an electrical permit (PLI Rules VI.6; PCC 747). Applicants show a passing City-proctored Master Electrical exam or an ICC Standard Master Electrician exam for any code year (T16, G16, F16 or older) and six years of combined experience and education evaluated by the License Officer, with employer or licensed-electrician statements; insurance is $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate general liability plus workers' compensation or a no-employee affidavit. The license costs $90 (2025 fee schedule), expires 365 days from issue and renews with eight hours of continuing education. PLI Rule VI.1(E)(d) states that equivalent certification testing programs from other states are accepted upon the License Officer's determination of equivalence.
Allentown. The Electricians' Examining Board issues a Master license on four years of practical experience and the ICC National Standard Master exam (G16); applicants must be over 21 with a high school diploma or GED, pay a $50 non-refundable application fee, obtain Board approval before scheduling the exam, and pay an annual license fee set in the Business Regulation and Tax Code. No reciprocity provision is published.
Harrisburg. The Bureau of Codes issues a Master Electrician license ($125) on six years of practical experience or four years of technical school plus four years, with a passing ICC Master, National Standard Master or Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Standard Master exam, insurance of $1,000,000 property damage and $300,000 bodily injury per occurrence, and a Mercantile Tax License. Documentation may be by test results or by reciprocity from Allentown, Bethlehem, Lancaster, Reading, Philadelphia, Maryland or Delaware (others considered case by case); a letter of good standing is required from any other Pennsylvania municipality that licenses the applicant.
Reading. The Electrical Board issues a Master Electrician license ($90 annual) to holders of a Reading or reciprocated journeyman license for two years who pass the ICC G16Y master exam. A reciprocal master license ($190 including a one-time reciprocity fee) recognizes licenses from jurisdictions of at least third-class-city standing with an equivalent board and standards; the June 2023 list names Bethlehem, Easton, Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton, Springfield MO, Sullivan County NY, and the states of Delaware, Maryland (master), Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Reciprocal licenses become permanent Reading licenses.
Scranton. Licensing, Inspections and Permits issues a Master Electrical contractor license ($250, calendar year) on four years under a licensed contractor (W-2s or 1099s), a passing ICC/UCC Master Electrical exam, general liability of $500,000 per person / $1,000,000 per occurrence and a Single Tax Office registration; an alternative route uses eight years of experience plus notarized referral letters in place of the exam. The form asks for copies of licenses held in other municipalities but states no reciprocity rule.
Erie. All electrical work must be done by an electrical contractor licensed by the City of Erie and only master license holders may obtain permits; the Trades Licensing Board reviews applications under Article 333 of the Codified Ordinances (not openable), which per the Board page also provides 90-day temporary apprentice and journeyman licenses.
Out-of-state holders. Apart from Harrisburg's and Reading's lists there is no reciprocity. The practical path is to present an ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam result (accepted by Pittsburgh for any code year and by Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading and Scranton), document the local experience threshold, meet each city's insurance requirement and pay its fee; Philadelphia requires its own ICC-administered Philadelphia exam.
Common questions
- Do I have to take the Michigan master electrician exam if I'm licensed in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Michigan requires the trade exam on this path.
- What does it cost to get a Michigan master electrician license from Pennsylvania?
- Published fees on this path total $150, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
- Do my Pennsylvania work hours count in Michigan?
- Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward Michigan's eligibility requirements.
- How long does the application take?
- The board's published or typical processing time is about 90 days.
- Does it work the other way, from Michigan to Pennsylvania?
- Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from Michigan to Pennsylvania, the mechanism is not applicable.
Sources
- City of Detroit - Board of Electrical Examiners FAQ · City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department · Faq · verified September 15, 2026'City of Detroit Licenses and Apprentice Registrations are valid within the State of Michigan and are equivalent to those issued by the State of Michigan.' Licensees who move outside Detroit renew with the state; out-of-state companies must obtain a State of Michigan electrical contractor license before registering with Detroit.
- City of Detroit BSEED - Master Electrician Examination Overview · City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Detroit examines and licenses master electricians who are residents of the City of Detroit (12,000 hours over at least six years under a master, journeyperson license held two years); non-residents are directed to the State of Michigan. Fee amounts are invoiced and not published on the page.
- Michigan LARA Form BCC-341 - Application for Journeyman, Master Electrician, Fire Alarm Specialty Technician or Sign Specialist Examination and Licensure (Rev. 3/22) · Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes · Form · verified September 15, 2026License fees paid at application: Journeyman Electrician $40, Master Electrician $50 (non-refundable); the exam fee is paid to PSI when scheduling. Requires notarized employer letters with dates, hours, type of work and Michigan-licensed supervision. Refers out-of-state applicants to the Out-of-State License Verification form for experience credit. A military/uniformed-services examination waiver is available to service members, veterans and dependents who hold an active electrical license in at least one other state.
- Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes - Electrical Examination, Licensing/Registration and Application Information · Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026States 'Michigan does not hold reciprocity with any other state/country'; out-of-state applicants must submit a copy of their license and that jurisdiction's licensing requirements. Journeyman: age 20, 8,000 hours and 4 years supervised by a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master, pass the exam at 75%. Master: age 22, 12,000 hours over at least 6 years, journeyman license held 2 years, pass the exam at 75%. Exams are PSI-administered on the 2023 NEC and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. Notes that the City of Detroit issues its own licenses to residents.
- Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes - Out-of-State License Verification form · Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · Form · verified September 15, 2026Generic Bureau of Construction Codes form used for all skilled trades: 'The State of Michigan does not reciprocate with any other state for licensing. Therefore, you are required to take and pass an examination to receive a license in the State of Michigan.' and 'All applicants with out-of-state experience must be approved to sit for examination.' Read through the r.jina.ai text proxy because michigan.gov returned 403.
- Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes - PSI Examinations · Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Mechanical contractor candidates must be approved by LARA before testing: 'Once your application has been reviewed and you've been approved to test, your information is sent to PSI', who contacts the candidate within 10 business days to pay and schedule. Links the Mechanical Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI bulletin 5423). Read through the r.jina.ai text proxy because michigan.gov returned 403.
- Michigan Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407, Article 7 - Electricians and Electrical Contractors · MCL 339.5707, 339.5709, 339.5713, 339.5715, 339.5733 · Michigan Legislature · Statute · verified September 15, 2026339.5707: examination fee $100 for master electrician and electrical journeyman; initial license and annual renewal fee master $50, journeyman $40; licenses expire December 31 each year. 339.5709: applicant may sit for the exam after establishing to the board's satisfaction that he or she meets the experience requirement 'or an equivalent of that experience requirement' by notarized employer statements. 339.5713: master - age 22, 12,000 hours over 6+ years under a master electrician, journeyman license held 2 years. 339.5715: journeyman - age 20, 8,000 hours over 4+ years under direct supervision of an individual licensed under the article (military interior-electrician alternative). 339.5733: the article does not apply in a municipality that has adopted an equally stringent licensing ordinance, and such municipal licenses must be recognized by all municipalities. Article 7 contains no general out-of-state reciprocity provision; the only license-without-examination clause (339.5731(5)) is limited to sign specialists.
- PSI - Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes Electrical Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 8/20/2026) · PSI Services LLC for Michigan LARA · Other · verified September 15, 2026Examination fee $100, non-refundable, valid for one year. Journeyman exam: 80 questions, 150 minutes, 75% to pass. Master Electrician exam: 75% to pass. Items are based on the 2023 NEC and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. Registration at test-takers.psiexams.com/mielec.
Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.