LicensebyState

Tennessee to New Hampshire: master electrician license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 15, 2026· 10 sources

Tennessee does not issue a statewide master electrician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is New Hampshire'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.

Traditional application and examination (non-qualifying jurisdictions)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

A master electrician licensed in a state that OPLC has not determined to be substantially similar cannot use the Plc 313 endorsement route and applies through the traditional process under RSA 319-C:7: document 8,000 hours of service as an apprentice electrician (the board may credit approved schooling or military experience) and at least 600 hours of education, pass the Prov master electrician examination ($90), and pay the $198 two-year license fee. OPLC's FAQ notes that an applicant may ask the Executive Director to reconsider whether a non-listed jurisdiction is substantially similar, and Plc 313.11 allows a waiver request based on a combination of education, training and licensed work experience.

The statute sets the same 8,000 apprentice hours for master and journeyman, but the application form requires exam applicants for master to document a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman, or as a licensed master in another state, certified per employer by a licensed electrician; an out-of-state master therefore qualifies for the exam on their existing master experience. OPLC's checklist says all applications take 10-14 business days after receipt.

At a glance

Trade exam
Required
Law / code exam
Not required
Out-of-state hours
Count toward eligibility
Typical processing
About 14 days

What you must already have

  • You must document at least 8,000 hours of qualifying work experience.Service as an apprentice electrician (RSA 319-C:7, II(a)); the board may credit approved schooling or military experience.
  • At least 600 hours of education meeting criteria set by the board (RSA 319-C:7, II(b))
  • Minimum 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman, or as a licensed master in another state, certified by a licensed electrician (application form)The form's wording; RSA 319-C:7 itself lists only the apprentice hours and education.

What you'll do to get licensed in New Hampshire

  1. 1Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. New Hampshire master electrician examination administered by Prov (NEC-based, proctored, written or computerized).
  2. 2Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($90). Master electrician examination fee (Plc 1004.07).
  3. 3Application fee. Pay the application fee ($198). Master electrician application processing and licensing fee, two-year license (Plc 1002.13).
  4. 4Other. Disclose on the application any unannulled felony conviction and any suspension, revocation or sanction of an electrician's license in any jurisdiction, with three references and a recent photograph (Elec 302.04). No fingerprint criminal records check is listed for electricians; OPLC's endorsement checklist requires it for health-related professions only..

Published fees on this path total $288, 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.

  • Trade exam
  • Exam fee · $90

How New Hampshire licenses master electricians

New Hampshire master electrician · “Master Electrician”

Statewide license

Verified September 15, 2026· 9 sources

Issued by New Hampshire Electricians' Board, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)

New Hampshire issues a statewide Master Electrician license through the Electricians' Board within OPLC; a master may employ other electricians and is the qualifying individual for an electrical business entity. RSA 319-C:7 sets the same statutory qualifications for master and journeyman (8,000 apprentice hours, 600 hours of education and a board-approved exam), and OPLC's endorsement rule Plc 313.24 measures other states' master pathways against 2,000 hours (one year) as a licensed journeyman plus a state master exam. The Prov master exam costs $90 and the license $198 for two years. Since May 3, 2024 masters from jurisdictions OPLC has found substantially similar (Connecticut electrical contractors, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) are licensed by endorsement without examination after one year of experience as a licensed master; other out-of-state masters apply through the traditional application and exam, for which the Board's form counts experience as a licensed master in another state toward the 2,000-hour journeyman requirement.

Moving to New HampshireLeaving New Hampshire

Why Tennessee has nothing to transfer

Tennessee master electrician

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 15, 2026· 13 sources

Issued by Local code enforcement offices (Nashville, Memphis/Shelby County, Knoxville, Chattanooga and other exempt jurisdictions); state issues only the CE contractor license

Tennessee does not issue a master electrician license. The state-level credential for electrical contracting is a contractor license with the CE (electrical) classification from the Board for Licensing Contractors, which is issued to a business (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation) that names a qualifying agent, and which is required for any electrical project of $25,000 or more. To obtain it the qualifying agent passes the Tennessee Business & Law exam and the CE trade exam (Prov), and the business files a reviewed or audited CPA financial statement (or, from July 1, 2026, a surety bond) that sets its monetary limit, proves general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and pays a $250 application fee ($200 biennial renewal). The Board has trade-exam-waiver agreements under which a contractor licensed in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina or West Virginia, or one who passed the NASCLA electrical exam, skips the CE trade exam but still takes the Business & Law exam and meets every other requirement; the Board stresses that these 'do NOT allow using another state's license in Tennessee'. Master electrician licenses proper exist only at the local level in the jurisdictions that run their own inspection programs: Nashville (Metro Master Electrician, six years of experience), Memphis/Shelby County (Master Electrician, four years as a journeyman), Chattanooga (Class I electrical contractor, three years as a journeyman) and other exempt jurisdictions, each with its own exam and fees and none publishing reciprocity for out-of-state masters. An out-of-state master electrician who only wants to work for an employer needs no state license; to pull permits for small jobs they need the local master license or an LLE where accepted, and to contract for work of $25,000 or more they need the state CE contractor license.

How local licensing works in Tennessee

State CE contractor license (business level). Required statewide for electrical projects of $25,000 and up and accepted by every local jurisdiction for permits, but it is a business license, not a personal master credential. Requirements: qualifying agent (owner, officer or full-time employee) passes the Tennessee Business & Law exam and the Electrical (CE) trade exam administered by Prov; reviewed or audited financial statement less than 12 months old (or a contractors' surety bond at 50% of the requested limit from July 1, 2026) setting a monetary limit of 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth ($300,000 of each for an unlimited limit); general liability insurance scaled to the limit; workers' compensation or exemption; $250 initial fee, $200 renewal every two years; exam scores valid about two years. Trade exam waiver (the only state reciprocity): a contractor licensed in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina or West Virginia whose board verifies a comparable electrical exam on the Request for Contractor License Verification form, or who passed the NASCLA Electrical exam, files that verification in place of the CE trade exam score. The Business & Law exam is never waived, applicants with discipline, open complaints or felonies are ineligible, and the waiver cannot be used for the LLE. Arkansas's agreement covers only building classifications, not electrical.

Nashville (Metro Codes and Building Safety). The Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Examiners and Appeals Board issues the Metropolitan Master Electrician certificate. Applicants need six years of experience (an electrical engineering degree may substitute), employer verification letters, a character letter and approval by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then pass the Prov-administered Metro master exam with 70%. The application asks whether the applicant holds a master license in another city or state and how long, but no exam waiver is described. Nashville registers state CE contractors separately.

Memphis / Shelby County (Office of Construction Code Enforcement). The Master Electrician license (Sec. 1305 of the joint electrical code) requires age 24 and either an electrical engineering degree plus two years of installation experience or four certified years as a journeyman; application in person with three industry recommendations, 30-day investigation, exam before the Electrical Code Advisory Board on theory, installation, the NEC and local codes. Fees: exam $150, initial license $100, active renewal $150. A separate Electrical Contractor license ($150 exam, $150 license, $150 registration) must be held by or employ a master; state-certified CE contractors register for $150 instead of testing. No reciprocity provision appears in the code.

Chattanooga (Land Development Office). The Class I electrical license is the contractor/master credential: three or more years as a journeyman or plant electrician (or three years as a Class II residential contractor, a prior Class I license, a Tennessee PE license, or equivalent), city examination, $415 per two-year term. A Board of Electrical Examiners oversees testing; no reciprocity is mentioned.

Knoxville (Plans Review & Inspections). Knoxville is on the state's exempt list and requires a city registration to pull permits; a state CE contractor registers directly. Details of Knoxville's own electrical contractor/master exam and fees are not published on the pages found (865-215-4311).

Out-of-state holders. No Tennessee city or the state endorses another state's master license as such. The realistic paths are: (1) obtain the state CE contractor license, using the trade-exam waiver if licensed in AL, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC or WV or NASCLA-tested, which every jurisdiction accepts; or (2) apply for the local master license in each exempt jurisdiction where you will work, documenting the experience required there and passing the local exam.

Moving to TennesseeLeaving Tennessee

Common questions

Do I have to take the New Hampshire master electrician exam if I'm licensed in Tennessee?
Yes. New Hampshire requires the trade exam on this path.
What does it cost to get a New Hampshire master electrician license from Tennessee?
Published fees on this path total $288, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Do my Tennessee work hours count in New Hampshire?
Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward New Hampshire's eligibility requirements.
How long does the application take?
The board's published or typical processing time is about 14 days.
Does it work the other way, from New Hampshire to Tennessee?
Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from New Hampshire to Tennessee, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

  1. OPLC - Electricians' Applications (new license, reciprocity, renewal) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Journeyman and master applicants file two paper forms: the OPLC Universal Application for Initial Licensure and the Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician; payment by personal check, money order or cashier's check mailed to 7 Eagle Square, Concord. 'Reciprocity Applicants: Per Plc 313.24, applicants for endorsement shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought'; reciprocity information and the application are on the New Changes for Reciprocity page. Renewals are online. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (direct requests are refused with HTTP 403).
  2. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Electricians' Board · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Board home page: regulates apprentice, journeyman, master and high/medium voltage electricians; 'For Reciprocity applicants: Per Plc 313.24, applicants for endorsement shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought.'; links to the Prov Candidate Bulletin and to Applications, License Fees and Laws & Rules. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of January 6, 2026.
  3. OPLC - Electricians' FAQs · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Faq · verified September 15, 2026'How do I reciprocate my license to New Hampshire?' points to the New Changes for Reciprocity page and repeats that Plc 313.24 endorsement applicants shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought. Also covers code-update tracking in CE Broker, license verification requests and reinstatement of licenses expired 1-3 years. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy.
  4. OPLC Electricians' Board - Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician (exam or reciprocal), rev. 2024-09 · Elec 302.04 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Form · verified September 15, 2026Single form with check boxes for EXAM or RECIPROCAL and MASTER or JOURNEYMAN. The 'RECIPROCITY ONLY' section names the reciprocating state and license number and lists: 'Master and Journeyman - Maine: include a printout from the Board website. Massachusetts or Vermont: include a certified statement from that state. Journeyman ONLY - Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, Iowa.' All applicants give three unrelated references (Elec 302.04), a colour photograph taken within six months, and disclose unannulled felony convictions and any license suspension, revocation or sanction in any jurisdiction. Exam applicants document experience: journeymen a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training; masters a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman (or licensed master in another state), each certified by a licensed electrician. Fees are 'see website'. The form is linked from the Applications page as the current journeyman/master application on 2026-09-15, although its reciprocity list predates the Plc 313.24 endorsement table.
  5. OPLC - New Changes for Reciprocity in New Hampshire (HB 594 qualifying jurisdictions and FAQs) · RSA 310:17; Plc 313.24 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Effective May 3, 2024 OPLC accepts HB 594 endorsement applications. Electricians' Board (Plc 313.24) qualifying jurisdictions: Journeyman Electrician - Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington; Master Electrician - Connecticut (Electrical Contractor), Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington; applicants shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought. FAQs: an encumbered license disqualifies; applicants from non-qualifying jurisdictions use the traditional application process; reconsideration of a jurisdiction determination may be requested under Plc 210.03; fees are those in Plc 1002. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of August 21, 2026.
  6. OPLC - Checklist for Reciprocity/Endorsement licensing, all participating jurisdictions and professions (2025-07-31) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Form · verified September 15, 2026Endorsement applicants mail or drop off (no email) the completed Universal Application for Initial Licensure, the profession's application fee payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire, and verification of licensure from every jurisdiction where currently licensed (electronic verification to [email protected], a hard copy, or a screenshot of active licensure from a primary-source state website). The FBI/criminal history records check with fingerprinting ($47 to Criminal Records) is required of health-related professions only. Applications are processed in order of receipt and require 10-14 business days after receipt; no status updates before the 10th business day; all communication is by email.
  7. OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594 overview) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Explains that under HB 594 (signed June 28, 2023, effective August 27, 2023) the Office 'shall issue licenses to professionals who present evidence of an active license in good standing from another jurisdiction' whose requirements are substantially similar, and that endorsement applicants no longer submit transcripts, exam results, experience evidence or references. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of May 24, 2025.
  8. N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Plc 1000 - Fees (Table 1002.13 Electricians Board; Plc 1004.07 examination fees) · Plc 1002.13; Plc 1004.07 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification / General Court · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Table 1002.13: journeyman electrician application processing and licensing (initial, renewal or reinstatement) $110 for 2 years; master electrician $198 for 2 years; apprentice registration $33 for 12 months; high/medium voltage electrician $198. Plc 1004.07 (eff. 10-8-25): journeyman electrician examination $90; master electrician examination $90; re-licensing examination $70.
  9. N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Plc 300 - Part Plc 313 Licensure by Endorsement (Plc 313.01, 313.11, 313.24) · Plc 313.01, Plc 313.11, Plc 313.24 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification / General Court · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Plc 313.01(b): the origin license must be from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements, not temporary, unencumbered, active and not suspended, revoked or surrendered. Plc 313.24 (eff. 5-3-24, #13954): the origin jurisdiction must use the same or a later edition of the electrical code as New Hampshire and require, for journeyman, 4 years full-time or 8,000 hours in not more than 6 years as an apprentice in a program with at least 560 hours of education plus a state-approved journeyman exam; for master, at least one year full-time or 2,000 hours in not more than 3 years as a licensed journeyman plus a state-approved master exam; plus one year of professional experience as a licensed journeyman or master respectively. Plc 313.11: an applicant from a jurisdiction that does not meet the criteria may request a waiver under Plc 211 based on education, training and experience.
  10. RSA Chapter 319-C - Electricians · RSA 319-C:7, 319-C:8 · New Hampshire General Court · Statute · verified September 15, 2026RSA 319-C:7, II: the office issues a master or journeyman license to an applicant who completes 8,000 hours of service as an apprentice electrician (the board may credit approved schooling or military experience), not less than 600 hours of education, and passes a board-approved examination. RSA 319-C:8: proctored written or computerized exams including NEC provisions; an applicant who has not passed within one year of application must reapply and pay the fees again. The chapter contains no reciprocity provision of its own.

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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