Preparing for the Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician exam? This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians, the NEC edition currently on the exam, which reference books are allowed, and the exact rules for tabs, highlighting, and notes — including a genuine contradiction in the Board's own bulletin worth knowing about.
Quick Answer: What Do You Need?
| Licensing authority | Board of State Examiners of Electricians |
| Testing/application provider | PSI Services LLC (handles applications AND exams) |
| Experience needed | 4 years, 8,000 hours, plus 600 hours of Board-approved Journeyman curriculum |
| Application + exam fee | $226 (or $195 with the Valor Act fee waiver for veterans/active military/spouses) |
| Exam format | Two independent parts — Part 1 (80 items, 180 min) and Part II Applied (30 items, 60 min). 70% required on each part. |
| Testing location | You must test within Massachusetts — no out-of-state PSI centers allowed for this exam. |
| NEC edition | 2023 NEC, as adopted via 527 CMR 12.00 (effective March 1, 2023) |
| Books allowed | NEC, MA State Amendments, MA General Laws, Board Rules, NFPA 72 — not Ugly's or the American Electricians' Handbook |
Who Regulates Electricians in Massachusetts?
The Board of State Examiners of Electricians licenses electricians statewide. Unusually, the Board has contracted with PSI Services LLC to handle both the application process and the exam itself — PSI processes your paperwork, not just your test date. As of December 3, 2024, applications must be submitted online through PSI rather than by paper.
Which Massachusetts License Do You Need?
| License | Education Required | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman | High school diploma + 600 hrs curriculum | 4 years, 8,000 hours |
| Systems Technician | High school diploma + 300 hrs curriculum | 2 years, 4,000 hours |
| Master | 150 hrs curriculum | 1 year as a MA Journeyman |
| Systems Contractor | 75 hrs curriculum | 1 year as a MA Systems Technician |
Anyone installing security/alarm systems also needs a separate Security Clearance Certificate (S-License) from the Division of Occupational Licensure, in addition to Board licensure.
Journeyman Eligibility Requirements
- 600 hours of Board-approved Journeyman curriculum (high school diploma required)
- 4 years / 8,000 hours of documented work experience
- A CORI (criminal record) background check — a conviction is not an automatic denial, but the Board reviews it
- Completion of a 15-hour Code Update course from a Board-approved provider
- Education expires after 20 years from commencement; work experience expires if more than 20 years old at application
How to Apply
- Create an account and complete the online application at PSI's Massachusetts registration site.
- Submit education documentation (the correct school form depends on your program type — Form 222, 223, 224, or 225).
- Submit work experience documentation (Employment Certification Form 272, signed by your supervising MA-licensed employer).
- Authorize your CORI background check.
- Submit your 15-hour Code Update completion certificate.
- Pay the application and exam fee. Review typically takes up to 30 days.
Approval is valid for 12 months. If you don't pass both exam parts within that window, you must re-apply with updated fees and documentation.
What Is on the Two-Part Exam?
The Journeyman exam has two independently-scored parts — you must pass both to get licensed, and you can take them the same day or on separate days (once you start Part II, you can't go back to Part 1):
| Part | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 (Code & Theory) | 80 items (56 correct to pass) | 180 minutes |
| Part II Applied | 30 items (21 correct to pass) | 60 minutes |
Part 1 covers Services (11), Wiring Methods & Devices (18), Grounding & Bonding (7), Alarm Systems (6), Photovoltaic (6), Energy Storage Systems (4), and more. Part II Applied covers circuit calculations, schematics, materials, troubleshooting, and Massachusetts amendments and licensing law. Veterans qualifying under the Valor Act receive a 5% credit added to each part's score.
What NEC Edition Does Massachusetts Use?
As of our last check, Massachusetts uses the 2023 NEC, adopted via 527 CMR 12.00 effective March 1, 2023. The Board's own bulletin notes that new exam items reflecting a newly adopted code take effect seven months after the code's enforcement date, and exam content is adjusted every July to match the code year — so if you're testing near a code transition, check for an updated bulletin.
Your exam may require or permit additional references beyond the NEC. Always confirm your exact requirements with the Board/PSI before purchasing.
What Books Are Allowed?
Massachusetts' exam is open book, and the allowed list for the trade portion is broader than many states:
- The current, adopted National Electrical Code
- Massachusetts State Amendments (527 CMR 12.00)
- Massachusetts General Laws applicable to exam questions
- The Board's Rules and Regulations (237 CMR 11.00–23.00)
- NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code)
- OSHA and various labor/tax/lien law references, depending on the exam part
Explicitly NOT allowed in the exam center: Ugly's Electrical References and the American Electricians' Handbook. Both are used to help write exam questions, which makes it easy to assume they're fair game to bring — they aren't.
Are Tabs Allowed?
Massachusetts' bulletin describes allowed reference materials as "tabbed or un-tabbed" without specifying a permanent-vs-removable tab restriction the way many other states explicitly do. That's a genuine gap in the published rule rather than a green light for anything — we'd still recommend sticking with permanent, publisher-style tabs as the safe default unless the Board/PSI confirms otherwise.
Can You Highlight Your References?
Yes. The bulletin explicitly allows books "containing highlighted sections and or underlined sections of the original text." Unlike most states, Massachusetts also allows paperback, ring-binder, spiral-bound, or loose-leaf versions of the NEC — spiral-bound is fine here, which is notably more permissive than states like Texas or Oklahoma that ban it outright.
Can You Write Notes? (The Board's Own Contradiction)
Here's something worth knowing before you assume either answer: the Board's own bulletin contradicts itself.
- The FAQ section states plainly: "Underlining and highlighting of the original text is allowed but handwritten notes would not be admissible."
- But the detailed "Items allowed in the examination area" section, a few pages later in the same document, explicitly lists as allowed: "Written notes — prior to examination. Hand written notes in the margins of the aforementioned reference materials," and separately, "Formulas — prior to examination — written on the blank pages of your codebook."
Those two statements directly conflict. Our read: the detailed procedural section is the more authoritative and specific of the two, so margin notes and formulas written before your exam date appear to be permitted — but given the Board's own FAQ says otherwise, the safest move is to call PSI or the Board directly and get a clear answer before you write anything in your book. What's unambiguous either way: you may not write in your references during the exam itself — only on the scrap paper PSI provides.
Fees
| Fee | Journeyman |
|---|---|
| PSI application processing | $60 |
| Trade portion exam | $80 |
| Applied portion exam | $55 |
| MA application processing (waived for veterans/active military/spouses) | $31 |
| Total (or with waiver) | $226 ($195 waived) |
| License fee (paid after passing) | $104 |
How to Prepare Your Codebook
- Buy the current 2023 NEC — paperback, spiral, or ring-binder are all fine in Massachusetts.
- Add tabs; when in doubt, stick to permanent tabs since the rule doesn't explicitly clarify tab type.
- Highlight and underline freely before exam day.
- If you plan to write margin notes or formulas, confirm directly with PSI/the Board first given the bulletin's internal contradiction — and never write in the book during the exam itself.
- Leave Ugly's and the American Electricians' Handbook at home.
Retesting Rules
Fail a part? You must wait a minimum of 24 clock hours before rescheduling — same-day retakes aren't possible. After 3 failed attempts, you must complete additional education tied to your specific weak areas before 3 more attempts; after 6 total failed attempts, you must repeat the full education requirement from scratch. Re-exam fees run up to $135 for both parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a spiral-bound NEC in Massachusetts?
Yes. Unlike several other states, Massachusetts explicitly allows paperback, ring-binder, spiral-bound, or loose-leaf versions of the NEC.
Is Ugly's Electrical References allowed?
No. It's explicitly listed as prohibited in the exam center, even though it's used as a source for writing some exam questions.
Can I test outside of Massachusetts?
No. Unlike many PSI-administered state exams, Massachusetts requires you to test at one of its in-state centers (Auburn, Boston, Fall River, Lawrence, or West Springfield).
What happens if I fail one part of the two-part exam?
You retake only the part you failed, after waiting at least 24 clock hours. You have up to 12 months from your original approval date to pass both parts.
Does Your Book Spot USA guarantee I'll pass?
No. We sell official, correctly-prepared reference materials — no book or study guide can guarantee an exam result, and we don't claim otherwise.
Get the Correct Codebook
Once you've confirmed your NEC edition is current, shop our Massachusetts-ready NEC codebook — spiral-bound is exam-legal here, with tabs available.
Ordering for a crew, apprenticeship class, or training program? Request bulk pricing.
Official Sources
- Board of State Examiners of Electricians — Examination Candidate Information Bulletin, effective 11/1/2024 (via test-takers.psiexams.com)
- Massachusetts 527 CMR 12.00 — Massachusetts Electrical Code adoption of the 2023 NEC, effective March 1, 2023 (checked August 31, 2026)
Your Book Spot USA is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians, PSI Services LLC, or NFPA. Candidate bulletins and licensing rules change — this page reflects our verification as of the date above. Spot something outdated? Let us know and we'll correct it.
