New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules Elec - Electricians' Board
Overview
The New Hampshire Electricians' Board is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the licensing, standards of practice, and disciplinary actions of electricians in New Hampshire. The rules it enforces ensure that electricians are competent, qualified, and adhere to safety and ethical standards in their work to protect the public.
The rules are based on authority granted by state laws, primarily RSA 319-C, which relates to the licensing and regulation of electricians.
1. Purpose and Authority
The rules exist to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare by regulating the practice of electrical work.
The Electricians’ Board has the authority to license electricians, inspect work, enforce standards, and discipline violations.
2. Definitions
The rules provide clear definitions of key terms to avoid ambiguity, including:
Electrician: A person licensed to install, maintain, repair, or inspect electrical systems.
Apprentice: Someone undergoing training under supervision to become a licensed electrician.
Journeyman Electrician: A licensed electrician qualified to perform electrical work without supervision.
Master Electrician: A licensed electrician qualified to supervise journeymen and apprentices and take full responsibility for electrical installations.
Electrical work: Installation, maintenance, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus, and systems.
Board: Refers to the New Hampshire Electricians’ Board.
3. Licensing Requirements
Apprentice Electricians: Must register with the board and work under direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
Journeyman Electricians: Must pass the required examination and meet experience requirements.
Master Electricians: Must meet higher experience standards and pass a more advanced examination to supervise and be responsible for electrical work.
All applicants must submit applications, pay fees, and provide proof of experience or education.
Licenses are renewed every two years and require continuing education credits.
4. Examination
The board administers or approves examinations designed to test knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code (NEC), and state-specific regulations.
Passing the exam is a prerequisite for becoming a licensed journeyman or master electrician.
5. Standards of Practice
The rules require that all electrical work complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by the state.
Licensed electricians must perform work safely and competently.
Inspections may be required for certain types of work to ensure compliance.
Work must be done in accordance with approved permits and electrical plans.
6. Continuing Education
To maintain a license, electricians must complete a minimum number of continuing education hours per renewal cycle.
Courses must be approved by the board and generally cover changes to electrical codes, safety practices, and new technologies.
7. Apprenticeship Regulations
Apprentices must work under supervision.
The board tracks apprenticeship hours and training.
Apprenticeship programs must meet specific criteria to ensure quality training.
8. Permits and Inspections
Electrical permits are required before beginning certain types of electrical installations or modifications.
Permits ensure that the work is inspected by qualified personnel.
Inspectors verify that installations comply with the NEC and state rules.
Any deviations from approved plans or unsafe conditions must be corrected before final approval.
9. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
Licensed electricians must conduct business ethically and professionally.
The rules prohibit:
Fraudulent practices.
Misrepresentation of qualifications.
Violations of safety standards.
Accepting work beyond their competence or license.
Electricians must cooperate with board investigations and inspections.
10. Disciplinary Actions
The board can investigate complaints and violations.
Possible disciplinary actions include:
Fines.
License suspension or revocation.
Probation.
Reprimands.
Mandatory retraining or continuing education.
Grounds for discipline include violations of code, unlicensed work, fraud, negligence, or unethical behavior.
11. Fees
The rules specify fees for:
Initial licensing.
License renewal.
Reinstatement of expired licenses.
Duplicate licenses.
Fee schedules are designed to cover administrative costs.
12. Record-Keeping
Licensed electricians must keep records of their licenses, continuing education, permits, and inspections.
These records may be subject to review during board audits or investigations.
13. Rulemaking Authority
The Electricians’ Board regularly reviews and updates rules to reflect changes in technology, safety standards, and law.
Proposed changes go through public hearings and comment periods before adoption.
Summary
The New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules for the Electricians’ Board ensures that:
Only qualified electricians are licensed.
Electrical work meets recognized safety standards.
The public is protected from unsafe or unethical electrical practices.
Electricians continue professional development through education.
Complaints and violations are fairly investigated and addressed.
By enforcing these rules, New Hampshire promotes safe electrical installations and protects residents and property from electrical hazards.egulations.justia.com)
Elec 100 – Definitions, Organization & Public Information
Parts Elec 101–106: Purpose, key terms, board composition, meetings, committees, and transparency/public notice provisions (law.cornell.edu).
Elec 200 – Rules of Practice & Procedure
Part Elec 201: Governance of hearings, appeal submission, evidence rules, service of process (law.cornell.edu).
Elec 300 – Licensing Requirements
Parts Elec 301–306: Eligibility, applications, examination rules, fees, qualifications for apprentices, journeyman, and master electrician licenses (casetext.com).
Elec 400 – Continued Status
Parts Elec 401–405: Renewal, continuing education, discipline, reinstatement, and inactive or retired statuses (law.cornell.edu).
👷 Licensing Requirements (Elec 300)
Apprenticeship/Journeyman/Master levels:
Journeyman: Requires 8,000 hours (~4 years) of supervised work and 600+ hours of classroom training (maineelectricalinstitute.com).
Master: Additional 2,000 hours as journeyman under a master plumber or electrician (maineelectricalinstitute.com).
Examination process:
Administered by Prov, Inc.
Fee: $80 per attempt for Journeyman and Master ($60 for relicensing) (provexam.com).
On-site open-book, timed format; test centers in NH, Maine, Massachusetts (provexam.com).
Fees & Applications:
Application fee: ~$50; license renewal (three-year cycle): ~$150 (onetonline.org).
🔄 Continued Status (Elec 400)
Continuing education:
15 hours focused on the current NEC edition upon each update (onetonline.org).
Renewal cycle:
Licenses expire every three years; CE and fees are required for renewal.
Discipline & Municipal Permits:
Electricians must obtain and comply with relevant municipal permits per RSA 155‑A and Elec 405.01(a)(2); failure may result in disciplinary action (blog.service.works, electricallicenserenewal.com).
🏛️ Procedural & Public Transparency (Elec 100–200)
Governance:
The Board is under the OPLC (Office of Professional Licensure & Certification) and adheres to open meetings laws and committee appointment rules (oplc.nh.gov).
Practice Procedures:
Detailed rules for hearing requests, service, evidence, deliberations, and appeals in Elec 200.
✅ Quick Summary Table
Chapter
Focus
Elec 100
Board structure, definitions, public info
Elec 200
Hearing & appeal procedures
Elec 300
Licensing requirements & exams
Elec 400
Renewal, CE, discipline & status
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