New Jersey electrical continuing education is 34 hours every 3 years for a licensed electrical contractor, including a 10-hour in-person course on the newest National Electrical Code (NEC) and New Jersey law. Class A journeymen and Class B wiremen, two of the state's electrician licenses, need 15 hours on the newest NEC each 3-year renewal. The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors sets these rules. Contractor licenses expire March 31 every 3 years.
| Quick facts | New Jersey electrician CE |
|---|---|
| Contractor hours | 34 each 3-year cycle |
| Journeyman and wireman hours | 15 on the newest NEC each 3-year renewal |
| Contractor deadline | March 31, every 3 years. The next one is March 31, 2027. |
| Required topics | Contractors: a 10-hour in-person course with 9 hours of NEC and 1 hour of New Jersey statutes and rules |
| Online allowed | Up to 8 contractor hours from recorded or self-study courses. Live, interactive webinars aren't capped. |
| Reporting | You confirm your hours on the renewal form. Keep sponsor certificates for 6 years in case of an audit. |
| JCR approval | Sponsor ECSP 124 on the Board's approved sponsor list |
How much New Jersey electrical continuing education do you need?
| License | Hours every 3 years | What the hours must cover |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical contractor | 34 hours | The 10-hour in-person code and law course, plus 24 hours of approved electrical topics |
| Class A journeyman | 15 hours | The newest NEC edition |
| Class B wireman | 15 hours | The newest NEC edition |
- First contractor cycle: no CE for the 3-year period in which you were first licensed.
- Carryover: contractors can carry up to 8 extra hours into the next cycle.
- Daily cap: no more than 8 hours count from one day.
- Both licenses: a contractor who meets the 34-hour rule also meets the journeyman rule.
Need New Jersey CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states, including New Jersey, where the full-day class is approved in person or virtual.
Each JCR class counts 8 hours toward a contractor's 24 general hours. Book the 10-hour in-person code and law course with a sponsor on the Board's list.
What is the 10-hour NEC course for New Jersey contractors?
Every contractor needs one 10-hour course each cycle (unless it's your first cycle):
- 9 hours on the newest NEC edition
- 1 hour on New Jersey electrical statutes and rules
- In person only. Webinars and other distance courses don't satisfy it.
Sponsors can't start teaching it on a new NEC edition until the January after that edition is published. JCR's New Jersey approvals are 8-hour classes, so they don't fill this course.
Can New Jersey electrical CE be online?
For contractors, partly:
- Recorded, self-study or correspondence courses: up to 8 hours a cycle, and no more than 2 from one course.
- Live webinars: no cap, as long as you and the instructor can talk in real time.
- OSHA-authorized online safety courses: up to 8 hours a cycle.
The 10-hour code and law course is the one part that must be in person.
How does New Jersey electrical license renewal work?
- Watch for the notice. The Board sends it at least 60 days before your license expires.
- Finish your hours and confirm them on the renewal application.
- Pay the renewal fee before your license expires: $225 for a contractor license plus $150 for the business permit, $150 for a Class A journeyman or $75 for a Class B wireman.
Within 30 days after expiration, you can still renew with a $50 late fee, and the license stays valid. After 30 days it's suspended without a hearing. Starting December 31, 2027, anyone working in electrical contracting must hold a contractor, journeyman, wireman or apprentice license.
New Jersey electrician CE questions
How much NJ electrical contractor continuing education is required?
Thirty-four hours every 3 years, including a 10-hour in-person course with 9 hours of NEC and 1 hour of New Jersey law.
Do New Jersey journeyman electricians need continuing education?
Yes. A Class A journeyman needs 15 hours on the newest NEC each 3-year renewal. A Class B wireman needs the same 15.
When do New Jersey electrical contractor licenses expire?
March 31, every 3 years. The next one is March 31, 2027. Renewing up to 30 days late costs $50, and after that the license is suspended.
Can I take NJ electrical contractor CE online?
Up to 8 of the 34 hours can be recorded or self-study, with 2 per course at most. Live, interactive webinars aren't capped, but the 10-hour code and law course must be in person.
Do I need CE for my first New Jersey contractor renewal?
No. Contractors don't need CE for the 3-year period in which they were first licensed.
New Jersey CE from JCR
JCR's New Jersey page lists these approved classes:
- Full-day CE: 8 hours, in person or virtual
- Detailed NEC Workshop: 8 hours on day 1 and 8 on day 2
Sign the New Jersey roster when you arrive and include your New Jersey license number. Add New Jersey State Reporting ($25) to your order.
Sources
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-1.7, contractor CE
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-5.5, journeyman CE
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-6.5, wireman CE
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-2.4, contractor renewal
- N.J.A.C. 13:31-1.6, fees
- Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
- Board FAQ
- Approved CE sponsors
Last checked October 21, 2026, against N.J.A.C. 13:31 and the Board's home, FAQ and CE sponsor pages.