How to Verify a Licensed Electrician in New Hampshire

New Hampshire licenses electricians through the NH Electricians' Board under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (oplc.nh.gov). All electricians and electrical contractors performing work in New Hampshire must hold valid licenses. Unlicensed electrical work creates fire hazards, voids insurance, and limits your legal recourse. Verify credentials at oplc.nh.gov before any electrical work begins.

This guide covers New Hampshire's electrical licensing system, what license tiers exist, how to verify credentials, and what else to confirm before hiring an electrician.

Does New Hampshire require electricians to be licensed?

Yes. New Hampshire requires all electricians performing electrical work to hold a valid license from the NH Electricians' Board under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (oplc.nh.gov). Both individual electricians and electrical contracting businesses must be licensed. Performing electrical work without a license in New Hampshire is a violation of state law and can result in fines, stop-work orders, and criminal penalties.

The NH Electricians' Board administers licensing for all electricians working in the state. It sets licensing standards, administers exams, investigates complaints, and maintains the public license database that consumers can search for free at oplc.nh.gov.

Electrical fires cause an estimated $1.4 billion in property damage annually in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. New Hampshire's licensing requirements ensure electricians have passed rigorous competency exams and have the knowledge to install safe, code-compliant electrical systems.

What electrician license types does New Hampshire issue?

The NH Electricians' Board issues Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Apprentice Electrician, and Electrical Contractor licenses. A Master Electrician holds the highest individual license — authorized to supervise, design, and permit electrical work and serve as the qualifier for an electrical contracting business. Journeyman Electricians perform most field work under master oversight. Electrical Contractor is the business-level license.

New Hampshire electrician license tiers:

• Electrical Contractor— Business-level license for companies contracting to perform electrical work. Must have a qualifying Master Electrician on staff.
• Master Electrician— Highest individual license. Authorized to supervise, permit, and design electrical systems.
• Journeyman Electrician— Licensed to perform electrical installations and repairs under master oversight.
• Apprentice Electrician— In a supervised training program. Cannot work independently.

When hiring, verify both the Electrical Contractor license for the business and the Master or Journeyman Electrician license for the individual doing the work.

What bond does a New Hampshire electrical contractor need?

New Hampshire home improvement contractors — including those performing residential electrical work — must carry a $25,000 surety bond as part of their home improvement contractor registration. For commercial electrical contractors, bond requirements may vary. Beyond the bond, verify active general liability insurance before any electrical work begins. For residential projects, at least $300,000 in coverage is appropriate. Call the insurer to confirm coverage is current.

How do I verify an electrician's license in New Hampshire?

Go to oplc.nh.gov and use the OPLC's free public license lookup. Search under the Electricians' Board by name, business name, or license number. Confirm the license type (Master, Journeyman, or Electrical Contractor), the status is active, and the expiration date has not passed. New Hampshire electrical licenses must be renewed periodically — an expired license is not valid.

What to confirm in the license lookup:

• License type— Electrical Contractor for the business; Master or Journeyman for the individual.
• Status— Active. Any other status means no current authorization.
• Expiration date— Confirm the license is current before signing.
• Qualifier— For the contracting business, identify the qualifying Master Electrician and confirm their individual license is also active.
• Complaint history— Review any prior disciplinary actions in the OPLC database.

Are permits required for electrical work in New Hampshire?

Yes. Most electrical work in New Hampshire requires a permit from the local building department. Your licensed electrician must pull the permit before starting work. Unpermitted electrical work can void homeowner's insurance, fail home sale inspections, and leave dangerous wiring undetected. New Hampshire also has a state electrical inspection program that covers municipalities without their own inspectors.

CheckLicensed.com lets you verify any New Hampshire electrician's license for just $0.99. Confirm the NH Electricians' Board license is active at oplc.nh.gov or use CheckLicensed.com to check credentials before any electrical work begins on your property.