Maryland journeyperson electrician requirements
A Maryland journeyperson needs 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience under a master, or an approved apprenticeship (576 classroom hours plus 8,000 work hours), then a 70% on the PSI exam. The master path is 7 years. The exam fee is $65.
Experience or apprenticeship
4 years (8,000 hours) of experience under a Maryland master, OR a Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council-approved apprenticeship (576 classroom hours + 8,000 work hours). The MD Board of Electricians has to approve your experience before PSI Services will seat you.
The exam
PSI Services delivers the journeyperson exam as a single test: 70 questions in 3 hours 30 minutes, and you need 70% to pass. It is open book on the 2020 NEC. There is no Maryland law section. The PSI outline is electrical theory and NEC articles, and the 2020 NEC is the only reference allowed in the room. The bulletin's answer rule: where a state law or regulation conflicts with the NEC, the state one controls. If you are going further, the master exam is the 90-question, calculation-heavy step up.
Fees
The exam fee is $65 to PSI, and the journeyperson license fee is $18.50 once you pass. You pay the exam fee again each time you sit.
If you do not pass
Wait 30 days from your most recent attempt to retest, and pay the $65 exam fee again. Your exam approval is valid for one year. The recovery plan walks through how to use that window on the article families you missed.
State license, but check the county
A Maryland state license does not replace local registration. Counties and Baltimore City can no longer issue licenses, but many still require a local registration, permits, and inspections before you can work there.
Renewal and continuing education
Every 2 years. 5 hours per 2-year renewal.
Eligible to test? Find your weak spots first.
Start with the free 15-minute diagnostic. It shows the article families costing you the most points. Then the full platform drills your weak areas with original questions, calculators, a 30-day plan, and study guides, all on the 2020 NEC, before you pay the $65 fee and book it.
- Maryland State Board of Electricians — License Requirements. Journeyperson (4 years / approved apprenticeship) and Master (7 years) eligibility, the statewide license structure, and fees.
- PSI Maryland Master & Journeyperson Candidate Bulletin. Updated 9/1/2024. Confirms PSI administration, open book on the 2020 NEC (the only reference allowed in the room), an online calculator, two named tab brands, Journeyperson 70 q / Master 90 q, 70% to pass, and the 30-day retake wait.
- Maryland Electricians Act (SB 762, 2021). The 2021 law that created statewide Journeyperson and Apprentice licenses and renamed the Board of Master Electricians.
- COMAR 09.09.02.01 (continuing education). The 2-year renewal cycle and CE requirement (Journeyperson 5 hours, Master 10 hours).