Important New Hampshire exam update: New Hampshire's state building code currently references the 2023 NEC, but Prov's April 2026 electrician bulletin still lists Master Electrician examinations based on the 2017 and 2020 NEC. Match your exam prep books to the exact Prov exam version you are approved to take.
What Is the New Hampshire Master Electrician Contractor License?
New Hampshire's Master Electrician license is the advanced statewide electrical credential for electricians who have moved beyond the journeyman level and meet the additional field-experience and examination requirements.
State law defines a Master Electrician as a person who may work for another master electrician, hire or employ others to perform electrical work as a business, or make electrical installations as a principal or auxiliary business for their own account.
That makes the master credential especially important for electricians moving into supervision, contracting, business ownership and responsibility for complete electrical installations.
Journeyman requirement: a master applicant must first satisfy the journeyman examination requirement.
Additional experience: current rules require 2,000 hours of field experience as a journeyman before the candidate may take the master examination.
Business role: a New Hampshire Master Electrician may operate within the business authority described by RSA 319-C. Corporations and partnerships performing electrical installations require a licensed New Hampshire master electrician directly in charge.
The New Hampshire 2020 Master Electrician Exam Prep Package supports the current Prov-listed 2020 exam path with master-level electrical study and NEC-based preparation.
New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam Paths
The current April 2026 Prov bulletin lists two Master Electrician examination versions. Confirm the exact version on your authorization before buying or preparing books.
| Exam Path | Current Format | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Master Electrician (2020) | 126 questions • 5 hours • open book | 2020 NEC and current authorized reference set |
| Master Electrician (2017) | 125 questions • 5 hours • open book | 2017 NEC, NEC Handbook and current authorized references |
| New Hampshire Journeyman | Must be completed before the normal Master path | Current journeyman license and documented journeyman field experience |
| Master Experience | 2,000 hours as a journeyman | Employment dates, work performed and licensed-electrician verification |
| Master Contractor / Business Role | RSA 319-C electrical-business authority | Individual or business-entity licensing structure before contracting |
Research Authority and Citation Count
The latest Prov bulletin, New Hampshire electrical rules, state statutes and current 1 Exam Prep product information were checked separately.
| Verified Point | Authority | Research Result |
|---|---|---|
| Current Master exam options | Prov April 2026 bulletin | Master Electrician 2017 and Master Electrician 2020 are currently listed |
| 2020 Master exam format | Prov April 2026 bulletin | 126 questions and 5 hours |
| Passing score | Prov April 2026 bulletin | 70% cut score |
| Open-book status | Prov April 2026 bulletin | All listed electrician examinations are open book and timed |
| Master eligibility | Elec 304.01 | Pass the journeyman examination and obtain 2,000 hours of journeyman field experience |
| Master business authority | RSA 319-C | Master electricians may work in the electrical business under the authority defined by state law |
| Business entities | RSA 319-C:10 | Corporations and partnerships performing electrical installations require a licensed master electrician in charge |
New Hampshire Master Electrician Contractor Exam Breakdown
The newer Master Electrician (2020) examination currently listed by Prov contains 126 questions and allows five hours. Candidates must earn at least 70 percent to pass.
The biggest section is Administrative with 25 questions. General Electrical Knowledge contains 21 questions, Motors and Generators contains 19, and Wiring Methods and Materials contains 14.
That administrative section is one of the biggest differences between a typical journeyman exam and the master exam. A candidate who can size every motor conductor in the building but forgets to study New Hampshire electrical laws can still have a very long five hours.
License New Hampshire Master Electrician
Licensing Authority New Hampshire OPLC / Electricians' Board
Testing Provider Prov, Inc.
Primary Current Prep Path Master Electrician (2020)
Questions 126
Time Allowed 5 hours
Passing Score 70%
Format Open book and timed
Exam NEC 2020 NEC for the Master Electrician (2020) examination
Largest Topic Administrative • 25 questions
Eligibility Pass Journeyman exam + 2,000 hours of journeyman field experience
Current State Building Code New Hampshire currently references the 2023 NEC for state building-code purposes
How to Study for the New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam
Master-level preparation should combine technical electrical study with New Hampshire administrative review. The exam gives a full 25 questions to Administrative material, so state laws and rules deserve their own study schedule.
Study Administrative early. It is the largest current Master Electrician (2020) category with 25 questions.
Do not neglect motors. Motors and Generators contains 19 questions.
Practice practical electrical knowledge. The American Electrician's Handbook and Ugly's support topics that are not always simple NEC lookups.
Match your exam books. New Hampshire may use a newer NEC for construction, but Prov controls the reference edition for the licensing exam you schedule.
Master Electrician Calculations and Code Navigation Strategy
Master-level electrical questions often combine several rules. You may need to identify a system, perform a calculation, apply an NEC article, check an exception and then decide whether a New Hampshire rule changes the answer.
Simplified New Hampshire Master Electrician exam prep illustration for calculations, NEC navigation and administrative rules.
Use a repeatable master-level process: classify the problem, select the controlling reference, work the math carefully, confirm exceptions and then check whether an administrative or state-specific requirement applies.
- Services: load calculations, service conductors, service equipment, grounding and bonding
- Feeders: loads, conductor ampacity, overcurrent protection and grounding
- Branch Circuits: loads, conductors, protection and required circuits
- Motors and Generators: conductors, overloads, short-circuit protection, controllers and disconnects
- Wiring Methods: raceways, cables, boxes, fittings, support and protection
- Administrative: licensing, supervision, applications, responsibilities and New Hampshire rules
Your New Hampshire Master Electrician Licensing Roadmap
Move from journeyman experience to Board approval, Prov testing and Master Electrician licensing.
1
Earn the Journeyman Electrician credential
Complete the applicable New Hampshire journeyman qualification and examination requirements.
2
Build 2,000 hours of journeyman field experience
Document electrical-installation work completed after reaching the journeyman level.
3
Prepare your Master application
Collect employment certifications, work history and the other documentation required by New Hampshire OPLC.
4
Receive authorization to test
The State determines examination eligibility before Prov allows scheduling.
5
Confirm your exact exam version
Current Prov materials list Master Electrician 2017 and Master Electrician 2020. Match your books to the version on your authorization.
6
Pass the Master examination
For the 2020 exam, prepare for 126 questions over five hours and a 70 percent passing standard.
7
Complete Master licensing and business requirements
Finish the licensing process and review any business-entity requirements before contracting through a corporation or partnership.
New Hampshire Master Electrician (2020) Exam Topic Weighting
These question counts follow the current April 2026 Prov Master Electrician (2020) outline. Bar lengths compare each category with the largest 25-question Administrative section.
General Electrical Knowledge 21 questions • 16.7%
Equipment for General Use 9 questions • 7.1%
Motors and Generators 19 questions • 15.1%
Control Devices 5 questions • 4.0%
Special Conditions 2 questions • 1.6%
Special Equipment 2 questions • 1.6%
Special Occupancies 3 questions • 2.4%
Services and Service Equipment 12 questions • 9.5%
Branch Circuits and Conductors 6 questions • 4.8%
Feeders 8 questions • 6.3%
Wiring Methods & Materials 14 questions • 11.1%
Administrative 25 questions • 19.8%
New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam References
The current April 2026 Prov bulletin lists the following major references for the Master Electrician (2020) exam.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Exam Note |
|---|---|---|
| National Electrical Code, 2020 | Services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding, wiring methods, equipment and special installations | Primary NEC reference for the Master Electrician (2020) exam |
| American Electrician's Handbook, 17th Edition | Practical electrical knowledge, theory, systems and applications | Listed in the current Prov reference set |
| Ugly's Electrical References, 2020 | Formulas, conversions, motors, transformers and electrical calculations | Listed for quick electrical reference |
| New Hampshire Laws and Rules Elec 100-400 / RSA 319-C | Licensing, qualifications, supervision and administrative requirements | Especially important because Administrative contains 25 questions |
| HB85 Chapter 157 | New Hampshire NEC-related state material | Candidate-printed version listed by Prov |
| 2023 NEC | Current New Hampshire state building-code work and newer-code education | Do not replace the 2020 exam reference with 2023 unless your Prov authorization and bulletin say to do so |
| 2026 NEC Study Materials | Current-code education and broader Master Electrician professional development | Useful for newer-code learning, not a substitute for the authorized 2020 exam references |
How to Prepare for the Open-Book New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Confirm whether your authorization is for the 2017 or 2020 exam
- Practice with the exact NEC edition tied to your exam
- Study New Hampshire laws and rules every week
- Learn the American Electrician's Handbook layout
- Practice master-level electrical calculations
- Use approved permanent tabs
- Complete five-hour timed simulations
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Assuming the newest NEC is automatically the exam book
- Ignoring the 25 Administrative questions
- Using moveable tabs or Post-it notes
- Adding handwritten notes to exam references
- Bringing unapproved study guides into the exam
- Ignoring practical electrical references
- Spending too long on one calculation
New Hampshire Master Electrician vs Journeyman Electrician
The Journeyman Electrician license and Master Electrician license are separate New Hampshire credentials with different levels of responsibility.
A New Hampshire Journeyman Electrician must be employed by a licensed New Hampshire Master Electrician or a properly licensed electrical entity.
A Master Electrician may work for another master or may operate as a business under the authority defined in state law. The master credential is therefore the important step for electricians moving toward independent electrical contracting and business supervision.
Journeyman: licensed electrician working under the employment structure required by RSA 319-C.
Master: advanced electrical license that can support independent electrical-business activity and supervision under state law.
Corporations and partnerships: must have a New Hampshire licensed Master Electrician directly in charge of the electrical business requirements described by law.
New Hampshire Electrician License Comparison
The journeyman, master and business-entity paths have different responsibilities.
| Path | Main Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | Perform licensed electrical installation work | Must be employed by a licensed Master Electrician or licensed entity |
| Master Electrician | Advanced electrical work, supervision and business authority | Requires journeyman examination plus 2,000 hours of journeyman field experience |
| Master Electrician (2020) Exam | Current Prov-listed master licensing examination | 126 questions, 5 hours, 70% passing |
| Master Electrician (2017) Exam | Alternative current Prov-listed master exam version | 125 questions, 5 hours and 2017 reference set |
| Corporation / Partnership | Business entity performing electrical installations | Requires a licensed Master Electrician in direct charge as provided by RSA 319-C:10 |
New Hampshire Master Electrician License Requirements
Journeyman Foundation
Required First Step
- Complete the Journeyman Electrician qualification path
- Pass the journeyman examination
- Hold qualifying journeyman status
- Maintain accurate employment records
- Perform qualifying electrical installations
Master Exam Candidate
Advanced Exam Focus
- 2,000 hours of journeyman field experience
- General electrical knowledge
- Motors and generators
- Services, feeders and branch circuits
- Wiring methods and equipment
- New Hampshire administrative requirements
- Master-level calculations
Master Contractor / Business
Electrical Business Responsibility
- Review RSA 319-C business authority
- Understand entity licensing rules
- Supervise electrical installations appropriately
- Maintain required licensing and continuing education
- Use a licensed master in charge for qualifying corporations and partnerships
Six-Week New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam Prep Plan
Build administrative knowledge, master-level calculations and open-book reference speed in focused weekly blocks.
Week 1
Exam Setup and Administrative Rules
- Confirm 2017 or 2020 exam
- Review RSA 319-C
- Review Elec rules
- Organize state references
- Take a diagnostic practice exam
Week 2
General Knowledge and Services
- Electrical theory
- Service calculations
- Grounding and bonding
- Service equipment
- Fault-current concepts
Week 3
Motors and Generators
- Motor conductors
- Overload protection
- Short-circuit protection
- Controllers
- Generators and disconnects
Week 4
Wiring Methods and Equipment
- Raceways and cables
- Boxes and enclosures
- Equipment for general use
- Control devices
- Conductor rules
Week 5
Feeders and Special Articles
- Feeder calculations
- Branch circuits
- Special occupancies
- Special equipment
- Special conditions
Week 6
Full Master Exam Simulation
- 126-question timed practice
- Five-hour pacing
- Administrative review
- Calculation drills
- Final Prov reference check
How Hard Is the New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam?
The Master Electrician exam is demanding because it combines advanced electrical knowledge with a large state-administrative section.
The 2020 version gives candidates five hours for 126 questions, which works out to a little under two and one-half minutes per question on average.
Twenty-five Administrative questions means you cannot treat state law as a side topic. General Electrical Knowledge and Motors and Generators add another 40 questions. Strong reference navigation, practical knowledge and calculations all need to work together.
New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm whether you are testing on the 2017 or 2020 exam
- Bring the exact Prov-approved references
- Bring required identification
- Use only compliant permanent tabs
- Know where your New Hampshire law references are organized
- Maintain a steady five-hour pace
- Leave time to review flagged answers
Do not do this
- Bring the 2023 or 2026 NEC unless it is authorized for your exam
- Use moveable tabs or Post-it notes
- Bring handwritten notes in exam references
- Bring practice exams or unauthorized study guides
- Ignore Administrative questions
- Depend only on field experience
- Spend too long on one difficult calculation
New Hampshire Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep Options
2020 Master Electrician Exam Prep Package
Current Prov-Aligned Code Cycle
- 2020 NEC-based preparation
- Master Electrician study materials
- Open-book exam practice
- Electrical theory review
- Grounding and wiring-method study
- Load-calculation preparation
2020 Study Guide + NEC with Tabs
Code Navigation Package
- 2020 Master Electrician Study Guide
- 2020 National Electrical Code
- NEC tabs
- 12 open-book practice exams
- 2 final exams
- State-specific study introduction
New Hampshire Master Exam Book Package
Reference-Based Preparation
- American Electrician's Handbook
- New Hampshire laws and rules
- HB85 state material
- 2020 National Electrical Code
- Ugly's Electrical References
- Administrative preparation
Current-code study note: 1 Exam Prep also offers New Hampshire Master Electrician materials based on the 2023 and 2026 NEC. Those can support current-code education, but candidates taking the current Prov Master Electrician (2020) exam should match their final test-day materials to the 2020 reference list in the Prov bulletin.
New Hampshire Master Electrician Is the Advanced Electrical Business Credential
The Master Electrician path combines advanced trade knowledge, journeyman experience and New Hampshire administrative responsibility.
• Prov administers the current Master Electrician examinations
• The newer currently listed Master Electrician exam is based on the 2020 NEC
• The 2020 exam contains 126 questions
• Candidates have five hours
• The current passing standard is 70%
• Administrative is the largest category with 25 questions
• Master applicants need 2,000 hours of field experience as a journeyman
• The Master license supports electrical-business authority under New Hampshire law
Confirm your Prov exam version first, then match your exam prep and code book to it.
New Hampshire Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
New Hampshire Master Electrician Exam
Prov currently lists more than one Master Electrician exam version. The Master Electrician (2020) exam contains 126 questions. The Master Electrician (2017) exam contains 125 questions.
Both current Master Electrician exam versions listed in Prov's April 2026 bulletin allow five hours.
Prov currently grades New Hampshire electrician examinations against a 70 percent cut score.
Yes. The current Prov bulletin states that New Hampshire electrician examinations are open book and timed.
It depends on the exact exam version you are authorized to take. The current April 2026 Prov bulletin lists a Master Electrician (2020) examination using the 2020 NEC and a Master Electrician (2017) examination using the 2017 NEC reference set.
Yes. The New Hampshire state building code currently references the 2023 National Electrical Code. That does not automatically change the NEC edition authorized for a Prov licensing examination, so candidates must follow the exam bulletin tied to their test.
Master Exam Subjects
Administrative is the largest section with 25 questions, or about 19.8 percent of the 126-question examination.
The Master Electrician (2020) outline assigns 21 questions to General Electrical Knowledge.
The current Master Electrician (2020) outline assigns 19 questions to Motors and Generators.
Wiring Methods and Materials contains 14 questions on the Master Electrician (2020) examination.
Administrative material accounts for 25 questions, making state law and rule preparation one of the highest-value study areas on the master examination.
Master License Requirements
Current New Hampshire rules require a master applicant to pass the journeyman examination and obtain 2,000 hours of field experience as a journeyman performing electrical installations before being allowed to take the master examination.
New Hampshire law defines a Master Electrician as a person who may be employed by another master electrician, hire or employ others to do electrical work as a business, or make electrical installations as a principal or auxiliary business for their own account.
A corporation or partnership engaged in the business of electrical installations must meet New Hampshire entity-licensing requirements, including having a licensed Master Electrician directly in charge as provided by RSA 319-C:10.
Yes. New Hampshire law establishes apprentice-supervision ratios for both Master and Journeyman Electricians. Master electricians may supervise apprentices within the limits stated in RSA 319-C:2-a.
Yes. Current rules require Master and Journeyman Electricians to complete 15 hours of instruction covering changes to the latest published NEC and specified New Hampshire law, rule and installation concerns within the required code-update period.
Open-Book Rules and 1 Exam Prep
Yes. Prov currently allows highlighting and underlining in pen before the examination.
Yes. Prov currently allows permanent tabs. Moveable tabs and Post-it notes are not permitted.
No. Prov states that handwritten notes are not allowed in examination reference books.
No. Prov states that test-preparation study guides and practice examinations are not approved exam-room references.
The New Hampshire 2020 Master Electrician Exam Prep Package and the New Hampshire 2020 Master Electrician Study Guide + National Electrical Code Combo with Tabs match the 2020 NEC study cycle listed for the current Master Electrician (2020) examination.
Yes for broader current-code education, calculations and Master Electrician study. For the actual licensing examination, use the exact NEC edition and authorized references tied to the Prov exam version you schedule.
Watch: 2026 Master Electrician Exam Prep License Study Guide
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep Master Electrician video for advanced exam-prep strategy, open-book study techniques, code-book organization, master-level electrical topics and time-management guidance.
New Hampshire exam prep note: this 1 Exam Prep video discusses 2026 NEC Master Electrician study and general master-exam strategy. New Hampshire's current April 2026 Prov bulletin lists Master Electrician exams based on the 2017 and 2020 NEC. Use the video for strategy and current-code learning, but use the exact Prov-approved references for your scheduled New Hampshire examination.
New Hampshire Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current New Hampshire Electricians' Board and Prov information together with focused 1 Exam Prep Master Electrician study materials.
New Hampshire 2020 Master Electrician Exam Prep 2020 Master Study Guide + NEC with Tabs New Hampshire Master Electrician 2020 Exam Books 2020 Master Electrician Get Started Package 2023 New Hampshire Master Super Combo 2026 New Hampshire Master Super Combo Current New Hampshire Prov Electrician Bulletin New Hampshire Electrician Rules New Hampshire RSA 319-C New Hampshire Electrical Business Entity Law New Hampshire Electricians' Board Contact 1 Exam Prep
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