---
title: "Master Electrician: Requirements and What It Allows"
description: "What a master electrician license is, typical experience required after journeyman, the exam, permits and running jobs, and whether it is worth getting."
url: https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/master-electrician/
updated: 2026-10-11
site: ShapeMyCareer
---

Licenses · Master electrician

# Master electrician

The top of the electrical license ladder.

Electrical license, level three

A master electrician license is what lets you design, pull permits for and take responsibility for electrical work. Many contractors need at least one master on staff, so masters are in demand even when they never touch a tool.

In short

A master electrician usually has several more years of experience after the journeyman license, often around two, plus a harder exam on the National Electrical Code, load calculations, design and business rules. In many states the master can pull permits and supervise other electricians, and electrical contractors often need a master on the license. Requirements are set by each state or city.

**Sources checked October 11, 2026** Pay, training and outlook come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay is the middle (median) figure nationally; your first paycheck in the trade will usually be lower.

## What masters do

- Pull permits and sign off on jobs
- Design circuits and service sizes, and do load calculations
- Supervise journeymen and apprentices
- Serve as the qualifying license holder for a contracting company

## Is it worth it?

If you want to run jobs, start a company or move into estimating and design, yes. Masters are usually paid toward the top of the range: the top 10 percent of electricians earned more than $108,510 in May 2025.

### Planning the long game?

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## Straight answers

### How long does it take to become a master electrician?

Often six or more years in total: about four as an apprentice and a couple more as a journeyman. It varies by state.

### Is the master electrician exam harder than journeyman?

Usually yes. It adds design, load calculations and business and law topics.

### Can a master electrician start their own business?

In many states, a master license plus a contractor registration and insurance lets you open a contracting business.

## Where this comes from

- [BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025 to 2035)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [Electricians in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm)
- [NFPA 70: National Electrical Code](https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70-standard-development/70)

## Keep looking

- [Journeyman electrician](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/journeyman-electrician/)
- [Electrician salary](https://shapemycareer.com/salary/electrician/)
- [Electrician apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/electrician/)
- [Licenses](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/)
- [Class A vs Class B](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/cdl-class-a-vs-class-b/)
- [How to get a CDL](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/how-to-get-a-cdl/)
- [HVAC license](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/hvac-license/)
- [Journeyman plumber](https://shapemycareer.com/licensing/journeyman-plumber/)

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