State Guides · New York
New York Electrician License and Permits Guide 2026
New York has no statewide electrician license. See how NYC, Buffalo, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau towns license electricians and when permits apply.
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Free matching service · Updated Sep 28, 2026
Electricians in New York
Tell us what you need and we'll find the right local electrician for your project. We know 10 electricians serving New York.
New York has no statewide electrician license. Licensing is local: New York City requires a Master Electrician license from the Department of Buildings, Buffalo licenses master and journeyman electricians, Westchester and Suffolk counties issue county electrical licenses, and in Nassau County the towns run their own electrician boards. Many smaller towns license no one, but the work must still be inspected. Outside New York City, work follows the NYS Uniform Code, and the 2025 edition that took effect on December 31, 2025 brought in the 2023 National Electrical Code. Older housing and heavy upstate snow make panel upgrades and backup power common requests.Our ranking lists local electrical companies in New York's largest cities and orders them by real homeowner reviews. Each profile shows the service area, years in business and any license we could confirm, so you can check them before you call.
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Local electricians we know in New York
Mel Carr Electric
8 services
Ceiling Fan InstallationEV ChargersLightingOutlet & Switch InstallationRepairs & TroubleshootingSmart Home WiringSmoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector InstallationWiring & RewiringYork Electrical Contractors
17 services
Aluminum Wiring RepairCeiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceData CablingDedicated CircuitsDOB Violation RemovalElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical Safety InspectionsEV ChargersGFCI Outlet InstallationLightingOutlet & Switch Installation+5 moreNo Shorts Electric
5.0Insured17 services
Bathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationBattery Backup SystemsDedicated CircuitsElectrical Safety InspectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGenerator Transfer SwitchesGeneratorsGFCI Outlet InstallationHome Standby Generator InstallationHot Tub & Spa WiringLighting+5 moreSub-City Electrical
12 services
Electrical Design-BuildElectrical RemodelingElectrical Service UpgradesGeneratorsHome Standby Generator InstallationLightingNew Construction ElectricalOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel UpgradesPool WiringRepairs & TroubleshootingWiring & RewiringAntonio Ceriello Electric
11 services
Electric Heat InstallationElectrical RemodelingElectrical Safety InspectionsElectrical Service UpgradesHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingNew Construction ElectricalOutlet & Switch InstallationPool WiringRepairs & TroubleshootingWiring & RewiringFielack Electric
4.8Insured14 services
Attic Fan InstallationCeiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceData CablingElectrical Safety InspectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGeneratorsKnob & Tube Wiring ReplacementLightingOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel Upgrades+2 morePremier Electrical Contractors
5.0Licensed20 services
Aluminum Wiring RepairBasement ElectricalBathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceDedicated CircuitsDOB Violation RemovalElectrical Code CorrectionsElectrical Safety InspectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGFCI Outlet InstallationHot Tub & Spa Wiring+8 moreLoria Electrical Services
13 services
Attic Fan InstallationBasement ElectricalBathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationCeiling Fan InstallationElectric Heat InstallationGeneratorsHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingNew Construction ElectricalPanel UpgradesPool WiringRepairs & Troubleshooting+1 moreKeating Electric
17 services
Air Conditioning WiringCeiling Fan InstallationCircuit Breaker ServiceData CablingElectrical RemodelingElectrical Safety InspectionsElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGeneratorsGFCI Outlet InstallationHome Standby Generator InstallationHot Tub & Spa Wiring+5 moreJP’s Best Electric
Insured16 services
Bathroom & Exhaust Fan InstallationCeiling Fan InstallationData CablingElectrical Service UpgradesEV ChargersGenerator Transfer SwitchesGeneratorsHot Tub & Spa WiringLightingOutlet & Switch InstallationPanel UpgradesPool Wiring+4 more
Guides for New York
All New York guidesQuestions from New York homeowners
Does New York State license electricians?
No. New York has no statewide electrician license, so the rules depend on where you live. New York City licenses Master and Special Electricians through the Department of Buildings, the City of Buffalo issues master and journeyman electrician licenses, Westchester County licenses electricians through its Department of Consumer Protection, and Suffolk County issues Master Electrician licenses through its Department of Consumer Affairs.
Who licenses electricians in Nassau County?
Nassau County does not issue a countywide electrician license. The Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay each have their own electrical licensing board, and a license from one town does not automatically carry over to another, so ask your town or village which license it requires.
How do I check an electrician's license in New York City?
Use the NYC Department of Buildings license search (BIS or DOB NOW). In New York City a Master Electrician license is needed to file for an electrical permit and to do electrical work for the public.
Which electrical code applies to my home?
Outside New York City, work follows the NYS Uniform Code. The 2025 Uniform Code took effect on December 31, 2025, and electrical work under building permits issued from that date must meet the 2023 National Electrical Code. New York City enforces its own Electrical Code through the Department of Buildings.
Does electrical work need an inspection if my town has no license rule?
Yes. Even where anyone may legally do electrical work, the work must be inspected by an electrical inspector your municipality recognizes. Many towns use approved third-party electrical inspection agencies, so ask your local building department which one to call.
What must a home improvement contract include in New York?
Under Article 36-A of the New York General Business Law, a home improvement contract must be in writing, and you may cancel it until midnight of the third business day after you sign. Payments made before the work is substantially complete must be kept in an escrow account, unless the contractor gives you a bond or similar guarantee instead.
Do I need to call 811 before digging for a generator line or outdoor circuit?
Yes. Call 811 at least two and no more than ten working days before digging. New York 811 covers New York City and Long Island and Dig Safely New York covers the rest of the state; by law, contractors and excavators must make the call.
Check any contractor's license: New York license lookup