New Brunswick · Province guide
How to Become an Electrician in New Brunswick
Construction Electrician is a compulsory-certification Red Seal trade in New Brunswick. The apprenticeship requires 7,200 hours, while the Trade Qualifier route requires 10,800 hours of qualifying employment. Skilled Trades NB reported 1,094 active construction-electrician apprentices for the year ending March 31, 2025 — the highest total among the province’s apprenticeable occupations. Apprentices combine paid employment with technical training and, after meeting the certification requirements, receive a New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement. A separate Electrician Licence from Technical Inspection Services is required to perform electrical installation work in New Brunswick.
Reviewed: October 1, 2026. Apprentice-count data reflects the year ending March 31, 2025 (Skilled Trades NB). Wage data updated November 19, 2025 (Job Bank Canada).
New Brunswick electrician snapshot
7,200
Apprenticeship hrs
4
Technical levels
1,094
Active apprentices
- Compulsory-certification Red Seal trade — Atlantic and National recognition.
- Trade Qualifier route: 10,800 hours of qualifying employment.
- 1,094 active apprentices (year ending March 31, 2025) — highest total among NB apprenticeable occupations.
- Bilingual delivery through NBCC (English) and CCNB (French); confirm program, campus, level and intake with the college.
- Licensing handled separately by Technical Inspection Services: a Class 3 Electrician Licence is the current new-applicant category.
- Average completion reported by Skilled Trades NB: approximately four years.
New Brunswick’s electrician licence structure
Three concepts matter here, and they’re often confused:
- Diploma of Apprenticeship / Certificate of Qualification — your trade credential, issued by Skilled Trades NB.
- Electrician Licence — your personal authorization from Technical Inspection Services to make, repair or maintain electrical installations.
- Electrical Contractor Licence — a business authorization needed to pull wiring permits and undertake installations.
New Brunswick does not use the “Master Electrician” title — it uses a class-based licensing system.
| Licence | Status | Who it’s for | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 3 Electrician Licence | Active | Journeypersons holding a NB C. of Q. | $50/yr |
| Class 2 Electrician Licence | Legacy (pre-1968) | Historical renewal only | $50/yr |
| Industrial Electrician Licence | Active | In-house electricians at one establishment | $50/yr |
| Electrical Contractor (Group 3) | Active | Businesses pulling wiring permits | $400/yr |
| Electrical Contractor (Group 2) | Legacy (pre-1968) | Historical renewal only | $250/yr |
Confirm with TIS
Class 2 and Group 2 appear in the current fee schedule, but they are primarily legacy renewal categories, not new-applicant routes. Newly qualified electricians should expect to apply for a Class 3 licence; new electrical contractors should expect to apply in Group 3.
The New Brunswick pathway at a glance
Route A — Find a sponsoring employer first
Meet entrance requirements → find a sponsoring electrical contractor → register your apprenticeship with Skilled Trades NB → complete four levels of technical training combined with on-the-job work → pass the Interprovincial Red Seal Examination → receive your New Brunswick Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement → apply to Technical Inspection Services for your Class 3 Electrician Licence.
Route B — Pre-employment program first
Complete a pre-employment electrical program at NBCC or CCNB → ask Skilled Trades NB whether the program qualifies for Level 1 credit or examination eligibility → find a sponsoring employer and register → continue the apprenticeship.
Route C — Union pathway (IBEW 502 or IBEW 1555)
Apply through IBEW Local 502 (Saint John) or IBEW Local 1555 (Moncton) → union places you with a signatory contractor → union manages classroom scheduling → same Skilled Trades NB apprenticeship requirements apply.
Important
A college certificate or diploma does not, by itself, make you a certified Construction Electrician. The usual route is a registered Skilled Trades NB apprenticeship; experienced workers may use the Trade Qualifier route. Either way, certification requires meeting Skilled Trades NB requirements and passing the certification examination.
Construction Electrician vs. Industrial Electrician
New Brunswick recognizes both trades through separate NBCC pathways. If you’re planning your route, know which one fits the work you want.
| Construction Electrician | Industrial Electrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical settings | Residential, commercial, institutional and construction-site | Factories, plants, mines, shipyards, industrial maintenance |
| Focus | New installations, service work, code-compliant wiring | Motors, controls, automation, plant maintenance |
| Red Seal | Yes | Yes |
| NB apprenticeship hrs | 7,200 | Confirm with Skilled Trades NB |
This guide covers the Construction Electrician pathway. Readers planning plant-side work should check the Industrial Electrician pathway with NBCC and Skilled Trades NB.
1
Meet the entrance requirements
Admission requirements vary by route and institution. A high-school diploma or equivalent is commonly accepted, but adult-education credentials, admission testing, and specific mathematics requirements may also apply. NBCC and CCNB publish current admission requirements for their electrical programs.
2
Find a sponsoring employer and register with Skilled Trades NB
A sponsoring employer is an electrical contractor who employs you, records your practical experience, and schedules your technical training. Once you’re hired, you (or your employer) register the apprenticeship with Skilled Trades NB.
- Apply directly to electrical contractors in your region.
- Complete a pre-employment program at NBCC or CCNB and use its placement supports.
- Apply through IBEW Local 502 (Saint John) or IBEW Local 1555 (Moncton) — see Route C.
Important — Level 1 credit is not automatic
Completing a related college program does not, by itself, grant Level 1 credit. Ask Skilled Trades NB whether a specific program qualifies for Level 1 credit or examination eligibility before enrolling.
3
Complete the four-level apprenticeship (NBCC or CCNB)
The Construction Electrician apprenticeship in New Brunswick totals 7,200 hours of practical experience and technical training delivered across four levels. NBCC describes the general model as approximately 80% paid on-the-job training and 20% technical or in-school learning. Block lengths, dates, hours and campus availability can vary by trade-school schedule and year — confirm the current schedule with NBCC or CCNB before registering.
NBCC — English-language delivery
NBCC’s current apprenticeship listing identifies Construction Electrician apprenticeship technical training at:
- NBCC Moncton
- NBCC Saint John
- NBCC Woodstock
Campus availability and intake dates can change. Check the current NBCC apprenticeship listing before applying.
CCNB — French-language delivery
CCNB (Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick) offers French-language electrical training. The available program type, apprenticeship level, campus, and intake schedule should be confirmed directly with CCNB and Skilled Trades NB.
How apprentices are paid
- The sponsoring employer pays wages during employment; rates typically rise by level or employer policy and collective-agreement provisions.
- Technical-training blocks are generally unpaid by the employer. Apprentices may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) during those periods.
- Skilled Trades NB and NBCC note that training supports may be available for travel, child care, living away from home and commuting. Eligibility depends on circumstances — confirm with Skilled Trades NB and Service Canada.
4
Pass the Red Seal exam and receive your credential
Construction Electrician is a Red Seal trade in New Brunswick. After successfully completing the apprenticeship requirements and the certification examination, the apprentice receives the New Brunswick apprenticeship credential and Certificate of Qualification. Because the trade is Red Seal, the certificate can carry the Red Seal endorsement, which supports interprovincial mobility. The apprenticeship also results in a Diploma of Apprenticeship where applicable.
5
Apply for your Class 3 Electrician Licence
In New Brunswick, the Certificate of Qualification is the trade credential — but to legally practise electrical work in NB, you also need a current Electrician Licence from Technical Inspection Services.
For newly qualified electricians, that means a Class 3 Electrician Licence ($50 annual fee). Hold your NB Certificate of Qualification, pay the licence fee, and maintain the annual renewal. Class 2 appears in the current fee schedule but is a legacy renewal category — confirm your eligibility with Technical Inspection Services.
Optional next steps
Electrical Contractor Licence
To pull electrical wiring permits and operate as an electrical contractor in NB, the business must hold an Electrical Contractor Licence. Group 3 is the principal contractor-licence category for new applicants ($400/year). Group 2 appears in the current fee schedule as a legacy renewal category. Requirements: hold (or employ someone who holds) a Class 3 New Brunswick Electrician’s Licence plus two years of experience as an electrician.
Wiring permit rule
New Brunswick-licensed electrical contractors must obtain a wiring permit before construction begins and before utility connection for any electrical construction involving more than 10 outlets or 5 kW of load. A plan review is required at specified voltage/amperage thresholds. Thresholds and exemptions can change; confirm with Technical Inspection Services before starting work.
Trade Qualifier pathway
Experienced workers who did not complete a formal apprenticeship can apply through Skilled Trades NB’s Trade Qualifier route. The requirement is 10,800 hours of qualifying employment; applicants must still meet the application and examination requirements.
Interprovincial mobility
The Red Seal endorsement supports interprovincial mobility, but other provinces may have additional licensing or occupational requirements.
Career snapshot — Construction Electrician Apprentice
| Region | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| New Brunswick | $28.00 |
| Saint John – St. Stephen | $30.00 |
| Fredericton – Oromocto | $29.54 |
| Edmundston – Woodstock | $29.27 |
| Campbellton – Miramichi | $29.00 |
| Moncton – Richibucto | $26.00 |
Source: Government of Canada Job Bank, Construction Electrician Apprentice wages in New Brunswick, updated November 19, 2025. Job Bank distinguishes between Labour Force Survey estimates and Small Area Estimation figures across regions.
These are Job Bank prevailing-wage figures for Construction Electrician Apprentices, not guaranteed starting apprentice wages. Apprentice pay typically starts well below the reported median and rises with each level. Pay varies by employer, region, collective agreement and experience.
Physical and work-environment expectations
Construction Electrician work generally involves:
- Working at heights and in confined spaces
- Kneeling, climbing, lifting and repetitive hand work
- Construction-site weather and variable schedules
- Reading plans and technical documentation
- Applied mathematics — algebra, measurement, electrical calculations
- Safety procedures, lockout/tagout, and PPE use.
Costs to plan for
Even without exact tuition, prospective apprentices should budget for:
- Application and tuition costs (NBCC or CCNB — current rates on the college website)
- Books and Canadian Electrical Code materials
- Tools and work clothing
- Safety boots and PPE
- Transportation to job sites
- Travel or accommodation during technical-training blocks
- Possible gaps between work periods (partially offset by EI eligibility)
- Annual licence fees after certification ($50/year for a Class 3 Electrician Licence)
How long does it take?
- Apprenticeship: 7,200 hours across four levels of technical training — approximately four years on average, per Skilled Trades NB’s reported program average. Individual timelines vary with employer hours, intake availability and completion of each level.
- Pre-employment program (optional): length varies by school. Level 1 credit is not automatic — confirm with Skilled Trades NB.
- Trade Qualifier route: 10,800 hours of qualifying employment, plus the application and examination.
Frequently asked questions
Is Construction Electrician a compulsory trade in New Brunswick?
Yes. Because Construction Electrician is a compulsory-certification trade, electrical construction and maintenance work must be performed by a New Brunswick-licensed electrician or by an apprentice working under the required supervision.
Can I complete the apprenticeship in French?
CCNB offers French-language electrical training in New Brunswick. The specific program type, apprenticeship level, campus and intake schedule should be confirmed directly with CCNB and Skilled Trades NB.Does New Brunswick have a Master Electrician licence?
Does New Brunswick have a Master Electrician licence?
No. NB uses a class-based licensing system. Journeypersons applying today hold a Class 3 Electrician Licence ($50/year). Businesses that pull wiring permits need a separate Electrical Contractor Licence — Group 3 for new applicants ($400/year) — which requires a Class 3 licence plus two years of experience as an electrician.
Can I challenge the certification without completing an apprenticeship?
Yes. Skilled Trades NB has a Trade Qualifier pathway requiring 10,800 hours of qualifying employment in the trade. Applicants must still meet the application and examination requirements.When do I need a wiring permit?
When do I need a wiring permit?
NB-licensed electrical contractors must obtain a wiring permit before construction begins and before utility connection for any electrical construction involving more than 10 outlets or 5 kW of load. Plan reviews are required at specific voltage/amperage thresholds set by Technical Inspection Services.
Where is technical training delivered?
NBCC apprenticeship technical training for Construction Electrician is currently listed at NBCC Moncton, NBCC Saint John and NBCC Woodstock. CCNB offers French-language electrical training — confirm the campus and program with CCNB. IBEW Locals 502 (Saint John) and 1555 (Moncton) also support union-side apprenticeship training.
Does my NBCC Electrical: Construction one-year program give me Level 1 credit?
Not automatically. NBCC describes the one-year Electrical: Construction program as preparing graduates to join the workforce as registered apprentices, but Level 1 credit or examination eligibility is determined by Skilled Trades NB on application. Confirm before relying on it.
Find an electrician school in New Brunswick
4 schools and training centres listed: NBCC (Moncton, Saint John, Woodstock), CCNB, IBEW Local 502, IBEW Local 1555.
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Sources
- Government of New Brunswick, Skilled Trades NB — Construction Electrician Fast Facts; 7,200-hour apprenticeship; 10,800-hour Trade Qualifier; 1,094 active apprentices (year ending March 31, 2025)
- Government of New Brunswick, Technical Inspection Services — Electrical Licences; Electrical Contractor Licences; Electrical Wiring Permits
- New Brunswick regulation — Class 2 and Group 2 defined as pre-January 1, 1968 renewal categories
- NBCC — Construction Electrician apprenticeship technical training (Moncton, Saint John, Woodstock); Electrical: Construction one-year pre-employment program
- CCNB — French-language electrical training
- Government of Canada Job Bank — Construction Electrician Apprentice wages in New Brunswick, updated November 19, 2025
- IBEW Local 502 (Saint John) and IBEW Local 1555 (Moncton)
- Red Seal Program — Construction Electrician occupational standard