Steps for IBEW LOCAL 103 MEMBERS to apply for your Journeyman or Systems Technician license:
(For a Master Electrician or Systems Contractor license, skip Step 1)
NOTE: License applications are electronic. Everything must be submitted via e-mail.
ADVISORY: Schedule your exam at ONLY the Charlestown or Lawrence location. Other PSI locations are unable to print licenses. You will likely need to drive to the Charlestown or Lawrence location after the test to obtain the license. Using the other locations typically results in a lengthy delay in getting your physical license printed which could impede your ability to earn a higher pay rate or change classification to Journeyman or Technician.
Follow these steps in order.
1. Get your work experience documented by asking your employer(s) to fill out a 272 Form for you. (272 Forms are sometimes referred to as “green sheets”)
- Most employers have an electronic version of the 272 Form, so you can simply call or email them and ask them to fill out a 272 Form for you.
- Ask the employer to email the form back to you after they fill it out since paper forms are not needed.
- If you need email addresses or phone numbers for any of your past employers, they can be found here: https://the103advantage.com/contractors
- If you experience trouble obtaining your 272 Forms, or you need help, please email tricia@bostonjatc.org and ask for assistance.
Obtain 272 Forms immediately upon separation from employment. The reason for this is, if you wait until fifth year of your apprenticeship to ask for a 272 Form from a company you worked for in first year, that company could have gone out of business and it could be impossible to get those hours documented. A good habit is to request a 272 Form immediately upon each layoff and save the forms until you are ready to apply for your license.
If you are applying for a Journeyman Electrician license, 8,000 hours are required and this is the form you need filled out: EL 272 Form
If you are applying for a Systems Technician license, 4,000 hours are required and this is the form you need filled out: TC 272 Form
If you have out of State work experience, use this form: Out-of-State Experience Form
2. Fill out the License Application Form
- The application requires a recent photo of yourself with a plain background. You can take the photo on your phone. You can email this photo separately when you get to Step 5. (This photo is used to identify you at the test center. It will NOT be printed on your license. They will take a new photo of you the day you pass the test to print on your license.)
- The Application Form will need to be notarized. There are notary public services in most banks.
- Answer all questions truthfully, particularly Questions 9 & 10, anything not disclosed that appears on your CORI check may result in your application being rejected or a lengthy delay in obtaining your license. If you have any questions on Questions 9 & 10, please speak to one of the Training Directors.
3. Obtain a copy of your high school diploma or equivalency (OR a copy of your high school transcript)
- If you can locate your High School diploma or GED, just take a photo of it.
- If you cannot locate it, ask your high school to email you a transcript, which you can use in place of a diploma.
4. Veterans ONLY: submit a copy of discharge form (DD214 & DD215) to receive benefits of the Valor ACT and 5 points exam credits. Disregard this step if you are not a Veteran.
5. Scan the documents above into a PDF, and email them to tricia@bostonjatc.org along with a recent photo of yourself from the shoulders up, with a plain background. You can take the photo on a smartphone and it can be emailed separately from the scan of the documents if that is easier for you. NOTE: These instructions are for IBEW LOCAL 103 Members only.
Do not email PHOTOS of your documents. Smart phones have built-in scanners. See scanning instructions below.
NOTE: It may take up to two weeks to receive final license application, including school certificates and instructions for submittal, from the JATC. Thank you for your patience.
- You can scan using your phone. Start a new email message, click in the body of the email and click the SCAN Icon, shown circled in yellow below. Have your documents stacked, moving each one aside after you scan it. The documents will automatically be attached to the email as one PDF.
- Also, iPhones have a built-in scanner in the NOTES App. See video below for how to use it. It is very easy.
AFTER YOU SUMBIT YOUR APPLICATION TO PSI:
Once you are approved to take the exam, you will receive an email from PSI with instructions on creating an account and scheduling the exam.
Important things to know:
- It can take up to 45 days to approve your application.
- If 45 days have passed since you submitted your application, email Electricians.board@mass.gov and MAELApps@psionline.com to ask for the status.
- We do NOT recommend CALLING PSI for the status of your application. We strongly suggest communicating with PSI via e-mail only.
Upon taking the exam, email a photo* of the license or test results to Tricia@bostonjatc.org and Contact@bostonjatc.org.
- Pay rate increases go into effect the day after you email proof of taking the exam.
- Pay increases are not retroactive back to the date of the test. See the FAQ below for further info on licensure-based raises.
*If you pass, send a photo of the license. If you do not pass, send the PSI result forms.
Place them on a flat surface to scan or photograph them. Please do not include your hands in the photo.
IMPORTANT INFO:
- PSI will charge your credit card $226 after they approve you for the exam ($276 for Master or Systems Contractor license).
- You have ONE YEAR from the date of approval to pass the exam.
- Veterans credit: Applicants who qualify as a veteran per M.G.L. c. 4, § 7, clause forty-third must submit a copy of discharge form (forms DD214 and DD215) to receive benefits of the Valor ACT and 5 points exam credits.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How can I apply for an accommodation during the exam?
Click Here to fill out the Request for Accommodation Form and include it, along with the required supporting documentation, with your Application for Exam.
Will I get extra points on the exam for being a Veteran?
Applicants who qualify as a veteran per M.G.L. c. 4, § 7, clause forty-third must submit a copy of discharge form (forms DD214 and DD215) to receive benefits of the Valor ACT and 5 points exam credits.
How can I get study material for the exam?
Click Here to view and download the 2023 Mass Amendments
Click Here to view and download 237 Commonwealth of Mass Regulations
Click Here to view and download Mass General Laws, Chapter 141
Click Here for the PSI Journeyman Electrician Test Prep
Click Here for State licensing requirements effective February 7, 2020
Click Here for the full Candidate Information Bulletin
Click Here to purchase National Code Index Tabs
I am waiting for my exam application to be approved, how can I find out the status?
- It can take up to 45 days to approve your application.
- If 45 days have passed since you submitted your application, email Electricians.board@mass.gov and MAELApps@psionline.com to ask for the status.
- We do NOT recommend CALLING PSI for the status of your application. We strongly suggest communicating with PSI via e-mail only.
Will I get a pay raise when I get my license?
The apprentice rules and regulations state “An apprentice having served 8000 hours with the JATC Program and receiving Pay Period 8 will be advanced to Pay Period 9 only upon his/her attempting the Massachusetts State Examination for Licensure and notifying the JATC. Note: It is the apprentice’s responsibility to notify the JATC of having taken the Massachusetts State Examination for Licensure. An apprentice will advance to Step 9 if the JATC determines the apprentice provided satisfactory evidence that he/she attempted the exam. Pay Period 9 will go into effect the day after the JATC is provided satisfactory evidence. An apprentice having obtained Pay Period 9 and a Massachusetts State License by July 1st of their fifth year shall be advanced to Pay Period 10.” All apprentices are responsible for emailing the JATC office upon obtaining their license.
How long do I have to take the license exam and what is the process if I fail multiple times?
You cannot take the license exam more than three times unless you “furnish documentary proof of having reviewed and addressed their deficiencies with a board approved provider.” See 237 CMR section 14.02 (3) (d) below. The JATC will not provide you with the 15-hour letter for re-examination unless you attend 15 hours of additional classes (contact JATC office for more information).
Click here to read 237 CMR 14.02.