Here at Fusting Electric, a full service electrical contractor in Anne Arundel County, we know it’s not always easy to figure out if your electrician is licensed. You may see contractors saying they are “fully licensed and insured.” Unfortunately many contractors are intentionally misleading about what this means – hoping you don’t realize their license isn’t an electrical license or that perhaps it is an electrical license, but doesn’t actually license them to perform electric work. Not only is it illegal to perform electric work without being licensed to do so, your homeowners insurance (and the contractor’s if he has any) would likely not cover any work performed.
So how do you confirm someone’s electrical license is legitimate? And how do you know whether they’re licensed to perform electric work? But what does that mean? How do you confirm they really are? Read on to learn all that including how you can verify an electrician’s license using the Maryland Department of Labor Electricians Public Query
Types of Licensed Electricians
In Maryland there are 3 types of electrical licenses – Licensed Apprentice Electrician (commonly known as “helpers”), Licensed Journeyperson Electricians, and Licensed Master Electricians.
| License Type | Requirements | Definition | Able to legally to provide electrical services? | Insured? | Can pull permits? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Apprentice Electrician | – Fill out one form online (MD DOL) – Pay $10 (MD DOL) | “an electrician who is licensed by the State Board to assist in providing electrical services while (1) under the direction or control of a licensed master electrician; and (2) in training to become a journeyperson electrician” (§ 6–101) “An apprentice may only assist in providing electrical services” (§ 6–101) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Licensed Journeyperson Electrician | – Have 4 years of work experience providing electrical services under the direction or control of a Maryland licensed master electrician (§6-304c) – Pass the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician Examination (§6-304d) – Complete 5 hours of continuing education every two years (COMAR 09.09.02.01) | “an electrician who is licensed by the State Board to provide or assist in providing electrical services while: (1) under the direction or control of a licensed master electrician; and (2) in training to become a master electrician.” (§ 6–101) | ⚠️ Only under direction/control of Master Electrician | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Licensed Master Electrician (“Statewide Master Electrician” & “Qualified Agent”) | – All requirements above and: – Have at least 7 years* of electrical work experience (§6-304b) – Pass the Maryland Master Electrician Examination (§6-304d) – Complete 10 hours of continuing education every two years (COMAR 09.09.02.01) | “an individual who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to provide electrical services in all aspects of the electrical trade, in a manner that complies with applicable plans, specifications, codes, or law.” “licensed by the State Board to provide electrical services.” (§ 6–101) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (required) | ✅ Yes |
Does my electrician need to be licensed?
Yes. According to MD Code Business Occupations and Professions § 6–605,
“a person may not employ an individual to provide electrical services or employ an individual to assist in providing electrical services unless the individual”
- “is licensed by the State Board as a master electrician“
- “is licensed by the State Board as a journeyperson electrician”
(defined as “an electrician who is licensed by the State Board to provide or assist in providing electrical services while: (1) under the direction or control of a licensed master electrician […] § 6–101)- “is licensed by the State Board as an apprentice electrician”
(defined as “an electrician who is licensed by the State Board to assist in providing electrical services while: (1) under the direction or control of a licensed master electrician […] § 6–101)
So what does that mean? All electrical work must be performed by or under the direction or control of a licensed Master Electrician.
How do I verify an electrician’s license?
Now that we know what it means to be a “licensed electrician,” you know that all electrical work needs to be performed by or under the direction or control of a Licensed Master Electrician. Most electricians will indicate their license number on their website, social media, vehicle, etc.
To verify an electrical license license, use Maryland Department of Labor Electricians Public Query. Note: It is incorrectly titled the “Master Electricians Public Query.” However, it displays other types of electricians who are not licensed to independently perform electric work. So you MUST VERIFY that the person/company is listed as a Licensed Master Electrician (will state “Statewide Master Electrician” or “Qualified Agent”).
2. Click to search by name, location, or license number.
3. Enter the electrician’s information. Check the results to ensure the electrical work will be perform by or under the direction/control of a Master Electrician (“Statewide Master Electrician” or “Qualified Agent“).
“apprentice statewide electrician” = apprentice electrician
“journey statewide electrician” = journeyman/journeyperson electrician
“statewide master electrician” = Master Electrician
“qualified agent” = Master Electrician
How do I know if my electrician is insured?
All Master Electricians must be insured. The Maryland Board of Electricians has specific requirements for an electrician’s general liability insurance & property damage insurance. If they show up on the Maryland Electricians Public Query as a “Qualified Agent” or “Statewide Master Electrician” they are a Master Electrician, have insurance that meets these requirements, & the website will indicate they are insured. The electrician will also happily present to you their certificate of insurance upon request. (For ours, visit our FAQ page.)
Can an apprentice provide electrical services?
No, according to the Maryland State Board of Electricians, “an apprentice may only assist in providing electrical services”. Some larger companies may send out an apprentice on their own to try to cut costs, but it’s not legal. If you’re hiring from a large company, feel free to ask the electrician who shows up for a copy of their license to ensure they are a journeyperson & not an apprentice. (A Master Electrician would be the best, but that’s highly unlikely with a large company).
Can a journeyman do electric work on their own or perform side work?
No, it’s illegal. Remember, per MD Code Business Occupations and Professions § 6–101, journeypersons are only licensed “to provide or assist in providing electrical services under the direction or control of a licensed master electrician“. So when they are working their day jobs, they ARE licensed and insured – as they have a Master Electrician that carries insurance & directs/controls all the electric work performed. But if the journeyperson takes on their own client without a Master Electrician directing/controlling them, they are no longer licensed to perform electric work & the Master Electrician’s insurance is no longer covering their work – as it’s not their client.
Can a journeyman pull electric permits?
No, only Master Electricians can pull electric permits.
What does “under the direction or control of” a Licensed Master Electrician mean?
The Maryland State Board of Electricians has defined “‘direction and control’ by a master licensee” to mean that “the Master is immediately available by phone, fax or other electronic means at all times that electrical services are provided”. How or why a journeyperson electrician would fax their Master Electrician from the jobsite is beyond us…
Can a handyman provide electrical services?
No, it’s illegal. We’ve, unfortunately, seen quite a lot of dangerous electrical work performed by handymen over the years – such as ceiling fans over children’s beds that are not properly attached to the ceiling.
Is __ considered “providing electrical services”?
According to MD Code Business Occupations and Professions § 6–101, “’Provide electrical services’ includes installing, repairing, maintaining, erecting, or altering any electrical equipment, wiring, fixture, appliance, apparatus, raceway, conduit, or system that […] generates, transmits, transforms, or uses electrical energy in any form for light, heat, power, or communication[…]”
Can a home improvement contractor provide electrical services? They said they’re licensed and insured.
You may find a home improvement contractor claiming to be “fully licensed and insured” while offering to provide electrical services. A MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) license is not an electrical license. Their MHIC # can be verified at the Maryland Home Improvement Public Query. Per the MHIC licensing requirements, someone who has an MHIC license does hold liability insurance, however if they do not have a Master Electrician on their team (or sub-contract one out to do the work), they are not legally allowed to perform electrical services.
Do electricians need MHIC licenses?
No. Per Maryland Code Business Regulation §8–301(c)(4), licensed electricians are exempt from requiring MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Contractor) licenses.
We hope this has provided you some valuable insight into how to verify your electrician is licensed and insured. It’s so important to do your research when hiring a contractor – especially with electrical work that can present a hazard to your safety when not done properly. Always make sure that the person providing your electrical services is a Master Electrician or a Journeyperson Electrician working under the supervision of a Master Electrician. Remember, a jack of all trades is a master of none. If your electrician is also a plumber, they’re not an electrician…or a plumber.
Sources
Maryland Code Business Occupations and Professions §6–101
Maryland Code Business Regulations §8–301
Maryland State Board of Electricians – Maryland Electricians Act – Electricians
Code of Maryland Regulations 09.09.02.01
State of Maryland Department of Labor – Notice to Insurance Carriers
Maryland Department of Labor – State Board of Electricians – Apprentice License Application