Electrical Registration and Licensing

Electrical Registrations and Licenses

Baltimore County has expanded the online application process. Applications for new/reciprocal or renewal of an electrical master general registration or for new/exam, reciprocal or renewal of a restricted low voltage license must be completed online.

No person shall install, repair, maintain or erect any of the electrical apparatus or devices listed below without having obtained a license as required by the County.

  • Appliances
  • Conduits
  • Electrical wiring
  • Elevators 
  • Fixtures
  • Heating equipment that is electrically-operated
  • Machinery
  • Motors
  • Signs
  • Any other electrical apparatus or device in or about any premises in Baltimore County

Exceptions to those persons include:

  • Utility companies regulated by the state public service commission
  • Radio and electronic experimenters and amateurs where no change in existing wiring is necessary, unless changes are authorized by the County's Electrical Administrative Board, and in each case the applicant must file an application with the Department for a permit and inspections
  • Employees of the United States government, when engaged in performance of their official duties only

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL REGISTRATION AND LICENSES

Review the types of registration and licenses issued by Baltimore County and the requirements for each before submitting an application.  Only the License or Registration holder or the person applying for an Exam can submit an application for a License or Registration.

MASTER GENERAL ELECTRICAL REGISTRATION

All Master General Electricians must be registered in Baltimore County to conduct work.    

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

  • Hold a current Master General License with the State of Maryland.
  • Complete an online application for a Master General Registered. Select New Registration for the purpose of your application. 
  • After the application review is complete, the Electrical Inspection office will schedule a virtual or in-person verification appointment with you. You will need to have your driver’s license available for the meeting.

The New Master General Electrical Registration fee is $160.

DOCUMENTATION

Applicants will need a copy of their active State of Maryland Master General Electrical License.

All Master General Electrical Registrations expire on the same day your State of Maryland electrical license expires. You must renew your State license before submitting a Baltimore County registration renewal application. 

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

  • Hold a current Master General License with the State of Maryland
  • Pay the Renewal Master General Electrical Registration fee of $120. The late fee is $80.
  • Applicant must complete an online application for a Master General Registered. Select Renew Registration for the purpose of your application. Update all necessary information such as:
    • Proxy, including emails address and phone number for each designated proxy
    • Home and business phone numbers
    • Home and business address
  • If there are significant changes in your renewal application, the Electrical Inspection office will schedule a virtual or in-person verification appointment with you. You will need to have your Driver’s License available for the meeting.

DOCUMENTATION

Applicants will need a copy of their active State of Maryland Master General Electrical license.

RESTRICTED LICENSE (LOW VOLTAGE)

A Restricted License authorizes the holder thereof to install, maintain and repair low-voltage equipment and wiring operating at 50 volts or less. 

The New Restricted License fee is $130. Applicants for a first-time Restricted License in Baltimore County who are not reciprocating from another jurisdiction must take and pass the required exams. 

EXAM REQUIREMENTS

Exams occur monthly at the County Office Building at 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room G-24, Towson, Maryland 21204. Exams are open-book, based on the current adopted code and are three hours in duration. 

  • Certified copies of work record—Applicant must show three years’ experience in the trade, two years of which you supervised, or were actively in charge of, electrical installation work under the supervision of a master general, master limited or restricted electrician. Verification must be on company letterhead and signed by the licensed professional for that company who is authorized to install, maintain and repair low-voltage equipment and wiring operating at 50 volts or less.
  • Employment History—Applicant must provide employment history for the previous seven years.
  • The $40 Restricted License exam fee is not refundable if the application is denied.

After the application review is complete, the Electrical Inspection Office will notify you about the exam schedule and the items you need to bring with you at the time of the exam.

DOCUMENTATION

  • Certified Copies of Work History—Employment verification on company letterhead for each business that you worked at, signed by the licensed representative of the company.
  • Employment History—Complete the seven-year employment history form and submit with your online application.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

  • Have a current license from the reciprocating jurisdiction. 
  • Submit a “letter of good standing” from the licensing agency you are reciprocating from. The letter must be on the agency letterhead.
  • Submit a copy of your active license from the agency you are reciprocating from.
  • After the application review is complete, the Electrical Inspection Office will schedule a verification appointment with you. You will need to have your Driver’s License available for the meeting.
  • Provide the license number for any other jurisdiction in the State of Maryland where you hold an Electrical License.
  • Pay the New Restricted License fee of $130.

DOCUMENTATION

  • Letter of good standing
  • Copy of license from reciprocating jurisdiction
  • License information for other Maryland jurisdictions—Provide a list of license numbers, type of licenses and the county or city where you hold an electrical license in other State of Maryland jurisdictions. Upload this form with your online application.

Applicants who are renewing a Restricted License in Baltimore County must do so during the open renewal period. Restricted Licenses expire on June 30 of every even number year. The open renewal period is 60 days prior to the expiration of the license.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Check your license card for the expiration date.
  • Renew during the renewal period before the current license expires. Renewals received after the license has expired will incur a late fee of $65. Renewals received 360 days after the expiration date of your license will not be accepted and you will need to retake the exam to receive a new license.
  • Complete the online application and update all necessary information such as:
    • Home and business address
    • Home and business phone numbers
    • Proxy, including emails address and phone number for each designated proxy.
  • If there are significant changes in your renewal application, the Electrical Inspection Office will schedule a virtual or in-person verification appointment with you. You will need to have your Driver’s License available for the meeting.
  • Pay the Renewal Restricted License Fee of $95.

DOCUMENTATION

No documentation is required.

LIMITED LICENSE

A Limited License limits the license holder to represent and perform work in one industrial type building in Baltimore County and authorizes the holder thereof to install, repair, maintain or erect any of the following, but only on the premises of their employer in Baltimore County, they cannot perform any work on this list for the public at all.

APPLY FOR OR RENEW A LICENSE OR REGISTRATION

Applications for New or Renewal of Electrical Registration, Restricted Low Voltage and Limited License must be applied for by the Electrician only. Applications will not be accepted if submitted by company staff or proxies. Your user ID and email will ensure that only you have access to your license account information. To learn more about the application process and to apply (step three), read the steps below.

  • If you already have an online permit portal account using your email address, you can use the same account to submit your Trade License/Certificate application. Note: Do not use your business account to apply for your license if others have access to the account for permits, as they will have access to your license information.
  • If you do not have an account:
    • Navigate to the online portal.
    • Select the Create Account button.
    • Enter your email address, select Submit.
    • An email will be sent with a link to complete the account setup. (Note: If you don't see the email is not in your inbox, check the SPAM folder. If in SPAM, mark unread before selecting the link.)

Prepare all required documents to upload when completing your online application.

After you log into the online portal:

  1. Select Create New Application.
  2. Select Trade License/Registration.
  3. Select Electrical Trade Licenses and Registrations.
  4. Select the application type for which you are applying.
  5. Enter the applicant and business information.
  6. Answer all questions related to the type of application you are submitting.
  7. Upload all required documents.
  8. Check your application for completeness.
  9. Approve the disclaimer.
  10. Submit your application.

Applications will be reviewed by the Electrical Inspections Office.

  • If revisions are needed—Staff may leave comments and revision requirements for your application. You will receive email notifications to submit any required documents or revisions to your application.
  • If all requirements are submitted
    • The application will be approved and application fees will be calculated.
    •  Applicants will receive a notification that the fees are ready for payment. Watch a video to learn how to pay application fees or follow the instructions below:
      • Navigate to the online portal. The My Dashboard page displays.
      • Select the Fees Due tab at the top-middle of the My Dashboard window.
      • Scroll to the My Fees section, find the license/registration number and scroll to the right to the Actions section. 
        • To view fee details—Select the magnifying glass icon.
        • To pay fees—Select the credit card icon. (Note: Baltimore County only accepts Mastercard, Visa and Paypal electronic payments.)

Once the reviews are complete and all requirements are met, the registration/license will be issued.

Once the registration/license has been issued, the applicant will be notified via email. The registration/license will be available for the applicant in the portal. Download and save a copy for your files. The registration/license document must be printed and be available upon request for verification by an inspector in the field at any jobsite.

REQUEST CHANGES TO YOUR ELECTRICAL LICENSE

Complete the change form in order to change information on your Baltimore County Electrical registration or license. Forward all information changes, including phone numbers, to the Baltimore County Electrical Inspection Office. Failure to report this information immediately could result in a hold on the issuance of permits.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR LICENSE

Be sure that your online registration and license account is only accessible by you. If your business account is used by others to submit permit applications on your behalf, you should not use that account for the license and registration. With your online registration or license account, Baltimore County will be able to notify you via email each time a permit is issued using your registration or license number. You can contact the Electrical Inspection Office if a permit was not approved by you.

SEARCH FOR A MARYLAND-LICENSED ELECTRICIAN

Search a list of Maryland Licensed Electricians.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For licensing issues, email Jenn Crizer at jcrizer@baltimorecountymd.gov.