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