ELECTRICAL LICENSE FAQs, FORMS & FEES
Frequently Asked Questions:
- When is an electrical contractor business license required?
An electrical Contractor Business License is required for any person, firm, company, corporation or partnership in the business of installing, repairing, or maintaining any electrical wiring or device designed for conducting, consuming or converting electrical current.
- What types of electrical Contractor Business Licenses are required?
Restricted - restricted to a specific type of electrical work. There are currently 2 classifications for restricted licensing in Washington County, Maryland.
Restricted Low Voltage – Alarm systems, radio, television antennas, cable television, telephone and low-voltage communication systems (sound).
Restricted HVAC – electrically operated heating air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration equipment utilizing oil or gas burners; temperature and control wiring.
A restricted electrician may install electrical wiring from the point of distribution to, and including, the equipment or appliance being installed.
Master – Capable of performing any type of electrical work.
Inactive – the licensee meets all requirements for a Master Electrician’s License, but has no business affiliation. The licensee is not required to have a Certificate of Insurance while on the inactive status. This class of master may not obtain permits, but may work as a Journeyman Electrician. To reactivate a license held inactive for 2 years or longer, the licensee is required to submit to an examination dealing with recent code revisions. The exam will be given by the Department of Permits & Inspections and have a one-hour limit. For specific dates, contact the clerk of the Board of Examiners & Supervisors at 240-313-2466, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. A passing score is 70 percent. Only a National Electrical Code book is allowed. If exam is failed, re-exam must not be less than 30 days.
- What is the application process to obtain an Electrical Contractor Business License?
Master Electrician’s License may be obtained by examination or by reciprocity (by using a qualifying license from the State of Maryland or another jurisdiction in the state of Maryland). These methods have different requirements.
- What is required to take the Master Electrician's Examination?
An Application for an Electrician’s License must be completed by the applicant and the Board of Examiners and Supervisors of Washington County, Maryland will review the application and supporting documents. Applicants must have a minimum of seven (7) years (Master) or three years (Restricted) of work experience in the electrical trade under the supervision of a Licensed Master Electrician, three years during which the applicant supervised or was actively in charge of electrical installation of work. A $50.00 exam fee must accompany the exam application for approval.
- How will I know if I have been approved to take the exam?
Approved applicants will receive a letter specifying the time, date and place of their examination. Disapproved applicants will receive a letter specifying the reason(s) for disapproval. Disapproved applicants may appeal directly to the Board of Examiners. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Department of Permits & Inspections, 80 West Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740-6003.
- When and where is the exam given?
The exam will be given once a month in March, June, September and December of every year at the Washington County Annex Building located at 80 West Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The following dates have been set for 2007:
Applications for the March 5, 2008 exam must be submitted by February 1, 2008
Applications for the June 4, 2008 exam must be submitted by May 1, 2008
Applications for the September 3, 2008 must be submitted by August 1, 2008
Applications for the December 3, 2008 must be submitted by November 3, 2008For more details regarding the testing information, contact Becky Shank, Clerk to the Board of Examiners & Supervisors, at 240-313-2466 between 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday..
- What is the process for applicants approved for licensure?
Applicants receive a letter specifying the exam score and requesting the following information:
- Signature Card (Completed & Signed)
- Photocopy of Driver’s License
- Certificate of Insurance made out to the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors of Washington County. The licensee’s name needs to be listed on the Certificate. The amount of the Certification is $300,000 for bodily injury and $100,00 for property damage
- License Fee in the amount of $150.00 (Fees are prorated depending on date license is obtained)
After receipt of the fee and required information, the license and receipt is mailed to the applicant, usually within two weeks.
- What is the process for applicants disapproved for licensure?
Applicants receive a letter specifying the test scores, along with an application for re-examination. The fee for re-examination is $50.00 and must be received by the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to every re-examination applied for by the applicant. These fees are not refundable. The applicant must take the exam on the scheduled date or the fee will not be forfeited.
- How is the license renewed?
Renewal applications are mailed to the licensee's last known address six to eight weeks prior to the expiration of the license. Written change-of-address notifications are critical to the renewal process.
- What are the consequences of failure to renew the license?
Renewal applications received after the deadline is subject to a late renewal fee of $100.00. Any licensee who has not applied for renewal within 90 days following the expiration date (December 31) shall be required to submit to a written examination as a prerequisite to securing a license thereafter.
- What is the process to obtain a license reciprocating from the State of Maryland?
A State Reciprocal Form must be completed and mailed to the Department of Permits & Inspections, 80 West Baltimore Street, Hagerstown MD 21740-6003. The following information must be included with the form:
- Signature Card (Completed & Signed)
- Photocopy of Driver’s License
- Certificate of Insurance made out to the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors of Washington County. The licensee’s name needs to be listed on the Certificate. The amount of the Certification is $300,000 for bodily injury and $100,00 for property damage
- License Fee in the amount of $150.00 (Fees are prorated depending on date license is obtained)
- Submit with this application a letter(s) of verification, on company letterhead, from your employer(s) of at least seven (7) years (master) of your work experience in the electrical trade under the supervision of a Licensed Master Electrician during which the applicant supervised or was actively in charge of electrical installation work.
- If the applicant resides in Washington County and will have an office out of his/her home, a Zoning Certification for a Home Occupation will need to be applied for in person at our office. The fee for the Zoning Certification is $80.00.
- Any applicant submitting for a license after December 31, 2008 will be required to have their business vehicles lettered. The business vehicles need to be letters with the name of the master electrician, the words “Licensed Electrician” and the Washington County License Number in letters not less than 1.5” in size in accordance with the Washington County Electrical Board.
- The application must be submitted to the Electrical Board for approval before the license will be issued.
After receipt of the fee and required information, the license application will be reviewed by the Electrical Board of Examiners & Supervisors at their next regular scheduled meeting. The Board meets the second Tuesday of every month. Once the application has been approved by the Board, the license and receipt will be mailed to the applicant.
- What is the process to reciprocate from another county in the State of Maryland?
A County Reciprocal Form must be completed, notarized and mailed to the Dept. of Permits & Inspections, 80 West Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740-6003. The following information must also be included with the Form:
- Signature Card (Completed & Signed)
- Photocopy of Driver’s License
- Certificate of Insurance made out to the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors of Washington County. The licensee’s name needs to be listed on the Certificate. The amount of the Certification is $300,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage
- License Fee in the amount of $150.00 (Fees are prorated depending on date license is obtained)
After receipt of the fee and required information the Washington County Electrical Board will review the license. If approved, the license and receipt is mailed to the applicant usually within two weeks. If the application is not approved, the applicant will be notified by letter.
- How do I reactivate by license?
To reactivate a license held inactive for 2 years or longer, the licensee is required to submit at an examination dealing with recent code revisions. The exam will be given by the Department of Permits & Inspections and have a one-hour limit. For specific dates, contact Becky Shank, Clerk to the Board of Examiners & Supervisors, at 240-313-2466, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A passing score is 70 percent. Only a National Electrical Code book is allowed. If exam is failed, re-exam must not be less than 30 days.
Application for Electrical License
County Reciprocal Form
Signature Card (Electrical)
State Reciprocal FormBack to Top of Page
Licensing Fees: Renewable Every 3 Years
Resident
Non-Resident
Inactive Electrician $50.00 $50.00 Master Electrician $150.00 $150.00 Restricted Electrician $150.00 $150.00 Exam Fee $50.00 $50.00
Permits Home Page
Washington County Home Page
Document Modified:
7/16/08 10:31 AM