- Master: at least seven years providing electrical services under a master electrician. The board may credit up to three years for formal electrical training, and an approved apprenticeship counts. Journeyperson: at least four years under a master.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A license is valid for two years from the date it was issued, on a staggered schedule.
Do you need a state license in Maryland?
Maryland licenses electrical work at the state level through the Maryland State Board of Electricians, Maryland Department of Labor. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Any licensee may also need a registration with the county or city to provide electrical services and get permits there. Check with each local jurisdiction.
Maryland license types for electrical work
Maryland splits the work into 3 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Master Electrician | Provide electrical services and contract work; can work as a qualified agent for one company or carry their own insurance |
| Journeyperson Electrician | Electrical work under a master |
| Apprentice Electrician | Must be supervised at all times by a master or journeyperson |
Steps to get licensed in Maryland
- Work at least seven years under a master electrician (up to three years can come from formal training).
- Register with PSI for the master electrician exam and pay the $65 exam fee.
- Pass the exam, which is based on the current NEC.
- Apply online for the master license and file a certificate of insurance with the board.
- Register with each county or city where you will work, if it requires it.
- Renew every two years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: at least seven years providing electrical services under a master electrician. The board may credit up to three years for formal electrical training, and an approved apprenticeship counts. Journeyperson: at least four years under a master.
The license to apply for. Master Electrician license.
Maryland electrical exams
Trade exam. Yes. The master and journeyperson exams are given by PSI and based on the current NEC.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Maryland
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee (PSI) | $65 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. At least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage. Umbrella coverage does not count. The State Board of Electricians must be the certificate holder.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. A license is valid for two years from the date it was issued, on a staggered schedule.
Reciprocity. The board has reciprocal agreements with Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The other state's license must have been obtained by exam.
Good to know in Maryland
- Unlicensed electrical work can bring fines up to $5,000, jail or both.
- A contractor licensed in another state still needs a Maryland license, plus a resident agent in Maryland if it has no office there.
- A qualified agent assigns the license to one company, which provides the insurance; a master who carries their own insurance may take work from different companies.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for an electrician near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Maryland State Board of Electricians, Maryland Department of Labor and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how electrical contractors run on Koira.