It can be a daunting and scary task to select a person or company to perform electrical services at your facility or in your home. Construction companies, handymen, roofers, plumbers, landscapers, friends, and family members may offer to handle your electrical needs, but please think twice before allowing unqualified people do work that only trained, licensed, and insured electricians should be doing. What’s the worst that could happen? Check out these stories that took place right here in Maryland.

Electrical Failure – National Harbor * Taneytown Lawsuit * Hagerstown Fire * St. Mary’s House Fire

To avoid any confusion as to what is considered electrical work and who can legally perform electrical work, the state of Maryland has legislation that is very clear on these topics. While you may be hiring a company to provide electrical services, Maryland electrical licenses are assigned to individuals, not companies.

What is an Electrical Service?

Electrical services are defined as the installation, repair, maintenance, or alteration of any electrical equipment, wiring, fixture, appliance, conduit, or system that uses electrical energy in any form for light, heat, power, or communication (Senate Bill 762 Maryland Electrician’s Act).

Maryland Electrical Licenses

The Maryland Electrician’s Act requires that ‘…a licensed master electrician or journeyperson electrician must be present at each job site when electrical services are provided. A licensed apprentice electrician cannot work on a job site without a licensed master or journeyperson present. A journeyperson can work on a jobsite without a master electrician present if the journeyperson is working under the “direction and control” of a licensed master electrician, which means that the master electrician can be immediately available by phone, or other electronics means at all times that electrical services are provided.’ In other words, any electrical services project must be under the direction and control of a licensed master electrician.

The State of Maryland Department of Labor administers the licensing process for master, journeyperson, and apprentice electricians. Don’t hesitate to ask to see a copy of a worker’s license at any time. You absolutely should ask to see a copy of the master electricians’ active license that will be in control of your electrical services project.

What about Insurance?

In the State of Maryland, a licensed, active master must be covered by liability insurance for general liability of at least $300,000, and for property damage of at least $100,000 (MD Code, Business Occupations & Professions, § 6-604). Again, this is Maryland law – don’t hesitate to ask to see a current, active copy of an electrician’s certificate of insurance.

You should be wary of any electrician that is unwilling or unable to provide a Maryland license # or proof of insurance upon request.

Green Light Electrical Contractors is owned by a Master Electrician licensed in the State of Maryland (#18909) and is fully insured per state requirements.

Hiring the Right Electrician: Licensed & Insured