Becoming an electrician in Maryland differs from other states, depending on which license you are trying to obtain. Unlike the requirements for Maryland plumbers, electricians must comply with county requirements if they wish to receive their journeyman licenses. These regulations can differ from county to county, which can make finding the right applications and requirements a little more difficult. However, for master licenses, you must follow the statewide license regulations set forth by the Maryland State Board of Master Electricians.
Although regulations can differ at the local level, the journey of an electrician remains the same. They must first register as an apprentice, then apply for a journeyman license, and finally receive a master electrician license from the state. Similar to becoming a general contractor in Maryland, people looking to become electricians in this state will need to contact several different agencies and ensure they meet the correct requirements set forth by the agencies.
Maryland Electrical License Reciprocity
Electricians who wish to work in Maryland can gain reciprocity if they have a master’s electrician license in the following states:
- West Virginia;
- Virginia;
- And Delaware.
Electricians holding licenses from Virginia do not need to take the written masters exam for Maryland. However, there are additional requirements for the other two states:
- Electricians from West Virginia must have a license for at least two years;
- And electricians from Delaware must have a license for at least five years.
If all licenses are in good standing, then electricians from these states do not need to take the Maryland written exam.
Maryland Master Electrician License Requirements
To apply for a master electrician license, you must work under a fellow master electrician or a qualified employee of a government unit for at least seven years. During that time, you must also regularly perform electrical services for all types of electrical equipment. If you have completed a formal education course or professional training course during that time, the State Board could allow up to three years of credit toward the required experience. Then, you may apply to take the master electrician’s exam.
Master Electrician Exam
The Maryland master electrician exam is issued by PSI Exams, an online testing site. You must submit a pre-approval application before taking the exam. Along with the application, you must also submit:
- Your Social Security number;
- A mailing address;
- A birth date and place;
- An indication of whether you are taking the exam for the first time;
- And an exam fee of $65;
If you are or have been convicted of a crime, it does not automatically bar you from obtaining a license. However, you must submit a written account and a copy of the court dockets to the Board for review and determination along with your work experience.
The PSI Exam is 240 minutes long and is an open book test.
Maryland Electrical Insurance Requirements
The state of Maryland requires that self-employed master electricians to maintain a minimum $300,000 in general liability insurance. They also require a minimum $100,000 in property damage insurance (property damage coverage varies by county, so be sure to check local labor department for exact requirements). If you hire any employees as a master electrician, you’re also required to have workers’ compensation insurance.
Only certified electricians can obtain commercial insurance in the state of Maryland.
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Maryland Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
In Maryland, journeymen licenses are obtained at the local government level, which means that each county might have different requirements. Below are the requirements for three of Maryland’s most populous counties. If you do not see the county requirements for your area below, please visit your local county government’s site.
Montgomery County
To become a journeyman electrician in Montgomery County, you must first go through an approval process with the Board of Electrical Examiners. To apply, you must download the application and submit the following:
- An original letter of verification signed by a master electrician;
- Four years of relevant experience;
- A photo ID;
- And the license fee of $190.34 in the form of cash, check, or money order made out to Montgomery County.
After the Board receives your application, you will get a written notice designating the time and place of the exam.
You may also become a master limited electrician, which means you can perform low voltage electrical work. This license also costs $190.34 to obtain. To apply, you will also need four years of relevant information as well as the same application as the journeyman license.
Prince George’s County
This county has two licenses below a master electrician license: a master limited license and a journeyman license. Both need the same license application, along with the following requirements:
- Four years of documented experience;
- Two identical front-facing photos;
- Proof of hands-on practical field experience;
- Affidavits from government or military work;
Please note, in this county, two years of experience may be substituted with formal course study.
Baltimore County
Baltimore County does not offer a journeyman license. They do, however, provide a limited and a restricted electrician license for those who do not want a master electrician license. A restricted electrician license allows applicants to install, maintain, and repair low voltage equipment and wiring under 50 volts. To become an electrician with a restricted license, you must:
- Show three years of experience, with at least two years under supervision.
A limited electrician license authorizes the holder to install, repair, and maintain electrical equipment and apparatuses only in Baltimore County and only on the premise of the employer.
Journeyman Electrician Exam
Each county has its own exam fees, which are listed below.
- Montgomery County:
- Journeyman exam fee: $81.11
- Master limited exam fee: $81.11
- Prince George’s County:
- Journeyman exam fee: $105
- Master limited exam fee: $126
- Baltimore County:
- Restricted license exam fee: $40
- Limited license exam fee: $40
Electrical Apprenticeship Requirements
For the selected counties, the apprenticeship requirements are similar: there is no examination needed, however, there are applications and fees that must be submitted.
- Montgomery County:
- Apprenticeship application
- Application fee: $95.17
- Prince George’s County:
- Apprenticeship application
- Application fee: $52.50
There is no information readily available for apprenticeships in Baltimore County, however, applicants can get more information by contacting the Electrical Administrative Board.
Maryland Electrical Apprentice Jobs
Maryland offers an apprentice locator tool for job seekers and employers throughout the state. This tool provides many resources for those looking to become apprentices and allows workers to earn money as they learn the tools of the trade.
Resources like Glassdoor and Indeed also list apprenticeship programs that can be filtered by state, county, and city.
Electrical Trade Schools in Maryland
All-State Career Schools — Baltimore Campus
2200 Broening Hwy.
Baltimore, MD
(410) 631-2742
NATS — North Amer. Trade Schools
6901 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD
(800) 638-5490
Howard Community College — Main Campus
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
(443) 518-1000
(443) 518-1200
Lincoln Tech — Columbia Campus
9325 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 290-7100
College of Southern Maryland — La Plata Campus
8730 Mitchell Road
La Plata, MD
(301) 934-2251
College of Southern Maryland — Prince Federick Campus
115 J.W. Williams Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-6000
Wor–Wic Community College
32000 Campus Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804
(410) 334-2800
Maryland Professional License Search
Maryland offers a license search to verify contractors working in the state. Users can filter by business name, personal name, personal location, business location, and license registration number.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Maryland, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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