Maryland Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Master Electrician / Journeyperson Electrician License · Issued by the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor).

⚡ ElectricianMD ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Maryland, electricians must hold the Master Electrician / Journeyperson Electrician License, issued by the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Maryland

Follow these steps to earn your Master Electrician / Journeyperson Electrician License. Every figure is verified against the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Master: 7+ years of regular employment under a licensed master electrician (up to 3 years' credit for approved coursework). Journeyperson: 4+ years under a licensed master, or an approved apprenticeship with 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours.
Pass the Maryland Master Electrician Examination and Maryland Journeyperson Electrician Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $300,000 minimum per occurrence. Property damage: $100,000 minimum per occurrence (umbrella policies not accepted). Workers' compensation: Required under Maryland law if you have employees.
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose arrests/convictions; a True Test Copy of the court record is required for any reported arrest. Reciprocal applicants include a disciplinary-history letter from their home state.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) — Included in the license fee (no separate application fee) application fee, plus a Master $25; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12 (effective July 1, 2025) license fee. Processing time: Not published by the board.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years. Continuing education: Master: 10 hours per 2-year cycle. Journeyperson: 5 hours per 2-year cycle (within the 24 months before renewal).

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

Maryland electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Maryland — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official dllr.state.md.us database →

License types

Master Electrician — May independently contract, supervise, and perform all electrical work and sign off on permits.
Journeyperson Electrician — May perform electrical work under the direction of a licensed master; cannot independently contract.
Apprentice Electrician — Entry level; works under the supervision of a licensed master or journeyperson.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Master: 7+ years of regular employment under a licensed master electrician (up to 3 years' credit for approved coursework). Journeyperson: 4+ years under a licensed master, or an approved apprenticeship with 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours.
Application fee	Included in the license fee (no separate application fee)
License fee	Master $25; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12 (effective July 1, 2025)
Renewal fee	Master $31.50; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Continuing education	Master: 10 hours per 2-year cycle. Journeyperson: 5 hours per 2-year cycle (within the 24 months before renewal).
Bond required	No state surety bond is required by the Maryland State Board of Electricians.
Liability insurance	$300,000 minimum per occurrence
Property damage	$100,000 minimum per occurrence (umbrella policies not accepted)
Workers' comp	Required under Maryland law if you have employees
Background check	Applicants must disclose arrests/convictions; a True Test Copy of the court record is required for any reported arrest. Reciprocal applicants include a disciplinary-history letter from their home state.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Master: Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia (license obtained by examination, conditions apply); Journeyperson: Virginia (license obtained by apprenticeship or exam), Delaware (by exam) and the District of Columbia (by exam) · compare all states
Processing time	Not published by the board

What a Maryland electrician license costs

Application fee	Included in the license fee (no separate application fee).
License fee	Master $25; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12 (effective July 1, 2025).
Maryland Master Electrician Examination	$65 per attempt.
Maryland Journeyperson Electrician Examination	$65 per attempt.
Surety bond	No state surety bond is required by the Maryland State Board of Electricians.
Renewal fee	Master $31.50; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12.
Renewal period	Every 2 years.

Exams

Maryland Master Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% (set by statute, Md. Code Bus. Occ. & Prof. 6-306(f)) · Fee: $65 per attempt
Maryland Journeyperson Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI Services · Passing: 70% (set by statute, Md. Code Bus. Occ. & Prof. 6-306(f)) · Fee: $65 per attempt

Renewing a Maryland electrician license

The Master Electrician / Journeyperson Electrician License renews on a fixed cycle set by the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years
Renewal fee	Master $31.50; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12
Continuing education	Master: 10 hours per 2-year cycle. Journeyperson: 5 hours per 2-year cycle (within the 24 months before renewal).
Where to renew	Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor)

Local / municipal notes

The state license is required statewide; many counties and municipalities also require local electrical permits and inspections.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Maryland electrician license cost?

Application: Included in the license fee (no separate application fee). License: Master $25; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12 (effective July 1, 2025). Renewal: Master $31.50; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12.

How do I look up a electrician license in Maryland?

Search the official license database at dllr.state.md.us. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in Maryland need a surety bond?

No state surety bond is required by the Maryland State Board of Electricians.

What experience is required for a Maryland electrician license?

Master: 7+ years of regular employment under a licensed master electrician (up to 3 years' credit for approved coursework). Journeyperson: 4+ years under a licensed master, or an approved apprenticeship with 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours.

Is insurance required for electricians in Maryland?

Liability: $300,000 minimum per occurrence. Property damage: $100,000 minimum per occurrence (umbrella policies not accepted). Workers' compensation: Required under Maryland law if you have employees.

How long does it take to get a Maryland electrician license?

Processing time: Not published by the board.

Is a background check required for electricians in Maryland?

Background check: Applicants must disclose arrests/convictions; a True Test Copy of the court record is required for any reported arrest. Reciprocal applicants include a disciplinary-history letter from their home state.

How often must a Maryland electrician license be renewed?

Every 2 years. Continuing education: Master: 10 hours per 2-year cycle. Journeyperson: 5 hours per 2-year cycle (within the 24 months before renewal).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Maryland State Board of Electricians (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) before applying. This is not legal advice.