MD Electrical Contractor License Cost

Expect to spend about $90–$120 initially for state fees to contract in Maryland: $65 for the PSI exam plus a $25 original Master Electrician license. Renewals are $31.50 every two years. You also need liability insurance ($300,000) and property-damage coverage ($100,000); some counties add local registration fees.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-23

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Maryland Department of Labor – State Board of Electricians (official board page).
Core license to contract	State Master Electrician license (no separate “electrical contractor” credential). Local jurisdictions may still require a local registration for business activity (Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. §6-302).
Exam fee	$65 per attempt, paid to PSI for the Master/Journeyperson exam (PSI Bulletin).
Original license fee	$25 Master; Journeyperson $18.50; Apprentice $12 (effective July 1, 2025) (Board fee schedule – COMAR 09.09.01.03).
Renewal fee & cycle	Master $31.50; Journeyperson $18.50; 2‑year license term (fees; §6-310 term/renewal and Board renewal page).
Insurance to contract	General liability ≥ $300,000 and property-damage ≥ $100,000; insurer must notify Board 10 days before cancellation (Board insurance notice; §6‑604).
Local registration	Some counties/cities require local registration; exam is waived with an active State license, but local registration fees still apply and are set locally (§6‑602).
Experience to test (Master)	7 years providing electrical services under a Master (up to 3 years credit for approved education); must pass exam (§6‑304; also summarized on How to Apply).
Experience to test (Journeyperson)	4 years of experience while holding an apprentice license; waiver available for approved apprenticeship completion (Board How to Apply; COMAR 09.09.03.02).
Continuing education	For renewal: Master 10 hours; Journeyperson 5 hours, per 2‑year cycle (COMAR 09.09.02.01).
Minimum age	Not expressly specified by statute; eligibility is based on experience and exam (Board How to Apply).

How to get licensed to contract as an electrical contractor in Maryland

1. Confirm you meet Master eligibility. Accumulate 7 years’ qualifying experience under a Maryland Master (up to 3 years education credit), or use reciprocity if eligible (§6‑304; Licensing applications).
2. Pass the PSI exam. Apply through PSI and pay the $65 Master exam fee; the exam is open-book (2020 NEC) per PSI’s bulletin (PSI Bulletin).
3. Apply for your Master license. After passing, submit the Original Master License Application and pay the $25 license fee (Original Master License Application; fee schedule).
4. Secure required insurance. Obtain proof of general liability ($300,000) and property-damage ($100,000) coverage and list the Board as certificate holder (Board insurance notice; §6‑604).
5. Register locally if required. Many jurisdictions issue a local registration for contracting; your state license waives any local exam, but you must pay local registration fees (§6‑602).
6. Maintain your license. Renew every two years (Master $31.50) and complete required CE (Master 10 hours) (fees; renewal; COMAR 09.09.02.01).

Electrical contractor license cost in Maryland: complete breakdown

Because Maryland regulates electricians statewide through a Master license (not a separate “contractor” credential), your contracting costs concentrate in the Master pathway and business compliance:

• PSI Master exam: $65 per attempt (PSI).
• Original Master license: $25; renewal $31.50 biennially (Board fee schedule).
• Insurance to contract: GL $300,000 and property damage $100,000 (premium varies by carrier, but the minimums are mandated) (Board; §6‑604).
• Optional uninsured status certificate (if you’re not contracting): $63 initial and $63 renewal (fees).
• Local registration (where required): fee varies by jurisdiction; local exam is waived with an active State license (§6‑602).

Planning multi-trade operations? Compare the cost profile to HVAC in our detailed guide on Maryland HVAC Contractor License costs, and see the full steps to qualify in how to get an HVAC contractor license in Maryland.

Who needs which Maryland electrician license to run an electrical contracting business?

To bid, pull permits, and supervise electrical work statewide, a company must operate under a State-licensed Master Electrician who carries the required insurance; if a county/city requires it, the business (or designated Master) also completes a local registration and pays that locality’s fee (§6‑302; §6‑602; Board).

Maryland Master Electrician requirements (cost-impact highlights)

• Experience: 7 years under a Master; up to 3 years credit for approved education; exam required (§6‑304).
• Exam: $65 via PSI; open-book (2020 NEC) per bulletin (PSI).
• License fees: $25 original; $31.50 renewal every 2 years (fees; renewal).
• CE: 10 hours each renewal cycle (COMAR 09.09.02.01).
• Insurance: GL $300,000 and PD $100,000 to contract (§6‑604).

Journeyperson and Apprentice (for staffing cost planning)

• Journeyperson exam eligibility: 4 years’ experience while holding an apprentice license; approved apprenticeship can waive exam/experience; license fee $18.50; CE 5 hours per cycle (Board How to Apply; COMAR 09.09.02.01; fees).
• Apprentice license: $12 original and $12 renewal (fees).

Renewal timing and ongoing costs

Maryland electrician licenses renew every two years. The Board sends renewal instructions roughly 60 days before expiration; you must meet CE and pay the applicable fee to keep contracting privileges current (§6‑310; Board renewal page).

If you plan investigative services alongside electrical projects (for example, loss investigations on claims), note that Maryland regulates that field separately—see our guides to the Maryland Private Investigator license process and private investigator license requirements in Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate electrical contractor license in Maryland?

No. Contracting is tied to the State Master Electrician license. To run an electrical contracting business you must hold (or employ) a Master with required insurance; some localities also require a local registration and fee, but they must waive any local exam with your active state license (§6‑302; §6‑602).

What’s the total first-year cost to start contracting?

Typical state cash outlay is $90: $65 for the PSI exam plus $25 for the original Master license. Add your insurance premium (policy pricing varies) and any local registration fees where you operate. After that, budget $31.50 every two years for Master renewal (PSI; fees).

What insurance is mandatory to contract in Maryland?

Minimums are general liability of at least $300,000 and property-damage coverage of at least $100,000. The policy must list the Board as certificate holder and the insurer must give the Board 10 days’ cancellation notice (Board insurance notice; §6‑604).

How often do I renew, and what CE is required?

Every two years. Masters must complete 10 hours of Board‑approved CE; Journeypersons need 5 hours per cycle. You’ll receive renewal instructions about 60 days before expiration (COMAR 09.09.02.01; Board renewal).

What if I’m not actively contracting—can I pause insurance?

Yes. You can request “uninsured status” so you’re not carrying business insurance while inactive; the certificate is $63 to obtain and $63 to renew, but you cannot contract while uninsured (fees; Uninsured status).

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