PA Electrical Contractor License Cost

Pennsylvania has no statewide electrical contractor license; costs are set locally. In Philadelphia, the Electrical Contractor License is $262 to start (includes a $60 application credit) and $202 to renew annually. In Pittsburgh, the Electrical Trade License is $90 for initial and annual renewal. Insurance, exam, and permits add cost. Philadelphia L&I; Pittsburgh PLI; PLI fee schedule page.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-27

How to get your Pennsylvania electrical contractor license (city by city)

1. Choose your work city/jurisdiction and confirm its rules. Start with Philadelphia L&I or Pittsburgh PLI pages for electrical licensing specifics. Philadelphia; Pittsburgh.
2. Meet experience and education thresholds. Philadelphia requires 4 years (with up to 2 years substituted by education); Pittsburgh requires 6 years combined experience/education. Keep tax records or resumes to document. Phila.; Pittsburgh.
3. Pass the required exam. Philadelphia uses the ICC Philadelphia Electrical Contractor exam (submit within 12 months). Pittsburgh accepts ICC National Standard Master Electrician (T16/G16/F16) through Pearson VUE. Phila. exam; PLI exam.
4. Secure insurance. Philadelphia minimums: GL $500k, Auto $300k, Workers’ Comp limits listed above. Pittsburgh requires GL $1M/$2M aggregate plus Workers’ Comp or affidavit. Phila. insurance; PLI insurance.
5. Apply and pay. Philadelphia: apply via eCLIPSE; pay $262 initial (includes $60 nonrefundable application credit), $202 renewal. Pittsburgh: apply in OneStopPGH; Electrical Trade License is $90 initial and $90 renewal (per posted fee schedule). Phila. cost; PLI fees; 2025 schedule.
6. Pull permits and keep EVITP if applicable. In Philadelphia, starting July 1, 2026, EV charger permits require EVITP certification on file with your license. Phila. electrical permits.
7. Renew annually with CE. Both cities require 8 hours (CEUs) each renewal and on-time payment to avoid late penalties. Phila. renewal; PLI renewal.

Electrical contractor license cost in Pennsylvania: what you’ll actually pay

Because Pennsylvania leaves electrician licensing to municipalities, your costs depend on where you work. Today’s two most-referenced jurisdictions show:

• Philadelphia — $262 to start (includes a $60 nonrefundable application credit) and $202 per annual renewal; insurance minimums and exam apply. Source.
• Pittsburgh — $90 initial and $90 annual renewal per the city fee schedule; insurance of $1M/$2M aggregate required for permit activity. PLI Fees; 2025 schedule.

Permit fees are separate. As an example, Philadelphia’s electrical permit fee is $25 per $1,000 of electrical construction cost, and EV charger permits require EVITP certification on or after July 1, 2026. Phila. permit fee and EVITP note.

Philadelphia electrical contractor license: costs, insurance, and timing

Budget for the $262 initial license (with a $60 application fee credited) and $202 renewals, plus exam and eight hours of NFPA 70 coursework. Insurance minimums: GL $500,000, Auto $300,000, and Workers’ Comp limits. Online applications are reviewed in about five business days. Official details.

Pittsburgh electrical trade license: fees and essentials

Pittsburgh’s Electrical Trade License costs $90 to obtain and $90 to renew annually. Applicants need six years’ combined experience/education and a passing ICC Master Electrician exam score; to pull permits, maintain GL $1M per occurrence/$2M aggregate and Workers’ Comp. Requirements; Fees page; 2025 schedule.

Compare contractor licensing costs across PA trades

Costs vary significantly by trade and city. If you also work in HVAC, our breakdown of HVAC license costs in Pennsylvania shows how fees and insurance differ. Looking at other regulated professions helps you budget—see our guide to the Pennsylvania private investigator license cost for another example of city/state-driven pricing and renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a statewide electrical contractor license cost in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania does not license electrical contractors statewide; cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh set their own fees and requirements. Check your municipality before bidding work. PA DLI UCC overview; Pittsburgh PLI.

How much is the electrical contractor license in Philadelphia?

$262 to start (with a $60 nonrefundable application fee credited toward the total) and $202 to renew annually. Eight hours of NFPA 70 coursework per cycle, insurance, and an ICC exam are required. Official Philadelphia L&I.

How much is the electrical trade license in Pittsburgh?

$90 for initial issuance and $90 each annual renewal, per the city’s fee schedule; eight CEUs are required yearly for renewal. PLI fee page; 2025 fee schedule.

What insurance is required for a Pennsylvania electrical contractor?

Philadelphia requires GL $500,000, Auto $300,000, and Workers’ Comp minimums. Pittsburgh requires GL $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate plus Workers’ Comp (or affidavit if no employees) to obtain permits. Phila. insurance; PLI insurance.

Do I also need Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration?

If you perform residential home-improvement work, HIC registration through the PA Office of Attorney General may apply, but it does not replace city electrical licenses. Always verify scope and exemptions. PA OAG HIC; Phila. HIC guidance.

Need help mapping fees, exams, CE, and permits across Pennsylvania? License Navigator builds city-specific checklists for electrical contractors. Get your step-by-step plan today.