Maine electrical contractor license
Maine licenses the business as an Electrical Company, which must be validated by a Maine‑licensed Master (or Limited) Electrician. Use this guide to confirm qualifying paths, exam/CE rules, the $25 application/$0 company fee/$150 Master fee, permit obligations, and public‑works bonding thresholds.
Direct answer (52 words): In Maine, an “electrical contractor” operates as an Electrical Company license overseen by the Maine Electricians’ Examining Board. To get licensed, a business must designate a Maine-licensed Master (or Limited) Electrician to validate the company, meet fee and renewal rules, and follow exam, experience, permitting, and NEC-CE requirements.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-30
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Maine Electricians’ Examining Board, Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation (OPLR), Department of Professional & Financial Regulation (DPFR). See agency pages and laws/rules. Agency overview; Laws & Rules. |
| What Maine calls the license | “Electrical Company” license for the business. It must be validated by an employee/officer who holds a current Maine Master or Limited Electrician license; the company license becomes void if that validating licensee leaves. 32 M.R.S. §1101(1‑A) and §1202(5), as amended. |
| Fees (exact) | Application fee $25; Electrical Company license/renewal fee $0; Master Electrician license $150 per 2 years (responsible licensee). All licenses are on a two‑year cycle; late renewal (≤90 days) $50 (Chapter 11 uniform late fee). Board Fees, Ch. 140; OPLR Ch. 10 fee rule. |
| Qualifying individual | A Maine Master (or Limited, only for that limited scope) Electrician must validate the company license and be responsible for work performed. 32 M.R.S. §1101(1‑A); §1202(5); §1202‑B(5). |
| Experience & education (Master) | To sit for the Master exam, applicant must meet one of several paths, e.g., 12,000 hours as helper/apprentice + 576 classroom hours, or 4,000 hours as Journeyman + 576 classroom hours; after passing, must show a 45‑hour NEC course completed within 2 years before licensure. 32 M.R.S. §1202‑B(5)–(6); Ch. 130 rules. |
| Exam | Board approval required before scheduling; exams are administered by PROV. Passing score 70%. Exam information; Ch. 130 §2. |
| Minimum age | No explicit minimum age for the Electrical Company license. For trade entry, the Board sets 16+ for Helper/Apprentice; qualifying for Journeyman/Master depends on documented hours and education, not age. Ch. 130 §3(D)–(E). |
| Permits & inspections | Before installation or alteration, a Master or Limited Electrician must obtain a state electrical permit (unless under local inspection). Certification by a State/Local Inspector, Master, or Limited (House Wiring) is required before utility activation. 32 M.R.S. §1102‑C; Board FAQ. |
| Insurance/bond | No Board‑mandated liability insurance for the Electrical Company license. Public projects ≥$125,000 require performance and payment bonds under Maine’s Public Works Contractors’ Surety Bond Law of 1971. 14 M.R.S. §871. |
| Renewal & CE | All electrical licenses renew every 2 years. Masters/Journeymen/Limited/JIT must certify completion of an approved 15‑hour current NEC update at renewal; late fee rules apply. Ch. 130 §4; OPLR Ch. 10. |
How to get a electrical contractor license in Maine
- Confirm your qualifying Master/Limited. Ensure a Maine Master Electrician (preferred) meets the exam, experience, and NEC‑course requirements and holds an active license to validate your company. Statutory paths.
- Pass the required exam(s). Submit an examination application to the Board and obtain approval; then schedule with PROV and pass the Master exam (70%+). Exam process.
- Complete the Master license application. After passing, file the Master application with fees and proof of a 45‑hour NEC course within 2 years before licensure. §1202‑B(6).
- Apply for the Electrical Company license. File the company application; have your Master (or Limited, for that scope) validate it. Pay the $25 application fee; company license fee is $0. Company validation statute; Board fees.
- Obtain electrical permits for jobs. Your Master/Limited must secure a state permit (or follow local inspection where applicable) before installing or altering electrical systems. §1102‑C permits.
- Set up compliance systems. Track continuing education (15‑hour NEC update), license renewals every 2 years, and permit/inspection closeouts. Ch. 130 §4.
- Plan for public work bonding. If you bid state/local public projects ≥$125,000, arrange performance and payment bonds as required. 14 M.R.S. §871.
Who needs a Maine electrical contractor (Electrical Company) license?
Any person, firm, corporation, or partnership “engaged in the business of doing electrical installations” and employing licensees must hold an Electrical Company license, validated by an in‑house Maine Master (or Limited for limited‑scope work). 32 M.R.S. §1101(1‑A); §1202(5).
Exam, experience hours, and education for the qualifying Master
Maine offers multiple experience/education pathways to the Master exam (e.g., 12,000 hours helper/apprentice + 576 classroom hours; or 4,000 hours as Journeyman + 576 hours). After passing, provide proof of a 45‑hour NEC course within the prior 2 years to be licensed. §1202‑B(5)–(6); Exam bulletin.
Permits, inspections, and utility release
No electrical installation may be started until a Master or appropriate Limited Electrician obtains a permit (unless local inspection governs). Utility activation requires certification by a State/Local Inspector, Master, or Limited in House Wiring. §1102‑C; Board FAQ.
Fees and renewal cadence
Expect a $25 application fee, $0 Electrical Company license fee, and $150 biennial Master license fee (late renewal ≤90 days: $50 uniform late fee). Licenses renew every two years and Masters/Journeymen/Limited/JIT must complete a 15‑hour NEC update. Ch. 140 Board Fees; OPLR Ch. 10; Ch. 130 §4.
Bids on public projects: bonding
Before award of any state or local public contract of $125,000 or more, you must furnish performance and payment bonds under Maine’s Public Works Contractors’ Surety Bond Law of 1971. 14 M.R.S. §871.
Related Maine contractor licensing resources
If you also install comfort systems, compare typical regulatory and cost considerations in our guide to HVAC contractor license costs in Maine, and see step‑by‑step instructions in HVAC contractor license Maine: how to get licensed. Exploring other security trades? Review fees in our Security Guard License Cost in Maine explainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate “electrical contractor” individual license in Maine?
No. Maine licenses individuals as Master/Journeyman/Limited/Helper/Apprentice and licenses the business as an “Electrical Company.” The company must be validated by a Maine Master (or Limited for limited‑scope work). 32 M.R.S. §1101(1‑A); §1202(5).
Do I need business insurance to get the Electrical Company license?
The Board does not require a specific liability policy to issue the Electrical Company license. However, public projects ≥$125,000 require performance and payment bonds, and many clients/municipalities set insurance minimums by contract. 14 M.R.S. §871.
Who can pull electrical permits in Maine?
Only a licensed Master or appropriate Limited Electrician may obtain state electrical permits (or follow local inspection where applicable). 32 M.R.S. §1102‑C.
What continuing education is required at renewal?
Masters, Journeymen, Limited Electricians, and Journeymen‑in‑Training must complete an approved 15‑hour update on the current NEC during each two‑year renewal cycle. Ch. 130 §4(B).
Does Maine have reciprocity for electricians?
Yes, the Board lists reciprocity arrangements and requires Board approval before testing or endorsement; check the current FAQ and laws for states recognized and what documentation is required. Board FAQ.
Ready to organize your Maine Electrical Company application and qualifying‑individual steps? License Navigator can map your path, track permits, CE, and renewals, and keep every requirement on schedule.
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