Pennsylvania has no state electrician license
Pennsylvania does not issue a state license for electricians.1 Cities and counties set their own rules; this page lists what Philadelphia (Department of Licenses and Inspections): Electrical Contractor License and Pittsburgh (Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections): Electrical Trade License require.
On this page
Is there a Pennsylvania electrician license?
No. Pennsylvania does not license electricians at the state level.1
The official wording“The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees).”1
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
City and county licenses
Pennsylvania leaves electrician licensing to its 2,562 municipalities; L&I keeps no list, so check with the municipality where the work will be done. The two largest cities both require a city license.1
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (Department of Licenses and Inspections): Electrical Contractor License | 4 years' electrical work for a licensed company (education can replace up to 2 years), pass the ICC-administered Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination, 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework in the prior 12 months, insurance, BIRT number and Commercial Activity License; $262 license fee ($60 non-refundable application fee applied to it); $202 annual renewal.2 | Official page2 |
| Pittsburgh (Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections): Electrical Trade License | Pass the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam (Pearson VUE), document 6 years of combined experience and education; $90 initial and annual renewal; 8 CE hours a year.3 | Official page3 |
Other rules for electricians in Pennsylvania
- Education or training
- At least 8 clock hours2
Philadelphia: 8 hours of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) coursework from a PA L&I-approved provider within the 12 months before applying; 2 years of electrical education count as 1 year of experience (max 2 years substituted).2
Who may teach it: Course provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry (Philadelphia).2 - Prior licensure
- At least 4 years2
Philadelphia: at least 4 years' employment doing electrical work for a company licensed by a local or state jurisdiction, proved by tax records or proof of licensure.2
Substitute: Up to 2 years of experience may be replaced by electrical education (2 years of education = 1 year of experience).2 - Experience
- At least 6 years3
Pittsburgh: at least 6 years of combined experience and education, shown by résumé or documentation.3 - Exam
- Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination2
Given by: International Code Council (ICC)2
Time limit: Exam must reference the current Philadelphia Code, or the application must be filed within 12 months of passing.2 - Exam
- ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam (T16 / G16 / F16) — Pittsburgh3
Given by: ICC, proctored by Pearson VUE3
Exam waived: Earlier versions of the exam or a passing letter from the Pittsburgh-proctored exam may be accepted on review.3 - Insurance
- Philadelphia: general liability $500,000 per occurrence, automobile liability $300,000, workers' compensation $100,000/$100,000/$500,000.2
- Insurance
- Pittsburgh (to pull permits): general liability $1,000,000 each occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate naming the City, plus workers' compensation certificate (or notarized no-employee statement).3
- Business requirements
- Philadelphia: Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) account, Commercial Activity License, and current on all City taxes.2
- Business requirements
- Pittsburgh: tax compliance letter from the City Department of Finance to obtain permits.3
- Also required
- Statewide, most home improvement contractors must register with the PA Attorney General (Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act).1
- Also required
- Philadelphia: from July 1, 2026 permit applications that include an EV charger need an electrical contractor with EVITP certification on file.2
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $602 | City of Philadelphia | Philadelphia; credited toward the $262 license fee. Not refundable |
| Initial license fee | $2622 | City of Philadelphia | Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License (includes the $60 application fee) |
| Initial license fee | $903 | City of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Electrical Trade License. Not refundable. Effective January 1, 2026 |
Each line is a separate charge, listed by the city or county named in its notes; they are not added up.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Electrician licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Contractor Licensing (state and local requirements pertaining to certain contractors)Pennsylvania Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
- Get an Electrical Contractor LicenseCity of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Trade LicensesCity of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and InspectionsDated October 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026