StateLicensed

Electrician License Requirements in Maryland

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$102
Exam
Journeyperson Electrician Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Maryland State Board of Master Electricians (Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Department of Labor)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. Board application does not publish a stated minimum age. Applicants must disclose any criminal arrests/convictions on the application; if 'yes' is answered, a written statement and a True Test Copy of the court record must be submitted for Board review of relevance, time elapsed, and post-conviction conduct. [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete the required training. No fixed classroom-hour figure for the standard journeyperson path: the Board requires at least 4 years employed regularly and principally in electrical work under a Maryland master electrician (or a similarly qualified government-unit employee), with up to 3 years of that experience creditable via a formal course of study. Separately, an approved apprenticeship route (Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council or federal Office of Apprenticeship) waives the experience/exam requirement with proof of completing at least 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours. [1]

  3. 3

    Journeyperson Electrician Examination

    Pass the Journeyperson Electrician Examination (fee: $65). 70 multiple-choice questions, open-book, 210 minutes, minimum passing score 70% Register with PSI at 1-800-733-9267 or psiexams.com after Board approval to test; exam is step one of a two-step process (exam, then formal license application). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Maryland State Board of Master Electricians (Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Department of Labor) with the $18.5 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Maryland State Board of Master Electricians (Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Department of Labor) issues your Journeyperson Electrician License for Maryland.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $18.5
License fee [3] $18.5
Renewal fee [3] $18.5
Journeyperson Electrician Examination [2] $65
Journeyperson Examination Fee (PSI) [3] $65
Uninsured status (initial or renewal) [3] $63
Reactivation [3] $63

Effective July 1, 2025 fee schedule: original journeyperson license fee and renewal fee are both $18.50 (a single combined 'application/license' fee — the Board's schedule does not separate an application fee from the license-issuance fee). Exam fee ($65) is paid directly to PSI, not the Board.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 5 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Journeyperson electricians must complete 5 hours of continuing education (NEC/NFPA/Maryland code-focused, all of which may be taken online) every 2 years; master electricians require 10 hours (up to 5 online) per 2-year cycle. Some Maryland counties impose additional local CE requirements.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Maryland has reciprocal licensing agreements with Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; specific requirements (including minimum years already licensed in the home jurisdiction, 2-5 years depending on state) vary by agreement. No multistate electrician licensure compact exists for this occupation, so compacts is empty.

2 state-approved training providers in Maryland — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $18.5
  • $18.5
  • $65
Total$102

Frequently asked questions

Is a state license required to work as an electrician in Maryland?

Yes. The State Board of Master Electricians issues statewide master electrician licenses, and began accepting applications for apprentice and journeyperson licenses starting July 1, 2021.

How much experience do I need before I can sit for the journeyperson exam?

At least 4 years employed regularly and principally in electrical work under the supervision of a Maryland master electrician (or a similarly qualified government-unit employee), unless you qualify through an approved apprenticeship program (576 classroom hours + 8,000 work hours), which waives the experience and exam requirements.

Who administers the journeyperson exam and what does it cost?

PSI Examination Services administers the exam under contract with the Board; the exam fee is $65, separate from the Board's own license fees.

How often do I need to renew my journeyperson license, and is continuing education required?

Journeyperson licenses renew on a 2-year cycle and require 5 hours of continuing education focused on the NEC, NFPA rules, or Maryland code, all of which can be completed online.

Does Maryland have reciprocity with other states?

Yes, Maryland has reciprocal agreements with Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, though specific requirements vary by state.

Sources

  1. [1] labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/elecreq.shtml — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/elecexam.shtml — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/elecaff.shtml — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/09.09.02.01 — accessed 2026-07-11
  5. [5] labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/eleclicfaqs.shtml — accessed 2026-07-11