Maryland Electrician License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 7 min read

Maryland State electrician licenses (master, journeyperson and apprentice) from the State Board of Electricians are valid for 2 years and renew for another 2-year term, on a staggered basis, so go by the expiration date on your own license. To renew a master license you need 10 hours of continuing education from the license term (at least 5 in a classroom) and to renew a journeyperson license 5 hours. The renewal fee is $31.50 for a master, $18.50 for a journeyperson and $12 for an apprentice. A master who contracts for electrical work must also carry at least $300,000 of general liability and $100,000 of property damage insurance: the Board can't renew the license without it. Within 2 years of expiration you can reinstate a license by meeting the renewal requirements and paying a reinstatement fee on top of the renewal fee.

At a glance

Who needs it: The Board says all electrical work in Maryland must be performed by a licensed master, journeyperson or apprentice electrician, and apprentices must be supervised at all times by a licensed master or journeyperson. Local jurisdictions may also require a registration to provide electrical services
Renews every: 2 years. The Board says a license is valid for two years from the date it was issued and that licenses currently expire on a staggered basis: check the expiration date on your own license
Renewal notice: The Board says it mails renewal instructions and an application about 60 days before the license expires (the Maryland Electricians Act requires at least 1 month). If you haven't received one within a month of expiration, call 410-230-6231 to request it
Renewal fee: Master $31.50, journeyperson $18.50, apprentice $12 (COMAR 09.09.01.03, as of January 24, 2025). The fees are nonrefundable
Continuing education: 10 hours to renew a master license and 5 hours to renew a journeyperson license, completed during the 24 months immediately before renewal. At least 5 of a master's 10 hours must be in a classroom setting. Hours from before the prior license term don't count
What CE counts: Including courses or training based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) or a local variant, or on a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code or standard that relates to providing electrical services. Courses meeting the Act's other CE standards can also count. The Board lists continuing education providers on its site
Insurance: A licensed master electrician (or the business that employs them) may not contract to provide electrical services without liability insurance of at least $300,000 for general liability and at least $100,000 for property damage. The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable. Unless you meet the insurance requirement, the Board can't renew the license. The Electricians Act says a licensed journeyperson or apprentice working for a licensed master, under their control and supervision, doesn't need separate insurance (the Board's home page says only that license holders must carry it)
Certificate of insurance: Name the State of Maryland, State Board of Electricians, 100 S. Charles St, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201 as certificate holder. The policy must list the licensee's name and registration number
Renew: Online through the Board's Renew a License page, before the license expires: you pay the renewal fee, complete the continuing education and submit the renewal application with evidence of it
Uninsured status: A licensee who doesn't carry the insurance can apply for uninsured status ($63, and $63 to renew it each 2-year term). A master on uninsured status can't use the State license to get a local master registration, and in a county that requires a State master license may only work as a journeyperson. Renewing uninsured status takes the same CE hours: COMAR says a licensee on uninsured status who has completed them is issued a license marked "authorized to work", and one who hasn't, "not authorized to work"
Expired license, within 2 years: If you're not on uninsured status, the Board reinstates it if you apply within 2 years of expiration, meet the renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee: $31.50 up to 30 days after expiration, $63 from 31 to 60 days, and $126 at 61 days or more
Expired more than 2 years: You pay the reinstatement fee and must meet the requirements for getting a new State license again
Changes to report: Within 10 days, tell the Board in writing about a change of your name, your address (or the address of the person you assign a local license to) or your employment, including a change in the assignment of a local license
Contact: Maryland State Board of Electricians, 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone 410-230-6163

A State license doesn't replace local registration: a county or city may also require you to register before you provide electrical services or pull a permit there. Ask each jurisdiction you work in about its own renewal dates.

Each licensed or registered master electrician must display the State license number, the county registration number or the municipal registration number on each vehicle used on the job.

Fees in COMAR 09.09.01.03 have changed before (the schedule set on January 24, 2024 was lower), so check the amount on your renewal notice.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your license: Maryland licenses expire on a staggered basis.
Finish your continuing education from the 24 months before renewal: 10 hours for a master (at least 5 in a classroom), 5 for a journeyperson, such as courses on the NEC or a related NFPA code.
Masters who contract: get a current certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage (umbrella coverage isn't accepted), naming the State Board of Electricians as certificate holder.
Renew online through the Board's Renew a License page and pay the fee ($31.50 master, $18.50 journeyperson, $12 apprentice) before the license expires.
No renewal notice a month before expiration? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 to request one.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck your license's expiration date, and count the CE hours you've completed in the last 24 months: 10 for a master (at least 5 in a classroom), 5 for a journeyperson.
60 days outMasters who contract: ask your insurer for a certificate naming the State Board of Electricians as certificate holder, with your name and registration number on the policy. Watch for the Board's renewal notice.
30 days outFinish any remaining CE, then renew online and pay the fee. No renewal notice yet? Call the Board at 410-230-6231.
7 days outCheck that the renewal went through and your license shows its new expiration date.
Expiration dateRenewal is due before this date. Within 2 years you can still reinstate it, paying the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee that rises after 30 and 60 days.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability and property damage policies: the Board can't renew a master license that needs them without proof
Your journeypersons' and apprentices' State electrician licenses
Local electrical registrations in the counties or cities where you work, which follow their own rules
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Maryland electrician licenses renew?

Every 2 years. The Board says a license is valid for two years from the date it was issued and that licenses currently expire on a staggered basis: check the expiration date on your own license.

How many CE hours does a Maryland electrician need to renew?

10 hours to renew a master license and 5 hours to renew a journeyperson license, completed during the 24 months immediately before renewal. At least 5 of a master's 10 hours must be in a classroom setting. The rules set hours only for master and journeyperson renewals.

How much does it cost to renew a Maryland electrician license?

Master $31.50, journeyperson $18.50, apprentice $12 (COMAR 09.09.01.03, as of January 24, 2025).

What insurance does a Maryland master electrician need?

To contract for electrical services, liability insurance of at least $300,000 for general liability and at least $100,000 for property damage. The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable, and it can't renew the license unless you meet the insurance requirement.

What if my Maryland electrician license expired?

Within 2 years of expiration, the Board reinstates it if you meet the renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee: $31.50 up to 30 days after expiration, $63 from 31 to 60 days, and $126 at 61 days or more. After more than 2 years you must meet the requirements for getting a new State license again.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Maryland State Board of Electricians, Renew a License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Maryland guides

All Maryland guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

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How LicenseLedger works for electricians

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Maryland Electrician License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 7 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: The Board says all electrical work in Maryland must be performed by a licensed master, journeyperson or apprentice electrician, and apprentices must be supervised at all times by a licensed master or journeyperson. Local jurisdictions may also require a registration to provide electrical services
Renews every: 2 years. The Board says a license is valid for two years from the date it was issued and that licenses currently expire on a staggered basis: check the expiration date on your own license
Renewal notice: The Board says it mails renewal instructions and an application about 60 days before the license expires (the Maryland Electricians Act requires at least 1 month). If you haven't received one within a month of expiration, call 410-230-6231 to request it
Renewal fee: Master $31.50, journeyperson $18.50, apprentice $12 (COMAR 09.09.01.03, as of January 24, 2025). The fees are nonrefundable
Continuing education: 10 hours to renew a master license and 5 hours to renew a journeyperson license, completed during the 24 months immediately before renewal. At least 5 of a master's 10 hours must be in a classroom setting. Hours from before the prior license term don't count
What CE counts: Including courses or training based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) or a local variant, or on a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code or standard that relates to providing electrical services. Courses meeting the Act's other CE standards can also count. The Board lists continuing education providers on its site
Insurance: A licensed master electrician (or the business that employs them) may not contract to provide electrical services without liability insurance of at least $300,000 for general liability and at least $100,000 for property damage. The Board says umbrella coverage is not acceptable. Unless you meet the insurance requirement, the Board can't renew the license. The Electricians Act says a licensed journeyperson or apprentice working for a licensed master, under their control and supervision, doesn't need separate insurance (the Board's home page says only that license holders must carry it)
Certificate of insurance: Name the State of Maryland, State Board of Electricians, 100 S. Charles St, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201 as certificate holder. The policy must list the licensee's name and registration number
Renew: Online through the Board's Renew a License page, before the license expires: you pay the renewal fee, complete the continuing education and submit the renewal application with evidence of it
Uninsured status: A licensee who doesn't carry the insurance can apply for uninsured status ($63, and $63 to renew it each 2-year term). A master on uninsured status can't use the State license to get a local master registration, and in a county that requires a State master license may only work as a journeyperson. Renewing uninsured status takes the same CE hours: COMAR says a licensee on uninsured status who has completed them is issued a license marked "authorized to work", and one who hasn't, "not authorized to work"
Expired license, within 2 years: If you're not on uninsured status, the Board reinstates it if you apply within 2 years of expiration, meet the renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee: $31.50 up to 30 days after expiration, $63 from 31 to 60 days, and $126 at 61 days or more
Expired more than 2 years: You pay the reinstatement fee and must meet the requirements for getting a new State license again
Changes to report: Within 10 days, tell the Board in writing about a change of your name, your address (or the address of the person you assign a local license to) or your employment, including a change in the assignment of a local license
Contact: Maryland State Board of Electricians, 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone 410-230-6163

Each licensed or registered master electrician must display the State license number, the county registration number or the municipal registration number on each vehicle used on the job.

Fees in COMAR 09.09.01.03 have changed before (the schedule set on January 24, 2024 was lower), so check the amount on your renewal notice.

How to renew

Check the expiration date on your license: Maryland licenses expire on a staggered basis.
Finish your continuing education from the 24 months before renewal: 10 hours for a master (at least 5 in a classroom), 5 for a journeyperson, such as courses on the NEC or a related NFPA code.
Masters who contract: get a current certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage (umbrella coverage isn't accepted), naming the State Board of Electricians as certificate holder.
Renew online through the Board's Renew a License page and pay the fee ($31.50 master, $18.50 journeyperson, $12 apprentice) before the license expires.
No renewal notice a month before expiration? Call the Board at 410-230-6231 to request one.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck your license's expiration date, and count the CE hours you've completed in the last 24 months: 10 for a master (at least 5 in a classroom), 5 for a journeyperson.
60 days outMasters who contract: ask your insurer for a certificate naming the State Board of Electricians as certificate holder, with your name and registration number on the policy. Watch for the Board's renewal notice.
30 days outFinish any remaining CE, then renew online and pay the fee. No renewal notice yet? Call the Board at 410-230-6231.
7 days outCheck that the renewal went through and your license shows its new expiration date.
Expiration dateRenewal is due before this date. Within 2 years you can still reinstate it, paying the renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee that rises after 30 and 60 days.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability and property damage policies: the Board can't renew a master license that needs them without proof
Your journeypersons' and apprentices' State electrician licenses
Local electrical registrations in the counties or cities where you work, which follow their own rules
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do Maryland electrician licenses renew?

Every 2 years. The Board says a license is valid for two years from the date it was issued and that licenses currently expire on a staggered basis: check the expiration date on your own license.

How many CE hours does a Maryland electrician need to renew?

How much does it cost to renew a Maryland electrician license?

Master $31.50, journeyperson $18.50, apprentice $12 (COMAR 09.09.01.03, as of January 24, 2025).

What insurance does a Maryland master electrician need?

What if my Maryland electrician license expired?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Maryland State Board of Electricians, Renew a License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Maryland guides

All Maryland guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet