Electrician license
Maryland electrician license
The Maryland State Board of Master Electricians licenses master, journeyperson and apprentice electricians statewide. All electrical work in Maryland must be done by a licensed electrician, and apprentices must always be supervised. The licenses are Apprentice Electrician, Journeyperson Electrician and Master Electrician. Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Not set in hours | Not confirmed: check with the board | $12 original license fee; $12 to renew |
| Journeyperson Electrician | Not set in hours | 70 questions, 2020 NEC | $18.50 original license fee; $18.50 to renew |
| Master Electrician | Not set in hours | 90 questions, 2020 NEC | $25 original license fee; $31.50 to renew |
How to get each Maryland license
Apprentice Electrician
Requirements. Apply online for an apprentice license. Apprentices must be supervised at all times by a licensed master or journeyperson and may not work on their own.
Exam. Not confirmed: check with the board
Fees. $12 original license fee; $12 to renew.
Sources: Maryland State Board of Master Electricians; Maryland Board of Electricians: Fees (effective July 1, 2025).
Journeyperson Electrician
Requirements. At least four years of regular electrical work, in training to become a master, under a Maryland licensed master electrician, then pass the PSI exam. The Board waives the exam experience requirement if you completed an approved apprenticeship of at least 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours and got the certificate within two years of applying.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | 70 questions |
| Time | 210 minutes (3.5 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% (49 of 70) |
| Code book | Open book: bring your own 2020 NEC (not provided at the test center). Permanent tabs, highlighting and underlining are allowed; no written notes. |
| Exam fee | $65 |
| Official bulletin | PSI Maryland Master and Journeyperson Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 9/1/2024) |
Fees. $18.50 original license fee; $18.50 to renew.
PSI may add five to ten unscored experimental questions, which do not count against your time.
Free practice. The journeyman electrician practice test with 2026 and 2023 NEC versions has 30 questions on code and calculations, scored by subject, with no account. It is general NEC practice, not built from the Maryland exam outline.
Sources: Maryland Board of Electricians: Requirements; Maryland Board of Electricians: Fees (effective July 1, 2025); Maryland Board of Electricians: Taking the Exam; PSI Maryland Master and Journeyperson Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin, updated 9/1/2024.
Master Electrician
Requirements. At least seven years of regular electrical work under a Maryland licensed master electrician (or as allowed by the Board), then pass the PSI master exam. Up to three years of credit may be given for a formal electrical course of study.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | 90 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% (the 90 questions are worth 100 points) |
| Code book | Open book: bring your own 2020 NEC. |
| Exam fee | $65 |
| Official bulletin | PSI Maryland Master and Journeyperson Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 9/1/2024) |
Fees. $25 original license fee; $31.50 to renew.
Sources: Maryland Board of Electricians: Requirements; Maryland Board of Electricians: Fees (effective July 1, 2025); Maryland Board of Electricians: Taking the Exam; PSI Maryland Master and Journeyperson Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin, updated 9/1/2024.
How to apply
Apply to PSI to sit for the exam first. After you pass, apply to the Board for the license using the online license applications. Apply on the official site.
Source: Maryland Board of Electricians: Taking the Exam.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every two years from the date the license was issued (staggered). |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | Not confirmed: check with the board |
Source: Maryland Board of Electricians: Renew a License.
Reciprocity with other states
Master: Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC and Delaware, for licenses obtained by exam. Journeyperson: Virginia (by apprenticeship or exam), Delaware and DC (by exam).
Source: Maryland Board of Electricians: License Applications.
Look up a Maryland electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official Maryland Master Electricians Public Query.
Good to know
To hold a Maryland electrician license you must carry at least $300,000 general liability and $100,000 property damage insurance (umbrella coverage not accepted).
Source: Maryland State Board of Master Electricians.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Maryland?
The Maryland State Board of Master Electricians licenses master, journeyperson and apprentice electricians statewide. All electrical work in Maryland must be done by a licensed electrician, and apprentices must always be supervised.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Maryland?
Journeyperson Electrician: At least four years of regular electrical work, in training to become a master, under a Maryland licensed master electrician, then pass the PSI exam. The Board waives the exam experience requirement if you completed an approved apprenticeship of at least 576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours and got the certificate within two years of applying. Apply to PSI to sit for the exam first. After you pass, apply to the Board for the license using the online license applications.
How many questions are on the Maryland journeyman electrician exam?
70 questions in 210 minutes (3.5 hours), and the passing score is 70% (49 of 70).
Does Maryland accept electrician licenses from other states?
Master: Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC and Delaware, for licenses obtained by exam. Journeyperson: Virginia (by apprenticeship or exam), Delaware and DC (by exam).
How often does a Maryland electrician license renew?
Every two years from the date the license was issued (staggered).
How do I look up an electrician license in Maryland?
Use the official Maryland Master Electricians Public Query at https://www.dllr.state.md.us/cgi-bin/ElectronicLicensing/OP_search/OP_search.cgi?calling_app=ME::ME_qselect
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Maryland's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- Maryland State Board of Master Electricians, opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Board of Electricians: Requirements, opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Board of Electricians: Taking the Exam, opened November 11, 2026
- PSI Maryland Master and Journeyperson Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin, updated 9/1/2024, opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Board of Electricians: Fees (effective July 1, 2025), opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Board of Electricians: Renew a License, opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Board of Electricians: License Applications, opened November 11, 2026
- Maryland Master Electricians Public Query, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.