State Guides · Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Electrician License and Permits Guide 2026
Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license. Learn how local licenses, HIC registration, UCC permits and homeowner rules work before you hire.
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Electricians in West Reading, PA
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Waldman Electrical Contractors
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Guides for Pennsylvania
All Pennsylvania guidesQuestions from Pennsylvania homeowners
Does Pennsylvania have a state electrician license?
No. Pennsylvania leaves electrical licensing to local governments, so rules differ from town to town. Philadelphia licenses electrical contractors through its Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the City of Pittsburgh issues an electrical trade license through its Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.
What is a PA HIC number and should my electrician have one?
Contractors who do $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The registration number must appear on their contracts, estimates and ads, and you can look it up on the Attorney General's contractor search. Registration is not a skills license or an endorsement.
How do I check an electrician's license in Philadelphia?
Use the City of Philadelphia L&I contractor lookup at li.phila.gov, which lists actively licensed contractors by type, including electrical contractors. Philadelphia requires a license for all electrical work, including low-voltage wiring.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in Pennsylvania?
Permits follow the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which moved to the 2021 International Codes on January 1, 2026. Your municipality either runs its own code office or relies on a certified third-party inspection agency, so ask your local code office which one applies to your address.
What must a home improvement contract include in Pennsylvania?
Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, the contract must show the contractor's registration number and give you the right to cancel within three business days of signing. The contractor may not take payment before the contract is signed, and the down payment is generally limited to one-third of the price plus any special-order materials.
What insurance must a registered home improvement contractor carry?
To register with the Attorney General, a contractor must carry at least $50,000 of personal injury liability coverage and $50,000 of property damage coverage. Philadelphia's electrical contractor license requires higher limits, including $500,000 of general liability per occurrence.
Do I need to call before digging for an outdoor circuit or generator line?
Yes. Pennsylvania's One Call law (Act 287) requires anyone who digs, including homeowners, to call 811 or file a request with Pennsylvania One Call at least three business days before starting.
Check any contractor's license: Pennsylvania license lookup