Your license is what allows you to keep working as a journeyperson or master electrician, so letting it lapse can cause real problems. Two years pass faster than most people expect. Once a license expires, you can’t keep working on current jobs or take on new ones until it’s back in good standing. At Exam Insiders, we’ve helped tradespeople prepare for exams and stay licensed since 2023. This walkthrough covers each part of the Maryland renewal process so you can plan ahead and avoid surprises.
Know Your Renewal Cycle
Maryland electrical licenses expire every two years. That applies to both journeypersons and master electricians.
The easiest way to stay current is to complete your continuing education during each two-year cycle. If you finish your coursework early in the second year, you’ll have plenty of time for the renewal itself. Aim to have your new license in hand within the six months before your current one expires.
Complete Your Continuing Education Hours
Plan on about 60 days for the renewal process. You’ll need extra time on top of that to finish your continuing education. Master electricians have more requirements than journeypersons, so they should start earlier.
Journeyperson Requirements
Journeypersons in Maryland need to show proof of five hours of continuing education. All five hours can be completed online, so you can fit them around your work schedule.
Master Electrician Requirements
Master electricians must complete 10 hours of continuing education before applying to renew. Up to five of those hours can be done online. The other five must be taken in a live classroom, although a webinar can be used in place of in-person instruction.
Submit Your Renewal Application
You can renew online through the Maryland One-Stop portal. As with your original license application, you’ll need to provide proof of your education.
Keep copies of the credits from every continuing education course you complete. These transcripts show that you’ve met the minimum hour requirement for your license type:
- Journeyperson: proof of five hours of coursework
- Master electrician: proof of 10 hours of coursework
Pay the Fee and Meet Insurance Requirements
Along with your education records, you’ll need to pay the correct renewal fee. Journeypersons pay $18.50 to renew. The state website accepts credit or debit cards, and you can also pay by check.
Master electricians pay a $31.50 application fee to renew. They must also show proof of insurance coverage that meets these minimums:
- $300,000 in general liability coverage
- $100,000 in property damage coverage
Information about proof of insurance is available on the Maryland State Board of Electricians website.
Plan Ahead and Stay Licensed
The best way to avoid a lapse is to start early. Finish your continuing education hours well before your expiration date, keep your transcripts somewhere easy to find, and leave about 60 days for the state to process your renewal. If you do that, you can renew your Maryland electrical license without interrupting your work.