Electrical
Permit Application Processing Fee
Starting Nov. 3, 2025, any/all submission or rerouting of residential electrical and plumbing permits will require a $25.00 application processing fee. Any/all submission or rerouting of commercial permits, including trade permits will require a $100.00 application processing fee. These fees were approved as part of the Calvert County FY2026 budget.
Overview
The State of Maryland Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors for Calvert County (Board) examines the qualifications and capabilities of all persons who are engaged or desire to engage in the business of electrician as defined in the Calvert County Code. The Board also adopts regulations on the classes of licenses, sets fees, administers the examination of applicants and regulates the business of electricians in Calvert County.
The regulations of the Board shall be effective as provided by the Board, except for regulations setting the amount of fees, which shall be effective upon approval by the Board of County Commissioners.
Composition
The Board is a three-member board appointed by the governor with advice of consent of the state legislator. All members are master electricians who have resided and been engaged in the business of electrician in Calvert County for a minimum period of three years.
Terms
Board members serve two-year terms.
Any member of the Board can be removed for incompetence or improper conduct upon satisfactory presentation of evidence of that condition.
Members of the Board shall take and subscribe the oath required by other state officers. Board shall elect a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer, and adopt whatever regulations and bylaws it deems expedient for the transaction of board business.
Meetings
8:00 a.m.
Second Tuesday of each month
*The Board may hold special meetings when deemed necessary*
Location
Inspections and Permits Conference Room
150 Main Street, Floor 3
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Open Meeting Statement
The Calvert County Electrical Board complies with the Open Meetings Act - agendas and minutes for our monthly meetings available at Agenda and Minutes.
**All new or expired Electricians must appear in person to apply for registrations**
Overview
The following brief overview is for informational purposes only and does not supersede the adopted rules and regulations of the State of Maryland Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors for Calvert County. Any person desiring to secure an electrical license shall make written application to the State of Maryland Board of Electrical Examiner and Supervisors for Calvert County on forms provided by the board.
Required License
Before engaging in the business of electrical work in Calvert County or representing that the individual is authorized to engage in that business, an individual shall hold a current license issued by the State of Maryland Board of Electrical Examiner and Supervisors for Calvert County, Maryland.
An active Calvert County electrical contractor's license is required for any person in the business of installing, repairing or maintaining any electrical wiring or device designed for conducting, consuming or converting electrical current.
It is ILLEGAL to "shop" your license to other persons.
Reciprocity
With Local License
All applicants applying for a license by reciprocity must appear in person and will need to have a letter from the licensing board where they received their license by written examination, and a letter from the Inspection Authority showing them in good standing with no outstanding violations. They will also need to have a certificate of insurance for master, restricted master and low voltage license.
With State License
All applicants applying for a master class license in Calvert County by reciprocity with a Maryland State License must appear in person and will need to show proof of an active and current state license and a certificate of insurance. The certificate of insurance shall name the State of Maryland Board of Electrical Examiner and Supervisors for Calvert County as the certificate holder.
Expiration
Failure to renew the electrical license prior to July 1 shall cause the license to expire. After July 1, a firm or corporation may not engage, offer to engage or hold themselves out as engaging as a Master Electrician under a license unless the license is restored or reissued.
Additional Fees
If application for restoration is made within 90 days after June 30, a license, which expires because of failure to renew prior to July 1, shall be restored only on payment of the renewal fee and an additional restoration fee of $50.
If the application for restoration is not made within the 90-day period after expiration, a renewal may not be issued and the board may require compliance by examination, before re-issuance of a license, as if the applicant had never been licensed.
Registration Types
Master Electrician (Active)
Applies to all persons who have completed four years of apprentice training, plus three years as a journeyman electrician, and by reason of practical experience and a reasonable knowledge of the natural laws of electricity and the functions of electrical conductors, appliances and devices, are qualified to engage in the trade or business of installing, erecting or repairing any and all manner, type or description of electrical conductors, appliances or devices for the utilization of electrical current in the production of light, heat or power.
Applicants for all master class licenses must be least 21 years of age.
Restricted Master Electrician (Active)
Applies to all persons who are qualified only to repair or to provide maintenance service to the electrical components of specific devices that utilize electrical current for their operation. A restricted electrician shall be limited to performing electrical repair and maintenance work upon a specific type of device and the circuit pertaining to that specific device. Such licensee shall not be privileged to perform electrical wiring unless a fuse holder for the specific device is available in the main electrical service or provided for by a master electrician.
Under no conditions shall such licensee connect the specific device if an overload will develop in the main electrical service.
Low Voltage Electrician (Active)
Emergency signaling systems - means all persons who, by reasonable practical experience and a reasonable knowledge, are qualified to engage in the trade or business of installing, erecting or repairing emergency signaling systems including, but not limited to, the following: fire detection and alarms, fire sprinkler, water flow alarms, burglar alarm systems, security alarm, detection systems, telephone communication, cable television and sound systems.
Journeyman Electrician
All persons who have completed four years of apprentice training and have proved by reason of practical experience and a reasonable knowledge of natural laws of electricity and the functions of electrical conductors, appliances and devices, are qualified to engage in the trade or business of installing, erecting or repairing any and all manner, type, or description of electrical conductors, appliances or devices for the utilization of electrical current in the production of light, heat or power under the supervision of a Master Electrician.
This license class may not obtain permits.
Apprentice
Anyone employed by a licensed master electrician can apply to be an apprentice. This license class may not obtain permits.
Master Electrician (Inactive)
The licensee meets all requirements for a master electrician's license but has no business affiliation. This class of master may not obtain permits but may work as a journeyman electrician.
Restricted Master Electrician (Inactive)
The licensee meets all requirements for a restricted master electrician's license but has no business affiliation. This class of master may not obtain permits but may work as a journeyman electrician.
Low Voltage Electrician (Inactive)
The licensee meets all requirements for a low voltage electrician's license but has no business affiliation. This class of master may not obtain permits but may work as a journeyman electrician.
Homeowner
Homeowners may wire their own residential property only if they will be residing in the home. They must complete a Calvert County Homeowners examination application, pay the necessary fees and receive a passing grade on the examination. If the homeowners receive a passing grade on the examination, they may apply for a permit from the Calvert County Inspections and Permits' Division for wiring in the house not including the electrical service.
A master electrician with a Calvert County master license must install the electrical service. Once homeowners receive the final inspection for the permit to wire residential properties any additional wiring after that time must be done by a Calvert County licensed master electrician. This is a one-time authorization for electrical installation at the applicant's permanent residence.