Key takeaways
- Anyone you hire for electrical work in Ontario must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor with the ESA.
- You can confirm a licence number with the ESA's online contractor lookup before you hire.
- Every licensed contractor works under a designated Master Electrician who is responsible for the work.
Before anyone works on your electrical system, it is worth taking two minutes to confirm they are licensed. In Ontario, that is easy to check, and it protects you, your home and your insurance.
Who needs a licence?
Ontario law requires anyone who does electrical work for hire to be a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) with the Electrical Safety Authority. That applies to companies and to individuals who advertise or perform electrical work for others. A licensed contractor files the ESA notification for your job, which is how the work gets inspected. Read our guide to ESA permits and inspections for more.
How to check a licence
- Ask the contractor for their ESA licence number. It should also appear on their quotes, vehicles and advertising.
- Look the number up using the ESA's online contractor search on the ESA website.
- Confirm the business name matches the company you are hiring.
FM Electric and Contracting Inc. holds ESA Licence #7011961. You will find it on every page of our website.
What is a Master Electrician?
A Master Electrician in Ontario has passed a provincial exam on the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and the regulations that govern electrical contracting. Every licensed contractor must have a designated Master Electrician who is responsible for the electrical work the company performs.
At FM Electric, that is Fred Monfils, who holds Master Electrician Licence #6015284 and has more than 25 years in the trade. He leads every job personally, from the site visit to the final walkthrough.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What is your ESA licence number?
- Will you take out the permit and arrange the inspection?
- Will you visit the site before quoting?
- What exactly does the quote include?
- Who will be doing the work?
Red flags
- No licence number, or reluctance to share it
- Suggestions to skip the permit to save money
- A firm price over the phone for work they have not seen
- Cash-only deals with no written quote
Looking for a licensed electrician in Niagara? Request a quote from FM Electric or call (905) 931-4522.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an electrician and a Master Electrician?
A licensed electrician is certified to do electrical work. A Master Electrician has also passed the provincial exam on the code and regulations and can be the designated Master Electrician responsible for a licensed contracting business.
Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed electrician in Ontario?
Anyone doing electrical work for hire must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Hiring someone without a licence also means the work is unlikely to be permitted or inspected, which can cause problems with insurance and resale.
