Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Annapolis, MD

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via bFile)

   Free

   Immediate (online via bFile)

1. Maryland State Board of Electricians — Master Electrician License

   Electricians performing electrical work in Maryland must be licensed by the Maryland State Board of Electricians (formerly the Board of Master Electricians). A Master Electrician license requires passing a state exam and documented experience; journeyperson and apprentice electricians are also licensed statewide.

   Official government source

   $25 initial application; $31.50 renewal (exam fee paid separately to the testing service)·4–8 weeks

   $25 initial application; $31.50 renewal (exam fee paid separately to the testing service)

   4–8 weeks

2. Annapolis — No General Business License Required

   Neither the City of Annapolis nor the State of Maryland requires a general business license. The Annapolis Department of Finance does not license businesses. Annapolis licenses only specific activities (peddlers/mobile vendors, bed-and-breakfasts, rental housing, trade contractors) through the City Clerk and Licenses & Permits Division. Businesses selling goods need a Maryland trader's license from the Anne Arundel County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and opening a commercial space in Annapolis requires a Certificate of Use from Planning and Zoning.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general business license exists; activity-specific licenses, if applicable, have their own fees·Not applicable

   $0 — no general business license exists; activity-specific licenses, if applicable, have their own fees

   Not applicable

3. Annapolis Electrical Permit (per project)

   An electrical permit must be obtained before electrical work, and a final inspection is required on completion. For work inside Annapolis city limits the permit comes from the City of Annapolis (Code section 17.16.040) through the Licenses and Permits Division's Citizen Self Service portal; work in unincorporated Anne Arundel County is permitted by the county Department of Inspections and Permits. Annapolis also requires a city electrical contractor license before pulling city electrical permits.

   Official government source

   City of Annapolis (FY2027 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): new dwelling unit, 200 amp service or less $150.00 (over 200 amps, $150.00 plus $8.00 per additional 100 amps); new nonresidential service equipment $175.00 at 200 amps or less, $225.00 to 300 amps, $250.00 to 400 amps; alterations priced by count - rough wiring 1-10 outlets $25.00, 11-40 $50.00, 41-75 $75.00; service size change $75.00; electric motors, transformers and central A/C units $75.00 for the first 30 kW plus $30.00 per additional 10 kW; solar PV $10.00 per module; preventative maintenance permit $125.00; reinspection $100.00 residential / $150.00 commercial. Electrical contractor license $200.00 biennially. Anne Arundel County (effective October 1, 2024): $43.00 application fee plus, e.g., $147.00 single-family 200 amps or less, $95.00 residential alterations without service change.·Not published as a fixed turnaround; confirm current electrical permit review times with Annapolis permitting ([email protected]) or Anne Arundel County Inspections and Permits

   City of Annapolis (FY2027 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): new dwelling unit, 200 amp service or less $150.00 (over 200 amps, $150.00 plus $8.00 per additional 100 amps); new nonresidential service equipment $175.00 at 200 amps or less, $225.00 to 300 amps, $250.00 to 400 amps; alterations priced by count - rough wiring 1-10 outlets $25.00, 11-40 $50.00, 41-75 $75.00; service size change $75.00; electric motors, transformers and central A/C units $75.00 for the first 30 kW plus $30.00 per additional 10 kW; solar PV $10.00 per module; preventative maintenance permit $125.00; reinspection $100.00 residential / $150.00 commercial. Electrical contractor license $200.00 biennially. Anne Arundel County (effective October 1, 2024): $43.00 application fee plus, e.g., $147.00 single-family 200 amps or less, $95.00 residential alterations without service change.

   Not published as a fixed turnaround; confirm current electrical permit review times with Annapolis permitting ([email protected]) or Anne Arundel County Inspections and Permits

Official Sources

• Maryland Board for Master Electricians — Master Electrician License
• City of Annapolis Department of Finance

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