Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Philadelphia, PA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Pennsylvania — No Statewide Electrical Contractor License

   Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide electrical contractor license. Licensing is handled locally. Philadelphia has its own licensing system. In other Pennsylvania municipalities, requirements vary. Statewide, all electrical work must comply with the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) which is based on the NEC.

   Official government source

   N/A (licensing is local)·N/A

   N/A (licensing is local)

   N/A

2. Pennsylvania Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   LLCs and corporations must register with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

   Official government source

   $125 (LLC filing fee)·3–5 business days

   $125 (LLC filing fee)

   3–5 business days

1. City of Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License

   Philadelphia requires its own Electrical Contractor License issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). Applicants must pass the Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination (administered by the International Code Council), show at least four years of employment doing electrical work for a licensed company (education can substitute for up to two years), complete at least eight hours of NFPA 70 coursework, and carry insurance (general liability $500,000, auto liability $300,000, and workers' compensation).

   Official government source

   $262 initial (includes $60 non-refundable application fee); $202 annual renewal·4–8 weeks

   $262 initial (includes $60 non-refundable application fee); $202 annual renewal

   4–8 weeks

2. Philadelphia Commercial Activity License

   All businesses operating in Philadelphia, including electrical contractors, must obtain a Commercial Activity License (CAL) from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The license is free, does not expire, and does not need to be renewed. You must first have a Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) account with the Department of Revenue; applying online through eCLIPSE issues the license automatically.

   Official government source

   $0 (no fee)·Same day (issued automatically online via eCLIPSE)

   $0 (no fee)

   Same day (issued automatically online via eCLIPSE)

Official Sources

• Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections — Electrical Contractor
• Philadelphia Department of Revenue — Business Licenses

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