PennsylvaniaPennsylvania would license electricians and electrical contractors statewide
Electrical workers and contractors would need state licenses for most covered work, with exceptions, qualifications, fees, oversight, and delayed requirements.
What it does
Most people and businesses providing electrical services would need a state license starting two years after the measure becomes law. Listed routine, federal, rail, communications, demolition, and utility work would be exempt.
Applicants would face age, character, training or work-hour, exam, fee, and sometimes insurance rules. Qualified existing workers could seek an exam waiver during the first year after licensing begins.
A state board would manage licensing and enforcement. Violations could bring fines, jail, or civil penalties, while $250,000 would be set aside for startup and other costs.
Argument forA public license list and statewide standards could help customers check workers' credentials and reduce differing local licensing rules.
Argument againstRequired exams, fees, work-hour thresholds, and continuing education could raise the time and cost of entering or staying in the trade.
More detail
Most people and businesses would need state licenses to perform, offer, contract for, or employ people for covered electrical work. Exemptions include replacing lamps and fuses and specified federal, rail, communications, demolition, and utility work. Apprentices would need direct onsite supervision. Municipalities could not require another skills-based license, but could still tax, inspect, regulate safety, and issue permits. The licensing requirements in section 501 would take effect two years after the measure becomes law.
Applicants would have to meet the rules for their license type. License types cover electrical contractors, electricians, residential electricians, apprentices, and probationary electrical workers. Depending on the license, requirements would include minimum ages, character review, applications, fees, exams, training or work hours, and contractor insurance. Qualified applicants could receive licenses through reciprocity, temporary licenses, or the limited exam-waiver process. Contractors, electricians, and residential electricians would need continuing education for renewal, with hardship waivers available. The exam waiver would apply to qualified people who apply within one year after section 501 takes effect.
A state licensing board would issue licenses, set fees, publish a license list, and enforce the proposed rules. Its authority would cover licensing, complaints, discipline, fee-setting, and enforcement against unlicensed electrical work. A first criminal violation could bring a fine up to $2,000 or up to six months in jail; later convictions would carry higher ranges. The board could impose a civil penalty up to $10,000 after offering a hearing. The $250,000 set aside for startup and other costs would have to be repaid within three years after license issuance begins. Most provisions would start in 60 days; regulations would be due within 18 months, and the violation rules would start in two years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 22Act No. 108 of 2026Latest
- Oct 22Approved by the Governor Josh ShapiroBecame Law
- Oct 22Presented to the GovernorTo Governor
- Oct 22Signed in House
- Oct 21Signed in Senate
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Rules & Executive Nominations): Re-Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Rules & Executive Nominations): Motion to Table Amendment A04725. Result: pass.Upper
- Oct 21Senate concurred in House amendments
- Oct 21Re-reported on concurrence, as committedMinor
- Oct 19Referred to Rules & Executive NominationsMinor
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-report Bill As Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Adopt Amendment A04677. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 19Third consideration and final passageMajor
- Oct 19Re-reported as amendedMajor
- Oct 19Amended in House Committee on Appropriations
- Oct 7Re-referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded A4554. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded A4529. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded A3840. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded A4576. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded A4570. Result: pass.Lower
- Oct 7Second consideration, with amendmentsMinor
- Oct 6Removed from table
- Oct 5Laid on the table
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Labor & Industry): Report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Labor & Industry): Adopt Amendment A04429. Result: fail.Lower
- Oct 5First considerationMinor
- Oct 5Reported as committedMinor
- Jun 16Referred to Labor & IndustryMinor
- Jun 10Final passagePassed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE - RECONSIDERATION. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded MOTION TO TABLE KEEFER AMENDMENT NO. A-3583. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 10Vote on final passage reconsidered
- Jun 10Third consideration and final passagePassed Senate
- Jun 9Re-reported as committedMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 8Re-referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Jun 8Second considerationMinor
- Jun 3First considerationMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure): Adopt Amendment A03355. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure): Reported as Amended A03355. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Reported as amendedMajor
- Apr 1Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional LicensureIntroduced
Consumer ProtectionEconomy & JobsGovernment & Ethics