Do you need a license to do electrical work in District of Columbia?
Yes. In District of Columbia, practicing or offering to practice as an electrician requires a current District license, issued by the Mayor through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. An electrician is anyone who designs, installs, maintains, alters, repairs, removes or inspects electrical wiring, equipment, conductors or systems in buildings or structures, other than elevators and similar conveyances. Only a licensed person may use the title electrician, licensed electrician or master electrician. This is D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.02, 47-2853.04, 47-2853.91, 47-2853.93.
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Electrician license | District license (Licensing and Consumer Protection) |
Source
D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.02, 47-2853.04, 47-2853.91, 47-2853.93
Read the statute in the Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council): code.dccouncil.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
Compare this rule in every state
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