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Electrical Apparatus and Wiring

Baltimore City Public Local Laws subtit. 3
in effect

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-1 Board of Electrical Examiners — appointment; qualifications; terms.

§ 3-1 Board of Electrical Examiners — appointment; qualifications; terms. The Governor, with the advice of the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation, shall appoint a board subject to the advice and consent of the Senate which shall be known as the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors, consisting of five (5) persons, each of whom shall serve a term of four years, after expiration of the initial terms provided herein, for the purpose of examining into the qualifications and capabilities of all persons who are engaged or desire to engage in the business of Master Electrician as defined in Section 3-5 of this Article. The Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors shall be a part of the Department of Licensing and Regulation. The board so appointed shall be competent practical electricians and representatives of the general public of Baltimore City, all of whom shall be residents of Baltimore City during their entire term, and shall be selected as follows: three members who are practical electricians licensed in the City of Baltimore, one of whom shall be a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of Maryland, and two members from the general public, and a majority of said Board shall constitute a quorum to transact the business thereof. The term of office of the members first appointed after July 1, 1972, shall be as follows: one practical electrician shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years; one practical electrician shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years; one (1) practical electrician shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; one (1) member of the general public shall be appointed for a term of four years and one (1) member of the general public shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year. Should any vacancy occur from any cause during the term of any Board as herein provided, the Governor shall appoint someone from the categories as above provided, to fill such vacancy. The Governor shall have full power to remove any member of the Board for incompetency or improper conduct upon satisfactory evidence being presented to him of such condition. The Governor shall appoint one member of said Board to act as chairman of the Board who shall serve as chairman, at the pleasure of the Governor. In no event shall any member of said Board be appointed for more than two consecutive terms.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-2 Board of Electrical Examiners — oath; officers; procedures.

§ 3-2 Board of Electrical Examiners — oath; officers; procedures. The members of said Board shall respectively take and subscribe the oath required by other State officers. They shall have power to elect out of their number a president, secretary and treasurer, to adopt such rules and bylaws for the transaction of business of the Board as they may deem expedient.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-3 Board of Electrical Examiners — salaries.

§ 3-3 Board of Electrical Examiners — salaries. Each member of said Board shall receive an annual compensation of Twelve Hundred ($1200) Dollars per year for actual service in attending meetings of the Board, plus a mileage allowance in accordance with the standard regulations when serving on official Board business, which compensation shall be paid out of any moneys in the hands of the State Treasurer to the credit of said Board; provided, that the secretary of said Board may receive such additional compensation as the Board may deem just and reasonable, and for which the bylaws of the said Board may provide; provided, however, that the compensation and expenses of said Board shall in no event be paid out of the funds in the State Treasury in excess of that credited to this Board or become a charge against the State.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-4 Board of Electrical Examiners — meetings; powers and duties.

§ 3-4 Board of Electrical Examiners — meetings; powers and duties. Said Board shall meet at least twice a month in Baltimore City, and shall hold special meetings as frequently as the proper and efficient discharge of its business shall require, and said Board shall adopt such rules and regulations for the examination of master or maintenance electricians as herein defined, and for maintaining or servicing or the placing, installing and operating electrical wires, appliances, apparatus or construction in, upon and about buildings in the said City of Baltimore, and when so adopted, such rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as if herein contained, and the rules of said Board shall also provide for the giving of timely notice of such meetings to all those who shall have made application for a license as herein provided, and said board shall give in writing to the chief of the municipal electrical inspectors of Baltimore City a detailed statement of all the licenses issued, renewed or revoked at any meeting of said board.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-5 Master Electrician.

§ 3-5 Master Electrician. (a) “Master Electrician” defined; license. The term “Master Electrician”, as used in this subtitle shall be defined as and including any and all persons, firms, and corporations engaged in business of, or holding themselves out to the public as engaged in the business of installing, erecting, or repairing, or contracting to install, erect, or repair electric wires or conductors, to be used for the transmission of electric current for electric light, heat, or power purposes, or mouldings, ducts, raceways, or conduits for the reception or protection of such wires or conductors, or to any electrical machinery, apparatus, devices, or fixtures to be used for electric light, heat, or power purposes. A license of “Master Electrician” issued and in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle, shall entitle any such person, firm, or corporation so licensed to engage in the business of and to hold himself or itself out to the public as engaged in the business of installing, erecting, and repairing and of contracting to install, erect, and repair any electric wires or conductors, etc. (b) “Master Electrician, Restricted” defined; license. The term “Master Electrician, Restricted”, is defined as any person holding a license limited to servicing and installing electrical services and allied components no larger than 150 amperes-110/220 volt capacity restricted to a single phase operation to be used for electric light, heat, or power purposes in dwellings that do not contain more than 3 dwelling units. A license of “Master Electrician, Restricted” issued under this subsection shall entitle the licensee to engage in the business and advertise to the public as engaging in the business of servicing and installing electrical service and allied components no larger than 150 amperes-110/220 volt capacity restricted to a single phase operation to be used for electric light, heat, or power purposes in dwellings that do not contain more than 3 dwelling units. (c) “Restricted Electrician” defined; license. The term “Restricted Electrician,” as used in this subtitle, is any person holding a license, or applying for a license, entitling such person, or applicant, to install, maintain, and repair the particular type or types of electrical equipment specified in the license. A Restricted Electrician’s license shall be issued to any person determined to be qualified by an examination given by the Board and shall permit the holder to install, maintain and repair the particular type or types of electrical equipment specified in the license. The holder of this license shall be permitted to make installation of branch circuit wiring to the equipment being installed. This license may be issued to any firm or corporation if, and so long as, it has in its employ at least one holder of a Restricted Electrician’s license. The provisions of this subsection shall be subject to all existing licensing provisions including fees or bond, or both.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-6 Maintenance Electrician.

§ 3-6 Maintenance Electrician. The term “Maintenance Electrician” as used in this subtitle shall be defined as and including all persons, firms and corporations engaged in the work of maintaining, servicing, and/or repairing any kind of electrically operated or controlled apparatus device, equipment, appliance, machinery, etc., only after the original electrical installations have been made by a master electrician licensed by this board and approved by the inspection authorities. (1) Any person, firm or corporation who does not hold a master electrician license and rendering a service to the public to maintain, service and/or repair any kind of electrically operated or controlled equipment, etc., must have at least one representative licensed as a maintenance electrician who is responsible to this board for all employees under his supervision. (2) Any person, firm or corporation doing its own maintenance, service and/or repairs, on its own premises, must have at least one representative so licensed who is responsible to this board for all employees working under his or their supervision. Premises requiring a licensed representative unless they hold a master electrician license are: factories, industrial plants, department stores, theatres, public halls, office buildings, apartment houses, schools, arenas, and any other occupancy other than private dwelling houses, doing their own maintenance service, and/or repairs, doing its own maintenance, service and/or repairs. Each license so issued shall designate which kinds of apparatus or equipment the licensed representative is qualified to maintain, service and/or repair. (3) This section shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the repair and maintenance of electrical appliances and electrical home utilities insofar as making minor adjustments and repairs necessary in connection with the installation and repair of electrical appliances and utilities.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-7 Licenses — required; examination; fee.

§ 3-7 Licenses — required; examination; fee. Before any person, firm or corporation shall hereafter engage in the work or business of a master or maintenance electrician in Baltimore City, as defined in this subtitle, and before any person, firm or corporation now engaged in said work or business or any class thereof shall continue in said work or business of master or maintenance electrician, such person, firm or corporation shall apply to said board for a license, as herein required, whereupon the applicant shall pay an examination fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) and shall present himself before the said board at a time and place fixed by said board. In the event that an applicant fails to appear for an examination scheduled by the board, the board may require the applicant to pay another examination fee prior to rescheduling an examination for such applicant. If the board shall find upon due examination that the applicant presenting himself has a reasonable knowledge of electricity and the natural laws and functions of electric wires, appliances and devices for electric light, heat, signal and power purposes, and is possessed of skill and of knowledge in all matters appertaining to the business of master or maintenance electrician, as defined in Sections 3-5 and 3-6 of this subtitle, then the said board, upon payment of the fee and upon executing the bond herein required for master electricians only shall issue to the said person, firm or corporation, a license as master or maintenance electrician to practice said work or business for a term of one year; and shall register such person, firm or corporation, as duly licensed master or maintenance electrician; provided, however, no person, firm or corporation who shall have been engaged in electrical maintenance or service work in the City of Baltimore for a period of two (2) years prior to April 2, 1906, shall be required to take the examination as provided in this section, before the issuance of such license, and provided that no license shall be granted to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years, nor shall any license be granted to any person who has not taken and subscribed an oath that he, or in case of a corporation, the one managing the electrical work thereof, and, in case of a firm, the one managing the electrical work has had at least three (3) years actual experience as a master electrician, or two (2) years as a maintenance or service electrician within the meaning of Sections 3-5 and 3-6 of this subtitle, or as a journeyman electrician in such class or classes of electrical business or work as in the opinion of the board, shall have properly fitted the applicant for a license as a master or maintenance electrician. Any person whose application for license shall have been rejected by said board shall have the right to appeal to a board of arbitration, which shall consist of one person selected by the person making the appeal, one person selected by the board herein created, and these two to select a third person, and the decision of said board of arbitration or majority of them, shall be final and binding upon all the parties to said appeal; the members of said board shall be paid the sum of five dollars ($5.00) each, which sum shall be deposited with the board herein created by the person taking said appeal, and if the said board of arbitration shall affirm the decision of the board herein created, the money so deposited shall be used to pay said board; if, however, such decision be reversed, the said Board of Arbitration shall be paid out of the funds in the hands of the Board herein created, and said deposit of fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be returned; provided, further, that each applicant shall pay to the Treasurer of said Board of Electrical Examiners, the sum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for master or twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for maintenance license and provided, further, that every person, firm or corporation before receiving a master electrician’s license shall make, execute and deliver to said Board a good and sufficient bond to be approved by said Board, in the name of the State of Maryland, in the penal sum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), the bond to be conditioned upon the faithful performance of any and all work entered upon or contracted for by said Master Electrician, and to save harmless the owner, or real party in interest in the property for which any such material is furnished, or services performed against loss, damage and injury which shall arise through want of skill, or through the failure to use suitable or proper material in the performance of any work contracted for or undertaken by said Master Electrician, or his or its agents or employees, and an action may be maintained thereon in the name of such owner or real party in interest only, if commenced within one (1) year from and after the date of the installation of the materials furnished or performance of such work or service.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-8 Licenses — expiration date.

§ 3-8 Licenses — expiration date. Each and every license issued under the provisions of this subtitle shall be evidence in any Court of the City named herein of the business for which the license is issued. Biennial renewals shall expire on the first day of May in each odd-numbered year.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-9 Licenses —renewals.

§ 3-9 Licenses —renewals. No person, firm or corporation granted a license under the provisions of this subtitle shall install, maintain, service, or repair electrical wires, conductors or apparatus for electric light, heat or power purposes after the expiration of said licenses {license}, or after said license shall have been suspended or revoked as herein provided; unless the said license or renewal of same shall have been renewed so {as} herein provided; provided, that any person, firm or corporation so granted a license under the provisions of this subtitle (unless the said license shall have been revoked or suspended as hereinafter provided), shall be granted a renewal of said license without examination of the applicant, provided application is made to the said Board by the holder of such license within the three months preceding the expiration of such a license, upon payment of a fee of $50 for a master electrician’s license and $30 for a maintenance electrician’s license, and the said renewal of said license shall be for a period of 2 years, and any such renewal of such license shall have the same weight as evidence in any court of this State as hereinafter provided for said original license; provided also, that renewals shall be granted in like manner upon expiration of any renewal of license upon making like application and paying like fee, within three months preceding the expiration of said renewal.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-10 Licenses — suspensions and revocations.

§ 3-10 Licenses — suspensions and revocations. Said Board shall have full power to suspend for not more than ninety (90) days or revoke for proper cause any license or renewal of same after a full hearing of all parties in interest.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-11 Licenses — surety bond.

§ 3-11 Licenses — surety bond. (a) License inactive if renewed without bond. Any licensee required to file a bond may renew the license without the filing of a bond, if the license is held by the Board as inactive until the appropriate bond is filed. (b) Work prohibited unless bond in full effect. A licensee may not install, maintain, service, or repair electrical wires, conductors, or apparatus for electric heat, light, or power purposes unless the licensee has filed with the Board an approved bond which is in full force and effect as provided in Section 3-7 of this subtitle.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-13 Application of subtitle.

§ 3-13 Application of subtitle. Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to prevent any person from doing or performing the kinds of work enumerated in Sections 3-5 and 3-6 of this subtitle, provided that such work is performed under the direction and supervision of a duly licensed Master or Maintenance Electrician; but no such work shall be performed excepting under such direction and supervision of a duty licensed Master or Maintenance Electrician, and the said licensed electrician shall be responsible for any and all work so done under his direction and supervision.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-14 Penalties.

§ 3-14 Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation who shall practice or engage or continue in the work of a Master or Maintenance Electrician without having complied with all the provisions of this subtitle, and any person not licensed as Master or Maintenance Electrician, who shall do or perform any such work except under the direction of a Master or Maintenance Electrician, and any person having been licensed as a Master or Maintenance Electrician and who shall fail to renew his license as herein provided, and shall do or perform any such work, or who shall violate any of the provisions of this subtitle, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or to an imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both, in the discretion of the Court, and any such conviction shall ipso facto revoke and annul any license that may have been issued to such person.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-15 Licenses not assignable.

§ 3-15 Licenses not assignable. No license or renewal of same granted or issued under the provisions of this subtitle shall be assignable or transferable, and every such license and renewal of same shall specify the name of the person, firm or corporation to whom it is issued, and in the case of a firm, the member of said firm, and in case of a corporation, the principal officer or the designated representatives of said corporation, through whom the application for the said license was made.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-17 Board reports.

§ 3-17 Board reports. It shall be the duty of the said Board before the first Monday of May of each year to make a report in writing to the Governor of the State, containing a detailed statement of the nature of the receipts and manner of expenditure, and any balance of money remaining at the end of the year, after payment of expenses, shall be reserved by the treasurer of said Board to meet the expenses for the ensuing year.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-18 Exceptions.

§ 3-18 Exceptions. The provisions of this subtitle shall not apply to journeymen electricians or apprentices while such journeymen or apprentices shall be practicing their trade of journeymen electrician or apprentice, nor to any electric light company, electric railway company, steam railway company, telegraph or telephone company doing such work in its own buildings, upon its own plants.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-19 Termination of subtitle: July 1, 1983.

§ 3-19 Termination of subtitle: July 1, 1983. The provisions of this subtitle creating the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors and relating to the regulation of electrical examiners and supervisors and any regulations promulgated under this subtitle are of no effect and may not be enforced after July 1, 1983.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-20 Conflict of laws.

§ 3-20 Conflict of laws. If any part of this subtitle is inconsistent with any provision of any Baltimore City ordinance (whenever enacted) covering the subject matter of licensing and regulating electrical work, the ordinance provision controls and the inconsistent part of this subtitle is repealed to the extent of the inconsistency. (Ord. 83-931.)

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 3, § 3-21 Transfer of records.

§ 3-21 Transfer of records. All official records of the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors of the State of Maryland kept in the ordinary course of business shall be turned over to any successor board created by ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and such successor board may make appropriate disposition of any matter pending before the State Board at the close of business on June 30, 1983. (Ord. 83-931.)
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/public-local-laws/3Fetched: 10/25/2026

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