In Ontario, anyone paid to do electrical work in your home must hold a Licensed Electrical Contractor licence, issued by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). A handy friend or a general handyman can hang a picture; they cannot legally move an outlet for money.
Why it matters
Electrical faults are a leading cause of house fires. Licensed contractors have to follow the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, notify the ESA of most work, and have it inspected. If something goes wrong, unlicensed work can also complicate an insurance claim.
How to check a licence
- Ask for the contractor’s ECRA/ESA licence number. A licensed contractor gives it without hesitation.
- Look it up with the ESA’s online contractor search.
- Check the name on the licence matches the business you are dealing with.
Does my job need a permit?
Most electrical work — new circuits, panel changes, moving outlets — must be filed with the ESA. A licensed contractor files for the work they do. Replacing a light fixture or a switch like-for-like is usually simpler, but ask: a good electrician will tell you plainly.
Warning signs worth a call
- A breaker that trips again after you reset it.
- Outlets or switch plates that are warm to the touch.
- Lights that flicker when an appliance starts.
- A burning smell with no obvious source — turn the circuit off first.