Permits & Regulations••Last verified Sep 1, 2026
Who Can Do Electrical Work in Your Ontario Home?
When you hire someone to do electrical work in your home, Ontario generally requires a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
If a homeowner hires someone to perform electrical work, Ontario generally requires that the work be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC), subject to applicable exemptions.
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
A general contractor cannot simply perform residential electrical work unless appropriately licensed. If a general contractor coordinates your project, confirm that the electrical work will be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
HOW TO CHECK
• Ask for the contractor's ESA licence number.
• Verify it with ESA's contractor search.
• Confirm they will file the Notification of Work.
Source
Electrical Safety Authority
ConstruWeb provides a plain-language summary. The official source is the authority — always confirm details there.
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ConstruWeb provides this information for general educational purposes. Requirements, fees and programs may change and may depend on the property, project and circumstances. Always verify current requirements with the appropriate government, regulatory or professional authority before beginning work.