How to Tell If Someone Is Qualified to Do Electrical Work in Your Home

Is Your Electrician Really Qualified? Here's How to Check

At Gloudeman Electric, we’re big on safety, transparency, and doing things by the book. One of the most common questions we get is :“How do I know if someone is actually qualified to do electrical work in my home?”

It’s a smart question — and not always easy to answer unless you know what to look for. So here’s a quick guide from our Master Electrician Andrew on how to check credentials and avoid unlicensed (and potentially unsafe) work.

⚡ Licenses That Don’t Qualify Someone to Do Electrical Work

Here are a few certifications that don’t legally allow someone to perform electrical work in your home if they aren't working under a licensed electrician — even if they sound official:

• Journeyman Electrician: This is a useful certification, but it only proves the person completed an apprenticeship or hour worked and can work for a company. It does not authorize them to pull permits or operate as a contractor by themselves.

• Residential Specialty Contractor License (non-electrical): Sounds legit, right? But this might be for roofing, plumbing. or other trades — not electrical. Always ask what the license actually covers and if it's electrical-specific.

• Mechanical Contractor: This classification often includes HVAC or plumbing work, but unless it specifically includes electrical, it doesn’t count.

  
  

✅ Licenses That Do Qualify Someone to Do Electrical Work

To legally perform electrical work (including pulling permits), someone must hold one of these licenses:

• Residential Electrical License: Allows the contractor to work on homes, pull permits, and perform all standard residential electrical work.

• Master Electrician License: (MASC or NASCLA Certification) This is an advanced credential that requires additional experience and testing. It allows for broader scope and often includes commercial work.

  
  

🔎 How to Look Someone Up

South Carolina has a great resource through the LLR (Labor, Licensing & Regulation) website where you can verify if someone holds an active electrical license.

• Go to https://llr.sc.gov

• Type in their name or company

• If nothing comes up, try checking under both the Residential and Commercial boards

Pro tip: This is the same tool we use to vet contractors who want to work with us!

💡 Don’t Forget Insurance

Even if someone is licensed, make sure they’re insured. If something goes wrong — like damage to your home or injury during the job — you don't want that liability falling on you.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right person for electrical work isn’t just about price or convenience. It’s about safety, legality, and peace of mind. If you’re ever unsure, give us a call or check out the LLR website. We’re happy to help you double-check credentials — even if you don’t hire us.

Stay safe, stay informed, and don’t settle for guesswork when it comes to your home’s electrical system.