ECRA/ESA “Provisional” Electrical Contractor Licence

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Companies who hold a Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence with an expiry date in 2011 will not be permitted to renew their licences. All Provisional Electrical Contractor Licences must be transitioned from the “provisional” status to a full Electrical Contractor Licence. In order to transition, the company must employ and designate a Master Electrician.
All Provisional Electrical Contractor Licences in the province of Ontario will no longer be recognized as of January 1, 2012.

In order to complete the transition from a Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence to a full Electrical Contractor Licence, the following form must be submitted with a completed Designated Master Electrician Acknowledgement of Responsibility- Schedule A (Form 1355C):

Transition from a Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence to a full Electrical Contractor Licence Form

It is important to note that although December 31, 2011 is the final day that ECRA/ESA will recognize the ECP Licence, your business may be affected sooner than December 31, 2011 based on the expiry date as indicated on your individual licence.

Renewals of Provisional Electrical Contractor Licences expiring in 2010 will only be accepted until November 30, 2010 and the renewal applicants will only have the option of a 1 year renewal.

In order to renew past November 30, 2010 you must hire and designate a Master Electrician to your company. If you do not hire and designate a Master Electrician, you will no longer be permitted to undertake electrical work and provide electrical contracting services in Ontario.

What are your options?

Hire and designate a Master Electrician to your business

-Advertising on the internet or in your community newspaper may assist you in finding a Master Electrician to designate to your company.
Become your own designated Master Electrician by writing and passing the Master Electrician Exam

-Access the box “Master Electrician Training & Exam” at the top of this page for the Pre-Master Electrician Training Course and Exam schedules. The course is not mandatory, it is offered as a preparatory option for the exam.

-There are several community colleges that also offer the Pre-Master Electrician Training Course throughout Ontario. Please contact your local community college directly to see what they offer.

Currently 80% of the individuals who write the Master Electrician Exam are successful. You need to achieve 70% on the exam to pass. The average mark for individuals who have passed the exam is 75%.

If you have further questions, or require assistance with transitioning your Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence, please contact 1-877-372-7233 option 3 on the menu.

What is a Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence?

This is a licence issued to an electrical contracting business authorizing them to engage in the business of carrying out Electrical work anywhere in Ontario.

Who Should Apply for a Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence?

Every electrical contracting business engaged in performing electrical work covered under the Electrical Safety Code will be required to hold a valid Electrical Contractor Licence (or Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence) effective January 1, 2007. A Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence may be issued to applicants, who perform electrical work, which falls under the code, that can't meet the Master Electrician requirement of having a Certificate of Qualification Electrician on staff; the type of work being performed doesn't require a certified electrician to perform it based on the requirements under the Trades Qualification Apprenticeship Act (TQAA). The applicant must still meet all of the other requirements for operating a business under the Ontario Regulation 570/05 Electrical Contractor licence requirements. These electrical contracting businesses include pole line contractors, high voltage contractors, street lighting contractors, utility contractors, local distribution companies, etc. To determine what qualifications permit you to do electrical work, please contact the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.

To be eligible for an ECRA/ESA Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence the applicant shall;

In the case of an individual, be at least 18 years of age;
"Have a place of business in Ontario"
Have public liability and property damage insurance coverage of at least $2,000,000;
Be registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, if the applicant is required to register under the Work Place Safety and Insurance Act, 1997;
Not be in default of filing a return with the Minister of Revenue or of paying any tax, penalty or interest assessed under the Retail Sales Tax Act or the Corporations Tax Act, if applicable, for which payment arrangements have not been made; and
Not owe the ESA any money for which payments arrangements have not been made.

Duties of a Provisional Electrical Contractor

A Provisional Electrical Contractor,

Shall ensure that all electrical work carried out on the electrical contractor’s behalf is carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Electrical Safety Code and the laws relating to health and safety, employment standards, consumer protection, business tax and business practices.

What type of work is excluded from this Licensing Regulation?

This Regulation does not apply to a person engaged in the following types of electrical work:

Work done on original equipment of a manufacturer if done by an employee or agent of the original equipment manufacturer who has been trained by the manufacturer to perform maintenance, service or repair on the equipment and if the work being done does not include extending or altering the equipment or installing, extending, altering or repairing any electrical wiring connected to that equipment.
Work done on equipment or electrical installations within an industrial establishment or a farm if done by an owner, operator or an employee of the owner or operator.
Work done on electrical equipment or installations within a residential dwelling if done by an owner or occupant of the dwelling.
Work done on the controls and equipment within refrigeration and air-conditioning units by a person authorized to do such work under Ontario Regulation 75/05 (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic) made under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act (TQAA).
Work done on fire protection alarm systems by a person authorized to do such work under Regulation 1078 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer) made under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act (TQAA).
Work done on elevators and escalators by a person authorized to do such work under Regulation 209/01 (Elevating Devices) made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSSA).
Work done on electrical components of appliances by a person authorized to do such work under Ontario Regulation 210/01 (Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems), 211/01 (Propane Storage and Handling) and 215/01 (Fuel Industry Certificates) made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSSA).
Work done on electrical equipment that plugs into an electrical source if the work being done constitutes maintenance, service or repair of the equipment that does not include extending or altering the equipment or installing, extending, altering or repairing any electrical wiring connected to the equipment.
Work done that falls within the scope of Ontario Regulation 22/04 (Electrical Distribution Safety) made under the Electricity Act, 1998.
Work done on any electrical equipment or electrical installation that is specifically excluded by Rule 2-000 of the Electrical Safety Code.

What Information and Documentation is Required for Submission with the Application Form?

Owner, Officer, Director information of the Electrical Contracting Business
Certificate of $2,000,000 Liability Insurance
WSIB Employer Account number, if applicable
Master Business Registration (Ministry of Consumer Services)
Corporate Tax # and Retail Sales Tax # (If Required)
Copy of Articles of Incorporation (If Required)
Licence Fee (Cheque, money order or credit card) $412.45 (HST included).

Application Form and process on how to apply for an ECRA/ESA Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence

Application Form and process on how to apply for an ECRA/ESA Provisional Electrical Contractor Licence French Version

Customer Credit Application Form

A sample of the Contractor's Licence can be viewed by clicking here

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