State Map

Electrical Contractor Insurance Requirements by State: Liability, Bonds and Workers Comp (2026)

A 51-row registry of what each state requires an electrical contractor to carry to hold a license, with the statute or rule for every row and the public workers comp values for electrical wiring.

Electrical Contractors and Wiring Data Desk · Updated 2026-10-27 · Data CC BY 4.0

Data: ECW registry of state statutes, rules and licensing forms (51 jurisdictions)
Period: Rules in force as checked October 27, 2026; workers comp values effective July 1, 2026 to April 1, 2027
Release used: 2026-10-27
Next release: Registry rechecked quarterly; next check January 2027
Geography: 50 states and the District of Columbia
Sources: 76 (75 official)

The answer

Electrical contractor insurance requirements are set state by state: 21 of 51 jurisdictions set a dollar minimum for general liability, from $50,000 in Oklahoma to $1,000,000 in Iowa, Kentucky and Utah, with a median of $300,000 per occurrence. Twelve require a license bond, with a median fixed bond of $10,000, and 23 set neither rule statewide.

21 of 51jurisdictions set a dollar general liability minimum to hold an electrical contractor license (October 2026)^{[1][3][12][16][18][20]}

$300,000median minimum per-occurrence liability among those 21 jurisdictions^{[1][12][20][41]}

$10,000median fixed license bond, across 9 jurisdictions with a set amount^{[3][41][43][55]}

$3.729California class 5190 advisory pure premium rate per $100 of payroll from September 1, 2026^[68]

Electrical contractor insurance requirements by state: 21 jurisdictions set a liability minimum

Fewer than half of the 51 jurisdictions put a dollar figure on the general liability an electrical contractor must carry. Where they do, the typical floor is $300,000 per occurrence, and the spread runs twentyfold, from $50,000 to $1,000,000.

As of October 27, 2026, 21 of 51 jurisdictions (41.2%) set a dollar minimum for general liability insurance as a condition of holding an electrical contractor license. The map shows the lowest per-occurrence limit that meets each rule.

Minimum general liability to hold an electrical contractor license

Lowest per-occurrence limit that satisfies the state rule, US dollars; gray = no state dollar minimum

Source: state statutes, rules and licensing forms listed in the registry, checked 2026-10-27. ECW Data Desk calculation for split limits.

The median minimum is $300,000 per occurrence. Six states require exactly $300,000: Delaware (24 DE Admin. Code 1400), Idaho (Idaho Code 54-1013), Mississippi for commercial licenses, New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 45:5A-9.1), Oregon for residential specialty contractors (ORS 701.081) and Texas (16 TAC 73.40).

Iowa, Kentucky and Utah set the highest floor, $1,000,000. Iowa's rule (481 IAC 401.7) requires general and completed operations liability of at least $1 million; Kentucky's statute (KRS 227A.060, effective July 15, 2024) requires a policy of not less than $1,000,000; Utah's licensing division asks for $1,000,000 for each incident and $2,000,000 in total.

Oklahoma sets the lowest dollar figure, a $50,000 combined single limit, and Tennessee's lowest tier is $100,000 for contractors whose license monetary limit is up to $500,000. Alaska's contractor statute adds up to $120,000 per occurrence ($100,000 for injury to more than one person plus $20,000 for property damage).

How high the state liability minimums are

Number of the 21 jurisdictions with a dollar minimum, by band of the per-occurrence limit

Source: registry of state rules, checked 2026-10-27. ECW Data Desk grouping.

Ranking: minimum general liability by state Download CSV

Rank	State	Lowest per-occurrence limit ($)	As written	Statute or rule
1	Iowa	1,000,000	$1 million general and completed operations liability	Iowa Code 103.6; 481 IAC 401.7 (IAC supplement 9/30/26)
1	Kentucky	1,000,000	$1,000,000 general liability	KRS 227A.060(1)(c); 815 KAR 35:060 Section 6
1	Utah	1,000,000	$1,000,000 each incident; $2,000,000 total	DOPL specialty contractor requirements; renewal form (R156-55a-501(5))
4	Florida	800,000	$100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury plus $500,000 property damage, or $800,000 combined	Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008
5	North Dakota	500,000	$500,000 public liability	N.D.C.C. 43-09-20(2)
5	Ohio	500,000	$500,000 contractor liability including completed operations	ORC 4740.06(B)(4); OAC 4101:16-2-09(D)
5	Rhode Island	500,000	$500,000 combined single limit	R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2; 5-65-7
8	Maryland	400,000	$300,000 general liability plus $100,000 property damage	Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. 6-604
8	Nebraska	400,000	$100,000 each person, $300,000 each accident, $100,000 property damage	Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2104; State Electrical Board Rule 7 (rules 4-23-24)
10	Hawaii	350,000	$100,000 each person and $300,000 each occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage	HRS 444-11.1; CLB license requirements (application rev. 10/25)
11	Delaware	300,000	$300,000 general liability	24 Del. C. 1411; 24 DE Admin. Code 1400, rule 6.1
11	Idaho	300,000	$300,000 liability insurance	Idaho Code 54-1013
11	Mississippi	300,000	$300,000 per occurrence (commercial license); residential: proof, no minimum	MSBOC commercial application (updated 7-2024); MSBOC FAQ
11	New Jersey	300,000	$300,000 combined property damage and bodily injury (or bank letter of credit)	N.J.S.A. 45:5A-9; 45:5A-9.1
11	Oregon	300,000	$300,000 per occurrence (residential specialty contractor)	ORS 701.081(2); ORS 701.068; ORS 701.073
11	Texas	300,000	$300,000 per occurrence; $600,000 aggregate; $300,000 products and completed operations	16 TAC 73.40
17	Minnesota	150,000	$100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate bodily injury plus $50,000 property damage, or $300,000 single limit	Minn. Stat. 326B.33, subd. 15 and 16
18	South Dakota	125,000	$100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, property damage $25,000 per occurrence, or $300,000 single limit	SDCL 36-16-20
19	Alaska	120,000	$50,000 one person, $100,000 more than one person, $20,000 property damage	AS 08.18.071; AS 08.18.101
20	Tennessee	100,000	$100,000 (monetary limit up to $500,000); $500,000 (up to $1,500,000); $1,000,000 (above)	BLC application booklet IN0439 (rev. 02/25)
21	Oklahoma	50,000	$50,000 combined single limit	OAC 158:40-5-5

Lowest per-occurrence limit that satisfies each rule. Split limits are summed (bodily injury per occurrence plus property damage). Tennessee uses its lowest tier (monetary limit up to $500,000).

Source: ^{[1][3][12][16][18][20][21][23][28][33][34][38][41][45][46][48][49][52][55][56][57]} Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (via Cornell LII); Alaska DCCED, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Delaware Division of Professional Regulation; Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (via Cornell LII and FLRules); Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board; Idaho Legislature; Iowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code); Kentucky Legislative Research Commission; Maryland General Assembly; Minnesota Revisor of Statutes; Mississippi State Board of Contractors; Nebraska State Electrical Division; New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; North Dakota Legislative Branch; Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules; Oklahoma Construction Industries Board; Oregon State Legislature; Rhode Island General Assembly; South Dakota Legislature; Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors; Utah Division of Professional Licensing

Count of jurisdictions by type of state rule Download CSV

Status	Count	Jurisdictions
No state insurance or bond rule	17	AL AR CO CT GA LA ME MI MT NH NC SC VT VA WV WI WY
GL minimum	21	AK DE FL HI ID IA KY MD MN MS NE NJ ND OH OK OR RI SD TN TX UT
Bond only	6	AZ CA DC NV NM WA
No statewide license	5	IL IN KS NY PA
Proof of coverage, no minimum	1	MA
Optional statewide license	1	MO

Total 51 (50 states and DC).

Source: ^{[1][7][30][36]} Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (via Cornell LII); Contractors State License Board (California); Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians; Missouri Revisor of Statutes

Open residential electrical panel with new breakers above a workbench with cable and a drill — Illustrative photograph. Generated image, not a specific project.

The 51-row registry: liability, workers comp, bond and the rule behind each state

Each row names the agency that enforces the rule, the statute or rule citation, and how strong the evidence is. Rows marked 'Absence in documents checked' mean the cited documents were read and no requirement appeared, not that a local rule cannot exist.

General liability (GL): Insurance that pays for bodily injury or property damage to others caused by the contractor's operations. Several states require the policy to include completed operations, meaning claims that arise after the job is finished.

Per occurrence and aggregate: The per-occurrence limit is the most a policy pays for one incident; the aggregate is the most it pays in a policy period. Texas, for example, requires $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate.

License bond: A surety bond filed with the licensing agency that pays consumers or the state if the contractor breaks licensing law. It is not insurance for the contractor. South Dakota uses a $10,000 undertaking in place of a surety bond.

Electrical contractor insurance and bond rules, 50 states and DC Download CSV

Show all 51 rows

State	Status	GL minimum (as stated)	Lowest per-occurrence limit ($)	Aggregate	Workers comp in license file	License or permit bond	Who enforces	Statute or rule	Evidence level	Source URL
Alabama	No state insurance or bond rule	None found in board forms			Not part of board license file	None found	Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors	Board forms EC-1, EC-2 and New/Renewal form (2026 uploads)	Absence in documents checked	https://aecb.alabama.gov/licensees/forms/
Alaska	GL minimum	$50,000 one person, $100,000 more than one person, $20,000 property damage	120,000		Workers comp to the extent AS 23.30 requires it, filed at registration	Specialty contractor bond $10,000	Alaska DCCED, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing	AS 08.18.071; AS 08.18.101	Rule text	https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/ContractorStatutes.pdf
Arizona	Bond only	None found on ROC bond page			Not stated on page checked	Contractor bond set by class and annual volume: C-11 $2,500 to $50,000; R-11 $4,250 or $7,500	Arizona Registrar of Contractors	ROC bond schedule (archived copy 2026-07-26)	Agency page (archived copy)	https://roc.az.gov/bond-information
Arkansas	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Contractors licensed by the CLB must obtain and maintain workers comp (ACA 17-25-316)	None found	Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners; Contractors Licensing Board	ACA 17-25-316; Board of Electrical Examiners rules (2018 master copy)	Rule text	https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Commercial-Contractors-Law-revised-04.2026.pdf
California	Bond only	None for most licensees; LLC licensees $1 million to $5 million			Certificate of workers comp or exemption (B&P 7125); exemption allowed for C-10 with no employees	Contractor license bond $25,000	Contractors State License Board	B&P Code 7071.6 (SB 607, effective 2023-01-01); B&P 7071.19 (LLC); B&P 7125	Agency page/form	https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/maintain_license/bond_information/bond_requirements.aspx
Colorado	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Evidence of compliance with workers comp and unemployment laws	None found	Colorado State Electrical Board	DPO electrical contractor registration requirements	Agency page/form	https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical/Applications
Connecticut	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Contractor must furnish evidence of compliance with workers comp and unemployment insurance	None found	Department of Consumer Protection, Electrical Work Examining Board	CGS 20-334a(1)(C)	Rule text	https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_393.htm
Delaware	GL minimum	$300,000 general liability	300,000		Not part of board rule	None found	Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners	24 Del. C. 1411; 24 DE Admin. Code 1400, rule 6.1	Rule text	https://regulations.delaware.gov/api/AdminCode/title24/1400/ba01ca2e-0358-4366-b258-501d81862c03
District of Columbia	Bond only	None found for electrical licenses			Not stated on page checked	Electrical bond required; amount not confirmed	DC Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP)	Board of Industrial Trades application items; DLCP electrical bond form	Agency page/form (amount unverified)	https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-industrial-trades1
Florida	GL minimum	$100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury plus $500,000 property damage, or $800,000 combined	800,000		Workers comp or exemption under Chapter 440, F.S.	None found	Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board	Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008	Rule text	https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=61G6-5.008
Georgia	No state insurance or bond rule	None found in board rules			Not part of board rules	None found	Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors	Rules Dept. 121 (2026 compilation); O.C.G.A. 43-14-8 not opened	Absence in documents checked (statute not opened)	https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/121
Hawaii	GL minimum	$100,000 each person and $300,000 each occurrence bodily injury, $50,000 property damage	350,000		Workers comp certificate; sole proprietors with no employees may file a board form instead	Bond only when the board requires one	Hawaii Contractors License Board	HRS 444-11.1; CLB license requirements (application rev. 10/25)	Rule text and agency form	https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Require-App-for-Contractor-Sole-Proprietor_10.25.pdf
Idaho	GL minimum	$300,000 liability insurance	300,000		Proof of workers comp if applicable	None found	Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses	Idaho Code 54-1013	Rule text	https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title54/T54CH10/SECT54-1013/
Illinois	No statewide license	No statewide license			State workers comp law applies	No statewide license	Municipalities	No state electrician license (ECW license lookup)	ECW license lookup dataset	https://electricalcontractorsandwiring.com/electrical-license-lookup/
Indiana	No statewide license	No statewide license			State workers comp law applies	No statewide license	Cities and counties	No state electrician license (ECW license lookup)	ECW license lookup dataset	https://electricalcontractorsandwiring.com/electrical-license-lookup/
Iowa	GL minimum	$1 million general and completed operations liability	1,000,000		Not part of rule 401.7	None set (rule 401.7(2) reserved)	Iowa Electrical Examining Board (DIAL)	Iowa Code 103.6; 481 IAC 401.7 (IAC supplement 9/30/26)	Rule text	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/481.401.pdf
Kansas	No statewide license	No statewide license			State workers comp law applies	No statewide license	Cities and counties (K.S.A. 12-1526)	No state electrician license (ECW license lookup)	ECW license lookup dataset	https://electricalcontractorsandwiring.com/electrical-license-lookup/
Kentucky	GL minimum	$1,000,000 general liability	1,000,000		Proof of workers comp and unemployment compliance; notarized statement if not required	None found	Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction	KRS 227A.060(1)(c); 815 KAR 35:060 Section 6	Rule text	https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes//statute.aspx?id=55092
Louisiana	No state insurance or bond rule	None for commercial license applicants (electrical work over $10,000); residential, home improvement and mold licenses need $500,000			Certificates required only for residential, home improvement and mold applicants	None; net worth $50,000 or letter of credit	Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors	La. R.S. 37:2156.1; LSLBC application instructions (rev. 11/21/2025)	Rule text and agency form	https://lslbc.gov/wp-content/uploads/blue_book_08012026_final.pdf
Maine	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not part of board statute	None found	Maine Electricians' Examining Board	32 M.R.S. ch. 17 (section list); board FAQ	Absence in documents checked	https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/32/title32ch17sec0.html
Maryland	GL minimum	$300,000 general liability plus $100,000 property damage	400,000		Not part of section 6-604	None found	Maryland State Board of Electricians	Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. 6-604	Rule text	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gbo&section=6-604
Massachusetts	Proof of coverage, no minimum	Liability with completed operations shown to get a permit unless the owner waives it; no dollar minimum; LLCs $50,000 per licensee per claim			Not part of permit form	None found	Board of State Examiners of Electricians; local permit office	Electrical permit application; 237 CMR 23.00	Agency form and rule text	https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for-permit-to-perform-electrical-work/download
Michigan	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not stated on page checked	None found	LARA Bureau of Construction Codes	LARA electrical licensing information page	Absence in documents checked	https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/exam-lic/electrical-examination-licensing-registration-application-information
Minnesota	GL minimum	$100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate bodily injury plus $50,000 property damage, or $300,000 single limit	150,000	$300,000	Not part of section 326B.33 subd. 16	Contractor bond $25,000	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry	Minn. Stat. 326B.33, subd. 15 and 16	Rule text	https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/326B.33
Mississippi	GL minimum	$300,000 per occurrence (commercial license); residential: proof, no minimum	300,000	$600,000	Workers comp certificate if 5 or more employees	None; net worth $50,000 (major classification)	Mississippi State Board of Contractors	MSBOC commercial application (updated 7-2024); MSBOC FAQ	Agency form	https://www.msboc.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/COMMERCIAL-APPLICATION-updated-7-2024.pdf
Missouri	Optional statewide license	$500,000 liability (optional statewide license only)			Not set by the statewide license	Bond with each political subdivision that requires one	Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors	RSMo 324.920.1(1)	Rule text	https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=324.920
Montana	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Proof of workers comp and unemployment insurance, or an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate	None found	Montana State Electrical Board	ARM 24.141.505; MCA 37-68-312	Agency form	https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/electrical/license-information/electrical-contractor
Nebraska	GL minimum	$100,000 each person, $300,000 each accident, $100,000 property damage	400,000		Not part of board rule	None found	Nebraska State Electrical Board	Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2104; State Electrical Board Rule 7 (rules 4-23-24)	Rule text	https://electrical.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/STATE%20ELECTRICAL%20BOARD%20RULES%204-23-24.pdf
Nevada	Bond only	None found			Not stated on page checked	Bond $1,000 to $500,000 set by the Board	Nevada State Contractors Board	NSCB bond page	Agency page	https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/licensing/bonds/
New Hampshire	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not part of RSA 319-C	None found	New Hampshire Electricians' Board	RSA 319-C	Absence in documents checked	https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/xxx/319-c/319-c-mrg.htm
New Jersey	GL minimum	$300,000 combined property damage and bodily injury (or bank letter of credit)	300,000		Not part of section 45:5A-9.1	Surety bond $10,000 in favor of the State	New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors	N.J.S.A. 45:5A-9; 45:5A-9.1	Rule text and agency form	https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/elec/Applications/Application-to-Make-Business-Permit-Changes.pdf
New Mexico	Bond only	None found			Not part of rule 14.6.3	Bond $10,000	NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division	14.6.3 NMAC (NMSA 60-13-49)	Rule text	https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.006.0003.html
New York	No statewide license	No statewide license			State workers comp law applies	No statewide license	Cities and counties	No state electrician license (ECW license lookup)	ECW license lookup dataset	https://electricalcontractorsandwiring.com/electrical-license-lookup/
North Carolina	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not part of Article 4	None; bonding ability statement for intermediate and unlimited licenses	NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors	N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87, Article 4	Rule text	https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_87/Article_4.pdf
North Dakota	GL minimum	$500,000 public liability	500,000		Not part of section 43-09-20	None found	North Dakota State Electrical Board	N.D.C.C. 43-09-20(2)	Rule text	https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t43c09.pdf
Ohio	GL minimum	$500,000 contractor liability including completed operations	500,000		Not part of rule 4101:16-2-09	None found	Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board	ORC 4740.06(B)(4); OAC 4101:16-2-09(D)	Rule text	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4101:16-2-09
Oklahoma	GL minimum	$50,000 combined single limit	50,000		Proof of workers comp, affidavit of exemption or self-insurance	License bond $5,000	Oklahoma Construction Industries Board	OAC 158:40-5-5	Rule text	https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/cib/documents/your-industry/electrical-industry/title_158_chapter_40.pdf
Oregon	GL minimum	$300,000 per occurrence (residential specialty contractor)	300,000		Workers comp if hiring employees	Residential specialty contractor bond $20,000	Oregon Construction Contractors Board (plus Building Codes Division electrical license)	ORS 701.081(2); ORS 701.068; ORS 701.073	Rule text and agency guide	https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors701.html
Pennsylvania	No statewide license	No statewide license			State workers comp law applies	No statewide license	Municipalities; Office of Attorney General (home improvement registration)	73 P.S. 517.3 (home improvement registration)	Rule text (home improvement only)	https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Act_132_Home_Improvement.pdf
Rhode Island	GL minimum	$500,000 combined single limit	500,000		Workers comp as required by chapter 28-29	None found	RI Department of Labor and Training, Board of Examiners of Electricians	R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2; 5-65-7	Rule text	http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-65/5-65-7.htm
South Carolina	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not stated on page checked	None required; surety bond may replace the financial statement ($7,000 to $300,000 by group)	SC LLR Contractor's Licensing Board	S.C. Code 40-11-260; CLB licensure page	Rule text and agency page	https://llr.sc.gov/clb/clb_licensure.aspx
South Dakota	GL minimum	$100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, property damage $25,000 per occurrence, or $300,000 single limit	125,000	$300,000	Not part of section 36-16-20	Undertaking $10,000	South Dakota Electrical Commission	SDCL 36-16-20	Rule text	https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/36-16-20
Tennessee	GL minimum	$100,000 (monetary limit up to $500,000); $500,000 (up to $1,500,000); $1,000,000 (above)	100,000		Required unless no employees and exemption or Construction Services Provider registration	None found	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors	BLC application booklet IN0439 (rev. 02/25)	Agency form	https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/forms/ContLicenseApplicationWeb.pdf
Texas	GL minimum	$300,000 per occurrence; $600,000 aggregate; $300,000 products and completed operations	300,000	$600,000	Proof of coverage, self-insurance, or an election not to carry it (Labor Code ch. 406)	None found	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation	16 TAC 73.40	Rule text	https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-73-40
Utah	GL minimum	$1,000,000 each incident; $2,000,000 total	1,000,000	$2,000,000	Workers comp certificate if employees; otherwise a Workers Compensation Coverage Waiver	None found	Utah Division of Professional Licensing	DOPL specialty contractor requirements; renewal form (R156-55a-501(5))	Agency page/form	https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/contracting/apply-for-a-license/specialty-contractor-license/
Vermont	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not part of statute or rules	None found	Vermont Electricians' Licensing Board	26 V.S.A. ch. 15; 2025 Vermont Electrical Safety Rules	Absence in documents checked	http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/26/015
Virginia	No state insurance or bond rule	None found for electrical contractors			Not part of board regulations	None for Class C; Class A and B may post a $50,000 bond instead of the net worth test	Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)	18VAC50-22 (Board for Contractors regulations)	Rule text	https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/Contractors/A501-27REGS.pdf
Washington	Bond only	None required; L&I encourages it and keeps no records			Workers comp account if the business hires employees	Electrical contractor bond $4,000	Washington L&I Electrical Program	RCW 19.28.041(3)	Rule text	https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=19.28.041
West Virginia	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Affidavit of registration with the workers comp fund and employment security fund	Wage bond where 21-5-14 applies	WV Contractor Licensing Board; State Fire Marshal (electricians)	W. Va. Code 30-42-5; 29-3B	Rule text	https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-42-5/
Wisconsin	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Statement certifying workers comp (ch. 102) and unemployment (ch. 108) compliance	None found	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services	Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.41(2)(c)	Rule text	https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/301_319/305.pdf
Wyoming	No state insurance or bond rule	None found			Not part of rules checked	None found	Wyoming State Fire Marshal, Electrical Safety	Electrical licensing rules Chapter 6 (2023); SFM licensing page	Absence in documents checked	https://wsfm.wyo.gov/electrical-safety/licensing

Rules as written in the cited statute, rule or board form, checked 2026-10-27. 'None found' means the documents listed were checked and no dollar requirement appeared; see evidence level. Board names and license classes are in the electrical license lookup.

Source: ^{[1][3][16][23][33][49]} Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (via Cornell LII); Alaska DCCED, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (via Cornell LII and FLRules); Kentucky Legislative Research Commission; Minnesota Revisor of Statutes; Oregon State Legislature

Board names, license classes and reciprocity are not repeated here; they are in the electrical license lookup. Business setup topics are covered in the business section and licensing steps in licensing.

Workers comp appears in the license file in 20 jurisdictions, usually as proof of coverage or a signed exemption. Montana accepts an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate in place of coverage, Utah a Workers Compensation Coverage Waiver for contractors with no employees, and Texas a filed election not to carry coverage under Labor Code chapter 406. Everywhere else the general state workers comp law still applies to employers, even when the license file is silent.

Twelve jurisdictions require a license bond, and the median fixed bond is $10,000

Bonds are less common than liability minimums and smaller. Nine jurisdictions set a fixed amount, two set the bond contractor by contractor, and several states accept a bond only as a substitute for a net worth test.

California's $25,000 contractor bond has applied since January 1, 2023 (CSLB), and Minnesota also requires $25,000 (Minn. Stat. 326B.33, subd. 15). Oregon's residential specialty contractors post $20,000 (ORS 701.081). Alaska, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota require $10,000, Oklahoma $5,000 and Washington $4,000 (RCW 19.28.041).

License bond amounts for electrical contractors

US dollars; Arizona and Nevada show the lowest tier of a variable schedule

Source: state statutes, rules and board bond pages, checked 2026-10-27.

Arizona sets the bond from license class and expected annual volume: a commercial electrical (C-11) license runs from $2,500 for $150,000 or less up to $50,000 above $10 million, and a residential electrical (R-11) license is $4,250 below $375,000 or $7,500 above. Nevada's board sets each bond between $1,000 and $500,000.

In South Carolina, Virginia (Class A and B) and Louisiana a bond or letter of credit can replace the financial test, so no bond is required of a contractor who passes that test. South Carolina's mechanical contractor bond equals the group's net worth requirement, from $7,000 for Group 1 to $300,000 for Group 5. North Carolina asks intermediate and unlimited applicants for a bonding ability statement, not a license bond. The District of Columbia lists an electrical bond among its application items, but the amount was not confirmed.

License bonds and bond alternatives Download CSV

State	Bond rule	Amount used ($)	Type	Statute or rule
California	Contractor license bond $25,000	25,000	license bond	B&P Code 7071.6 (SB 607, effective 2023-01-01); B&P 7071.19 (LLC); B&P 7125
Minnesota	Contractor bond $25,000	25,000	license bond	Minn. Stat. 326B.33, subd. 15 and 16
Oregon	Residential specialty contractor bond $20,000	20,000	license bond	ORS 701.081(2); ORS 701.068; ORS 701.073
Alaska	Specialty contractor bond $10,000	10,000	license bond	AS 08.18.071; AS 08.18.101
New Jersey	Surety bond $10,000 in favor of the State	10,000	license bond	N.J.S.A. 45:5A-9; 45:5A-9.1
New Mexico	Bond $10,000	10,000	license bond	14.6.3 NMAC (NMSA 60-13-49)
South Dakota	Undertaking $10,000	10,000	undertaking	SDCL 36-16-20
Oklahoma	License bond $5,000	5,000	license bond	OAC 158:40-5-5
Washington	Electrical contractor bond $4,000	4,000	license bond	RCW 19.28.041(3)
Arizona	Contractor bond set by class and annual volume: C-11 $2,500 to $50,000; R-11 $4,250 or $7,500	2,500	license bond (variable)	ROC bond schedule (archived copy 2026-07-26)
Nevada	Bond $1,000 to $500,000 set by the Board	1,000	license bond (variable)	NSCB bond page
District of Columbia	Electrical bond required; amount not confirmed		license bond (amount unverified)	Board of Industrial Trades application items; DLCP electrical bond form
Hawaii	Bond only when the board requires one		case by case	HRS 444-11.1; CLB license requirements (application rev. 10/25)
Louisiana	None; net worth $50,000 or letter of credit		net worth alternative	La. R.S. 37:2156.1; LSLBC application instructions (rev. 11/21/2025)
Mississippi	None; net worth $50,000 (major classification)		net worth requirement	MSBOC commercial application (updated 7-2024); MSBOC FAQ
Missouri	Bond with each political subdivision that requires one		local bonds	RSMo 324.920.1(1)
North Carolina	None; bonding ability statement for intermediate and unlimited licenses		bonding ability statement	N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87, Article 4
South Carolina	None required; surety bond may replace the financial statement ($7,000 to $300,000 by group)		net worth alternative	S.C. Code 40-11-260; CLB licensure page
Virginia	None for Class C; Class A and B may post a $50,000 bond instead of the net worth test		net worth alternative	18VAC50-22 (Board for Contractors regulations)
West Virginia	Wage bond where 21-5-14 applies		wage bond where applicable	W. Va. Code 30-42-5; 29-3B

Amount used = fixed bond, or lowest tier for variable schedules. Rows without an amount are bond substitutes, case-by-case bonds or unverified amounts.

Source: ^{[3][4][7][14][33][39][41][43][48][49][55][61][25][34][36][44][54][60][63]} Alaska DCCED, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Arizona Registrar of Contractors; Contractors State License Board (California); DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection; Minnesota Revisor of Statutes; Nevada State Contractors Board; New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; New Mexico State Records Center and Archives; Oklahoma Construction Industries Board; Oregon State Legislature; South Dakota Legislature; Washington State Legislature; Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; Mississippi State Board of Contractors; Missouri Revisor of Statutes; North Carolina General Assembly; South Carolina LLR; Virginia DPOR; West Virginia Legislature

23 jurisdictions set no statewide liability minimum or license bond for the license

In close to half the country the state license file asks for no liability policy and no bond. That does not mean contractors there work uninsured: cities, general contractors and project owners commonly set their own requirements, and employers still fall under state workers comp law.

Seventeen licensing states set no insurance minimum and no license bond: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana (commercial licenses), Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Several of these do ask for workers comp proof, including Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Montana, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New York and Pennsylvania have no statewide electrical contractor license, so insurance terms are set locally. New York City requires master electricians to carry at least $1,000,000 per occurrence (1 RCNY 104-01). Pennsylvania's home improvement contractor registration, which applies to home improvement work on residences, requires $50,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage (73 P.S. 517.3). Missouri's optional statewide license requires $500,000 in liability insurance (RSMo 324.920).

What each state requires to hold the license

Number of jurisdictions (50 states and DC) by type of state insurance or bond rule

Source: registry of state rules, checked 2026-10-27.

Jurisdictions with no statewide liability minimum or license bond Download CSV

State	Situation	Workers comp in license file	Local or other rule flagged
Alabama	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of board license file	None found
Arkansas	No state insurance or bond rule	Contractors licensed by the CLB must obtain and maintain workers comp (ACA 17-25-316)	None found
Colorado	No state insurance or bond rule	Evidence of compliance with workers comp and unemployment laws	None found
Connecticut	No state insurance or bond rule	Contractor must furnish evidence of compliance with workers comp and unemployment insurance	None found
Georgia	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of board rules	None found
Illinois	No statewide license	State workers comp law applies	Chicago licenses electrical contractors under Municipal Code 4-290; insurance terms not confirmed
Indiana	No statewide license	State workers comp law applies	Local licensing
Kansas	No statewide license	State workers comp law applies	Local licensing
Louisiana	No state insurance or bond rule	Certificates required only for residential, home improvement and mold applicants	None; net worth $50,000 or letter of credit
Maine	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of board statute	None found
Michigan	No state insurance or bond rule	Not stated on page checked	None found
Missouri	Optional statewide license	Not set by the statewide license	Statewide license is optional; local licenses apply
Montana	No state insurance or bond rule	Proof of workers comp and unemployment insurance, or an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate	None found
New Hampshire	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of RSA 319-C	None found
New York	No statewide license	State workers comp law applies	New York City: master electricians carry CGL of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence (1 RCNY 104-01)
North Carolina	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of Article 4	None; bonding ability statement for intermediate and unlimited licenses
Pennsylvania	No statewide license	State workers comp law applies	Home improvement contractor registration needs $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage coverage
South Carolina	No state insurance or bond rule	Not stated on page checked	None required; surety bond may replace the financial statement ($7,000 to $300,000 by group)
Vermont	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of statute or rules	None found
Virginia	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of board regulations	None for Class C; Class A and B may post a $50,000 bond instead of the net worth test
West Virginia	No state insurance or bond rule	Affidavit of registration with the workers comp fund and employment security fund	Wage bond where 21-5-14 applies
Wisconsin	No state insurance or bond rule	Statement certifying workers comp (ch. 102) and unemployment (ch. 108) compliance	None found
Wyoming	No state insurance or bond rule	Not part of rules checked	None found

Includes five states without a statewide electrical license and Missouri, whose statewide license is optional. Local rules flagged where a source was opened.

Source: ^{[5][10][11][17][25][27][32][36][37][40][44][51][54][59][60][63][64][65][66][67]} Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing; Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations; Connecticut General Assembly; Georgia Secretary of State; Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; Maine Legislature; Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes; Missouri Revisor of Statutes; Montana State Electrical Board; New Hampshire General Court; North Carolina General Assembly; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; South Carolina LLR; Vermont General Assembly; Virginia DPOR; West Virginia Legislature; Wisconsin Legislature; Wyoming State Fire Marshal; New York City Department of Buildings; Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors

Commercial job site with metal studs, EMT conduit and junction boxes before drywall — Illustrative photograph. Generated image, not a specific project.

Workers comp for electricians: what class 5190 costs where state bureaus publish it

Five states' bureau or state-fund values for electrical wiring could be opened for this report. They are the base that insurers build premiums on, before expense loads, experience modifiers and state assessments.

Class 5190 covers electrical wiring within buildings. California splits it by wage: 5190 for workers earning under $40.00 per hour, at an advisory pure premium rate of $3.729 per $100 of payroll from September 1, 2026, and 5140 for $40.00 per hour or more, at $2.109 (WCIRB).

New York's loss cost for 5190 is $2.847 per $100 of payroll from October 1, 2026, down 15.7% from $3.379. The Ohio BWC base rate is $1.0889 from July 1, 2026, before DWRF assessments. North Carolina's advisory loss cost for April 1, 2027 is $1.185, and its assigned risk rate, which applies to assigned risk policies only, is $3.266 with an $813 minimum premium.

Workers comp bureau values for electrical wiring, per $100 of payroll

Latest published value; pure premium rates and loss costs exclude insurer expenses

Source: WCIRB California (Sept. 1, 2026); NYCIRB R.C. 2659 (Oct. 1, 2026); NCRB approved rate pages (Apr. 1, 2027); Ohio BWC base rates (July 1, 2026).

Electrical wiring workers comp values, 2025 to 2026

Per $100 of payroll; California from Sept. 1 and New York from Oct. 1 of each year

Source: WCIRB California classification pages; NYCIRB R.C. 2659.

Washington's state fund prices by hour worked rather than by payroll. Its electrical wiring class 0601 composite base rate rose 8.1% to $1.4370 per hour in 2026 from $1.3296, against a 4.9% average increase for all classes (Washington L&I).

Workers comp class 5190 (electrical wiring) values published by state bureaus Download CSV

State	Class	Description	Value type	Value	Unit	Effective	Prior value	Prior effective	Change (%)	Publisher
California	5190	Electrical wiring, wages under $40.00 per hour	Advisory pure premium rate	3.729	per $100 of payroll	2026-09-01	3.86	2025-09-01	-3.4	WCIRB California
California	5140	Electrical wiring, wages $40.00 per hour or more	Advisory pure premium rate	2.109	per $100 of payroll	2026-09-01	1.94	2025-09-01	8.7	WCIRB California
New York	5190	Electrical wiring within buildings and drivers	Loss cost	2.847	per $100 of payroll	2026-10-01	3.379	2025-10-01	-15.7	New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board
Ohio	5190	Electrical wiring	Base rate (BWC)	1.0889	per $100 of payroll	2026-07-01				Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
North Carolina	5190	Electrical wiring within buildings and drivers	Advisory loss cost	1.185	per $100 of payroll	2027-04-01				North Carolina Rate Bureau
North Carolina	5190	Electrical wiring within buildings and drivers	Assigned risk rate	3.266	per $100 of payroll	2027-04-01				North Carolina Rate Bureau
Washington	0601	Electrical wiring: buildings and structures	Composite base rate (state fund)	1.437	per hour worked	2026-01-01	1.3296	2025-01-01	8.1	Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

Values are bureau loss costs, pure premium rates or state fund base rates, not quotes. Washington is per hour worked and is not comparable with the per-$100 values.

Source: ^{[68][69][70][71][72][74][73]} WCIRB California; WCIRB California; New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board; Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation; North Carolina Rate Bureau; Washington State Department of Labor and Industries; North Carolina Rate Bureau

Bureau values for Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and the NCCI states were not retrieved for this edition and are listed in the excluded file for the next update. For injury rates behind these costs, see electrical injury statistics.

How we ranked the states

Count and median of state general liability minimums

Formulacount(jurisdictions with a dollar GL minimum); median(lowest per-occurrence limit)

Inputs: registry rows for the 21 GL states; split-limit sums d14 to d20 (derived_metrics.csv) (fact sheet rows)

Result: 21 jurisdictions; median $300,000 per occurrence; range $50,000 to $1,000,000

A contractor licensed in a typical GL state needs a policy of at least $300,000 per occurrence, but three states require more than three times that.

Limitations: Split limits are summed, which treats bodily injury and property damage limits as one pool. Tennessee uses its lowest tier. Missouri, Massachusetts and California's LLC rule are excluded.

Count and median of license bonds

Formulacount(license bond or undertaking); median(fixed bond amounts)

Inputs: registry bond rows for AK, AZ, CA, DC, MN, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, WA (fact sheet rows)

Result: 12 jurisdictions require a bond; median fixed bond $10,000 across 9 fixed amounts; median $10,000 when Arizona's and Nevada's lowest tiers are added

License bonds are a minority requirement and small next to liability minimums; the median bond is one thirtieth of the median liability floor.

Limitations: DC's bond amount is unverified. Bonds that only replace a net worth test (South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana) are not counted.

Jurisdictions with no statewide requirement

Formulacount(no GL minimum and no license bond at state level)

Inputs: registry rows with status 'No state insurance or bond rule', 'No statewide license' or 'Optional statewide license' (fact sheet rows)

Result: 23 jurisdictions: 17 licensing states, 5 states without a statewide license and Missouri

In these states the requirement, if any, comes from a city, a general contractor or the project owner, so a homeowner should ask for a certificate of insurance directly.

Limitations: Absence findings depend on the documents checked; Georgia's statute and Arizona's licensing page were not opened.

Class 5190 bureau value on $100,000 of payroll

Formulabureau value per $100 of payroll x 1,000

Inputs: workers comp rows in fact_sheet.csv (WCIRB, NYCIRB, Ohio BWC, NCRB) (fact sheet rows)

Result: California 5190 $3,729; New York $2,847; California 5140 $2,109; North Carolina $1,185 (2027); Ohio $1,088.90

On the same payroll, the bureau base for electrical wiring differs by more than three times between California's low-wage class and Ohio.

Limitations: Loss costs and pure premium rates exclude insurer expenses; Ohio excludes DWRF assessments; experience modifiers and payroll rules differ by state. Not a premium estimate.

California wage split

Formula5190 rate / 5140 rate

Inputs: fact sheet rows for WCIRB 5190 and 5140, effective September 1, 2026 (fact sheet rows)

Result: 1.77

Per $100 of payroll, the low-wage class carries 1.77 times the claim cost of the high-wage class.

Limitations: Comparison is per dollar of payroll, not per worker.

Get the calculations (CSV)

State by state

21 of 51 jurisdictions set a dollar minimum for general liability to hold an electrical contractor license, as checked October 27, 2026.^{[1][3][12][16][18][20][21][23][28][33][34][38][41][45][46][48][49][52][55][56][57]}
The median state minimum is $300,000 per occurrence; six states (Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon and Texas) sit exactly at $300,000.^{[1][12][20][34][41][49]}
Iowa (481 IAC 401.7), Kentucky (KRS 227A.060) and Utah (DOPL) set the highest minimum, $1,000,000.^[21][23][57]
Oklahoma sets the lowest dollar minimum: a $50,000 combined single limit plus a $5,000 license bond (OAC 158:40-5-5).^[48]
Florida requires $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $500,000 for property damage, or an $800,000 combined single limit (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008).^[16]
Texas requires $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate and $300,000 for products and completed operations (16 TAC 73.40).^[1]
Tennessee scales liability to the license's monetary limit: $100,000 up to a $500,000 limit, $500,000 up to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that.^[56]
California and Minnesota set the largest fixed license bonds, $25,000 each; Washington's $4,000 electrical contractor bond is the smallest fixed bond.^[7][33][61]
Arizona and Nevada set bonds by contractor: Arizona's commercial electrical (C-11) bond runs from $2,500 to $50,000 by annual volume and Nevada's from $1,000 to $500,000.^[4][39]
Massachusetts requires a licensee to show liability coverage including completed operations before a permit issues, unless the owner signs a waiver, but sets no dollar amount.^[30]
Louisiana does not require insurance certificates from commercial license applicants, which covers electrical work over $10,000; its residential, home improvement and mold licenses require $500,000.^[25][26]
New York City requires licensed master electricians to carry commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, though New York has no statewide electrical license.^[66]
New York's class 5190 loss cost fell 15.7% to $2.847 per $100 of payroll on October 1, 2026.^[70]
In California, the low-wage electrical class (5190) costs 1.77 times the high-wage class (5140) per $100 of payroll from September 1, 2026: $3.729 against $2.109.^[68][69]

In short

As of October 27, 2026, 21 of 51 jurisdictions (41.2%) set a dollar minimum for general liability insurance to hold an electrical contractor license.
The median minimum is $300,000 per occurrence; Oklahoma's $50,000 combined single limit is the lowest and Iowa, Kentucky and Utah set the highest at $1,000,000.
Twelve jurisdictions require a license bond or undertaking; among the 9 with a fixed amount, bonds run from $4,000 in Washington to $25,000 in California and Minnesota, with a median of $10,000.
Six states require both a liability minimum and a bond: Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Dakota.
23 jurisdictions set no statewide liability minimum or license bond for the license, including 5 states with no statewide electrical license and Missouri, whose statewide license is optional.
20 jurisdictions ask for workers comp proof or an exemption in the license file; Texas lets contractors elect not to carry coverage if they file notice.
Where bureaus publish class 5190 values, electrical wiring ranged from $1.0889 per $100 of payroll (Ohio base rate) to $3.729 (California pure premium rate, wages under $40.00 per hour).

Latest as of 2026-10-27

October 27, 2026: every registry row was rechecked against the statute, rule or board form cited.
October 2, 2026: the North Carolina Rate Bureau posted loss costs effective April 1, 2027, with class 5190 at $1.185 per $100 of payroll (NCRB).
October 1, 2026: New York class 5190 loss cost fell to $2.847 per $100 of payroll from $3.379, within a 21.9% statewide decrease approved July 15, 2026 (NYCIRB R.C. 2659).
September 1, 2026: California class 5190 moved to $3.729 from $3.860 and the high-wage class 5140 to $2.109 from $1.940 (WCIRB).
August 1, 2026: Louisiana's contractor law compilation of that date sets a $50,000 net worth test for commercial and specialty licenses, with a letter of credit as the alternative (LSLBC).
July 1, 2026: Ohio BWC base rate for class 5190 is $1.0889 per $100 of payroll, before DWRF assessments (Ohio BWC).
Iowa's $1 million liability rule now sits at 481 IAC 401.7 after the electrical licensing rules were transferred to the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing chapters (Iowa Administrative Code).

What people search for

What insurance do electricians need?

It depends on the state. As of October 2026, 21 of 51 jurisdictions require general liability insurance of a set amount to hold an electrical contractor license, 12 require a license bond, and 20 ask for workers comp proof or an exemption in the license file. Five states have no statewide electrical license, so cities set the terms.

How much general liability insurance does an electrical contractor need?

Among the 21 jurisdictions with a dollar minimum, the median is $300,000 per occurrence. The lowest is Oklahoma's $50,000 combined single limit and the highest is $1,000,000 in Iowa, Kentucky and Utah. Texas requires $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate.

Do electricians need a bond?

In 12 jurisdictions an electrical contractor license needs a bond or undertaking. Fixed amounts run from $4,000 in Washington to $25,000 in California and Minnesota, with a median of $10,000; Arizona and Nevada set the bond per contractor.

How much does electrician insurance cost?

Public data covers workers comp base values, not premiums. Per $100 of payroll, class 5190 is $3.729 in California (wages under $40.00 per hour, from September 1, 2026), $2.847 in New York (October 1, 2026), $1.185 in North Carolina (April 1, 2027 loss cost) and $1.0889 in Ohio (July 1, 2026 base rate). Insurers add expenses and experience factors.

Do electricians need workers comp if they have no employees?

State rules differ. California lets C-10 contractors with no employees file an exemption, Hawaii accepts a sole proprietor form, Montana an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate, Utah a coverage waiver, Kentucky a notarized statement and Tennessee an exemption or Construction Services Provider registration. Texas lets any employer elect not to carry coverage if it files notice.

Common questions

What are the electrical contractor insurance requirements in Texas?

Texas requires $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate and $300,000 for products and completed operations under 16 TAC 73.40. Workers comp is optional, but a contractor that does not carry it must file a notice with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Which state requires the most general liability insurance for electrical contractors?

Iowa, Kentucky and Utah each require $1,000,000, the highest state minimum found. Florida follows at $800,000 combined, as of October 2026.

Which states require no insurance for an electrical contractor license?

17 licensing states set no liability minimum and no license bond, including Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin. Some of them still require workers comp proof.

Is insurance for electrical contractors required in Florida?

Yes. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008 requires $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury plus $500,000 for property damage, or an $800,000 combined single limit, and workers comp or an exemption under Chapter 440.

How much is an electrical contractor bond?

Fixed bonds range from $4,000 in Washington to $25,000 in California and Minnesota; the median of the 9 fixed amounts is $10,000. Arizona's commercial electrical bond runs from $2,500 to $50,000 depending on annual volume.

Does California require general liability insurance for electrical contractors?

Not for most C-10 licensees. California requires a $25,000 contractor bond, and only LLC licensees must carry liability insurance of $1 million to $5 million.

What does workers comp cost for electricians in New York?

The New York loss cost for class 5190 is $2.847 per $100 of payroll from October 1, 2026, down from $3.379. Insurers apply their own loss cost multipliers to reach a rate.

What does electrical contractor insurance cost in California for workers comp?

The WCIRB advisory pure premium rate is $3.729 per $100 of payroll for class 5190 (wages under $40.00 per hour) and $2.109 for class 5140 ($40.00 per hour or more), from September 1, 2026.

Do I need general liability insurance for electrical contractors in New York?

New York has no statewide electrical license. New York City requires licensed master electricians to carry commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence under 1 RCNY 104-01.

Who checks that an electrical contractor's insurance is current?

The licensing agency in each state, usually by requiring a certificate naming it as certificate holder. Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah all ask for the agency to be listed or for a certificate on file.

Get the data

Every table in this report is available as a CSV under CC BY 4.0. The fact sheet lists each value with its source URL and access date.

Cite this report

The figures to cite first

21 of 51 jurisdictions set a dollar general liability minimum for an electrical contractor license; the median is $300,000 per occurrence (October 2026).^{[1][3][12][16][18][20][21][23][28][33][34][38][41][45][46][48][49][52][55][56][57]}
12 jurisdictions require a license bond; the median fixed bond is $10,000.^{[3][4][7][14][33][39][41][43][48][49][55][61]}
23 jurisdictions set no statewide liability minimum or license bond for the license.^{[17][32][44][60][64]}

Quotable figures

As of October 27, 2026, 21 of 51 US jurisdictions set a dollar minimum for general liability insurance to hold an electrical contractor license.^{[1][3][12][16][18][20][21][23][28][33][34][38][41][45][46][48][49][52][55][56][57]}
The median state minimum for electrical contractor general liability is $300,000 per occurrence (2026, 21 jurisdictions).^{[1][12][20][41]}
Iowa, Kentucky and Utah require electrical contractors to carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability, the highest state minimum in 2026.^[21][23][57]
23 jurisdictions set no statewide liability minimum or license bond for electrical contractors in 2026.^{[17][32][44][60][64]}
The median fixed electrical contractor license bond across 9 jurisdictions is $10,000 (October 2026).^{[3][41][43][55]}
New York's workers comp loss cost for electrical wiring (class 5190) fell 15.7% to $2.847 per $100 of payroll on October 1, 2026.^[70]
California's class 5190 advisory pure premium rate is $3.729 per $100 of payroll from September 1, 2026.^[68]

Summary for editors

A state-by-state review of electrical contractor licensing rules by the Electrical Contractors and Wiring Data Desk finds that 21 of 51 US jurisdictions set a dollar minimum for general liability insurance, as checked October 27, 2026. The median minimum is $300,000 per occurrence, ranging from $50,000 in Oklahoma to $1,000,000 in Iowa, Kentucky and Utah. Twelve jurisdictions require a license bond, with a median fixed bond of $10,000, and 23 set neither a liability minimum nor a bond at state level, including five states with no statewide electrical license. Workers comp proof appears in the license file in 20 jurisdictions. Where rating bureaus publish values for electrical wiring (class 5190), the base cost ranged from $1.0889 per $100 of payroll in Ohio to $3.729 in California's low-wage class; New York's loss cost fell 15.7% on October 1, 2026. Every registry row cites the statute, rule or board form it comes from.

Headlines the data supports

21 states set a liability minimum for electrical contractors; the median is $300,000
Iowa, Kentucky and Utah require $1 million in liability coverage to hold an electrical contractor license
23 jurisdictions require no insurance or bond to license an electrical contractor
Electrical contractor license bonds run from $4,000 to $25,000, median $10,000
New York cuts workers comp loss cost for electricians 15.7% as of October 1, 2026

Citation

Electrical Contractors and Wiring. (2026). Electrical Contractor Insurance Requirements by State: Liability, Bonds and Workers Comp (2026). Retrieved from https://electricalcontractorsandwiring.com/data/electrical-contractor-insurance-requirements/

Reuse

Data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0. Attribution: “Source: Electrical Contractors and Wiring, Electrical Contractor Insurance Requirements by State: Liability, Bonds and Workers Comp (2026)” with a link to this page.

How we built this report

Scope: the rule a state imposes on an electrical contractor (the business license, or the contractor license that covers electrical work) as a condition of getting or keeping the license. Individual journeyman and master licenses, permit-level rules and owner or project insurance clauses are outside scope except where flagged.

Source selection: for each of the 50 states and DC the Data Desk opened the statute, administrative rule or licensing agency form that states the requirement, starting from the board list in the ECW license lookup. Every source was saved to the raw folder. Where an official site blocked automated access, a reader copy (r.jina.ai) or an Internet Archive copy was used and labeled (Arizona's ROC bond page is an archived copy of July 26, 2026).

Evidence levels: 'Rule text' means the statute or rule was read; 'Agency page/form' means the requirement comes from the licensing agency's own page or form; 'Absence in documents checked' means the listed documents were read and contained no requirement. A state is never marked as having a requirement unless a source states it. DC's bond amount and Chicago's insurance terms are marked unverified.

Conflicts: where a current agency page and an older rule copy disagreed, the current agency source was used and the older version noted. Utah's DOPL page and 2026 renewal form state $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total, while a 2015 version of R156-55a-302d on Cornell LII shows $100,000 and $300,000; the current DOPL figures are used. Nebraska's 2024 rules PDF carries an editorial note asking whether to revise the dollar amounts; the printed amounts are used.

Derived metrics: the lowest per-occurrence limit sums split limits (bodily injury per occurrence plus property damage) and uses the lower route where a state offers two. Medians use all 21 GL jurisdictions and the 9 fixed bonds. Workers comp values are converted to dollars on $100,000 of payroll by multiplying by 1,000. Every calculation is in derived_metrics.csv with fact sheet row numbers, and scripts/build.py reproduces the tables.

Workers comp: values were taken only from state rating bureaus or state funds (WCIRB California, NYCIRB, North Carolina Rate Bureau, Ohio BWC, Washington L&I). The Oregon all-class premium ranking was not used. Loss costs and pure premium rates are not premiums. Search budget limits in this session prevented retrieval of further bureau files; these are listed in excluded.md.

Limitations: state rules change through legislation and rulemaking; this registry reflects documents opened October 26 and 27, 2026. Cities, counties and project owners often require more coverage than the state. This report is not insurance or legal advice; confirm requirements with the licensing agency and a licensed insurance professional.

Last updated: October 27, 2026. The registry is rechecked quarterly.

This report presents published data with its limitations. It is not legal, financial or investment advice.

Sources by tier

Tier 1: primary and official sources (75)

[1] Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (via Cornell LII). 16 Tex. Admin. Code 73.40, Insurance Requirements. Rule in force 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[2] Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[3] Alaska DCCED, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Statutes and Regulations, Construction Contractors (AS 08.18). Compilation September 2023. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[4] Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Bond Information (archived copy of 2026-07-26). Schedule as of 2026-07-26. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[5] Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Arkansas Commercial Contractors Licensing Law (revised 04.2026). April 2026 compilation. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[6] Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Administrative Rules of the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (master copy). Rules effective 2018-01-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[7] Contractors State License Board (California). Bond Requirements. Bond amount since 2023-01-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[8] Contractors State License Board (California). Exemption from Workers' Compensation (form 13L-50). Current form. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[9] Contractors State License Board (California). Licenses for Limited Liability Companies. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[10] Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. Electrical Applications and Forms. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[11] Connecticut General Assembly. Chapter 393, Electricians, Plumbers … (current). Current statutes. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[12] Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. 24 DE Admin. Code 1400, Board of Electrical Examiners. Current regulation. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[13] Delaware General Assembly. Title 24, Chapter 14, Subchapter II, License. Current code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[14] DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Board of Industrial Trades. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[15] DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Electrical Bond for Contractors or Designated Masters (form). Current form. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[16] Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (via Cornell LII and FLRules). Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008, Public Liability and Workers' Compensation Insurance. Rule effective 2008-08-03. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[17] Georgia Secretary of State. Rules of Department 121, State Construction Industry Licensing Board (2026). 2026 compilation. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[18] Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board. Requirements for License, Contractor (sole proprietor application, rev. 10/25). Form rev. October 2025. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[19] Hawaii State Legislature. HRS 444-11.1, Requirements to maintain license. Current HRS. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[20] Idaho Legislature. Idaho Code 54-1013. Current code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[21] Iowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code). 481 IAC Chapter 401, Electrician and Electrical Contractor Licensing. IAC supplement 9/30/26. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[22] Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code Chapter 103 (2026). 2026 Code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[23] Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. KRS 227A.060, Qualifications for licensure. Effective 2024-07-15. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[24] Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. 815 KAR 35:060, Licensing of electrical contractors. Current regulation. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[25] Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Contractors Licensing Law and Rules (Blue Book, effective 8/1/2026). Effective 2026-08-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[26] Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Application instructions (revised 11/21/2025). Revised 2025-11-21. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[27] Maine Legislature. Title 32, Chapter 17, Electricians (section list). Current statutes. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[28] Maryland General Assembly. Business Occupations and Professions 6-604. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[29] Maryland Department of Labor. Maryland State Board of Electricians. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[30] Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Application for Permit to Perform Electrical Work. Current form. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[31] Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. 237 CMR 23.00, Insurance requirements for LLCs and LLPs. Current regulation. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[32] Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes. Electrical examination, licensing and registration information. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[33] Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes 326B.33. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[34] Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Commercial application (updated 7-2024). Form updated July 2024. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[35] Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Frequently Asked Questions. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[36] Missouri Revisor of Statutes. RSMo 324.920. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[37] Montana State Electrical Board. Electrical Contractor license information; Unlimited Electrical Contractor checklist (06/14/2023). Checklist updated 2023-06-14. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[38] Nebraska State Electrical Division. State Electrical Board Rules (April 2024). Rules dated 2024-04-23. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[39] Nevada State Contractors Board. Bonds. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[40] New Hampshire General Court. RSA Chapter 319-C, Electricians. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[41] New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Application to Make Business Permit Changes. Bond term to 2027-03-31. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[42] State of New Jersey. Electrical Contractors Licensing Act (N.J.S.A. 45:5A), state copy. Copy of statute (date not shown). Accessed 2026-10-27.
[43] New Mexico State Records Center and Archives. 14.6.3 NMAC, Construction Industries Licensing. Current rule. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[44] North Carolina General Assembly. N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87, Article 4, Electrical Contractors. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[45] North Dakota Legislative Branch. N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-09, Electricians. Current code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[46] Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules. OAC 4101:16-2-09, Fees and insurance. Last updated 2022-05-13. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[47] Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules. ORC 4740.06, License application. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[48] Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. OAC Title 158, Chapter 40, Electrical Industry. Current rules. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[49] Oregon State Legislature. ORS Chapter 701, Construction Contractors. Current ORS edition. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[50] Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Guide to becoming a licensed contractor. Current guide. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[51] Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, 73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.. Act 132 of 2008. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[52] Rhode Island General Assembly. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-7, Insurance required of contractors. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[53] Rhode Island General Assembly. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2, Registration for work required. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[54] South Carolina LLR. Contractor's Licensing Board, Licensure. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[55] South Dakota Legislature. SDCL 36-16-20. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[56] Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Contractor license application booklet (IN0439, rev. 02/25). Revised February 2025. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[57] Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Specialty Contractor License. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[58] Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Contractor renewal/reinstatement form (2026/03 upload). Form uploaded March 2026. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[59] Vermont General Assembly. 26 V.S.A. Chapter 15, Electricians. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[60] Virginia DPOR. Board for Contractors Regulations (18VAC50-22). Through 2025 session. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[61] Washington State Legislature. RCW 19.28.041. Current statute. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[62] Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Electrical Contractor licensing. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[63] West Virginia Legislature. W. Va. Code 30-42-5. Current code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[64] Wisconsin Legislature. Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305. Current code. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[65] Wyoming State Fire Marshal. Electrical Safety, Licensing. Page as of 2026-10. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[66] New York City Department of Buildings. 1 RCNY 104-01 (rule amendment, insurance for licensees). Rule amendment dated 2011-02-03. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[67] Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors. Licensee forms (EC-1, EC-2, New/Renewal). Forms uploaded 2026-08. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[68] WCIRB California. Classification 5190, Electrical Wiring (low wage). Effective 2026-09-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[69] WCIRB California. Classification 5140, Electrical Wiring (high wage). Effective 2026-09-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[70] New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board. R.C. 2659, Loss Cost Filing and Loss Costs by Classification, effective October 1, 2026. Effective 2026-10-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[71] Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. OAC 4123-17-06 Appendix A, Base rates effective July 1, 2026. Effective 2026-07-01. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[72] North Carolina Rate Bureau. Approved Rate Pages (advisory loss costs and assigned risk rates, effective April 1, 2027). Effective 2027-04-01, posted 2026-10-02. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[73] North Carolina Rate Bureau. 2024 Loss Cost Filing (loss costs effective April 1, 2025). Filed 2024-08-30. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[74] Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. 2026 Rates by Business Type and Class Code. Calendar 2026. Accessed 2026-10-27.
[76] Montana State Electrical Board. Montana Unlimited Electrical Contractor Checklist (updated 06/14/2023). Updated 2023-06-14. Accessed 2026-10-27.

Tier 2: trade bodies, market research, company data (1)

[75] Cornell LII. Utah Admin. Code R156-55a-302d (version amended 2015). Older rule version. Accessed 2026-10-27.

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Electrical contractor insurance requirements by state: 21 jurisdictions set a liability minimum

The 51-row registry: liability, workers comp, bond and the rule behind each state

Twelve jurisdictions require a license bond, and the median fixed bond is $10,000

23 jurisdictions set no statewide liability minimum or license bond for the license

Workers comp for electricians: what class 5190 costs where state bureaus publish it

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Count and median of state general liability minimums

Count and median of license bonds

Jurisdictions with no statewide requirement

Class 5190 bureau value on $100,000 of payroll

California wage split

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Sources by tier

Tier 1: primary and official sources (75)

Tier 2: trade bodies, market research, company data (1)