What is an ESA license number, and how can I look it up?

An ESA license number is a unique identifier assigned by the Electrical Safety Authority to Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) in Ontario, allowing them to legally perform electrical work and pull electrical permits in Ottawa and across the province.

In Ontario, any electrical work beyond basic maintenance requires either a Licensed Electrical Contractor or a homeowner permit through ESA. The license number is your key to verifying that an electrical contractor is legitimate and authorized to work on your Ottawa home.

What the ESA License Number Tells You

The ESA license number confirms that the contractor has met ESA's requirements for insurance, bonding, and employs certified electricians. In Ottawa, only LECs can pull electrical permits directly - if someone claims they can do electrical work without an ESA license, that's a major red flag.

How to Look Up ESA License Numbers in Ottawa

The easiest way to verify an ESA license is through ESA's official contractor locator at esasafe.com/contractor-locator. You can search by company name, license number, or location. For Ottawa-area contractors, make sure their license shows as "Active" and covers the type of work you need.

You can also call ESA directly at 1-877-372-7233 to verify a license number over the phone. ESA's customer service can confirm if a license is valid, active, and in good standing.

What to Look for When Checking

When you look up the license, verify that the business name matches exactly what's on your quote or contract. The license should show as "Active" status - expired or suspended licenses are red flags. Also check that the license covers the type of electrical work you need, as some licenses have restrictions.

Red Flags with ESA Licensing

Be wary of contractors who can't provide their ESA license number immediately, claim they "work under someone else's license," or say they'll "get the permit later." In Ottawa's competitive market, legitimate electrical contractors are proud of their ESA credentials and will provide their license number upfront.

Some contractors might claim they don't need ESA licensing for "small jobs" - this isn't true. Whether you're adding a single outlet in your Kanata home or rewiring your entire Barrhaven house, ESA requirements apply.

ESA Permits and Inspections in Ottawa

Remember that having an ESA license is just the first step. For electrical work in Ottawa, the contractor must also pull the appropriate ESA permit (typically $100-200) and arrange for ESA inspection once the work is complete. The permit and inspection ensure your electrical work meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

If you're getting multiple quotes for electrical work in Ottawa, always verify each contractor's ESA license before making your decision. It's one of the most important steps in protecting yourself from unlicensed electrical work that could be dangerous and void your home insurance.

For any electrical work in Ottawa, start by finding verified contractors in our directory at ottawaconstructionnetwork.com/directory, where all electrical contractors have pre-verified ESA licensing.