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

An ESA license number is a unique identifier assigned by Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) 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 Ottawa, any electrical work beyond basic tasks like changing light bulbs requires either a Licensed Electrical Contractor or proper ESA permits and inspections. The ESA license number proves your contractor is legally authorized to do electrical work in your home.

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 (if you have it)


• City (enter "Ottawa" or your specific area like Kanata, Orleans, or Barrhaven)

When you search, you'll see the contractor's full legal business name, license number, license status (active/inactive), and contact information. Make sure the license shows as "active" - expired or suspended licenses are red flags.

What the License Number Tells You

A valid ESA license confirms several important things for Ottawa homeowners. The contractor can legally pull electrical permits with the City of Ottawa, they carry required insurance and bonding, they've met ESA's training and experience requirements, and they're authorized to perform electrical inspections on their own work in many cases.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if a contractor can't provide their ESA license number immediately, claims they "don't need" an ESA license for your electrical work, offers to do electrical work without permits when permits are required, or if their license lookup shows expired or suspended status.

Ottawa-Specific Electrical Permit Requirements

In Ottawa, electrical permits are required for most electrical work including new circuits, panel upgrades, outlet additions, and any electrical work in bathrooms or kitchens. The contractor pulls the permit through the City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424), but ESA handles the actual electrical inspections. Permit fees typically range from $100-300 depending on the scope of work.

Protecting Yourself as an Ottawa Homeowner

Always verify the ESA license before signing any contract or making payments. Ask to see their physical ESA license card - legitimate contractors carry these. For major electrical work, confirm they'll be pulling proper permits through ottawa.ca/building portal. Remember that while homeowners can do their own electrical work in Ontario, they must still get ESA permits and inspections.

If you discover a contractor is working without proper ESA licensing, report it to ESA immediately. Unlicensed electrical work can void your home insurance and create serious safety hazards. The ESA contractor locator is your best protection against electrical scams in the Ottawa area.