How do I check an Ottawa electrician's ECRA licence?

You can verify any Ontario electrician's licence through the ESA's online contractor search tool at esasafe.com — it takes about 30 seconds and is the most reliable way to confirm a contractor is legally authorized to work in your home.

Here's how the process works. Every electrical contractor in Ontario must hold an ECRA/ESA licence (Electrical Contractor Registration Agency). This is different from an individual electrician's Certificate of Qualification — the ECRA licence covers the company, while individual electricians hold their own trade certificates. When you hire an electrical contractor, you want to confirm the company is registered, not just that someone on the crew has a trade ticket.

To check a licence, go to esasafe.com and look for the "Find a Licensed Electrical Contractor" search tool. You can search by company name, licence number, or location. A valid listing will show the contractor's name, licence number, and whether the licence is currently active. If a contractor can't be found, or their licence shows as expired or suspended, that's a serious red flag — walk away.

What to ask before hiring any electrician in Ottawa:

Ask the contractor directly for their ECRA licence number before signing anything. A legitimate contractor will provide it without hesitation. You can then cross-reference it on esasafe.com yourself. Also confirm they carry WSIB coverage and liability insurance (minimum $2M is standard) — ask for certificates, not just their word.

One thing many homeowners don't realize: in Ontario, the contractor pulls the ESA permit before work begins, not the homeowner. If a contractor asks you to pull your own permit, or suggests skipping the permit entirely to save money, that's illegal and puts your home insurance at serious risk. Unpermitted electrical work can void your policy and create major problems when you sell.

If you ever have doubts about a contractor's credentials, you can call ESA directly at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233) — they're happy to confirm licensing status over the phone.

Electrical Ottawa is a free matching service, not an electrical contractor, so the licence that matters is your electrician’s. Electricians who give us their ECRA/ESA number carry a verified badge on their listing, and we re-check those licences daily against the ESA database. No badge simply means no number submitted — ask them directly, or look it up yourself at esasafe.com. If you're vetting other contractors for comparison, the ESA search tool is your best friend.