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Permits, violations & licenses

Get an Electrical Inspection Agency License

Service overview

Companies need this license to perform maintenance inspections on work done under electrical permits in the City.

Electrical inspection agencies must employ licensed electrical inspectors to perform all inspections.

Who

Business owners and their agents can apply for this license.

Requirements

Other licenses and registrations

Insurance

All insurance must be submitted on a Certificate of Insurance that includes these minimum amounts:

  • General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence
  • Worker’s Compensation:
    • $100,000 per accident
    • $100,000 per employee
    • $500,000 per limit

Information about personnel

You must provide the names and addresses of everyone with a financial, operational, legal, or beneficial interest in the company. At least one person must have a Philadelphia Electrical Inspector’s License for a period of at least one year.

You must also provide the full resumes of the principals. Their resumes should show:

  • Experience reflecting competency in the full scope of work covered by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) electrical permits.
  • Satisfactory performance in conducting electrical inspections and performing electrical work.

Finally, you must list the electrical inspectors who will perform work for the agency within the City. This list should include their:

  • Name.
  • License number.
  • Work history.

Quality control plan

Your plan must include the:

  • Organizational structure of the company.
  • Initial training plan and on-going training initiatives.
  • Quality assurance program.

Prices for services

You must include a complete rate schedule for all services.

Tax compliance

The inspection agency must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.

Where and when

Online

You can apply online using eCLIPSE.

If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.

In person

You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.

Permit and License Center
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
MSB, Public Service Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.

Cost

License fee
$2522

A non-refundable application fee of $200 is applied to the license fee. The balance of the license fee is due once your application is approved.

Renewal fee
$2322

If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.

Payment methods and details

Accepted payment methods

Where Accepted payment
Online through the eCLIPSE application

(There is a $500,000 limit for online payments.)

  • Electronic check
  • Credit card (+2.10% surcharge. The minimum fee is $1.50.)
  • Debit card (+$3.45 fee)
In person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building
  • Electronic check
  • Credit card (+2.10% surcharge. The minimum fee is $1.50.)
  • Debit card (+$3.45 fee)
In person at the Cashier’s Station in the Municipal Services Building

(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.)

  • Check
  • Money order
  • Credit card (+2.10% surcharge)
  • Cash

Credit and debit card payments

Surcharges and fees are applied automatically to all credit and debit card transactions.

Checks and money orders

Check requirements
  • Make all checks and money orders payable to the “City of Philadelphia.”
  • The individual or company listed on the check must be listed on the application.
  • Personal checks are accepted.
  • Checks and money orders must have issue dates within 12 months of the transaction.
Reasons your check may be rejected

L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:

  • Unsigned.
  • Expired.
  • Post-dated.
  • Starter checks without account info.

Returned payment policy

If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:

  1. You will be charged a $20 fee for collection.
  2. You authorize the City of Philadelphia or its agent to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account to collect this fee directly.
  3. The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
  4. If the City is unable to obtain payment, the license, permit, or appeal application will be void.
  5. You cannot take any additional action under a permit until you have paid all fees.
  6. The permit or license will be revoked if the outstanding fees are not paid within 30 days.
  7. You cannot file or obtain additional permits until you resolve the outstanding debt.

Late license payment

If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.

How

You can apply for this license online using eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.

Online

1
Upload all required documents.

Applications are reviewed within 25 business days.

2
If the application is approved, you will receive a notice to pay the balance.

 If the application isn’t approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

In person

1
Visit the Permit and License Center.

Applications are reviewed within 20 business days.

2
If the application is approved, you will receive a notice to pay the balance.

If the application isn’t approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

Renewal requirements

This license must be renewed annually. You can renew online through eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.

To renew your license, you must:

  • Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
  • Have proof of an active insurance policy.
  • Have a current rate schedule on file with L&I.
  • Have a current quality control plan on file with L&I.
  • Have current list of inspectors on file with L&I.

Forms & instructions


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