How to check an electrician's licence in WA
Why licensing matters
Electrical work is one of the few trades where the licence isn't just a formality — it's the law. In WA, all electrical work has to be done by someone who holds the relevant licence. Licensing means the person has met the competency and safety standards, that the work should be done to standard, and that you get the certificates and notices you're entitled to. Unlicensed work can be unsafe, is hard to prove was done properly, and can cause trouble with insurance and when you come to sell.
EC and EW — what the letters mean
- EC — electrical contractor's licence. Held by the business that takes on and is responsible for the electrical work. An electrical contractor must employ licensed electricians to carry out the work. This is the number you'll see on a legitimate operator's ads, vehicles and quotes — ours is EC17745.
- EW — electrician's licence. Held by the individual who is competent to carry out electrical work. The person on the tools at your property should hold an electrician's licence (or be an apprentice working under supervision).
In short: the business you hire should hold an EC, and the people who actually do the work should be licensed electricians. Both matter.
How to check — the free licence search
Building and Energy (part of the WA Government) keeps a public register you can search for free. Head to the WA Online Licence Search, then:
- Enter the licence number (for a contractor it starts with EC) or the business or person's name.
- Check the licence comes up and is current, not expired or cancelled.
- Make sure the name on the licence matches the business you're actually dealing with.
It takes a minute, and it's worth doing before you let anyone work on your home's wiring — especially for bigger jobs like a switchboard upgrade or anything a landlord or seller needs recorded.
Check ours
We're a licensed WA electrical contractor — EC17745. Pop that into the licence search and confirm it for yourself. We'd rather you did.
Red flags to watch for
- No licence number on their vehicle, quote or website.
- Reluctance to give you a licence number when you ask.
- Cash-only jobs that skip any paperwork, or no certificate offered after the work.
- A price that only makes sense if corners — and the licence — are being skipped.
Quick questions
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in WA?
Use the free WA Online Licence Search run by Building and Energy. You can search by licence number or by name to confirm the licence is current. Reputable electrical contractors also display their licence number, starting with EC, on their ads, vehicles and quotes.
What's the difference between an EC and an EW licence?
An electrical contractor's licence (EC) is held by the business that takes on and is responsible for the electrical work, and must employ licensed electricians. An electrician's licence (EW) is held by the individual who is competent to carry out the work. A legitimate operator has an EC for the business and licensed people on the tools.
Why does it matter if my electrician is licensed?
In WA all electrical work must legally be done by a licensed person. Licensing means the work meets competency and safety standards, and you get the certificates and notices you're entitled to. Unlicensed work can be unsafe, is harder to prove was done properly, and can cause problems with insurance and at sale.