In Maryland and throughout the United States, our homes, businesses, and recreational pursuits are powered by electricity. Electricians harness electrical power to make it possible for us to see in the dark, power up our electronics and appliances, recharge batteries, and otherwise live our lives in safety and security.
Since 2021, the Maryland Electricians Act has governed the licensing of electricians and their work across the state. From Baltimore, Columbia, and Silver Spring to Annapolis, Germantown, Waldorf, and in communities in between, electricians provide critical expertise in the installation, operation, maintenance, testing, and repair of electrical systems, components, and equipment. Working in residential, industrial, and commercial settings, electricians ensure that electrical equipment and power systems operate effectively and safely.
For an electrician applying their training, experience, and education to upgrade residential wiring or install electrical service in an industrial setting, it can be surprising and frustrating to learn a complaint has been filed against them.
The Lento Law Firm defends electricians accused of misconduct in Maryland. Regardless of the circumstances or allegations, our experienced attorneys are ready to protect you and fight for your best interests. To discuss your case with the Professional License Defense Team, call our offices at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
The Maryland State Board of Electricians
In Maryland, the State Board of Electricians (the Board) is responsible for licensing electricians to protect public safety and the life, health, and property of citizens. A state-issued license is required to provide electrical services; however, municipalities and counties may also require additional registration for work within their area. For example, Baltimore County has its own procedures for registering and licensing electricians operating within its jurisdiction.
Part of the Maryland Department of Labor's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, the Board oversees license applications and renewals, oversees continuing education for the profession, investigates complaints, takes disciplinary action against licensees, and establishes the requirements for continuing education.
The governor appoints the nine members of the Board, which must include six licensed electricians, each from a different area of the state as described in the statute, and three consumers. Additionally, no two board members may reside in the same county.
The Board licenses master electricians, journeyperson electricians, and apprentice electricians to perform electrical services. Maryland law exempts some electrical work from the electrician licensure requirements, including employees of a public utility company working in narrow areas associated with their employment, licensed working within the scope of their license and licensed heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors working within the scope of their license.
If you are an electrician in Maryland and a complaint has been made against you, our Professional License Defense Team can help you protect your license and your livelihood.
Prohibited Conduct in Maryland
In Maryland, electricians are expected to comply with electrical codes, conduct business with integrity, and avoid fraudulent activities. The Board has the authority to reprimand a licensee or suspend or revoke a license for engaging in prohibited conduct, including:
- Fraudulently or deceptively obtaining or attempting to obtain a license for an applicant, state licensee, or another person.
- Fraudulently or deceptively using a licensee.
- Transferring the authority granted by a licensee to another person.
- Engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
- Willfully or deliberately ignoring or violating a building code, electrical code, or law.
- Willfully or deliberately disregarding a disciplinary action taken by a local jurisdiction against them involving the provision of electrical service.
- Failing to train and direct a person, under their supervision, in the selling, estimating, or provision of electrical services.
- Failing to maintain required local registrations.
- Failing to maintain general liability and property damage insurance.
- Failing to perform or complete a contract without proper justification.
- Providing electrical services that are inadequate or incomplete according to contract or project specifications.
- Publishing false, deceptive, or misleading advertising for electrical services.
- Certifying on a licensee renewal application that the licensee has met continuing education requirements if they have not.
Additionally, criminal convictions can lead to disciplinary sanctions by the Board. An electrician who is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that impacts their fitness and qualification to provide electrical services may also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
In Maryland, the Board considers multiple factors when determining the appropriate sanction related to criminal convictions, including the nature of the crime, the relationship between the crime and the provision of electrical services, the length of time since the conviction, and the behavior of the licensee before and after the conviction. If the electrician is convicted of a felony, the Board also considers the relevance of the conviction to the individual's fitness and qualification to provide electrical services.
Any allegation that you have engaged in prohibited conduct should be taken seriously. Assume it is a legitimate threat to your license and give the matter your immediate attention. Let the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team partner with you to prepare a comprehensive defense. Our experienced attorneys can help defend you and your electrician license.
The Professional License Disciplinary Process in Maryland
The Lento Law Firm defends electricians accused of misconduct throughout Maryland's disciplinary investigation, hearing, and sanction process. We know that any threat to your license is a threat to your livelihood and future, and we are committed to advocating for you and your best interests.
In Maryland, the professional license disciplinary process for electricians is complex and can have far-reaching adverse consequences.
Complaint
Anyone can file a complaint against a licensed electrician by filing a Mechanical Unit Complaint Form with the Board. Once filed, the complaint is logged, reviewed, and forwarded to the accused electrician.
The accused electrician is often asked to respond and address particular questions related to the work performed, permitting, or other matters as appropriate. The electrician has 30 days to respond to the allegations in the complaint.
Complaint Committee
A complaint committee, made up of members of the Board, reviews the complaint and the response to determine:
- If the Board has authority over the complaint.
- If there are sufficient facts to support a charge against the electrician.
- If further investigation is required.
An investigator may contact the accused electrician or the complainant to collect additional information. Once the inquiry is complete, the investigator reports all findings to the complaint committee.
Based on its review of all available information, the complaint committee recommends either that the Board close the case or pursue an administrative action against the accused electrician and their license.
Hearing
The electrician may request a hearing on the case. The Board may hold the hearing or delegate the hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings. After the hearing, the Board decides if a violation has occurred and, if so, the appropriate sanction.
The Board and the electrician may forgo a hearing by negotiating a settlement.
If the accused licensee fails to attend their hearing, the Board may still conduct the hearing, make its determination, and issue sanctions, if warranted.
Sanctions
If a violation has occurred, the Board may impose a broad range of penalties against the electrician, including:
- Reprimand.
- License suspension.
- License revocation.
- Civil monetary penalty up to $5000.
The Board considers the seriousness of the violation, any harm caused by the violation, the good faith of the licensee, and whether the licensee has a history of violations to determine the amount of the fine. If the Board issues an unfavorable decision or sanction, the licensee may pursue an appeal in state court.
Additionally, an individual whose license has been revoked may submit a request for reinstatement. The Board will then hold a hearing on the request and determine whether or not to reinstate the license.
After suspending or revoking a license, the Board notifies local authorities and building officials. Additionally, if the accused did not have a required license, the Board may recommend that criminal charges be filed against the individual.
If you are accused of professional misconduct, protecting your life and livelihood must be your priority. To save your license and your career, partner with experienced attorneys from the Lento Law Firm. Regardless of the nature of the complaint, we can challenge the allegation against you and fight for your license.
Let the Lento Law Firm Defend Your License and Your Future
In Maryland, the Board is not concerned with protecting you, your license, or your career. Instead of facing the board alone, let the Lento Law Firm be the dedicated defense team you need to challenge the allegations against you.
Each step of Maryland's complaint procedure is adversarial and requires careful attention. A missed deadline or a careless statement can unnecessarily complicate your case, be used as evidence against you, or be treated as an admission of a violation. From your initial response through any necessary hearing, you want to ensure that any statement you make and every document you provide is part of a deliberate effort to challenge the allegations against you.
The Lento Law Firm can work to defend your license at every step of the disciplinary process by:
- Analyzing the complaint and providing legal guidance and information about the process and potential sanctions.
- Ensuring the Board meets its notice and due process requirements.
- Preparing you for an interview or interaction with the investigator and to give testimony during a deposition or hearing.
- Drafting your response, correspondence, and other documents for timely submission to the Board and by filing deadlines.
- Performing our own investigation to identify mitigating evidence and exonerating witnesses.
- Advocating on your behalf during settlement negotiations and ensuring that you understand the terms of the agreement.
- Litigating an appeal or developing a license reinstatement strategy, if necessary.
You don't have to do it alone. The sooner you contact the Lento Law Firm, the sooner we can partner in your defense.
The Adverse Impact of Disciplinary Proceedings
In Maryland, you need a license to work as an electrician. And, you want to work in the profession you have trained for, practiced in and chose to pursue. Because your profession is the foundation for your and your family's financial security, you must defend your license against any complaint.
An adverse determination by the Board can undermine your life and career by making it difficult, if not impossible, to work in your chosen profession.
The allegations alone can tarnish an otherwise stellar reputation and make it more difficult to find new positions. After years of training and experience, you've worked too hard to lose your license and jeopardize your financial security.
Furthermore, harsh disciplinary sanctions, such as having your license suspended or revoked, may end your current employment and limit future opportunities.
Of course, disciplinary proceedings can have a negative impact on the personal lives of targeted licensees as well. Accused licensees often become overwhelmed by the stress of an ongoing investigation, the contentious nature of an adversarial hearing, and the uncertainty of its outcome. The allegations, disciplinary process, and sanctions can take a toll on an individual's mental and physical health.
When you feel isolated on a personal level, you turn to friends and loved ones who offer their support. When you fight for your electrician license and your livelihood, you can look to the Lento Law Firm. We are ready to partner with you and defend your license.
At the Lento Law Firm, we know your work is important to you and your community. Let the Professional License Defense Team manage your license defense so that you can continue supporting your clients.
It's Never Too Late to Contact the Lento Law Firm
At the Lento Law Firm, we protect Maryland's electricians and their licenses. We understand the importance of your work. Whether you have just learned of the complaint against you or need to appeal a sanction, we can partner with you and fight on your behalf.
Across Maryland, we help electricians respond to complaints and navigate license investigations, hearings, and sanctions. We can help you, too. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.
