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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

State Licensing Requirements: Plumbing, electrical, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, and underground oil tank installation and removal are regulated at the state level and require the appropriate licenses or certifications.

Highway Construction: Contractor prequalification is required for most Department of Transportation projects with contract values exceeding $600,000.

Who Regulates Construction?

Public works pre-qualification information may be obtained from:

Maine Department of Transportation
16 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0016
(207) 624-3000 Fax (207) 624-3401
https://www.maine.gov/dot/doing-business/contractor-prequalification

Asbestos and lead abatement licensing and certification nformation may be obtained from:

Maine Department of Environmental Protection
c/o Asbestos/Lead Certification Coordinator
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
(207) 287-7688 Fax (207) 287-6220
https://www.maine.gov/dep

Oil storage tank installation and inspection certification information may be obtained from:

Maine Board of Underground Storage Tank Installers
c/o Department of Environmental Protection
17 State House Station
28 Tyson Drive
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-7688 Fax (207) 287-7826
https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/index.html

Plumbers and electricians may obtain licensing information from:

Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-8603 Fax (207) 624-8636
https://www.maine.gov/professionallicensing

Requirements?

Public Works Prequalification: Maine DOT requires contractors seeking prequalification to submit information on recent and current projects, bonding capacity, insurance experience ratings, and an active safety program. Applicants must also complete safety and equal employment opportunity questionnaires. Prequalification may be granted for a specific project or for one- or three-year terms, depending on the determination of the Prequalification Review Board.

Lead Abatement: Contractors performing lead abatement work must be licensed and employ at least one Maine-certified Project Supervisor. Companies must maintain a written worker protection program that complies with OSHA standards.

Project Supervisors must meet experience requirements and complete an approved supervisor training course. Lead Abatement Workers must complete an approved worker training course. License renewals require proof of completion of an eight-hour refresher course.

License/Certification Type / Application and Annual Renewal Fee
Lead Abatement Worker / $75
Lead Abatement Project Supervisor / $125
Lead Abatement Contractor / $275

Asbestos Contractors: Contractors performing asbestos abatement work must be licensed and employ at least one certified asbestos abatement worker. Applicants are required to pass a trade examination with a minimum score of 70%. The average application processing time is approximately two weeks.

License/Certification Type / Certification and renewal fee / Application and renewal fee

Asbestos Worker / $50 / $50
Asbestos Supervisor / $100 / $100
Asbestos Abatement Contractor / N/A / $650

Underground Oil Storage Tanks: Maine requires certification for underground storage tank installers and inspectors. Installer certification involves passing an initial examination, completing an approved apprenticeship program, gaining required field experience, and passing a final examination. Certifications are valid for two years and require eight hours of approved continuing education during each renewal period.

Underground oil storage tank inspectors must pass a certification examination and may be required to obtain additional manufacturer or industry certifications to inspect specific leak detection systems or test cathodic protection equipment.

Installer Apprenticeship Requirements: After passing the initial installer examination with a score of at least 80%, apprentices must accumulate 1,000 experience points by assisting certified installers on approved projects. Certification is granted upon completion of the required experience and successful passage of the final examination.

Underground Storage Tank Installers
Initial Fee / $200
Variance to Apprenticeship / $200
Annual Apprentice Renewal / $150
Final Examination / $250
Biennial Recertification / $150
Examination Fee / $250
Certification Fee / $150
Recertification / $150
*Includes Study guide

Plumbers: Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and Trainee Plumber licenses are issued for two-year terms and require a $200 biennial renewal fee. Journeyman-in-Training licenses are valid for four years from the date of issuance.

Master Plumber: Applicants must have either:

At least 2,000 hours (one year) of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber, or
At least 8,000 hours (four years) of experience as a licensed Trainee Plumber under the supervision of a Master Plumber.

Journeyman Plumber: Applicants must have either:

At least 4,000 hours (two years) of experience as a licensed Trainee Plumber under a Master Plumber, or
At least 2,000 hours of experience as a licensed Journeyman-in-Training completed within four years of licensure.

Journeyman-in-Training: Applicants must complete a Board-approved one-year plumbing program (or two semesters at a community college) and pass the Journeyman Plumber examination.

Type of License / Examination Application Fee / License Fee / Criminal background check / Renewal Fee

Master Plumber / $25 / $200 / $21 / $200
Journeyman/ $25 / $200 / $21 / $200
Journeyman-in-Training / $25 / $100 / $21 / N/A
Trainee / $25 / $100 / $21 / $100

Electricians: All electrical licenses are issued for two-year terms.

Master Electrician: Applicants must have either 4,000 hours of experience as a Journeyman Electrician or 12,000 hours of electrical installation experience. In addition, applicants must complete 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, including training in the current National Electrical Code (NEC).

Limited Electrician: Limited licenses are available in specialized categories such as Low Energy, Gas Dispensing, House Wiring, Outdoor Signs, Refrigeration, Traffic Signals, Water Pumps, and Crane Technicians. Qualification requirements vary by classification.

Journeyman Electrician: Applicants may qualify through several pathways, including:

8,000 hours of supervised electrical experience and 576 hours of approved education;
Graduation from an approved electrical program combined with required field experience; or
Completion of a registered electrical apprenticeship program and related classroom instruction.

All Journeyman applicants must complete training in the current National Electrical Code and meet the applicable experience requirements before taking the licensing examination.

Type of License / License Fee / Application Fee / SBI Report Fee / Biennial Renewal Fee

Master electrician / $150 / $25 / $21 / $150
Senior Master Electrician / $20 / $25 / $21 / $20
(over 70 years of age)
Limited Electrician / $100 / $25 / $21 / $100
Senior Limited Electrician /$20 / $25 / $21 / $20
(over 70 years of age)
Journeyman Electrician / $80 / $25 / $21 / $80
Senior Journeyman Electrician / $20 / $25 / $21 / $20






Reciprocal Agreements

Reciprocity: Master Electrician licenses are reciprocal with New Hampshire and Vermont. Journeyman Electrician licenses are reciprocal with Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, and Vermont.