When ESA Questions Your Licence
Electrical contracting and master electrician activities require an authorization under Part VIII of the Electricity Act, 1998 (Electricity Act, s. 113.2(1)). The licence types and requirements are set out in O. Reg. 570/05 (Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians).
Unlike many licensing regimes, the first hearing on a proposal is held before an ESA Director, not a tribunal. A further appeal goes directly to the Divisional Court (ss. 113.4, 113.10).
Grounds and Decision-Makers
- Director
- Appointed by the Authority (Electricity Act, s. 113.1). Issues proposals, holds hearings and decides.
- Inspectors and investigators
- May inspect and investigate compliance (ss. 113.13–113.14).
- Appeal
- Divisional Court (s. 113.10).
Grounds
A Director may refuse, refuse to renew, suspend or revoke if there is reason to believe the holder will not carry out activities lawfully or safely, lacks basic resources or the prescribed training and qualifications, will not act with honesty and integrity or in accordance with protecting consumers, failed to comply with the Act, regulations, an order or a licence condition, obtained the licence by misrepresentation, or permitted an unauthorized person to carry out the activities (s. 113.2(2)).
Ongoing licence duties
An electrical contractor must stop operating if it no longer meets the licence requirements, with a 60-day window to replace a designated master electrician (O. Reg. 570/05, s. 14). Contractors and master electricians must notify the Director of changes and of failures to meet requirements (ss. 22–23, 28–29), and return a suspended or revoked licence within five business days (ss. 24, 30).
What Can Happen Next
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Notice of proposal
The Director must serve notice with written reasons (Electricity Act, s. 113.3(1)). Registered mail is deemed served on the third day after mailing, and fax or electronic transmission on the day after it was sent (s. 113.3(4)–(5)).
Deadline
You have a right to a hearing before the Director if you apply within 15 days after being served (s. 113.4(1)). The Director may extend the time, before or after it expires, if there are reasonable grounds and apparent grounds for relief (s. 113.4(2)). Without a request, the Director may carry out the proposal (s. 113.4(4)).
Before the hearing you must get a reasonable opportunity to show or achieve compliance, and to examine the documentary evidence (s. 113.7).
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Provisional suspension
If activities under the licence are an immediate threat to public safety, the Director may provisionally suspend or refuse to renew without a hearing; you may apply for a hearing within 15 days (s. 113.5).
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Unpaid amounts
A Director may refuse or suspend without notice or hearing for unpaid fees, administrative penalties or fines, but you are entitled to reinstatement once the default is cured (s. 113.6).
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Appeal to Divisional Court
Deadline
After a hearing, you may appeal by filing a notice of appeal with the court within 30 days after receiving notice of the Director’s decision (s. 113.10(2)).
ESA Directors may also impose administrative penalties of up to $10,000, appealable in accordance with regulations under the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act, 1996 (s. 113.18.1(4), (13)).
Checklist
Documents to gather
- The notice and proof of when it was served
- Permits, notifications of work and inspection records for the jobs involved
- Master electrician designation and certificates of qualification
- Insurance and business records
- Correspondence with ESA inspectors
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my licence continue while I renew?
If you apply to renew on time, it generally continues until the Director decides, subject to provisional actions (s. 113.11).
Is the hearing at the Licence Appeal Tribunal?
No. Under Part VIII, the hearing is before an ESA Director, and an appeal goes to the Divisional Court.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Electricity Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. A, Part VIII, ss. 113.1–113.11, 113.13–113.14, 113.18.1 — Checked November 11, 2026.
- O. Reg. 570/05 (Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians), ss. 14, 22–24, 28–30 — Checked November 11, 2026.