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Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.

The NEC prohibits the installation of electrical panels within clothing closets. Closets are filled with flammable items like clothing, mothballs, shoe polish, plastic containers, and exposed light bulbs. If the panel develops a small electrical fire, it won’t take long to bloom into a real disaster. If you have an electrical panel in one of your home’s closets, move it as soon as possible with the help of a professional electrician.

You can determine what size generator you need for a transfer switch by matching the switch to the largest outlet on your generator. Larger generators can power up to 10 circuits, while most 5,000-watt generators can provide power to six circuits. So, if your generator’s largest outlet is 30 amps, you’ll need a 30-amp transfer switch.

The main reason outlets become loose is because the contact points have started to wear down after years of use. Occasionally, poor wiring can cause heat or sparks that can damage the outlet and cause it to become loose. Either way, if your plugs slide out after being inserted into the outlet, it’s time to replace it.