Grounded In Ontario Episode 21: What’s New with Licensing at ESA

July 3, 2026

What’s New with Licensing at ESA? What Ontario Electrical Contractors Need to Know

The electrical industry continues to evolve, and so does the way Ontario’s licensed electrical contractors and master electricians interact with the ESA.

From a new self-serve licensing platform to compliance trends, enforcement activity, and labor mobility updates, there have been significant developments over the past year that affect how license holders manage their businesses and maintain compliance.

As Sarah Kempel, ESA’s Director of Licensing, recently explained on Grounded in Ontario, these changes are designed to modernize licensing, improve transparency, and strengthen consumer protection across the province.

A New Era of Licensing

The biggest licensing development of the past year was the launch of ESA’s new self-serve licensing platform in October 2025.

“At its core, it’s a one-stop online hub where both license holders and new ME exam applicants can manage their exam applications or licenses anytime.”

The platform allows users to manage:

• New license applications
• Annual renewals
• Payments
• Notice of change submissions
• ME exam applications

All from a phone, tablet, or computer.

Source