How to Find a Licensed Electrician in Singapore (and What to Check Before Hiring)
Last updated: November 2026
Short answer: In Singapore, electrical work must be done or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) licensed by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). Before you hire anyone, ask for their LEW licence number, look it up on EMA’s free ELISE licensed worker search, check that the licence class fits your job (a Licensed Electrician for a typical HDB flat), and get the scope and price confirmed before any work begins.
This guide walks through where to look, what to check, and the questions to ask, so you can hire with confidence whether you need a light installed, a tripping breaker traced or a whole flat rewired.
Why the electrician must be licensed
EMA’s guidance on engaging Licensed Electrical Workers says electrical work at home or in the office should be carried out or supervised by an LEW. That includes:
- Installing, repairing or modifying electrical wiring
- Adding, extending or replacing power points such as socket-outlets, switches or lighting points
- Repairing or replacing consumer control units (the DB box) or circuit breakers
EMA’s ELISE portal also states that it is an offence to carry out electrical work without a valid electrical worker licence, and an offence to knowingly engage someone who is not licensed. In other words, the check protects you legally as well as physically.
According to EMA’s electrical safety page, the LEW also inspects and certifies that your installation is safe before supply is turned on, and new wiring, rewiring and extensions have to be tested before supply can be turned on.
Step 1: Pick the right class of licence
LEW licences come in different classes. EMA’s table:
| Licence class | Approved load | Voltage level | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Electrician | Not exceeding 45kVA | 1,000V and below | HDB flats and most homes |
| Licensed Electrical Technician | Not exceeding 150kVA (design); 500kVA (operation) | 1,000V and below | Larger premises, e.g. food courts |
| Licensed Electrical Engineer | No limit | Subject to licence conditions | Large installations |
EMA gives the example that work in an HDB flat requires an electrician, while a larger installation such as a food court may need an electrical technician or engineer. If you run a shop or office, ask which class of LEW will design or supervise your job.
Step 2: Verify the licence on ELISE
- Ask the contractor for the name and licence number of the LEW who will do or supervise the work. Licences are issued to individuals, so a company name alone is not enough.
- Search EMA’s ELISE licensed worker register. No login is needed.
- Confirm the name, licence class and validity match what you were told.
- When the electrician arrives, check their licence card. EMA notes every LEW is issued a card showing a photograph, name, identity card number and licence number.
Can’t get online? EMA lists 6835 8075 as a number to call to check whether a person is licensed.
Step 3: Check the HDB rules if you live in a flat
HDB owners should read the current HDB renovation guidelines before any electrical alteration, especially rewiring or new circuits as part of a renovation. Requirements depend on the work, so confirm the applicable scope with your LEW before work starts.
Step 4: Get the scope and price confirmed first
A good electrician will diagnose before quoting. Before you agree, make sure you know:
- The callout or inspection fee, and whether it is absorbed into the job if you proceed
- What the quote covers: parts, labour, access (for example, opening a false ceiling)
- What happens if something hidden is found mid-job; you should be told and given options first
- How the work is tested before handover
- Payment methods and invoice: an itemised invoice helps with warranty claims
- Warranty on workmanship
As one example of how a provider publishes these terms, Get Electrician Singapore’s pricing page states a callout fee from S$100 covering travel, on-site inspection, diagnosis and an explanation of the scope; says the fee is typically absorbed into the invoice if you go ahead; says parts, labour and access are confirmed in writing before work starts; and lists PayNow, bank transfer and cash on completion, with an itemised invoice.
Step 5: Describe the problem well
You will get a faster, more accurate quote if you share:
- Which points or rooms are affected, and since when
- Whether there is any spark, heat, burning smell or tripping
- Whether the breaker or RCD trips again when reset
- Photos of the point, the DB box and any scorch marks
Many electricians accept photos over WhatsApp. Get Electrician Singapore, for instance, asks customers to describe the affected points, timing and any spark, heat, smell or tripping, and to send photos via WhatsApp on +65 9172 6611.
Safety first: what to do before the electrician arrives
If a socket is sparking, scorched or smells of burning, switch off the supply at your distribution board (DB box) and do not use that point again. Then call a Licensed Electrical Worker. Don’t open sockets, switches or the DB box yourself. Electrical work needs an LEW by law.
For specific faults, these service pages explain how they’re typically assessed:
- Sparking or burnt socket repair
- Power trip / breaker tripping diagnosis
- RCD / ELCB tripping
- HDB rewiring packages
Hiring checklist
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Got the LEW’s full name and licence number | ☐ |
| Licence is valid on EMA ELISE | ☐ |
| Licence class fits the job (electrician / technician / engineer) | ☐ |
| Licence card checked on arrival | ☐ |
| HDB renovation guidelines checked (if HDB) | ☐ |
| Callout fee and what it includes are clear | ☐ |
| Scope, parts and price confirmed before work | ☐ |
| Testing before handover agreed | ☐ |
| Itemised invoice and warranty terms | ☐ |
FAQ
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in Singapore?
Search their name or licence number on EMA’s ELISE portal, or call EMA on 6835 8075. Then match the licence card to the person on site.
Can a handyman change a socket or light switch?
EMA lists adding, extending or replacing power points, switches and lighting points as electrical work that should be done or supervised by an LEW. If the job touches fixed wiring, use an LEW.
What type of LEW do I need for an HDB flat?
EMA gives HDB flats as an example of work that requires a Licensed Electrician.
Is it my problem if I hire someone unlicensed?
Yes. EMA states it is an offence to knowingly engage a person who is not a licensed electrical worker to carry out electrical work.