Neilson celebrates historic passage of statewide electrical licensing legislation
After decades of legislative efforts, bipartisan compromise sends electrical licensing bill to governor's desk
Rep. Ed Neilson October 21, 2026 | 5:37 PM
Today, state Rep. Ed Neilson celebrated the final passage of Senate Bill 1260, legislation establishing statewide licensing standards for electrical contractors and electricians in Pennsylvania. The legislation now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
"For decades, we have been trying to establish statewide licensing requirements for electricians,” Neilson said. “The late state Representative Bob Godshall was one of the earliest champions of this effort but at the end of the day it doesn't matter whose name is on the bill, it matters that it’s done.”
Neilson noted that Pennsylvania has long required licenses for numerous professions while lacking a comprehensive statewide licensing system for electricians.
“Think about it. In Pennsylvania, you need a license to cut someone’s hair, but until now, we haven’t required a statewide license to wire someone’s home,” Neilson said. “Electricity is very real, and when its handled improperly, the consequences can be deadly.”
As a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and a third-generation electrician, Neilson said that he has years of firsthand experience and extensive training through apprenticeship programs but went on to state that continuing education is equally important to safe electrical work.
“Electrical work involves very dangerous work, and it doesn’t give you a second chance if you get something wrong. This isn’t about bureaucracy or more red tape – this is about protecting families, their homes and their livelihoods and the electricians who wire them,” Neilson said.
Neilson also recognized the bipartisan cooperation necessary to advance the legislation, thanking Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, the bill's sponsor, stakeholders and other organizations.
“Senate Bill 1260 is the product of compromise,” Neilson said. “It has been negotiated, amended and improved throughout this long process of crossing the finish line, but that's what good government is about—bringing people together, finding common ground and getting something accomplished.
“After introducing this legislation five times myself, I can tell you I’m more than happy to see us finally get this across the finish line,” he said.
Currently, Pennsylvania is one of few states that doesn’t require licensure for electricians.