“Licensed, bonded and insured” is three separate protections, not one badge. Licensed means the state permits that electrician to do the work. Insured means a policy pays out if the job causes damage or injury. Bonded means a third-party surety stands behind the contract if the business fails to finish. You will see the phrase on quotes for EV charger installations — here is what each word proves, and what it does not.
Key Takeaways
- Licensed, bonded and insured are three protections: permission, accident cover and a performance guarantee.
- Proof is a licence number in the state lookup, a current insurance certificate, and bond details — not words on a quote.
- None of the three proves EV experience; ask how many chargers the firm has fitted.
- Credentials sit alongside the listed product, permit and inspection — not instead of them.
Licensed: Permission From the State
Electrical licensing is handled by states, and in some places by cities or counties. A licence is the legal permission to do work such as adding a 240 V circuit, and charger work falls under NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, usually with a permit and inspection. A licence number can be checked in the state lookup in minutes — that lookup, not the words on a van, is the proof.
Insured: Cover If the Job Goes Wrong
Insurance answers a different question: if the work causes harm — a damaged panel, drilling damage, an injury — whose money puts it right? A contractor’s liability policy pays, and the proof is a certificate of insurance from the insurer, naming the business and the cover period. Ask for a current certificate before work starts; reputable firms send one without being chased. Insurance is not a promise the work is good, nor a substitute for the permit and inspection.
Bonded: A Guarantee With Set Limits
A bond is a surety company’s promise, bought by the contractor, that you can claim against if the contractor fails to complete the job or meet defined obligations.
The difference: insurance covers accidents; a bond covers the contractor’s own failure to perform. Bond types and amounts vary; claiming means going to the surety with the contract and evidence of the failure. A bond marks an established business, but it is not a workmanship warranty, and it never substitutes for a licence.
| Word | What it means | What proves it | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed | The state allows this electrician to do the work | A licence number that checks out in the state lookup | EV charger experience |
| Insured | A policy pays if the job causes damage or injury | A current certificate of insurance from the insurer | That the work meets code — the inspection’s job |
| Bonded | A surety backs the contract if the firm fails to perform | Bond details, from the contractor or surety | A warranty on workmanship |
What None of the Three Words Tells You
None of the three says anything about EV chargers specifically. A fully licensed, bonded and insured electrician may still be fitting their first charger, while the work is EV-specific routine: a load calculation, breaker sizing for a continuous load (48 A needs a 60 A breaker, at 125%), and configuring the charger afterwards. The phrase is a starting filter, not the decision. Ask how many chargers the firm has installed this year — and see our article on installing a Level 2 charger yourself for why the circuit work stays with professionals either way.
The Product Side of the Same Check
The same logic applies to the charger: it should be a listed product from a recognised test laboratory — OSHA’s NRTL program recognises them in the US — which is what inspectors expect to see. The EV-ACT5006T carries ETL, FCC and CE marks; the EV-ACT3204E is CE marked for Type 2 markets. Qualified installer, listed product, permit and inspection: the full set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bonded and insured handyman install my charger?
Not the circuit work. A bond and an insurance policy do not replace the state licence that new circuits, breakers and hard-wiring require in most places. A handyman can handle non-electrical tasks such as a mounting bracket; the electrical work belongs to a licensed electrician.
Should I ask for proof before the work starts?
Yes. Check the licence number in the state lookup and ask for a current certificate of insurance. Both take minutes, and a legitimate firm treats the request as routine. Check before you pay a deposit, not after a problem.
Does “bonded” mean the installation is guaranteed?
No. A bond lets you claim against a surety if the contractor fails to complete the job or meet the bond’s defined obligations, within its amount and terms. It is not a guarantee of workmanship, and it sits alongside — not instead of — the permit, inspection and product warranty.
Related Reading
- What Qualifications Do You Need to Install EV Chargers?
- Can I Install a Level 2 Charger Myself?
- What Is a Standard EV Charger Installation?
- How Long Does EV Charger Installation Take?
