If you are planning a service upgrade or panel replacement, there is a rule that matters right away: PG&E is requiring all electricians who work on panels to be certified by ITS, and to carry a photo ID card to show upon request of clients, inspectors, and PG&E reps. That requirement is not paperwork for the sake of paperwork. It is tied to safety, utility coordination, and who is allowed to work on equipment connected to the utility side.
Why PG&E is requiring ITS-certified electricians
Panel work is not the same as swapping a light fixture or adding an outlet. When the job involves a main service, meter section, weatherhead, mast, service conductors, or underground utility connection, the work has to meet local code and PG&E requirements. If the contractor is not properly registered, the job can be delayed, rejected, or flagged during inspection.
The photo ID requirement matters too. Homeowners, city inspectors, and PG&E field reps need a clear way to confirm that the person working on the panel is authorized for that level of service work. On a real jobsite, that avoids confusion and keeps the project moving.
What this means for your panel upgrade
If you are replacing a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, fuse panel, or upgrading from 100 amps to 200 amps, ask the electrician one simple question: are you registered with ITS for PG&E panel work, and can you show the card? If the answer is vague, keep asking.
A qualified contractor should already know the process for disconnects, reconnects, inspections, and utility coordination. That is especially important on older homes where service equipment, grounding, or meter placement may not meet current requirements.
PG&E panel work requires more than basic electrical experience
Some electricians do fine interior wiring work but do not handle PG&E-related service equipment. That is a normal limitation, not a criticism. The problem starts when a contractor takes on panel work without the right utility registration.
Geoff Williams has been a licensed electrician since 1987 and is registered with ITS to work on both overhead and underground PG&E systems. For East Bay property owners dealing with a panel change, service upgrade, or inspection correction, that kind of qualification helps avoid delays, failed inspections, and expensive do-overs.
Before any panel job starts, verify the license, verify the insurance, and now verify the ITS card. It is one of the easiest ways to protect your property and keep a PG&E job on track.
