Last updated: August 31st, 2026
Are you a C-10 electrical contractor in California who wants to provide electric meter installation, maintenance, repair, or removal services?
In addition to holding the appropriate California contractor license, non-utility companies performing qualifying Direct Access meter services must obtain Meter Service Provider (MSP) Certification from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
The process has changed since some of the older CPUC guidance was published, so here’s what contractors need to know about the current MSP certification requirements.
A Meter Service Provider, or MSP, performs qualifying meter-related services for Direct Access customers.
Depending on the arrangement, these services can include:
Electric meter installation
Meter removal
Meter maintenance
Meter repair
Meter testing
Meter calibration
Other qualifying metering services
The CPUC regulates MSP certification as part of California’s Direct Access metering framework.
Yes.
For a non-utility entity seeking CPUC MSP Certification, the current CPUC standards require the person or entity performing the meter services to hold a general electrical contractor’s license issued by the Contractors State License Board.
In California, that means the appropriate C-10 Electrical Contractor license.
If an Electric Service Provider (ESP) is acting as the MSP, the contractor license must be held in the appropriate name required by CPUC rules.
If the ESP subcontracts the meter services to another company, the third-party MSP performing the work must hold the required electrical contractor license.
You can learn more about California electrical contractor licensing in our California C-10 License Requirements guide.
Older CPUC documents referred to “Provisional MSP Certification.”
That terminology should no longer be used as though it describes the current application process.
Current CPUC Direct Access standards refer to the process as MSP Certification.
A non-utility entity seeking certification must submit a written application to the CPUC containing the required information and supporting documents.
After CPUC staff reviews the application and determines that it complies with the certification requirements, the applicant can be issued an MSP certification number.
Once certified, the MSP may provide qualifying meter-related services subject to CPUC requirements.
The written MSP Certification application must include information such as:
Name of the person or business entity
Business address
Telephone number
Name of the person or entity holding the general electrical contractor license
C-10 contractor license number
Contractor license expiration date
Description of the applicant’s experience installing, maintaining, repairing, and removing electric meters
Description of the applicant’s electrical-safety training and experience
Description of the electrical and safety training requirements the MSP will impose on employees before they are permitted to perform meter work
The application must also include supporting documentation showing that personnel meet applicable meter-worker qualification and training requirements.
In addition to the written application, an MSP must satisfy CPUC’s financial-security requirement.
The applicant must either:
Provide a bond in favor of the State of California in the amount of:
$100,000
The bond is intended to provide a source of compensation for qualifying damages resulting from an MSP’s meter installation, maintenance, repair, or removal activities.
Instead of the $100,000 bond, the MSP may provide proof of qualifying commercial general liability insurance.
Current CPUC standards require coverage of at least:
$1 million per occurrence for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury
$2 million general aggregate, when the policy is subject to an aggregate limit
The policy must also satisfy CPUC’s other MSP insurance requirements, including applicable additional-insured and cancellation-notice provisions.
Current CPUC Direct Access metering standards direct MSP Certification applications to:
CPUC – MSP Certification Unit
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Older instructions stated that applications would not be accepted by fax or electronic submission.
I would not continue publishing that blanket restriction because CPUC’s current published Direct Access standards do not repeat it.
The current standard still describes the application as a written application and lists the MSP Certification Unit’s physical mailing address.
Before submitting, contractors should review the most current CPUC MSP application materials or contact the CPUC Energy Division if they want to confirm whether an alternative electronic submission method is currently available.
Once CPUC reviews and approves the certification materials, the MSP receives an MSP certification number.
That certification allows the MSP to begin offering qualifying meter installation and related services subject to CPUC standards.
The current standards include an additional requirement for newly certified MSPs.
After receiving its certification number, an MSP must provide the applicable Utility Distribution Company (UDC) with a detailed work schedule for its first 20 installations in that utility’s service territory.
The schedule gives the UDC an opportunity to attend those initial installations and review procedures involving:
Meter removal
Meter installation
Safety precautions
Work procedures
Operational handoffs
This replaces older provisional-certification language involving 50 successful joint installations before permanent certification.
Certification of the business itself is only part of the compliance requirement.
MSPs must assign appropriately qualified and trained meter workers to perform Direct Access metering work.
Training and qualification requirements are designed to make sure employees understand:
Electrical safety
Meter installation procedures
Meter removal
Maintenance
Repair
Testing
Applicable meter types and equipment
The MSP is responsible for making sure personnel assigned to the work have the appropriate skills and training.
It’s important to understand that these are two separate requirements.
Issued by the:
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
The C-10 gives the business authority to perform qualifying electrical contracting work within the California electrical contractor classification.
Issued through the:
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
MSP Certification authorizes a qualifying non-utility entity to provide meter services within CPUC’s Direct Access metering framework.
Having a C-10 license alone does not automatically make a contractor a CPUC-certified Meter Service Provider.
The CPUC certification process must also be completed.
No.
Current CPUC Direct Access standards refer to MSP Certification and issuance of an MSP certification number.
Older references to provisional certification and the previous 50-installation joint-meet process should not be presented as the current certification procedure.
Yes.
A non-utility MSP performing qualifying electric meter installation, maintenance, repair, or removal must hold the applicable general electrical contractor license.
In California, this is the C-10 Electrical Contractor classification.
You must satisfy the applicable CPUC financial-security requirement, but the $100,000 bond is not the only option.
An applicant may instead provide qualifying commercial general liability insurance meeting CPUC’s required limits and policy conditions.
If using insurance instead of the bond, current MSP standards require at least:
$1 million per occurrence
$2 million general aggregate when an aggregate limit applies
Additional policy conditions also apply.
Current CPUC standards list:
CPUC – MSP Certification Unit
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Because CPUC’s current standards no longer state the old blanket prohibition on electronic submissions, verify the current filing method with CPUC if you want to submit electronically rather than by written mail delivery.
Once CPUC issues an MSP certification number, a newly certified MSP must provide the applicable UDC with a detailed work schedule for its first 20 installations in that service territory.
If you’re a California C-10 contractor who wants to perform qualifying Direct Access meter services, your contractor license is only part of the process.
You may also need to obtain CPUC Meter Service Provider Certification.
The main requirements include:
Holding the appropriate C-10 Electrical Contractor license
Submitting the required MSP Certification application
Documenting meter-work and electrical-safety experience
Establishing employee training requirements
Providing either the required $100,000 bond or qualifying liability insurance
Receiving an MSP certification number before offering applicable meter services
Providing the UDC with a work schedule for your first 20 installations
For current requirements, consult the CPUC’s Direct Access metering standards before submitting your application.
If you still need your California C-10 license or need help with your CSLB licensing process, contact Contractors License Guru for assistance.
