How to get a Class A Journeyworker Electrician license in Minnesota

Minnesota electrician licenses

Minnesota issues 10 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Minnesota electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 10)

How to apply

Apply online

dli.mn.gov¹⁶⁹

Application form

Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹¹²

2. Every license level except Registered Unlicensed Individual (registered unlicensed electrician, "RE")

Requirements

Also required

Application/exam, license, renewal and late fees are non-refundable.⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹⁷¹³

Renew online

secure.doli.state.mn.us¹⁴¹²

3. Every license level except Registered Unlicensed Individual (registered unlicensed electrician, "RE"), Electrical Contractor (Class A) and Technology System Contractor

Requirements

Social Security number

Social Security number required on the application (Minn. Stat. 270C.72).³

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Build the required experience while registered with DLI (as a registered unlicensed electrician) or licensed, and have each employer complete the Electrical Work Experience Verification Form.⁷
2. When DLI approves you, schedule the exam in iMS (St. Paul or a regional site) and pass with 70%; results are emailed in about two weeks.¹⁵
3. Follow the pass letter's instructions to pay the license fee; DLI then issues the license.⁴

Renewal

Approved courses

Only DLI-approved courses count (DLI course directory); sponsors report attendance to DLI; keep your certificates.¹⁶

If it expires

An expired license cannot be used; renewal is possible up to 2 years after expiry. After 2 years you must apply as a new applicant (pass the exam again).¹⁷
Renewing without the required CE can mean suspension and a $1,000 fine.¹⁶

4. Every license level except Registered Unlicensed Individual (registered unlicensed electrician, "RE"), Class A Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor (Class A) and Technology System Contractor

Fees

5. Class A Journeyworker Electrician, Class B Installer, Maintenance Electrician, Power Limited Technician and Satellite System Installer

Renewal

Renewal fee

$53¹⁴

6. Class A Journeyworker Electrician, Class B Installer, Maintenance Electrician, Power Limited Technician and Class A Master Electrician

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 16 hours each renewal period¹¹⁸⁷¹⁶

7. Class B Installer, Lineman, Maintenance Electrician, Power Limited Technician and Satellite System Installer

Renewal

When it expires

Expires two years from original issuance and every two years after.⁷

8. Class A Journeyworker Electrician, Class B Installer, Maintenance Electrician and Power Limited Technician

Renewal

Exemptions

Hours must be earned in the license term before expiry; extra hours do not carry over; one set of hours can cover several licenses (highest requirement applies).¹⁶
Minn. R. 3800.3602: CE is enforced only once you have held the license for at least 24 months (so not at a first renewal under 24 months).¹⁸

9. Registered Unlicensed Individual (registered unlicensed electrician, "RE"), Electrical Contractor (Class A) and Technology System Contractor

Requirements

Exam

Not required⁶⁷

From another state

10. Class A Journeyworker Electrician and Class A Master Electrician

Renewal

Required topics

At least 12 of the 16 hours must be National Electrical Code; the other 4 may be non-code (DLI table: 12 code, 4 non-code; "Can take ALL CODE").¹⁶

11. Class B Installer and Maintenance Electrician

Renewal

Required topics

CE table: 12 hours code and 4 hours non-code; DLI notes all hours may be code ("Can take ALL CODE").¹⁶

12. Lineman and Satellite System Installer

Renewal

Exemptions

Hours must be earned in the license term before expiry; extra hours do not carry over; one set of hours can cover several licenses (highest requirement applies).¹⁶

13. Electrical Contractor (Class A) and Technology System Contractor

Requirements

Surety bond

$25,000⁷

Business requirements

Business name must match the active Minnesota Secretary of State filing; disclose all owners/officers/members; name a Minnesota registered agent.¹³

Business requirements

Responsible licensed individual can serve only one contractor and must be an owner/officer/member or a W-2 employee actively engaged in the company's electrical work; notify DLI within 15 days if they leave.⁷

Fees

How to apply

1. Register the business with the Minnesota Secretary of State (name must match on every document).¹³
2. Name a responsible licensed individual and have them sign the certificate of responsible licensed individual.¹²
3. Get the liability insurance certificate (DLI as certificate holder), workers' compensation compliance form and a $25,000 surety bond on DLI forms; complete the ownership disclosure.⁹
4. Apply in iMS (or by mail with the paper packet), upload everything and pay $188.¹⁹¹⁰ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹²

Renewal

Renewal fee

$188⁴¹⁰

If it expires

After expiry, permits cannot be issued until the renewal is approved.¹³
A change of business structure (e.g. sole proprietor to LLC) needs a new license.¹³

Who needs a Class A Journeyworker Electrician license

Performs and supervises electrical work (but not planning or laying out) as an employee of a licensed contractor, or under a master employed by the same employer on the employer's own premises. Class B journeyworker licenses have not been issued since August 1, 1985.⁷

Work that does not need this license:

• Homeowners may do electrical work on a dwelling they own and occupy (or will occupy) if it has its own utility service.⁷
• Utility, telephone and cable company work on their own generation/distribution/communication equipment is exempt.⁷
• HVAC/refrigeration contractors doing HVAC work under 326B.38 and licensed elevator companies doing elevator work are exempt.⁷

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Unlicensed workers may do electrical work only if registered with DLI and directly supervised by a licensed electrician of the same employer (max 2 per licensee; 3 for technology systems work).⁷

Requirements for a Class A Journeyworker Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 8 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

Up to one year of experience credit for a board-approved two-year post-high-school electrical course.²
Who may teach it: State-approved electrical education program (transcript attached to the exam application).³

Experience

At least 48 months²
48 months of acceptable experience, including at least 24 months wiring for and installing electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment.⁷
Supervision: Until licensed you must be a registered unlicensed individual working under direct supervision of a licensed electrician employed by the same contractor/employer.¹
Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Class A Journeyworker Electrician license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Class A Journeyworker Electrician exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Journeyworker licenses expire every two years at the end of the month in which the license was first issued.¹

Moving to Minnesota with a license from another state

These are the routes DLI publishes for the Class A Journeyworker Electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Registered Unlicensed Individual

Entry-level registration (no exam) for anyone doing electrical work that needs a license, under direct supervision of a licensed electrician of the same employer. Minnesota experience after Jan. 1, 2009 counts toward a license only while registered. A separate "RT" registration exists for power-limited (technology) work.⁶

Requirements

Minimum age

17 years old⁶

Experience

Supervision: Until licensed you must be a registered unlicensed individual working under direct supervision of a licensed electrician employed by the same contractor/employer.¹

Also required

Must be a W-2 employee of a licensed electrical contractor or registered electrical employer.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Get hired (W-2) by a licensed electrical contractor or registered electrical employer.¹
2. Register online in iMS (or by mail) and pay the $14 fee; you get an RE number.⁶ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹
3. Each year: 2 hours of approved NEC CE, the $19 renewal and an employer-signed work experience form - these hours later qualify you for the journeyworker exam.¹

Renewal

How often

Every year¹

When it expires

One year; expires on the last day of the month of registration.⁶

Renewal fee

$19¹

Continuing education

At least 2 hours each renewal period⁶

Required topics

Two hours of National Electrical Code education each year.⁶

Approved courses

DLI-approved courses only.¹

Exemptions

Extra hours do not carry over.¹⁶

If it expires

Submit a work experience verification form with each renewal.¹

Renew online

dli.mn.gov⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Class B Installer

Lays out and installs wiring and equipment on center-pivot irrigation booms on the load side of the main service on farmsteads, and other equipment approved by the commissioner. (Class A installer licenses have not been issued since December 1, 2007.)⁷

Requirements

Education or training

Either a commissioner-approved post-high-school course in electricity or one year of approved experience in electrical wiring.⁷

Experience

At least 12 months²
12 months of acceptable experience (wiring/installing, maintenance, line work, elevators or technology systems within the category caps), or the approved course instead.²
Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Class B Installer license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
25 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

Surety bond

$1,000⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Class B Installer exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Lineman

Installs, maintains and repairs transmission and distribution systems that are or will be owned or leased by an electric utility.⁷

Requirements

Experience

At least 48 months²

The board's words

“Lineman, the minimum total is 48 months, including:”

Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
50 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Lineman exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$48¹⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 7 and group 12 under Applies to every license level.

Maintenance Electrician

Maintains and repairs electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for a contractor, or as a full-time employee of one employer on equipment the employer owns or leases on its own property.⁷

Requirements

Education or training

Up to one year of experience credit for a board-approved two-year post-high-school electrical course.²

Experience

At least 48 months²
48 months of acceptable experience, including at least 24 months maintaining and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment.²
Supervision: Until licensed you must be a registered unlicensed individual working under direct supervision of a licensed electrician employed by the same contractor/employer.¹
Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Maintenance Electrician license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
70 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Maintenance Electrician exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Power Limited Technician

Installs, alters, repairs, plans, lays out and supervises wiring for technology circuits or systems (class 2/3/4: control, signalling, alarm, communication, low-voltage lighting). Can be the responsible licensed individual for a technology system contractor.⁸

Requirements

Education or training

Alternatives: graduate of a four-year electrical course at an accredited college/university (no experience needed), or up to 12 months (2,000 hours) credit for a two-year post-high-school electrical or approved technical course.⁷

Experience

At least 36 months²
36 months of acceptable experience on technology circuits/systems, including at least 12 months wiring and installing.⁷
Substitute: Part-time or night-school time counts without restriction for the power limited technician license.²⁰
Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Power Limited Technician license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
80 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Power Limited Technician exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

Renewal

Required topics

CE table: 4 hours code and 12 hours non-code; DLI notes all hours may be code ("Can take ALL CODE").¹⁶

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Satellite System Installer

Installs and services wiring and equipment for satellite broadcast communication systems for a licensed contractor; may not do other power limited technician work.⁷

Requirements

Education or training

Certification from the SBCA National Standards and Testing Program for satellite installers (or another board-approved program).⁷

Exam

Satellite System Installer license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
25 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Satellite System Installer exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 4 hours each renewal period⁷

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 7 and group 12 under Applies to every license level.

Class A Master Electrician

Requirements

Education or training

Alternative to experience: a degree in electrical engineering (statute: graduate of a four-year electrical course at an accredited college or university).⁷
Who may teach it: Accredited college or university; original transcript must be attached.³

Experience

At least 60 months²
60 months of acceptable experience, including minimums in planning (2), laying out (2), supervising (2) and wiring/installing (12 months); or one year as a licensed journeyworker.²
License you must hold first: Not required, but one year as a licensed journeyworker is an alternative route to the master exam.⁷
Substitute: Statute wording of the experience route: five years planning for, laying out, supervising and installing wiring for light, heat and power.⁷
Substitute: Experience is reported on the DLI Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master; at most 160 hours a month / 2,000 hours a year count.³
Substitute: Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009 counts only if you were registered with DLI (registered unlicensed individual) or licensed.⁷
Substitute: No credit before age 17; foreign experience is capped at 12 months.²⁰
Substitute: Out-of-state experience counts if it was verifiable work for a licensed electrical contractor in that state.¹

Exam

Class A Master Electrician license examination³
Given by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (state-developed exam; given at DLI St. Paul and regional sites, scheduled in iMS)⁷
Passing score: 70%²¹
When you can take it: You must have the required experience (or education) approved before DLI lets you sit the exam; the license fee is paid after you pass.⁴
80 multiple-choice questions.²¹
Retakes: After a failed exam you may re-apply to retake it 30 days after you are notified; a retest needs the application form and $50 fee only (no new work verification).²¹
Time limit: 5.5 hours to complete the exam (time to sit, not a deadline to pass).²¹
Exam waived: Exam waived only under a reciprocity agreement (Class A journeyworker and Class A master).⁷

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Apply to take the Class A Master Electrician exam online in iMS (or on the paper Personal Electrical License Examination Application), uploading experience forms and any transcript, and pay the $50 non-refundable application/exam fee.¹ Form (PDF, dli.mn.gov)¹¹

Renewal

When it expires

Master licenses expire on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year (statute: March 1 of each odd-numbered year).¹

Renewal fee

$93¹⁴

Exemptions

Hours must be earned in the license term before expiry; extra hours do not carry over; one set of hours can cover several licenses (highest requirement applies).¹⁶
Minn. R. 3800.3602: CE is enforced only once you have held the license for at least 24 months (so not at a first renewal under 24 months).¹⁸
No continuing education is required for the first year of a master license.¹⁶

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 6 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical Contractor (Class A)

Business license needed to perform or offer to perform electrical work (other than as an employee of a licensed contractor). Employees need personal licenses or RE registration; general contractors who sub out all electrical work need no electrical license.⁹

Requirements

Experience

Must designate a responsible licensed individual holding an active master electrician license.⁹
License you must hold first: Must designate a responsible licensed individual holding an active master electrician license.⁹

Insurance

General liability: at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate and $50,000 property damage, from a Minnesota-licensed insurer, with DLI as certificate holder; plus workers' compensation on the DLI form.⁹

Renewal

When it expires

Electrical contractor licenses expire on the last day of February in even-numbered years (statute: March 1 of each even-numbered year).¹³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 9 and group 13 under Applies to every license level.

Technology System Contractor

Requirements

Experience

Responsible licensed individual must be a licensed power limited technician or master electrician.⁸
License you must hold first: Responsible licensed individual must be a licensed power limited technician or master electrician.⁸

Insurance

General liability insurance certificate (DLI form ccld_lic-01J or ACORD 25) and workers' compensation compliance form.¹⁰

Renewal

When it expires

Technology system contractor licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year.⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 9 and group 13 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Class B InstallerStatewide DLI license; a city or the University of Minnesota may inspect electrical work and require a copy of your state license on file, but cannot charge you a license fee.²³

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Minnesota, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Minnesota is on the Minnesota license lookup page.

Look up a license

dli.mn.gov⁶

File a complaint

dli.mn.gov⁶

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Minn. Stat. 326B.31 (definitions)
• Minn. Stat. 326B.33
• Minn. Stat. 326B.092
• Minn. Stat. 326B.094 (renewal; expiry; 2-year limit)
• Minn. Stat. 326B.36 subd. 6
• Minn. R. 3800.3520 (examination; minimum experience; acceptable experience)
• Minn. R. 3800.3602 (continuing education for renewal)

Common questions

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