Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Journeyman electrician license in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses electricians statewide through the North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB).1 For the Journeyman electrician license you need at least 576 clock hours2 of education, at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1, a passing score on the Journeyman electrician exam (closed book 1 hour + open book 3.5 hours): fundamental electricity, ND laws, rules and wiring standards, current NEC3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $25 for the application5 and $25 for the initial license4, each a separate charge. You renew every year1 and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education6.

Last checked · 16 official sources

Who issues it

North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB)

Training and experience

Training: at least 576 clock hours2
Experience: at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1

Exam

Journeyman electrician exam (closed book 1 hour + open book 3.5 hours): fundamental electricity, ND laws, rules and wiring standards, current NEC3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $255
Initial license fee: $254

Renewal

Every year1, at least 8 hours of continuing education6

From another state

Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses74 Details

On this page
  1. North Dakota electrician licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Journeyman electrician license
  4. Requirements for a Journeyman electrician license
  5. How much a Journeyman electrician license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state
  9. Apprentice electrician registration
  10. Power limited apprentice electrician registration
  11. Class B electrician
  12. Power limited electrician
  13. Master electrician
  14. City and county rules
  15. Check a license or report a problem
  16. Laws and rules
  17. Common questions
  18. Electrician licenses in other states

North Dakota electrician licenses

North Dakota issues 6 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Apprentice electrician (registration)Learns the trade under personal supervision of a licensed master, class B or power limited electrician; may not work without direct constant supervision on site. Hours count only while registered.2––$108
Power limited apprentice electrician (registration)–––$109
Class B electricianFarmstead and residential wiring in one- and two-family dwellings; contracting status only, and may contract only for farmstead wiring or one/two-family homes in cities of 2,500 or fewer people.10Experience 3,000 hours5Yes1$405
Journeyman electricianWires, installs and repairs electrical apparatus, equipment and power limited systems; must work under a contracting North Dakota master electrician (cannot contract).6Training 576 clock hours2
Experience 8,000 hours1		Yes1$255
Power limited electricianPlans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of power limited (NEC chapter 8 class II/III) systems; contracting, of-record and non-contracting statuses.5Experience 6,000 hours5Yes1$5011
Master electricianPlans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power and power limited systems; only masters (and power limited electricians for their systems) may contract. Three statuses: contracting master, master of record (own organization's property only) and non-contracting master (works under a contracting master like a journeyman).5Experience 10,000 hours4Yes1$505

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the North Dakota 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 6)

Requirements

Background check
Background check required4
Direct-bearing / rehabilitation test under NDCC 43-09-09.1 and 12.1-33-02.1.1

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every year125

2. Every license level except Apprentice electrician (registration) and Power limited apprentice electrician (registration)

Requirements

Social Security number
Social Security number is mandatory on the application (NDCC 43-50-02); applications without it are not processed.4

Fees

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

How to apply

  1. When the board approves the application it sends an exam invitation listing dates; choose a date and test within six months (exams are held monthly in 2026-2027).12
  2. After passing (70%), pay the separate license fee; the board issues the license and an ID card that must be carried with photo ID while working.4
Temporary or provisional license
A non-renewable journeyman permit can be issued until the next exam meeting on the recommendation of one master and two journeymen; provisional military-spouse license also available.1

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 8 hours each renewal period6
Required topics
At least half (4 of 8 hours) on the NFPA 70 2026 National Electrical Code; the rest electrical-industry subjects.13
Approved courses
Board-approved courses only (classroom, webinar, online, correspondence); the provider sends the roster to the board within 15 days; individual certificates are not accepted. Same class not credited twice in a code cycle; credits can be banked for up to two renewal periods.13
If it expires
Expired licenses need a reinstatement fee equal to the annual fee; after three consecutive years without renewal the licensee must re-take the exam.5
Renew online
ndseb.com6

From another state

Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Provisional license for military spouses/members at no fee (Provisional-Military Spouse option on the exam application).4
Fee
$04

3. Journeyman electrician, Class B electrician and Master electrician

How to apply

  1. Complete the Application for Electrician's License by Exam (SFN 11858) with an Employment Verification (SFN 11845) from each employer, signed by the contracting master/power limited electrician before a notary.4 Form (PDF, ndseb.com)4

4. Class B electrician, Power limited electrician and Master electrician

Requirements

Business requirements
A contracting electrician must also follow NDCC ch. 43-07 contractor licensing with the Secretary of State (business registration and contractor license) and may serve only one shop or business.5

5. Apprentice electrician (registration) and Power limited apprentice electrician (registration)

Requirements

Minimum age
16 years old5
Experience
None to register; register within the first six months of employment.1
Supervision: Direct constant supervision by an ND-licensed electrician working with the apprentice at the worksite; one electrician may supervise at most three apprentices.5
Social Security number
Social Security number is mandatory on the registration (NDCC 43-50-02).89

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1089NDSEBRegistration application

Renewal

When it expires
Annual; registrations expire January 31 each year.14
Renewal fee
$1014
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $105 (expired license/registration (reinstatement fee = the annual fee, on top of renewal))

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity for apprentice registrations; out-of-state experience can be credited through a placement exam.7

6. Power limited electrician and Master electrician

Renewal

Renewal fee
$505
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $505 (expired license/registration (reinstatement fee = the annual fee, on top of renewal))

Who needs a Journeyman electrician license

Wires, installs and repairs electrical apparatus, equipment and power limited systems; must work under a contracting North Dakota master electrician (cannot contract).6

Work that does not need this license:

  • No license needed for utility employees working on generation/distribution (up to the first point of service attachment, except meters), telecom/satellite/cable company workers, appliance-dealer staff connecting appliances to an existing receptacle, engineer-supervised work on a manufacturer's own industrial machinery, nonelectrical systems, and power limited systems inside a residential dwelling or plugged into an existing receptacle.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Maintenance staff regularly employed by an owner or property manager may maintain or make minor repairs to existing wiring devices and appliances but may not extend or change circuits.5
  • A licensed electrician may supervise no more than three apprentices; apprentices must have direct constant supervision on site.5

Requirements for a Journeyman electrician license

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

Education or training
At least 576 clock hours2
The board's words

“Has successfully completed five hundred seventy-six (576) hours of training classes recognized by the board”


Who may teach it: Board-approved related training programs and colleges only.2
Alternative: Two-year electrical college degree approved by the board plus 6,000 hours of practical experience (not in less than three years).2
Alternative: PEAP: 8,000 hours of work before entering, 372 hours of PEAP related instruction and 4,000 more hours of on-the-job training during the PEAP.2
Experience
At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1
8,000 hours (not in less than three years) as a registered apprentice under a contracting master or master of record, in a jurisdiction with licensing and inspection similar to ND; at least 4,000 hours wiring/installing. Credit limits: repair up to 1,000, fire alarm up to 1,000, process control/power limited up to 2,000, U.S. armed forces up to 2,000 hours.5
Supervision: Contracting master or master of record; hours under a power limited electrician do not count.5
License you must hold first: Registered apprentice electrician (registration within six months of employment).1
Substitute: Up to 3,000 hours of class B experience can count.5
Substitute: 2,000 hours credit for a graduate of a two-year or longer electrical school accepted by the board.5
Exam
Journeyman electrician exam (closed book 1 hour + open book 3.5 hours): fundamental electricity, ND laws, rules and wiring standards, current NEC3
Given by: NDSEB (board-administered; code books, calculators and pencils provided)3
Passing score: 70%3
When you can take it: Board approves the application (experience verified) and sends an exam invitation; test within six months of the invite.3
Journeyman Closed = 1 hour Journeyman Open = 3.5 hours3
Retakes: Re-exam application and fee; waiting period by score: 60-69 none, 50-59 three months, 0-49 six months. Cancellations/no-shows must reapply and pay again. No exam reviews.3
Time limit: Must test within six months of the invitation.3
Exam waived: No written exam for a reciprocal license (master/journeyman from agreement states).7

How much a Journeyman electrician license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$255NDSEBJourneyman exam application (also re-exam)
Initial license fee$254NDSEBLicense fee after passing the exam (same as the annual fee)

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

How to apply

  1. Mail it with the journeyman application fee ($25.00) by check/money order to NDSEB, PO Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507, or email one PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card.4
  2. Attach the trade-school transcript or apprenticeship training completion certificate (journeyman applicants).4

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee
$255
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $255 (expired license/registration (reinstatement fee = the annual fee, on top of renewal))

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your North Dakota Journeyman electrician license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state

These are the routes NDSEB publishes for the Journeyman electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Reciprocal journeyman license without written exam for holders from agreement states who passed that state's written exam, have held a current license continuously for the past year, and document 8,000 hours under a contracting master in a jurisdiction with similar licensing and inspection; 8-hour ND-approved code class needed if the home state has no CE. Not available if most experience was gained in ND without related training.7
States on North Dakota's list
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming7
This is the list of states whose licenses North Dakota accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a North Dakota license.
Conditions
Applicants who failed the ND written exam are not eligible for a reciprocal license in ND.7
Once approved, pay the license fee; the board mails an ID card (no emailed license).7
Fee
$257

Apprentice electrician registration

Learns the trade under personal supervision of a licensed master, class B or power limited electrician; may not work without direct constant supervision on site. Hours count only while registered.2

How to apply

  1. Complete the Apprentice electrician (registration) registration application and send it with the $10.00 fee by mail to NDSEB (PO Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507) or email one PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card, within six months of starting work.1 Form (PDF, ndseb.com)8

Renewal

If it expires
Hours worked while unregistered or not renewed are lost and do not count toward the journeyman license.2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Power limited apprentice electrician registration

How to apply

  1. Complete the Power limited apprentice electrician (registration) registration application and send it with the $10.00 fee by mail to NDSEB (PO Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507) or email one PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card, within six months of starting work.1 Form (PDF, ndseb.com)9

Renewal

If it expires
Expired registrations require a reinstatement fee equal to the annual fee.5

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Class B electrician

Farmstead and residential wiring in one- and two-family dwellings; contracting status only, and may contract only for farmstead wiring or one/two-family homes in cities of 2,500 or fewer people.10

Requirements

Experience
At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training5
18 months and 3,000 hours of farmstead or residential (one/two-family) wiring under a master or class B electrician; commercial wiring is not credited.5
Supervision: Master or class B electrician.5
Substitute: 1,000 hours credit for a graduate of a board-approved two-year electrical school.5
Exam
Class B electrician exam (closed book 1 hour + open book 3.5 hours)3
Given by: NDSEB (board-administered; code books, calculators and pencils provided)3
Passing score: 70%3
When you can take it: Board approves the application (experience verified) and sends an exam invitation; test within six months of the invite.3
Class B Closed = 1 hour Class B Open = 3.5 hours3
Retakes: Re-exam application and fee; waiting period by score: 60-69 none, 50-59 three months, 0-49 six months. Cancellations/no-shows must reapply and pay again. No exam reviews.3
Time limit: Must test within six months of the invitation.3
Exam waived: No written exam for a reciprocal license (master/journeyman from agreement states).7

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$405NDSEBClass B exam application (also re-exam)
Initial license fee$404NDSEBLicense fee after passing the exam (same as the annual fee)

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

How to apply

  1. Mail it with the class B application fee ($40.00) by check/money order to NDSEB, PO Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507, or email one PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card.4

Renewal

Renewal fee
$405
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $405 (expired license/registration (reinstatement fee = the annual fee, on top of renewal))

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity for class B licenses: the reciprocal agreements cover master and journeyman licenses only.7

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

Power limited electrician

Plans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of power limited (NEC chapter 8 class II/III) systems; contracting, of-record and non-contracting statuses.5

Requirements

Experience
At least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training5
The board's words

“A power limited electrician shall have completed six thousand hours experience, which experience”


Substitute: License by endorsement with a valid board-recognized tradesman certificate.11
Exam
Power limited electrician exam (open book 4.5 hours)3
Given by: NDSEB (board-administered; code books, calculators and pencils provided)3
Passing score: 70%3
When you can take it: Board approves the application (experience verified) and sends an exam invitation; test within six months of the invite.3
PLE Open = 4.5 hours3
Retakes: Re-exam application and fee; waiting period by score: 60-69 none, 50-59 three months, 0-49 six months. Cancellations/no-shows must reapply and pay again. No exam reviews.3
Time limit: Must test within six months of the invitation.3
Exam waived: No written exam for a reciprocal license (master/journeyman from agreement states).7

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$5011NDSEBPower limited application (exam or endorsement; also re-exam)
Initial license fee$5011NDSEBLicense fee after passing the exam or endorsement approval

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

How to apply

  1. Complete the Application for Power Limited Electrician's License (SFN 61903) by examination or endorsement, with Employment Verification (SFN 11845); allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.11 Form (PDF, ndseb.com)11
  2. Send it with the $50.00 fee by mail (check/money order to NDSEB) or email the PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card.11
Processing time
Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing (application).11

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity for power limited licenses: the reciprocal agreements cover master and journeyman licenses only.7

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

Master electrician

Plans, lays out and supervises installation and repair of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power and power limited systems; only masters (and power limited electricians for their systems) may contract. Three statuses: contracting master, master of record (own organization's property only) and non-contracting master (works under a contracting master like a journeyman).5

Requirements

Experience
At least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training4
One year as a licensed journeyman with at least 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman under a contracting master or master of record (ND journeymen); otherwise at least 10,000 hours total.5
Supervision: Under a contracting master electrician or master of record.5
License you must hold first: Licensed journeyman electrician (one year).1
Exam
Master electrician exam (closed book 1 hour + open book 3.5 hours): fundamental electricity, ND laws, rules and wiring standards, current NEC3
Given by: NDSEB (board-administered; code books, calculators and pencils provided)3
Passing score: 70%3
When you can take it: Board approves the application (experience verified) and sends an exam invitation; test within six months of the invite.3
Master Closed = 1 hour Master Open = 3.5 hours3
Retakes: Re-exam application and fee; waiting period by score: 60-69 none, 50-59 three months, 0-49 six months. Cancellations/no-shows must reapply and pay again. No exam reviews.3
Time limit: Must test within six months of the invitation.3
Exam waived: No written exam for a reciprocal license (master/journeyman from agreement states).7

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$505NDSEBMaster exam application (also re-exam)
Initial license fee$504NDSEBLicense fee after passing the exam (same as the annual fee)

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

How to apply

  1. Mail it with the master application fee ($50.00) by check/money order to NDSEB, PO Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507, or email one PDF to [email protected] and phone to pay by card.4

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Reciprocal master license without written exam for holders from agreement states who passed that state's written exam, have held a current license continuously for the past year, and document 10,000 hours under a contracting master in a jurisdiction with similar licensing and inspection; 8-hour ND-approved code class needed if the home state has no CE. Not available if most experience was gained in ND without related training.7
States on North Dakota's list
Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota7
This is the list of states whose licenses North Dakota accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a North Dakota license.
Conditions
Applicants who failed the ND written exam are not eligible for a reciprocal license in ND.7
Once approved, pay the license fee; the board mails an ID card (no emailed license).7
Fee
$507

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

City and county rules

Apprentice electrician (registration)Statewide NDSEB license; licensees report their licensing or renewals to the city electrical inspector where a city has one.1

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
ndseb.com16

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Journeyman electrician license in North Dakota?

The rules set at least 576 clock hours2 and at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training1 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my electrician license to North Dakota?

NDSEB publishes this route for the Journeyman electrician license: reciprocity agreements7. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Journeyman electrician license in North Dakota?

Every year1. Continuing education: at least 8 hours6. The renewal fee is $255.

Electrician licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. NDCC chapter 43-09 ElectriciansNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Apprenticeship Information & RegistrationNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Exam Dates & InformationNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Application for Electrician's License by Exam SFN 11858 (11-2020) + Employment Verification SFN 11845North Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  5. NDAC chapter 24.1-03-01 Licensing RequirementsNorth Dakota Legislative BranchDated July 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Electrician's License Renewal & RequirementsNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Reciprocal License Agreements & RequirementsNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Application for Apprentice Electrician Registration SFN 11857 (10-2020)North Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Power Limited Apprentice Registration Application SFN 61902North Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Qualifications for LicensureNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Application for Power Limited Electrician's License SFN 61903 (11-2020)North Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Applying for an Electrical LicenseNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Continuing Education RequirementsNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  14. Laws, Rules, Wiring and Conveyance Standards of North Dakota (effective July 1, 2026)North Dakota State Electrical BoardDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Reciprocal Application for an Electrical License SFN 61913North Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Lookup a Licensed or Registered ElectricianNorth Dakota State Electrical BoardChecked November 7, 2026