SPEC SHEET · MN · ELECTRICIAN
Minnesota electrician license requirements
The answer
Minnesota licenses electricians statewide through DLI. Register as an unlicensed electrician ($14) and work supervised; the Class A Journeyworker exam requires 48 months of experience (at least 24 wiring/installing), with up to 12 months' credit for a 2-year technical program. Exam $50; journeyworker renews every 2 years with 16 CE hours.Your paths to the license
Register, work supervised, 48 months
Register with DLI as an unlicensed electrician ($14), work under direct supervision, file work-experience verification forms, and after 48 months (≥24 wiring and installing) sit the journeyworker exam ($50).
Technical-college credit
A completed two-year post-high-school electrical course (board-approved) earns up to 12 months / 2,000 hours of experience credit toward the 48-month requirement.
Documented hours → exam
Out-of-state hours count if performed for a licensed electrical contractor and verified on DLI's experience forms; then take the Minnesota exam.
Out-of-state journeyworkers
Minnesota participates in journeyworker reciprocity with NERA-member states (Colorado lists Minnesota among its 14 partners) — an exam-gained license held 1+ year transfers; otherwise verified out-of-state contractor hours count toward the Minnesota exam.
License levels in Minnesota
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered unlicensed electrician | $14 initial registration; work under direct supervision of a journeyworker/master; renew $19 with 2 CE hours + experience form. | $14 |
| Class A Journeyworker | 48 months experience (≥24 wiring/installing) + written exam ($50). Renewal $53 / 2 years with 16 CE hours (12 NEC). | $50 |
| Master electrician | EE degree, OR 1 year as journeyworker, OR 5 years planning/laying out/supervising + exam. Renewal $93. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unlicensed registration (initial/renewal) | $14 / $19 |
| Journeyworker exam | $50 |
| Journeyworker renewal (2-year) | $53 |
| Master renewal | $93 |
The exam
| Provider | DLI (written exam) |
| Fees | $50 exam fee |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: NERA journeyworker reciprocity (exam-gained, held 1+ year); verified out-of-state contractor experience counts toward exam eligibility. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Journeyworker licenses expire every 2 years; 16 hours of DLI-approved CE (≥12 on the NEC). Registered unlicensed: 2 hours CE + $19 annually. Master licenses expire end of February in odd years.
Watch out: Power-limited technician, maintenance electrician and lineman classes have their own 48-month tracks. · Electrical contractor (business) licensing is separate.
Official sources for this page
Minnesota electrician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed electrician in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses electricians statewide through DLI. Register as an unlicensed electrician ($14) and work supervised; the Class A Journeyworker exam requires 48 months of experience (at least 24 wiring/installing), with up to 12 months' credit for a 2-year technical program. Exam $50; journeyworker renews every 2 years with 16 CE hours.
What does the Minnesota electrician license cost?
Published fees: Unlicensed registration (initial/renewal) $14 · Journeyworker exam $50 · Journeyworker renewal (2-year) $53 · Master renewal $93. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does Minnesota have electrician license reciprocity?
NERA journeyworker reciprocity (exam-gained, held 1+ year); verified out-of-state contractor experience counts toward exam eligibility.
How often does the license renew and how much continuing education is required?
Journeyworker licenses expire every 2 years; 16 hours of DLI-approved CE (≥12 on the NEC). Registered unlicensed: 2 hours CE + $19 annually. Master licenses expire end of February in odd years.
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