Minnesota Electrician Exam

Electrician Practice

To get licensed in Minnesota, electricians are required to take an exam that covers such subjects as circuits, conductors, grounding, lighting and safety. Whether you live in Minneapolis or St. Paul or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your electrician’s license.

Need of a License: All electrical contractors and electricians performing work within the state must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. There is no city or county licensing.

Qualifications and Exam Requirements

Applicants must pass a written exam. Types of licenses and qualifications for each are:

Contractor
Applicants must be a licensed master electrician or employ a licensed class “A” or “B” master electrician. There are performance bond and liability insurance limit requirements.

Electrical Contractor (Business)  Information and application forms

Master Electrician
Master Electrician (Class A)
An applicant for a Class “A” Master electrician’s license must be (a) a graduate of a four-year electrical course in an accredited college or university; or (b) have had at least one year of experience as a licensed journeyman; or (c) shall have had at least five years experience in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, and power. Applicants must pass an examination.

Journeyman Electrician
An applicant for a Class “A” Journeyman electrician’s license must have had at least four years of experience in installing and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment. Credit may be given for successful completion of an approved two-year post-high school course. Applicants must pass an examination.

Maintenance Electrician
An applicant must have at least four years experience in maintaining and repairing electrical wiring and equipment, and pass an examination. A maximum one-year experience credit is allowed for the successful completion of an approved two-year post-high school technical course.

How to Apply for the License

Contractor - License Application

Master Electrician - License Application

Journeyman Electrician - License Application

Before you can schedule an examination date, the department must verify that you qualify for a license. Qualified applicants are notified by mail when verification is complete, and then are directed to the department's website to schedule an exam. Only applicants qualified by the department to take an examination will be allowed to schedule an examination.

Test Content

The following knowledge areas are tested on the master and journeyman exams:

  • Introduction - Rules, jurisdiction and NEC
  • General - Definitions, labels, interpretation, work space
  • Wiring and Protection
  • Wiring Methods and Materials
  • Equipment for General Use
  • Special Occupancies
  • Special Conditions
  • Communication Systems
  • Tables
  • Applied Electrical Theory, Electrical Systems and Equipment

Electrician Candidate Booklet - License Examination Guide

Passing Grade: 70%
Exam Details: 5.5 hours, 80 questions

Fees: There are fees to obtain a license.

License Renewal Requirements

Contractor - licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal.

Master Electrician - Biennial: expires March 1 of each odd-numbered year

Journeyman Electrician - Biennial, on the date of original issuance

Applicable Code: NEC 2020

Contact

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5005

 

To prepare for your electrician exam, use the following two practice exams by Ray Holder (Master Electrician and Certified Electrical Trade Instructor) which have 300 questions with fully explained answers:

For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's Journeyman and Master Electrician Test Guide.

And take Tests.com's free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test and the Master Electrician Practice Test.

For electrician exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's Journeyman Electrician Exam and Master Electrician Exam listings.