Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician License: Requirements, Experience, and How to Apply

Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician License: Requirements and How to Apply

Minnesota licenses electricians through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), with the Board of Electricity setting the licensing rules. The Class A journeyworker license is the one for electricians who do the work under the supervision of a Class A master. Here is what it takes.

Experience

Minnesota Rules 3800.3520 sets a minimum of 48 months of experience for a Class A journeyworker, including at least 24 months wiring for and installing electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment. Up to 12 months of experience wiring and maintaining process control circuits can count toward the total.

A two-year, post-high-school electrical program approved by DLI can earn up to 12 months (2,000 hours) of experience credit. Military electrical experience can count too — include your DD214 with the application.

Applying and testing

1. Apply to DLI with your documented experience and the $50 application and examination fee. The license fee is separate and due after you pass.
2. Schedule the exam ahead of time. Walk-ins are not accepted, and you may reschedule once.
3. Sit the exam: 80 questions in 5½ hours, 70% to pass, on the 2026 NEC. What is on the exam covers the topics.

Results are emailed, generally within two weeks. If you fail, you can apply to retake the exam 30 days after you are notified, with a new application and fee.

Licensed in another state?

Minnesota has reciprocal agreements for journeyworker and master licenses with other states, at the master level with North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. To qualify you must have passed a state-level exam for the same or a higher class (not a grandfathered or reciprocal license), held the license at least a year, meet Minnesota's exam qualifications, and not have failed the same class of exam in Minnesota. You still apply with the $50 fee.

Keeping the license

Each renewal needs 16 hours of continuing education, at least 12 on the National Electrical Code; up to 4 may be related technical subjects or the Minnesota Electrical Act and Rules 3800 and 3801. Credits only count from DLI-approved programs and do not carry over to the next term.

Getting ready

Only 44.6% of journeyworker attempts passed in 2026. Try our free 10-question practice test on the 2026 NEC, or see the full Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician exam prep.