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

Minnesota Master Electrician License: Requirements and How to Apply

The Class A master electrician license is the top individual electrical license the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) issues. A master can plan, lay out and supervise electrical work, and can serve as the responsible licensed person for an electrical contractor. Here is what it takes.

Experience

Minnesota Rules 3800.3520 sets a minimum of 60 months of experience for a Class A master, including:

• planning installations — at least 2 months (up to 12 months credited),
• laying out installations — at least 2 months (up to 12),
• supervising installations — at least 2 months (up to 12),
• wiring for and installing electrical wiring and equipment — at least 12 months (up to 48),
• wiring and maintaining process control systems — up to 12 months.

A two-year post-secondary electrical program can count for up to 12 months (2,000 hours).

Applying and testing

1. Apply to DLI with your documented experience and the $50 application and examination fee; the license fee is due after you pass.
2. Schedule ahead — no walk-ins, one reschedule.
3. Sit the exam: 80 questions in 5½ hours, 70% to pass, on the 2026 NEC. DLI rates master questions harder than journeyworker questions. What is on the exam has the details.

Results are emailed within about two weeks. After a failed attempt you can reapply 30 days after notification, with a new application and fee.

Licensed in another state?

At the master level, Minnesota has reciprocal agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. You must have passed that state's own 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.

Keeping the license

16 hours of continuing education per renewal, at least 12 on the National Electrical Code. A master license is exempt from CE in its first pro-rated term; every term after that needs the full 16 hours.

Getting ready

Fewer than half of master attempts passed in 2026 (49.3%). Try our free 10-question practice test on the 2026 NEC, or see the full Minnesota Master Electrician exam prep.