Licensing

Minnesota Electrical Licenses and Registrations

Minnesota licenses electricians statewide. The journeyman-level credential is the Class A Journeyworker Electrician, issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes (Minn. Stat. 326B.33), checked 2026-10-07

Before you start: You need this state credential before you start electrical work in Minnesota.

Credential: Registered Unlicensed Individual - Electrical (RE) or Power Limited Technician (RT)
Issued by: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Fee: $14.00 new registration

Official source · Checked 2026-10-07

Page last reviewed 2026-10-01 against official sources; credential requirements checked 2026-09-06. Confirm with the issuing authority before applying.

Licensed in another state? See reviewed routes into Minnesota.

How electrical licensing works in Minnesota

Minnesota DLI licenses individual electrical workers and contracting businesses separately. Starting out usually means registering as an unlicensed electrician or power-limited technician and working under qualified supervision. A personal license does not replace the business license needed to contract for electrical work.

Choose the credential below that matches your work. This page covers 17 personal-license, supervised-registration, contractor and employer-registration identities, including credentials restricted to existing holders. Elevator credentials and every possible exemption are outside this page’s coverage.

Credential-specific requirements

Requirements differ by credential. Expand any credential for the work or business activity you plan to perform. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry unless noted.

Registered Unlicensed Electrician (RE) Individual registration — supervised work

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Electrical work within the employer’s authority, under direct supervision of an appropriately licensed person employed by the same employer. No supervision or assignment of other unlicensed workers. Supervisory limit: two unlicensed workers for non-technology work.
Experience or qualification: Register before performing covered work. Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009, does not count toward licensure if earned while neither registered nor licensed. RE and RT are separate selections on the same unlicensed-individual form.
Examination: No examination for this registration; it does not grant a personal electrician or technician license.
Initial fee: $14 new registration; no examination fee.
Renewal: Annual registration; $19 timely renewal ($24 late). Complete two hours of approved NEC CE before expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class A Journeyworker Electrician Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Perform and supervise electrical work, except planning or layout, as an employee, partner or officer of a licensed contractor; employer-premises work requires the statutory master-electrician supervision.
Experience or qualification: 48 months of acceptable experience, including at least 24 months wiring/installation. Up to 12 months may be credited for completing a DLI-approved two-year post-high-school electrical course. Other experience categories have separate credit caps; provide signed work verification for each employer and year.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class A Master Electrician Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Plan, lay out, perform and supervise electrical work for a licensed contractor or on the employer’s owned or leased premises within the statutory employment conditions. This personal license is separate from the contractor business license.
Experience or qualification: Qualify through a four-year accredited electrical course, one year of acceptable experience as a licensed journeyworker, or five years of acceptable electrical experience. For the 60-month experience route, Rule 3800.3520 requires at least two months each planning, layout and supervision, and 12 months wiring/installation; category credit caps also apply. Submit employer verification and original transcripts for education credit.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $88 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Renew before March 1 of odd-numbered years (ordinary two-year cycle); $93 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours. DLI states no CE is required in the first year of a master license.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class A Electrical Contractor Contractor/business license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Business authorization to contract for electrical work. Authorized work is limited to the classes of work the responsible licensed individual may perform; the business license does not itself authorize personal electrical work.
Experience or qualification: Designate a responsible master electrician; maintain a $25,000 surety bond, required liability insurance and workers’ compensation compliance. Submit the applicable responsible-individual certificate and business application.
Examination: No separate business-license examination listed; the responsible individual must meet the applicable personal credential requirements.
Initial fee: $188 new business license. Bond premiums and insurance are separate costs.
Renewal: Renew before March 1 of even-numbered years; ordinary two-year cycle, $188 timely renewal ($278 late). Maintain the responsible individual, bond and insurance. Personal-license CE remains separate.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class B Electrical Contractor (EB) Contractor/business license

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Business authorization to contract for electrical work. Authorized work is limited to the classes of work the responsible licensed individual may perform; the business license does not itself authorize personal electrical work.
Experience or qualification: Designate a responsible master electrician; maintain a $25,000 surety bond, required liability insurance and workers’ compensation compliance. Submit the applicable responsible-individual certificate and business application. Confirm Class B eligibility and application availability directly with DLI before applying.
Examination: No separate business-license examination listed; the responsible individual must meet the applicable personal credential requirements.
Initial fee: —
Renewal: Renew before March 1 of even-numbered years; ordinary two-year cycle, $188 timely renewal ($278 late). Maintain the responsible individual, bond and insurance. Personal-license CE remains separate.

Electrical Employer Registration Employer registration — employer premises

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Employer registration for employee electrical, technology or maintenance work on the employer’s premises. It is not a contractor license to offer work to the public.
Experience or qualification: Submit workers’ compensation compliance and the appropriate certificate of employment or supervision. Construction/maintenance certificates use a master electrician or PLT; maintenance-only certificates have separate responsible-person options. Choose the form matching the work.
Examination: No separate employer-registration examination listed; responsible-person qualifications depend on the selected certificate.
Initial fee: $100 registration/certificate filing.
Renewal: The responsible-person certificate expires two years after filing; resubmit with the $100 filing fee to keep it current. Keep the appropriate employment/supervision certification current.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class B Installer Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Lay out and install wiring and equipment on center-pivot irrigation booms on the load side of the main service on farmsteads, plus other equipment approved by DLI.
Experience or qualification: Complete a DLI-approved post-high-school electricity course or one year of approved electrical-wiring experience. A $1,000 bond is required as a condition of licensure.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Registered Unlicensed Power-Limited Technician (RT) Individual registration — supervised work

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Technology circuits/systems within the employer’s authority, under direct supervision of an appropriately licensed person employed by the same employer. No supervision or assignment of other unlicensed workers. Supervisory limit: three unlicensed workers for technology work.
Experience or qualification: Register before performing covered work. Minnesota experience after January 1, 2009, does not count toward licensure if earned while neither registered nor licensed. RE and RT are separate selections on the same unlicensed-individual form.
Examination: No examination for this registration; it does not grant a personal electrician or technician license.
Initial fee: $14 new registration; no examination fee.
Renewal: Annual registration; $19 timely renewal ($24 late). Complete two hours of approved NEC CE before expiration.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Power Limited Technician Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Install, alter, repair, plan, lay out and supervise technology circuits or systems within the licensed-contractor or employer-premises conditions in section 326B.33, subdivision 7.
Experience or qualification: A four-year accredited electrical course or 36 months of acceptable power-limited-system experience. DLI may allow up to 12 months (2,000 hours) for approved post-high-school electrical or other technical training. Rule 3800.3520 category minima and credit caps apply.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal; 16 approved CE hours, including at least four NEC hours.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Satellite System Installer Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Satellite broadcast communication systems only, working for a licensed contractor. This does not authorize other power-limited-technician work.
Experience or qualification: Provide certification of successful completion of the SBCA National Standards and Testing Program or another board-approved program. DLI’s exam application exempts satellite applicants from the work-experience verification form.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal; four approved NEC CE hours.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Lineman Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Install, maintain and repair transmission and distribution systems that are or will be owned or leased by an electric utility.
Experience or qualification: 48 months of acceptable electrical-utility wiring, installation and repair experience, with the applicable Rule 3800.3520 experience-category limits.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $48 renewal. DLI lists no continuing education requirement.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Maintenance Electrician Personal license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Maintain and repair wiring and equipment while employed by a contractor, or as a full-time employee of one employer on that employer’s owned or leased equipment within its owned or leased property.
Experience or qualification: 48 months of acceptable experience, including at least 24 months maintenance/repair under the rule’s matrix. Up to one year of credit may be allowed for a DLI-approved two-year post-high-school electrical course. Category credit caps apply.
Examination: Pass the DLI personal-license examination after eligibility approval. The application/examination charge and license issuance fee are separate.
Initial fee: $50 application/examination fee; $48 license issuance fee after passing.
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Technology Systems Contractor Contractor/business license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Business authorization to contract for technology circuits/systems. Authorized work is limited to the classes of work the responsible licensed individual may perform; the business license does not itself authorize personal electrical work.
Experience or qualification: Designate a responsible power limited technician; maintain a $25,000 surety bond, required liability insurance and workers’ compensation compliance. Submit the applicable responsible-individual certificate and business application.
Examination: No separate business-license examination listed; the responsible individual must meet the applicable personal credential requirements.
Initial fee: $188 new business license. Bond premiums and insurance are separate costs.
Renewal: Renew before August 1 of even-numbered years; ordinary two-year cycle, $188 timely renewal ($278 late). Maintain the responsible individual, bond and insurance. Personal-license CE remains separate.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Satellite System Contractor Contractor/business license — new applications available

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Business authorization to contract for satellite broadcast communication systems. Authorized work is limited to the classes of work the responsible licensed individual may perform; the business license does not itself authorize personal electrical work.
Experience or qualification: Designate a responsible satellite system installer; maintain a $25,000 surety bond, required liability insurance and workers’ compensation compliance. Submit the applicable responsible-individual certificate and business application.
Examination: No separate business-license examination listed; the responsible individual must meet the applicable personal credential requirements.
Initial fee: $188 new business license. Bond premiums and insurance are separate costs.
Renewal: Renew before August 1 of even-numbered years; ordinary two-year cycle, $188 timely renewal ($278 late). Maintain the responsible individual, bond and insurance. Personal-license CE remains separate.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Class B Journeyworker Electrician Personal license — existing holders only

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Retained Class B privileges cover single-phase systems up to 200 amperes on farmsteads or single-family dwellings in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.
Experience or qualification: No new licenses issued since August 1, 1985. Only qualifying existing holders may retain and renew.
Examination: Not a new-license examination route; existing-holder renewal only.
Initial fee: —
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. $53 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours.

Class B Master Electrician Personal license — existing holders only

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Retained Class B privileges cover single-phase systems up to 200 amperes on farmsteads or single-family dwellings in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.
Experience or qualification: No new licenses issued since August 1, 1985. Only qualifying existing holders may retain and renew.
Examination: Not a new-license examination route; existing-holder renewal only.
Initial fee: —
Renewal: Renew before March 1 of odd-numbered years; $93 renewal. 16 approved hours per renewal, including at least 12 National Electrical Code hours.

Class A Installer Personal license — existing holders only

Issuing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry →
Scope of work: Lay out, install and supervise wiring for major electrical home appliances on the load side of the main service on farmsteads and in qualifying towns or municipalities below 1,500 inhabitants, not contiguous to a first-class city and without an established contractor business.
Experience or qualification: No new licenses issued since December 1, 2007. Only qualifying existing holders may retain and renew.
Examination: Not a new-license examination route; existing-holder renewal only.
Initial fee: —
Renewal: Two-year term from original issuance; renew for each subsequent two-year term. Renewal fee not verified; ask DLI for the Class A installer renewal instructions. A $1,000 installer bond is required. 16 approved CE hours, including at least 12 NEC hours, are required by Rule 3800.3602.

Licensed in another state?

Minnesota has a reviewed application route for some licenses from 8 states. A route can waive an exam or some experience; you still need the Minnesota credential before you work. Expand a state for the routes and their requirements.

Alaska Reciprocity

If you hold: Alaska journeyman electrician certificate (Alaska DOLWD Mechanical Inspection Section), exam-tested at the state level under AS 08.40 / 8 AAC 90
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license without examination by reciprocity (Minnesota DLI, Construction Codes and Licensing; Minn. Stat. 326B)

To apply:

have obtained the same or greater class of license in Alaska by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
have held the license for at least one year in Alaska
the license must be current and in good standing in Alaska
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke
submit the application and examination fee of $50 with the application (form ele_reciprocity.pdf); license fee due upon approval

Limits:

Alaska is absent from the Class A master electrician no-exam list (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska), consistent with Alaska issuing no statewide master class - journeyman lane only
license holders who have not renewed within two years after expiration do not qualify for the reciprocal lane and must retake and pass the license examination
Minnesota's reciprocity page covers individual journeyworker/master licenses only - no AK electrical contractor route is asserted
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-19.

Alaska licensing →

Arkansas Reciprocity

If you hold: Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners journeyman electrician license obtained by state-level examination (or Arkansas master electrician license as equivalent-of-master), original license, current and in good standing
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license (Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

license obtained by examination at state level
held at least 1 year in Arkansas
current and in good standing
has not failed the same or greater class of Minnesota exam
no Minnesota order of denial/suspension/revocation
application plus $50 examination fee; license fee due on approval

Limits:

journeyworker level only; Minnesota master reciprocity list does not include Arkansas
continuing education and renewal duties after issuance; the Minnesota license must be issued before work and the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-17.

Arkansas licensing →

Colorado Reciprocity

If you hold: Colorado journeyman electrician license (Colorado State Electrical Board, DORA DPO), obtained by state-level examination
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license without examination (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

obtained the journeyworker-level license in Colorado by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
held the license for at least one year in the first state
license current and in good standing in Colorado
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke a Minnesota electrical license
submit the application with the $50 application and examination fee; license fee due after approval

Limits:

journeyworker credential only; the Minnesota Class A Master reciprocal list omits Colorado and only a master-equivalent journeyworker license is available to CO master licensees
Minnesota licenses individuals and separately registers electrical contractors (Minn. Stat. 326B.46)
a license not renewed within 2 years after expiration disqualifies the reciprocity lane
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-18.

Colorado licensing →

Iowa Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: Iowa Class A Journeyman Electrician license (Iowa Electrical Examining Board, Iowa Code ch. 103), exam-based (PSI national exam on the 2023 NEC)
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license by reciprocity (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; Minn. Stat. 326B)

To apply:

hold a current Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered, 2023 NEC; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Iowa
hold the Iowa license for at least one year before applying
have obtained the same or greater class of license in Iowa by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota examination and not be under any order to deny, suspend, or revoke any class of Minnesota electrical license
submit the Application for electrical license reciprocity with the $50 application and examination fee, then the license fee upon approval; meet all continuing education and renewal requirements

Limits:

a license not renewed within two years after expiration does not qualify; the Minnesota examination must then be retaken and passed
Class B credentials are not named on the reciprocity page and their restricted scope makes equivalence questionable (not clearly covered)
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

If you hold: Iowa Class A Master Electrician license (Iowa Electrical Examining Board, Iowa Code ch. 103), exam-based (PSI national exam on the 2023 NEC)
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A master electrician license by reciprocity (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; Minn. Stat. 326B)

To apply:

hold a current Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) license obtained by examination (PSI-administered, 2023 NEC; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Iowa
hold the Iowa license for at least one year before applying
have obtained the same or greater class of license in Iowa by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota examination and not be under any order to deny, suspend, or revoke any class of Minnesota electrical license
submit the Application for electrical license reciprocity with the $50 application and examination fee, then the license fee upon approval; meet all continuing education and renewal requirements

Limits:

a license not renewed within two years after expiration does not qualify; the Minnesota examination must then be retaken and passed
Class B credentials are not named on the reciprocity page and their restricted scope makes equivalence questionable (not clearly covered)
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

Iowa licensing →

Montana Reciprocity

If you hold: Montana journeyman electrician license (Montana State Electrical Board, Montana DLI), obtained by state-level examination
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license without examination (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

obtained the journeyworker-level license in Montana by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
held the license for at least one year in Montana
license current and in good standing in Montana
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke a Minnesota electrical license
submit the application with the $50 application and examination fee; license fee due after approval

Limits:

journeyworker credential only; the Minnesota Class A Master reciprocal list omits Montana and only a master-equivalent journeyworker license is available to MT master licensees
Minnesota licenses individuals and separately registers electrical contractors (Minn. Stat. 326B.46)
a license lapsed more than 2 years after expiration disqualifies the reciprocity lane
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-18.

Montana licensing →

Nebraska Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam)
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license without examination under the reciprocity agreement (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

hold a current Nebraska State Electrical Board (NSED) license obtained by examination (75% or greater on the state exam; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Nebraska
hold the Nebraska license for at least one year before applying
submit the Application for electrical license reciprocity (ele_reciprocity.pdf) with the $50 application/examination fee, then the required license fee upon approval
have obtained the same or greater class of license in Nebraska by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
not have failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota and not be under any order to deny, suspend, or revoke any class of electrical license in Minnesota

Limits:

continuing education and renewal requirements apply once licensed; a Minnesota license not renewed within two years after expiration disqualifies the licensee from the reciprocal agreements (re-examination required)
no contractor-tier reciprocity is published; restricted Nebraska residential credentials are not named on the reciprocity page
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

If you hold: Nebraska Master Electrician license (Nebraska State Electrical Board; Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 81, art. 21), exam-based (75% or greater on the state exam)
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A master electrician license without examination under the reciprocity agreement (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

hold a current Nebraska State Electrical Board (NSED) license obtained by examination (75% or greater on the state exam; not grandfathered or waived)
be in good standing with no disciplinary action or open complaints in Nebraska
hold the Nebraska license for at least one year before applying
submit the Application for electrical license reciprocity (ele_reciprocity.pdf) with the $50 application/examination fee, then the required license fee upon approval
have obtained the same or greater class of license in Nebraska by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
not have failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota and not be under any order to deny, suspend, or revoke any class of electrical license in Minnesota

Limits:

continuing education and renewal requirements apply once licensed; a Minnesota license not renewed within two years after expiration disqualifies the licensee from the reciprocal agreements (re-examination required)
no contractor-tier reciprocity is published; restricted Nebraska residential credentials are not named on the reciprocity page
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the reciprocal agreement is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-22.

Nebraska licensing →

South Dakota Reciprocity · 2 routes

If you hold: South Dakota journeyman electrician license (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR), exam-earned at the state level under SDCL 36-16
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license without examination by reciprocity (Minnesota DLI, Construction Codes and Licensing; Minn. Stat. 326B)

To apply:

have obtained the same or greater class of license in South Dakota by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
have held the license for at least one year in South Dakota
the license must be current and in good standing in South Dakota
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke
submit the application and examination fee of $50 with the application (form ele_reciprocity.pdf); license fee due upon approval

Limits:

license holders who have not renewed within two years after expiration do not qualify for the reciprocal lane and must retake and pass the license examination
applicants holding the equivalent of a Minnesota master electrician license may also obtain the journeyworker license under the agreements
Minnesota's reciprocity page covers individual journeyworker/master licenses only - no SD electrical contractor route is asserted
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-19.

If you hold: South Dakota master electrician license (South Dakota Electrical Commission, DLR), exam-earned at the state level under SDCL 36-16
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A master electrician license without examination by reciprocity (Minnesota DLI, Construction Codes and Licensing; Minn. Stat. 326B)

To apply:

have obtained the same or greater class of license in South Dakota by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
have held the license for at least one year in South Dakota
the license must be current and in good standing in South Dakota
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke
submit the application and examination fee of $50 with the application (form ele_reciprocity.pdf); license fee due upon approval

Limits:

license holders who have not renewed within two years after expiration do not qualify for the reciprocal lane and must retake and pass the license examination
Minnesota's reciprocity page covers individual journeyworker/master licenses only - no SD electrical contractor route is asserted
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-19.

South Dakota licensing →

Wyoming Reciprocity

If you hold: Wyoming journeyman electrician license (Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office / Electrical Board), obtained by state-level examination
You can apply for: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license without examination (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)

To apply:

obtained the journeyworker-level license in Wyoming by examination at the state level (not through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision)
held the license for at least one year in Wyoming
license current and in good standing in Wyoming
must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license examination and must not be under any order to deny, suspend or revoke a Minnesota electrical license
submit the Application for Electrical License Reciprocity with the $50 application and examination fee; license fee due after approval

Limits:

journeyworker credential only; the Minnesota Class A Master reciprocal list omits Wyoming and only a master-equivalent journeyworker license is available to WY master licensees
Minnesota licenses individuals and separately registers electrical contractors (Minn. Stat. 326B.46)
the Minnesota license must be issued before work; the examination waiver is not authority to work

Reciprocity. Official source · Checked 2026-09-17.

Wyoming licensing →

Reviewed and found no reciprocity or exam-waiver agreement for licenses from these states. You can still apply through the standard route:

Texas (source, checked 2026-09-22)
Utah (source, checked 2026-09-17)

Taking your Minnesota license elsewhere

Reviewed routes for Minnesota licensees, with requirements on each receiving state's page:

Alaska: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B), exam-based (DLI) → Alaska Electrical Journeyman Certificate of Fitness by reciprocity (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section; AS 08.18 and 12 AAC 46) (reciprocity)
Arkansas: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license → Arkansas Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Colorado: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B), exam-based (DLI) → Colorado Journeyman Electrician certificate by the NERA reciprocal pathway (Colorado State Electrical Board, Division of Professions and Occupations / DORA; C.R.S. Title 12, Article 115, 3 CCR 720-4) (reciprocity)
Iowa: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license → Iowa Class A Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Iowa: Minnesota Class A Master Electrician license → Iowa Class A Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
Iowa: Minnesota Class A Master Electrician license → Iowa Class A Master Electrician license (reciprocity)
Nebraska: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B), exam-based (DLI) → Nebraska Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151) (reciprocity)
Nebraska: Minnesota electrical contractor firm posture (a DLI-certified Class A journeyworker/master electrician behind the contracting firm; Minnesota has no separate contractor license number, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B) → Nebraska Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (Nebraska State Electrical Board / NSED; Nebraska State Electrical Act, R.R.S. Neb. §§ 81-2101 to 81-2151) (reciprocity)
North Dakota: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license → North Dakota Journeyman Electrician license (reciprocity)
North Dakota: Minnesota Class A Master Electrician license → North Dakota Master Electrician license (reciprocity)
South Dakota: Minnesota Class A Journeyworker Electrician license (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B), exam-based (DLI) → South Dakota Journeyman Electrician license by reciprocal agreement (South Dakota Electrical Commission, SD Department of Labor and Regulation; SDCL 36-16-23) (reciprocity)
South Dakota: Minnesota electrical contractor firm posture (a DLI-certified Class A journeyworker/master electrician behind the contracting firm; Minnesota has no separate contractor license number, Minn. Stat. ch. 326B) → South Dakota Electrical Contractor license by reciprocal agreement (South Dakota Electrical Commission, SD Department of Labor and Regulation; SDCL 36-16-23) (reciprocity)
Wyoming: Minnesota Class A journeyworker electrician license → Wyoming Journeyman Electrician license (exam waiver)

Choosing your route

For general electrical work, the Class A journeyworker route requires verified experience; the Class A master route includes separate experience or education alternatives. Approved education can reduce some experience requirements, but a school certificate alone is not permission to work. Specialty credentials authorize only their stated work.

DLI measures qualifying experience by work category, with different minima and credit caps. The personal exam packet requires records for each employer and year and states a maximum of 160 credited hours per month or 2,000 per year. Review the complete experience matrix before counting school, maintenance, line or technology work toward a broader license.

Existing holders and business responsibilities

New Class B master and journeyworker licenses stopped on August 1, 1985; new Class A installer licenses stopped on December 1, 2007. Existing holders may retain and renew within their restricted scopes. The fee schedule’s new-fee entry for Class B master does not override that statutory restriction. For Class A installer, confirm the current renewal charge with DLI; the continuing-education rule expressly includes this license.

Class B Electrical Contractor (EB) remains listed in DLI’s fee schedule with a renewal fee and no new-license fee. That table does not establish whether DLI accepts new applications for this category. Ask DLI about eligibility and the correct form; do not assume the personal Class B issuance restriction automatically answers the business-license question.

A contracting business must keep its responsible licensed individual, bond and insurance in place. Employer registration is for work on the employer’s premises and uses different certificates for construction and maintenance-only work. Select the appropriate certificate in DLI’s employer packet.

Reciprocity into Minnesota

DLI lists examination-waiver agreements for Class A journeyworker applicants licensed by examination in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wyoming, and for Class A master applicants from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Nebraska. The original license must generally have been held for at least one year and remain in good standing; other conditions apply. These are routes into Minnesota for the specified personal license, not contractor licenses or an assurance of privileges in the other state. Use DLI’s reciprocity application guidance.

Before you apply

Use the credential’s official application or forms link. Existing personal-license holders can use DLI’s renewal form; businesses should follow contractor renewal instructions. Check the expiration shown on your DLI record and complete required education within the preceding term. Late fees and course tuition are separate from the listed ordinary fees.

Use DLI’s license and registration lookup to verify a record. A license does not replace job-specific permits or inspections; check the authority responsible for the job site. This page does not provide a local permit-office directory. For an unresolved Class B contractor or Class A installer question, contact DLI licensing at 651-284-5034 before submitting an application. This page was re-verified against dli.mn.gov on October 1, 2026.

View Application Information → License Lookup →

Cite this page

Title: Minnesota Electrical Licenses and Registrations
URL: https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/minnesota
Information checked: 2026-10-01

Suggested citation: Minnesota Electrical Licenses and Registrations. Trades Directory. https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/minnesota (information checked 2026-10-01).

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Minnesota Electrical Licenses and Registrations

How electrical licensing works in Minnesota

Credential-specific requirements

Licensed in another state?

Taking your Minnesota license elsewhere

Choosing your route

Existing holders and business responsibilities

Reciprocity into Minnesota

Before you apply

Related Resources for Minnesota