State license

Minnesota Journeyman Electrician License

Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician

Last updated: October 24, 2026

Minnesota licenses Class A journeyworker electricians at the state level. The Department of Labor and Industry gives its own exam. You need at least 48 months of experience, including 24 months wiring and installing electrical equipment. The exam has 80 questions and a 5.5 hour limit. You need 70% to pass.

The facts, from the source

Who licenses: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing (Class A Journeyworker) (dli.mn.gov)
Exam vendor: State-administered. DLI proctors exams at its St. Paul office and at regional MnDOT and college sites. (dli.mn.gov)
Exam (questions/time): 80 questions, 5.5 hours, single Class A Journeyworker exam. You can apply to retake 30 days after failing. (dli.mn.gov)
Open book / references: Open book, but only Department-provided materials: a soft-cover NEC without tabs or aids, the Laws and Rules Booklet, and a desk calculator. No personal materials or electronic devices in the building. (dli.mn.gov)
Passing score: 70% (dli.mn.gov)
NEC edition: 2026 NEC. The 2026 NEC became effective Aug. 17, 2026 and is the edition used for the exam questions (the edition adopted in the state building code at the time of the exam). (dli.mn.gov)
Experience required: A minimum total of 48 months, including at least 24 months wiring for and installing electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment (experience rule 3800.3520). Other work categories earn limited credit. A maximum of 1 year of credit is allowed for a two-year post-high-school electrical course approved by the board. Military electrical experience may earn credit. (dli.mn.gov)
Fees: Application and exam fee $50.00, non-refundable. Journeyworker base license fee $20 (1-year) or $40 (2-year), plus a board fee of $4 (1-year) or $8 (2-year) for licenses under 326B.31-326B.59. (dli.mn.gov)
Reciprocity: Journeyworker reciprocity with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The license must have been obtained by an exam at the state level, held at least 1 year, with a score at least equal to Minnesota's. (dli.mn.gov)

What’s on the exam

Knowledge areas follow the NEC chapters (2026 NEC), with a matrix for each license type in the DLI examination guide. Question counts per topic are not published.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Construction Codes and Licensing; Board of Electricity) ↗

Checked twice against the board and exam bulletin, October 24, 2026

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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.