Minnesota requires a state-level electrician license. The licensing authority is DLI. The median salary is $78,550 per year.
Last updated 2026-05-08
Minnesota requires an electrician to hold a state license. Perform and supervise any electrical work except planning or laying out of electrical work. Licensing is administered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED required. |
| Work Experience | 8,000 hours (48 months) |
| Experience Details | Must include at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial settings. |
| Trade School Credit | A 2-year approved electrical program reduces requirement to 6,000 hours (36 months). |
Minnesota requires passing the Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician Exam with a minimum score of 70%. The exam is open book. The application fee is $50.
| Exam Name | Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician Exam |
| Format | 80 multiple choice questions |
| Time Limit | 5.5 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Code Edition | 2023 NEC |
| Open Book? | Yes — codebook permitted |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Practice with real exam-style questions based on the 2023 NEC.
Start Practice Exam — $2.99 →Getting licensed as an electrician in Minnesota takes 48 months on the typical path. Here are the steps.
The total cost includes an exam application fee of $50 and renewal fees of $35 every 2 years. Continuing education of 16 hours is required per renewal cycle.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $50 |
| License Renewal | $35 every 2 years |
| Renewal Deadline | Last day of February, odd-numbered years |
| Continuing Education | 16 hours (12 hrs code + 4 hrs elective) |
| Contractor License | |
| Contractor Fee | $150/year |
| Surety Bond | $25,000 |
| Insurance | Required — general liability + workers' comp |
Electricians in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI earn a median salary of $78,550, which is +27% more than the national average. Data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Once licensed, electricians in Minnesota handle projects with real cost variation by region — see electrical project costs in Minnesota.
| Mean (average) | $82,809 / year |
| Entry level (10th pct) | $51,230 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $108,450 |
| Total employed | 12,940 in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI |
| National average | $65,280 |
Yes — Minnesota has reciprocal licensing agreements that allow licensed electricians from 9 states to transfer their credentials without retaking the full exam.
Journeyworker Reciprocity (9 states)
Master Reciprocity (4 states)
Yes — Minnesota requires a state-level electrician license. Perform and supervise any electrical work except planning or laying out of electrical work.
The required exam is the Minnesota Journeyworker Electrician Exam. You need a score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $50.
The median annual salary for electricians in Minnesota is $78,550. The national median is $65,280.
Minnesota requires 16 hours of continuing education for license renewal every 2 years.
Yes — Minnesota has reciprocal licensing agreements with 9 states for journeyworker-level licenses.
The fastest path takes approximately 36 months. The typical path takes 48 months including experience requirements.