Overview
Minnesota operates one of the most structured and category-intensive electrical apprentice licensing programs in the United States, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Minnesota, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training across six distinct work categories plus 576 hours of approved classroom instruction. Minnesota is unique in that it tracks experience in months rather than just hours — the state considers 48 months of full-time work equivalent to 8,000 hours at approximately 167 hours per month.
Since January 2009, all electrical apprentices in Minnesota must register as "registered unlicensed electricians" before they can begin accumulating qualifying hours. This registration requirement ensures that all apprentices are tracked in the DLI system from day one and that their work is properly supervised. The six-category system with individual credit caps ensures that every licensed journeyman has broad experience across different types of electrical work, from core wiring and installation to specialized areas like elevator installation and process control systems.
Minnesota also stands out for its extensive reciprocity agreements with nine states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. This makes a Minnesota journeyman license one of the most portable in the northern United States. However, reciprocity is not automatic — you must apply through DLI and meet specific conditions for each reciprocal state. Processing times for license applications average approximately 60 days, so plan accordingly.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Minnesota requires 8,000 hours across 6 categories. Plus 576 hours of classroom instruction.
Wiring & Installing
Installation of electrical wiring, conduit systems, panels, switchgear, and related electrical infrastructure in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. This is the core category and carries a 4,000-hour minimum — at least half of all OJT hours must come from wiring and installation work. There is no upper cap; all 8,000 hours may come from this category.
Maintaining & Repairing
Maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of existing electrical systems. Includes preventive maintenance, circuit diagnostics, component replacement, and system upgrades. Capped at 4,000 hours maximum credit.
Line Work
Work on overhead and underground power distribution lines, utility poles, transformers, and related utility infrastructure. Strictly capped at 500 hours, reflecting its specialized nature and limited applicability to inside wireman licensing.
Installing Elevators
Electrical installation and wiring for elevator systems, including motor controls, safety circuits, signaling systems, and cab wiring. Capped at 1,000 hours.
Technology Circuits & Systems
Installation and maintenance of low-voltage technology systems including data networking, telecommunications, audio/video, security, and building automation. Capped at 1,000 hours.
Process Control Circuits & Systems
Installation and maintenance of industrial process control systems including PLCs, SCADA, instrumentation, and automated manufacturing controls. Capped at 2,000 hours.
Application Process
- 1
Register as a "registered unlicensed electrician" with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). This registration has been mandatory since January 2009 and must be completed before your hours begin counting.
- 2
Work under the direct supervision of a licensed Minnesota Journeyman or Master Electrician. Your supervisor must hold a current, active Minnesota license.
- 3
Complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (equivalent to 48 months at 167 hrs/month) across the six work categories, ensuring at least 4,000 hours in Wiring & Installing.
- 4
Complete 576 hours of approved classroom instruction through your apprenticeship program or an approved education provider. Classroom topics must cover the NEC, electrical theory, Minnesota electrical code, and safety.
- 5
Obtain the experience verification forms from DLI. Minnesota accepts digital submissions through its online licensing portal.
- 6
Have your supervising electrician(s) verify your hours. Each period of work under a different supervisor requires separate verification.
- 7
Submit your completed application to DLI along with your classroom completion certificates and the required fee. Allow approximately 60 days for processing.
- 8
Once DLI verifies your hours and education, you will receive authorization to schedule the Journeyman Electrician examination.
- 9
Pass the exam and pay the license fee. Your journeyman license is valid for two years (biennial renewal).
Important Rules & Gotchas
Registration required since 2009: You must register as a "registered unlicensed electrician" with DLI before any hours count. Hours worked before registration are not recoverable.
Wiring & Installing minimum is 4,000 hours: At least half your total hours must come from the core wiring and installation category. Apprentices who spend too much time on maintenance or specialty work will not qualify.
60-day processing time: Minnesota DLI takes approximately 60 days to process license applications. Factor this into your timeline and submit well before you need your license.
Monthly tracking: Minnesota tracks experience in months (48 months = 8,000 hours at 167 hrs/month). If you work part-time or have gaps, your month count will differ from your hour count. DLI may request clarification.
Category caps are strict: Line Work is capped at only 500 hours, and Technology Circuits at 1,000 hours. If you work in a specialty shop, monitor your caps carefully — hours beyond a cap do not count.
Reciprocity is not automatic: While Minnesota has agreements with 9 states (AK, AR, CO, IA, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY), you must still apply through DLI and provide documentation. Processing times for reciprocity applications are the same 60 days.
CE requirements are split: The 16 CE hours per biennial cycle must include 12 hours on the NEC and 4 hours on professional development. You cannot do all 16 hours on a single topic.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Minnesota requires 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, typically completed over the course of a 4-5 year apprenticeship. Classes are usually held in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate working apprentices.
Classroom instruction must cover the current National Electrical Code (NEC), Minnesota electrical code amendments, electrical theory and calculations, AC/DC circuits, blueprint and schematic reading, electrical safety practices (OSHA standards), and motor controls.
Most apprentices complete classroom hours through their JATC or registered apprenticeship program. If you are in an employer-sponsored program, verify that your education provider is approved by DLI.
Minnesota gives credit for related technical instruction completed through accredited programs. If you completed classroom hours in a reciprocal state, DLI may accept those hours — contact DLI to verify before relying on out-of-state credits.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Minnesota Journeyman Electrician licenses must be renewed every two years (biennial). The renewal fee is $53 — relatively affordable compared to many states.
You must complete 16 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal cycle. The 16 hours are split into two categories: 12 hours must cover the National Electrical Code (NEC updates and code changes), and 4 hours must cover professional development topics.
CE courses must be from providers approved by the Minnesota DLI. Many providers offer approved courses both in-person and online.
Renewal can be completed online through the DLI licensing portal. DLI sends renewal notices before your expiration date, but it is your responsibility to renew on time.
If your license expires, you must stop performing electrical work. Late renewal may require additional fees and completion of outstanding CE hours.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Register as an unlicensed electrician with DLI immediately. Do not work a single hour before confirming your registration is active. This is a non-negotiable prerequisite since 2009.
Focus on Wiring & Installing from the start. With a 4,000-hour minimum in this core category, you need at least half your apprenticeship in installation work. If your current assignment is primarily maintenance, discuss rotation with your employer.
Track both hours and months. Minnesota uses months as a parallel metric (48 months = 8,000 hours). Log your hours daily but also note which calendar months you worked, as DLI may reference either metric.
Monitor all six category caps actively. Line Work (500 hrs), Installing Elevators (1,000 hrs), and Technology Circuits (1,000 hrs) have relatively low caps. Stop logging to a capped category and redirect your efforts.
Submit early to account for processing time. With a 60-day average processing window, submit your application at least 3 months before you need your license. Incomplete applications reset the clock.
Use WireHours to track all six categories simultaneously with real-time cap warnings and minimum progress tracking. The app shows your Wiring & Installing minimum progress and alerts you when any category approaches its cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hour categories does Minnesota have for electrical apprentices?
Minnesota has six categories: Wiring & Installing (min 4,000 hrs, no cap), Maintaining & Repairing (cap 4,000 hrs), Line Work (cap 500 hrs), Installing Elevators (cap 1,000 hrs), Technology Circuits & Systems (cap 1,000 hrs), and Process Control Circuits & Systems (cap 2,000 hrs). Wiring & Installing is the only category with a minimum requirement.
Does Minnesota have reciprocity with other states?
Yes. Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming — nine states total. However, reciprocity is not automatic; you must apply through DLI and meet specific conditions. Processing takes approximately 60 days.
What does "registered unlicensed electrician" mean in Minnesota?
Since January 2009, all electrical apprentices in Minnesota must register with the Department of Labor and Industry as a "registered unlicensed electrician" before they can begin accumulating qualifying hours. This registration ensures proper tracking and supervision. Hours worked before registration do not count.
How long does it take to process a Minnesota electrician license application?
Minnesota DLI takes approximately 60 days to process journeyman electrician license applications. This includes verification of your hours, classroom completion, and any out-of-state credentials. Plan your timeline accordingly and submit well in advance of when you need your license.
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