Electrician Classes in Montana (Top Schools)

In 2014, Montana was in the top 5 states with exceptional job growth.

The MT Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) expected a 21.4% increased demand for electricians between 2014 and 2024.

So if you want to be an electrician, now’s the time to do so.

Here’s how you can become a licensed electrician in Montana.

Potential Salary

As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics gathered the following salary information for Montana electricians:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $61,110
• Hourly – $29.38

Regional Salary

How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Montana

The MT State Electrical Board regulates and issues the licenses for the following individuals:

• Residential electrician
• Journeyman electrician
• Master electrician
• Limited electrical contractor
• Unlimited electrical contractor

For apprentice electricians, the MT DLI will oversee their registration with the state.

Becoming an Apprentice Electrician

Montana aims to help you become a proficient electrician, earning while learning the trade.

To be recognized as an apprentice, you must first register with the state through the MT Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

The RAP enables you to…

• Learn special skills and knowledge through structured supervised on-the-job training
• Supplement on-the-job training with related classroom instruction
• Gain at least 4,000 hours of practical experience

Becoming a Residential Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of the following:

• Completed an approved residential apprenticeship program
• At least 4,000 hours of practical experience
• At least 20,000 hours of experience in the electrical maintenance field, of which 8,000 hours must be from practical experience

You must also successfully pass the required licensure exam to obtain the license.

License Application

To apply for licensure by examination, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Application fee – $240
• If you completed an apprenticeship program, a copy of your apprenticeship completion certificate or letter from the union or trade association
• If you’re using experience, verification of residential experience

Exam Details

The Board has contracted with PSI to help administer the exams.

Here are the details for the residential electrician exam:

• Exam fee – $75
• Exam type – open book
• Reference materials allowed to bring:
  • NEC 2020
  • MT Building Codes Amendments
• No. of questions – 50
• Exam duration – 150 minutes
• Topics covered:
  • NEC
  • General trade knowledge and theory
• Passing rate – 75%

License Renewal

Your license expires on July 15 of every even-numbered year.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application
• Renewal fee – $200
• Proof of completing 16 hours of approved continuing education courses, of which 8 hours must be on code update

Becoming a Journeyman Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of the following:

• Completed an approved apprenticeship program in the electrical trade
• At least 8,000 hours of practical experience
• At least 20,000 hours of experience in the electrical maintenance field, of which 8,000 hours must be from practical experience

You must also successfully pass the required licensure exam to obtain the license.

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Application fee – $240
• If you completed an apprenticeship program, a copy of your apprenticeship completion certificate or letter from the union or trade association
• If you’re using experience, verification of journeyman experience

Exam Details

Here are the details for the journeyman electrician exam:

• Exam fee – $75
• Exam type – open book
• Reference materials allowed to bring:
  • NEC 2020
  • MT Building Codes Amendments
• No. of questions – 60
• Exam duration – 180 minutes
• Topics covered:
  • NEC
  • General trade knowledge and theory
• Passing rate – 75%

License Renewal

Your license expires on July 15 of every even-numbered year.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application
• Renewal fee – $200
• Proof of completing 16 hours of approved CE courses, of which 8 hours must be on code update

Becoming a Master Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of the following:

• Graduated as an electrical engineer from an accredited school and has at least 2,000 hours of practical experience
• At least 8,000 hours of journeyman-level experience

You must also successfully pass the required licensure exam to obtain the license.

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Application fee – $240
• If you’re an electrical engineering graduate, a copy of your transcripts
• If you’re using experience, verification of master experience

Exam Details

Here are the details for the master electrician exam:

• Exam fee – $85
• Exam type – open book
• Reference materials allowed to bring:
  • NEC 2020
  • MT Building Codes Amendments
  • Print reading based on the NEC 2020 published by American Technical Publishers
• No. of questions – 80
• Exam duration – 240 minutes
• Topics covered:
  • NEC
  • General trade knowledge and theory
  • Major load calculations
• Passing rate – 75%

License Renewal

Your license expires on July 15 of every even-numbered year.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application
• Renewal fee – $200
• Proof of completing 16 hours of approved CE courses, of which 8 hours must be on code update

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in Montana

In Montana, you can get either a limited or an unlimited electrical contractor license.

A limited electrical contractor can only work on residential constructions of single structures having less than 5 units.

Meanwhile, an unlimited electrical contractor can work on residential and commercial properties.

Also, an electrical contractor must have a full-time responsible electrician who is meant to supervise their work.

The type of license the supervisor has determines the type of electrical contractor license you can get.

Requirements

For your application to be considered, you must meet these requirements:

• Assigned responsible electrician
  • For limited electrical contractor – MT licensed journeyman electrician
  • For unlimited electrical contractor – MT licensed master electrician
• Complied with the MT Worker’s Compensation and MT Unemployment Insurance OR obtained an MT Independent Contractor Exemption

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Application fee – $300
• Provide proof of one of the following:
  • Worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance coverage
  • Independent contractor exemption certificate

License Renewal

Your license expires on July 15 of every even-numbered year.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application form
• Renewal fee – $300
• Proof of current compliance with one of the following:
  • Worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance coverage
  • Independent contractor exemption certificate
  • Completed acknowledgment of responsibility form (for the responsible electrician)

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Montana

To help launch your electrical career, you can choose to enroll in an apprenticeship program or technical school to receive trade training and education.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll learn knowledge and skills in these areas:

• Electrical theory
• Structured wiring systems
• National Electrical Code (NEC)
• Conduit bending
• Blueprint reading
• OSHA safety
• Industrial motor controls
• Fiber optics
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

Apprenticeship Program

Being an apprentice is the way most electricians become licensed in Montana.

Apprenticeship programs are done through unions or non-unions.

To enroll in a union apprenticeship, you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Have a valid Montana driver’s license
• Show certified copies of your birth certificate and Social Security card
• Submit your high school diploma or GED transcripts
• Reside in Montana
• Pass the electrical trade aptitude test
• Apply for union membership

To join a non-union apprenticeship program you won’t have to join any union and the rules are more relaxed.

Technical College

Attending a technical college enables you to earn an associate’s degree upon graduation.

Here, training and education cover the classroom instruction needed to prepare for licensure.

To fulfill the work experience, the school can help you find an apprenticeship program or you can find one by yourself.

This is usually a sponsored apprenticeship, and it can provide the needed 4,000 or 8,000 hours of practical experience.

You may also find non-union employment to meet the required practical experience.

The table below lists some of the associations and schools that offer approved electrical programs.

This page is also available in Spanish.