Electrician Schools in Minnesota (Programs, Licensing & Salary)

Minnesota will increase its job demand for electricians by 10.6%, or 2,870 average annual job openings, until 2024.

This means that the state will need a highly skilled workforce to perform electrical services to its residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

So if you want to become a licensed electrician in Minnesota, now’s the time to do so.

Potential Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Minnesota electricians have the following salary information as of May 2021:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $68,970
• Hourly – $33.16

Average Salary of Electricians in Minnesota

Regional Salary

How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Minnesota

The MN Board of Electricity regulates and issues the licenses for the following electricians:

• Unlicensed electrician*
• Class A journeyworker electrician
• Class A master electrician
• Class B installer
• Lineman
• Maintenance electrician
• Power limited electrician

Note (*): MN allows unlicensed individuals to perform electrical services so long as they register with the Board.

Qualifications

If you’re applying for a license, you’ll have to meet these requirements to legally provide electrical services:

• Must be at least 17 years old
• Employed by a licensed electrical contractor or registered electrical employer
• Meet the experience and education requirements
  • Class A journeyworker electrician
    • At least 48 months or 8,000 hours of experience
    • Can credit up to 1 year of experience if you completed an approved 2-year post-secondary electrical course
  • Class A master electrician – at least 60 months or 10,000 hours of experience
  • Class B installer – at least 12 months or 2,000 hours of experience
  • Lineman – at least 48 months or 8,000 hours of experience
  • Maintenance electrician
    • At least 48 months or 8,000 hours of experience
    • Can credit up to 1 year of experience if you completed an approved 2-year post-secondary electrical course
  • Power limited electrician
    • At least 36 months or 6,000 hours of experience
    • Can credit up to 1 year of experience if you completed an approved 2-year post-secondary electrical course or other technical training
• Successfully pass the required licensure exam

Meanwhile, if you’re applying as an unlicensed individual, you must meet the following:

• Work performed is within the scope of what the employer is authorized to perform
• Under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyworker or master electrician

License Application

To apply for the license, you must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Applicable fees
  • Unlicensed individual – $14
  • Licensed individual – $50
• Proof of meeting the experience and education requirements (for licensed individuals only)

Exam Details

The Board will administer the exams, which have the following details:

• Duration – 5 ½ hours each
• No. of questions
  • Class A journeyworker electrician – 80 questions
  • Class A master electrician – 80 questions
  • Class B installer – 25 questions
  • Lineman – 50 questions
  • Maintenance electrician – 70 questions
  • Power limited electrician – 80 questions
• Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

The registration as an unlicensed electrician will expire after one year, while all other licenses expire after two years.

To renew the license, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application form
• Applicable renewal fees
  • Unlicensed individual – $19
  • Class A journeyworker electrician – $43
  • Class A master electrician – $73
  • Class B installer – $43
  • Lineman – $38
  • Maintenance electrician – $43
  • Power limited electrician – $43
• Proof of completing approved continuing education hours
  • Unlicensed individuals – 2 CE hours
  • Licensed individuals except for lineman – 16 CE hours

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in Minnesota

The Board also regulates and issues the electrical contractor license.

To apply for the license, you must meet the following:

• Business registration with the Secretary of State
• Designate a Responsible Licensed Individual (RLI)
• Obtain insurance coverage
  • Public liability insurance – at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 in property damage
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Obtain a surety bond – $25,000

Once you completed these, you can submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Application fee – $128
• Proof of insurance coverage and surety bond

Renewal for the license is required every two years.

To renew, submit the following:

• Completed renewal application form
• Renewal fee – $128
• Proof of active business filing with the Secretary of State
• Current certificates of insurance

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Minnesota

Being a professional electrician will require you to first get the proper trade education and training.

You can receive this by either attending a vocational school or an apprenticeship program.

Both will enable you to learn the competencies to perform electrical work, such as:

• Cable splicing
• Code calculations
• Electrical grounding
• Instrumentation
• National Electrical Code
• Electrical safety work practices
• OSHA/construction safety
• Basic welding

Below are the schools and associations offering approved electrical training programs that you can check out.

Electrician Schools by City

• Minneapolis2 Schools

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