Quick Reference Table for Electrical License Requirements in Minnesota
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
License Type | Electrical contractor (business); master/journeyworker/registered unlicensed (individuals) |
Regulating Agency | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division |
Experience Required | Responsible individual must hold an active Minnesota master electrician license |
Exam | No exam for contractor license; master electrician exam required for responsible individual |
Renewal Cycle | Biennial for contractors: Expires last day of February in even-numbered years |
Continuing Education (CE) | Not required for contractor license; 2 hrs/year for registered unlicensed individual |
Fees | $188 application/renewal (current, as of June 20, 2024; see fee schedule) |
Official Links |
Who Needs a License in Minnesota?
To comply with electrical license requirements in Minnesota, you need an electrical contractor license if you or your business contract to perform electrical work for clients. This applies no matter the size or value of your projects, since there is no minimum dollar threshold for an electrical contractor license at the state level.
Electrical work includes installing, repairing, altering, planning, or laying out electrical wiring, equipment, or apparatus that provides light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, or other electrical functions. This rule applies equally to residential, commercial, and technology-based installations throughout Minnesota, and is enforced by the DLI as part of the electrical license requirements in Minnesota.
Importantly, employees of a licensed electrical contractor do not need their own business license if they are working under the contractor’s supervision. However, those employees must hold an individual electrician license (either master, journeyworker) or be registered as an unlicensed electrician with the DLI. General contractors and construction managers who hire licensed electrical subcontractors are not required to hold an electrical contractor license themselves. Minnesota does not provide owner-builder or handyman exemptions for electrical contracting, so unlicensed individuals or businesses cannot bid or perform electrical work as a contractor.
Electrical License Types in Minnesota
Electrical license requirements in Minnesota specify several types of licenses related to electrical work. The primary business license for companies bidding on or performing work is the electrical contractor license. Individuals working as supervisors or employees may need a master electrician, journeyworker electrician, or registered unlicensed electrician credential.
Electrical Contractor License: This is for businesses that want to contract or advertise to install, maintain, or repair electrical systems in Minnesota. The business must designate a responsible licensed individual.
Master Electrician: Required for those serving as the responsible licensed individual for an electrical contractor and for those who supervise other electricians. Must be held by an owner, officer, member, or W-2 employee of the contractor.
Journeyworker Electrician: Permits the holder to perform electrical work under supervision within the scope of a contractor’s license or as an employee.
Registered Unlicensed Individual: Allows a person at least 17 years old to work under the direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyworker electrician for a licensed contractor.
Only the business-level electrical contractor license allows a company to offer or contract for work in its own name. Master and journeyworker licenses are individual credentials for employees and supervisors. Registered unlicensed individuals cannot operate as contractors, only as supervised employees. These distinctions are critical under electrical license requirements in Minnesota.
How to Get Licensed in Minnesota
To meet the electrical license requirements in Minnesota and obtain an electrical contractor license, you must complete several required steps as outlined by the DLI.
Ensure your business has a responsible licensed individual who holds an active Minnesota master electrician license. This person must be an owner/officer/member or an exclusive W-2 employee of your business and cannot serve as responsible individual for any other contractor.
Obtain proof of public liability insurance meeting the state’s minimums: at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 for property damage. Your insurer must file a certificate of insurance on your behalf.
Secure a $25,000 surety bond using the DLI-required form. The bond must be written by a corporate surety licensed in Minnesota and remain in effect for the entire license period.
Gather a full disclosure of all owners, partners, officers, or members of your business. Complete the DLI’s disclosure form, which is required for every license application.
Submit your application package with the required forms, proof of bond, insurance, all disclosures, and the $188 fee (new or non-expired renewal) through the DLI’s online application system (iMS) or by mail. Expired renewals require a $278 payment.
Application forms and detailed instructions are available on the DLI’s electrical contractor licensing basics and forms pages. If your submission is complete and you meet all requirements, DLI may issue your license immediately upon review online or in person. There is currently no fingerprinting or background check requirement for contractor applicants. Always check the most current forms since requirements can change.
Forms Required in the Application Process
Certificate of Responsible Licensed Individual – Master Electrician
Certificate of Insurance (public liability)
Certificate of Compliance – Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Law
Electrical Contractor Surety Bond Form
Disclosure of Owners, Partners, Officers, and Members
You can download all these forms directly from the DLI Forms and Resources page.
Application Requirements
Electrical license requirements in Minnesota include specific standards for the applicant, insurance, bonding, and disclosures. The primary prerequisites are:
Responsible Individual and Age
Your responsible licensed individual must hold an active Minnesota master electrician license and be an owner, corporate officer, limited liability company member, or a full-time exclusive W-2 employee of your business. This individual cannot serve as the responsible party for more than one contractor license. While the contractor license form does not specify a minimum age or citizenship, these details are set by the master electrician licensing requirements.
Bond and Insurance
Every electrical contractor license applicant must furnish a $25,000 corporate surety bond, using the form provided by DLI. This bond is written by an insurer licensed to do business in Minnesota and must be maintained for the life of the license. You must also have liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 property damage, with a current certificate filed by your insurance company. Additionally, you must show proof of workers’ compensation coverage or state why coverage is not required for your business.
Business Disclosures
You must provide a full disclosure listing all owners, partners, officers, or members of your business entity. This information helps the state ensure accurate recordkeeping and compliance with state law. No financial statements or net worth requirements are listed for the electrical contractor license.
Background Check and Federal Certifications
The state of Minnesota does not currently require a background check or fingerprinting as part of the electrical contractor license application. No federal certifications, such as EPA 608 for refrigerant handling, are required for electrical contractor licensure in Minnesota.
Exams and Electrical License Requirements in Minnesota
There is no exam directly required for an electrical contractor license in Minnesota. The only exam relevant to contractors is that for the master electrician license, which your responsible licensed individual must already hold before you apply for the contractor license. This requirement is one of the standard electrical license requirements in Minnesota.
This means that your business, as an applicant, does not need to take a business law or trade exam to become a licensed electrical contractor. If you or your responsible individual needs information about qualifying for or taking the Minnesota master electrician exam, that is a separate individual licensing process and is not part of the business contractor application process. Registered unlicensed individuals are also not subject to any trade or business exam as part of their registration.
For additional master electrician or journeyworker exam details, requirements, or how to schedule, verify at DLI Electrical Contractor Licensing Basics.
Fees
The application and renewal fees for the electrical contractor license in Minnesota are clearly established by state regulations and confirmed on the official fee schedule. These fees are part of the official electrical license requirements in Minnesota.
New electrical contractor license application: $188 (as of June 20, 2024; fee schedule)
License renewal, not expired: $188 (as of June 20, 2024; fee schedule above)
Expired renewal (late renewal): $278 (as of June 20, 2024; fee schedule above)
Surety bond: $25,000 (no direct state fee; commercial bond cost set by surety provider)
Registered unlicensed individual registration: $14 new, $19 renew (not expired), $24 expired (no date stated; verify at DLI Registered Unlicensed Electricians)
There is no exam or exam fee for the contractor license itself. The cost of purchasing the required $25,000 bond is set by private surety companies, not by the state. For the most up-to-date fees and any periodic changes, always confirm with the official fee schedule PDF.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Electrical contractor licenses in Minnesota must be renewed every two years. The expiration date is the last day of February in even-numbered years. To renew on time, submit all disclosures, insurance and bond documents, and the $188 renewal fee before your license expires. Late renewals pay $278. These deadlines are a key part of electrical license requirements in Minnesota.
Continuing Education for Contractors
There is no continuing education requirement for the business-level electrical contractor license in Minnesota. Only registered unlicensed individuals must complete continuing education: two hours of National Electrical Code credit each year, per DLI rules.
Consequences for Lapsed Licenses
If your electrical contractor license expires, you can submit a late renewal and pay the higher fee. Details for full reinstatement or for periods of extended lapse are set by DLI policy; if you wait too long to renew, additional requirements could apply. Therefore, always renew before the expiration to avoid complications or performing unlicensed work. If you need to review forms and renewal steps, consult the Electrical Contractors Forms and Resources page.
Reciprocity
Minnesota does not offer reciprocity or endorsement for its electrical contractor license. Contractors who are licensed in other states cannot transfer or convert their license to Minnesota. All applicants must meet Minnesota’s requirements and apply directly with the DLI. While there may be some reciprocal instructor recognition at the individual master and journeyworker license level, this is not relevant to business licensing for contractors.
If you hold an out-of-state electrical contractor license and wish to operate in Minnesota, you must follow the application process from the beginning, including designating a Minnesota-licensed master electrician as your responsible individual. No alternative or shortcut application pathway is available. To check for updates, review Minnesota Rules or the DLI licensing basics page.
