North Dakota Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Electrician License · Issued by the North Dakota State Electrical Board.

⚡ ElectricianND ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In North Dakota, electricians must hold the Electrician License, issued by the North Dakota State Electrical Board, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in North Dakota

Follow these steps to earn your Electrician License. Every figure is verified against the North Dakota State Electrical Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman + 2,000 hours supervised experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours minimum (at least 3 years as registered apprentice); up to 3,000 hours apprenticeship credit allowed; 2,000 hours credit for 2-year electrical school graduates. Class B: 18 months / 3,000 hours in farmstead or residential wiring.
Pass the Master Electrician Exam and Journeyman Electrician Exam and Class B Electrician Exam and Power Limited Electrician Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. North Dakota requires None — the former $3,000 undertaking (NDCC 43-09-14) was repealed in 2015; only the $500,000 public liability insurance applies when acting as a contractor.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($500,000 minimum public liability insurance (if acting as contractor)).
Clear the background check. —
Meet the credit / financial requirement. —
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the North Dakota State Electrical Board — Not published by the board application fee, plus a Not published by the board license fee. Processing time: —.
Keep the license active. Renew master/Power Limited expire April 30; Journeyman expire March 31, completing 8 hours annually required; 4 hours must cover electrical code.

North Dakota electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in North Dakota — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official ndseb.com database →

License types

Master Electrician — Master electrician with potential for contracting, master of record, or non-contracting classification
Journeyman Electrician — Licensed journeyman electrician
Class B Electrician — Limited to cities with populations of 2,500 or fewer; residential and farmstead wiring only
Apprentice — Registered apprentice electrician
Power Limited Electrician — Power limited electrician license with potential for contracting or master of record classification

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman + 2,000 hours supervised experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours minimum (at least 3 years as registered apprentice); up to 3,000 hours apprenticeship credit allowed; 2,000 hours credit for 2-year electrical school graduates. Class B: 18 months / 3,000 hours in farmstead or residential wiring.
Application fee	Not published by the board
License fee	Not published by the board
Renewal fee	Master/Power Limited $50; Class B $40; Journeyman $25 annually
Renewal period	Master/Power Limited expire April 30; Journeyman expire March 31
Continuing education	8 hours annually required; 4 hours must cover electrical code
Bond required	None — the former $3,000 undertaking (NDCC 43-09-14) was repealed in 2015; only the $500,000 public liability insurance applies when acting as a contractor.
Liability insurance	$500,000 minimum public liability insurance (if acting as contractor)
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	—
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Idaho; Iowa; Maine; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; South Dakota; Utah; Wyoming
Processing time	—

Exams

Master Electrician Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board
Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board
Class B Electrician Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board
Power Limited Electrician Exam	Provider: Board-approved testing vendor · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not published by the board

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Class B license limited to cities with populations of 2,500 or fewer; only for residential and farmstead wiring

Frequently asked questions

How much does a North Dakota electrician license cost?

Application: Not published by the board. License: Not published by the board. Renewal: Master/Power Limited $50; Class B $40; Journeyman $25 annually.

How do I look up a electrician license in North Dakota?

Search the official license database at ndseb.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in North Dakota need a surety bond?

None — the former $3,000 undertaking (NDCC 43-09-14) was repealed in 2015; only the $500,000 public liability insurance applies when acting as a contractor.

What experience is required for a North Dakota electrician license?

Master: 1 year as licensed journeyman + 2,000 hours supervised experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours minimum (at least 3 years as registered apprentice); up to 3,000 hours apprenticeship credit allowed; 2,000 hours credit for 2-year electrical school graduates. Class B: 18 months / 3,000 hours in farmstead or residential wiring.

Is insurance required for electricians in North Dakota?

Liability: $500,000 minimum public liability insurance (if acting as contractor) Workers' compensation: —

How often must a North Dakota electrician license be renewed?

Master/Power Limited expire April 30; Journeyman expire March 31. Continuing education: 8 hours annually required; 4 hours must cover electrical code

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the North Dakota State Electrical Board before applying. This is not legal advice.