North Dakota Electrician License Requirements (2026)

The North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB) licenses electricians statewide under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-09. The state issues three primary individual credentials — Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, and Class B Master Electrician (a limited residential master) — plus separate Electrical Contractor licenses for businesses. All licensees work under the National Electrical Code as adopted by the Board. Examinations are administered by the NDSEB and are open-book on the current NEC edition.

The Licensing Authority

North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-09 (Electricians). The North Dakota State Electrical Board licenses electricians and electrical contractors statewide, adopts the National Electrical Code, inspects electrical installations, and conducts disciplinary proceedings under NDCC 43-09.

Official portal: https://www.ndseb.com/
Address: 1929 N Washington Street, Suite Q, Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 328-9522

Baseline Eligibility

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No North Dakota residency requirement.

Good moral character

NDSEB reviews disciplinary history from any jurisdiction. Felony convictions are evaluated individually.

Background investigation

Disclosure of criminal history is required on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least 4 years of Journeyman: four years (8,000 hours) of electrical work under a licensed Master Electrician, or completion of an approved electrical apprenticeship. Master: two additional years (4,000 hours) of work as a licensed Journeyman. Class B Master: limited residential master path requiring documented residential experience. has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

NDSEB Experience Affidavit signed by each supervising Master Electrician
Payroll records, W-2s, or 1099s covering the qualifying hours
Approved apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Approved electrical apprenticeship programs and accredited electrical technology coursework substitute for portions of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by NDSEB rule.

The Licensing Examination

The exam, administered by North Dakota State Electrical Board (in-house), breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

NDSEB Journeyman Electrician Examination — National Electrical Code, North Dakota electrical rules — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
NDSEB Master Electrician Examination — NEC, North Dakota rules, theory and calculations — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $50 examination fee per attempt paid to NDSEB.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be re-taken after a 30-day waiting period with a new $50 fee. Open-book on the current adopted NEC edition.

Financial Security and Insurance

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

Electrical Contractor license requires proof of general liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000 combined single limit per NDSEB rule.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation coverage through North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) is mandatory for any business with employees. North Dakota is a monopolistic state.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement is required for the individual electrician credentials. Electrical Contractor business licenses do not require a financial statement under NDSEB rule.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$50
Examination	$50
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every year)	$100

License Renewal

The North Dakota Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, or Class B Master Electrician must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $100. NDSEB licenses renew annually. Late renewals incur additional fees.

Continuing education: NDSEB requires continuing education in NEC updates each renewal cycle for active electricians.

Downloadable Asset

2026 North Dakota Electrician License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

North Dakota grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Minnesota	Trade exam waived	NDSEB reciprocity for active Minnesota Master and Journeyman electricians in good standing.
South Dakota	Trade exam waived	NDSEB reciprocity for active South Dakota electrical credentials.
Montana	Trade exam waived	NDSEB reciprocity for active Montana electrical credentials.
Wyoming	Trade exam waived	NDSEB reciprocity for active Wyoming electrical credentials.

NDSEB maintains regional reciprocity agreements with neighboring plains states. Reciprocal applicants must still submit an application and verify good standing.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Electrician license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Document four years of qualifying electrical work. Eight thousand hours under a licensed Master Electrician, or completion of an approved apprenticeship.
Submit the NDSEB Journeyman application. File the experience affidavits and exam fee with the Board.
Pass the Journeyman examination at 75%. Open-book on the current NEC edition. Score 75% or better.
Work two additional years as a Journeyman. Four thousand hours of journey-level work under a Master Electrician.
Submit the Master Electrician application. File the experience documentation and exam fee.
Pass the Master Electrician examination at 75%. Open-book on the current NEC. Covers theory, calculations, and North Dakota rules.
Apply for an Electrical Contractor license (if self-employed). Required to bid and contract electrical work as a business; requires liability insurance.

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), current ND-adopted edition — National Fire Protection Association. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the NDSEB exam.
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-09 — State of North Dakota. Licensing law for electricians.
Mike Holt NEC Exam Prep — Mike Holt Enterprises. Widely used by ND applicants for NEC calculation practice.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to NDSEB, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ Four years (8,000 hours) of documented electrical work or approved apprenticeship
☐ NDSEB Journeyman application and $50 exam fee
☐ Passing score of 75% on the Journeyman examination
☐ Two additional years as a Journeyman before applying for Master
☐ NDSEB Master Electrician application and exam fee
☐ Electrical Contractor license application (if self-employed)
☐ General liability insurance certificate (Electrical Contractor only)

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a North Dakota Electrician application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Skipping the journeyman step

The Master Electrician path requires the Journeyman credential plus two additional years as a working Journeyman. Direct-entry to Master is not allowed.

Studying the wrong NEC edition

NDSEB adopts the NEC on a delayed cycle. Confirm the current adopted edition before testing.

Confusing Class B Master with full Master

Class B Master is a limited residential credential. It does not authorize commercial or industrial electrical work.

Operating as a contractor without the business license

Holding a Master Electrician credential does not authorize you to bid as a business. The separate Electrical Contractor license is required.

Buying workers comp from a private carrier

North Dakota is monopolistic. Coverage must come from WSI for any electrical contracting business with employees.

Other North Dakota Trade Licenses

For a different North Dakota credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Answers to Common Questions

What electrician credentials does North Dakota issue?

Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, and Class B Master Electrician (a limited residential master). Businesses also need a separate Electrical Contractor license.

How many hours does North Dakota require for a Journeyman Electrician?

Four years and 8,000 hours of qualifying work under a licensed Master Electrician, or completion of an approved electrical apprenticeship program.

What code does North Dakota use?

The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as adopted by NDSEB. The exam is open-book on the current adopted edition.

Does North Dakota reciprocate electrician credentials?

Yes. NDSEB maintains reciprocity agreements with Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

How often does the North Dakota electrician license renew?

Annually. NDSEB licenses expire each year and require continuing education in NEC updates.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-14 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-12