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How to get an electrician license in Montana

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Montana's official board.

Montana licenses individual electricians statewide, so the journeyman credential is not a municipal patchwork. The individual license is distinct from the Electrical Contractor license a business needs to contract, and separately from the Department's Construction Contractor Registration.

Issuing authority: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division, Montana State Electrical Board. Official page: https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/electrical/

License levels in Montana

Montana electrician licensing at a glance

RequirementsJourneyman Electrician by examination (37-68-305, MCA) requires one of: completion of an approved inside wireman apprenticeship or an appropriate training program run by a bona fide union or trade association; third-party verification of 8,000 hours of practical experience wiring, installing and repairing electrical apparatus for light, heat and power; or at least 20,000 hours in electrical maintenance certified in writing by the employer, of which at least 8,000 must be practical experience. The application must be approved by the board before the exam, which is based on the 2020 NEC. Applicants must submit license verification from every jurisdiction where they hold or have held a professional license. Application fee $240 by examination, $250 by reciprocity or endorsement; a temporary work permit is $50 and is unavailable to applicants scoring 69 percent or below.
ReciprocityReciprocity (ARM 24.141.504) with AK, AR, CO, IA, ID, ME, MN, ND, NE, NH, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI and WY where the license is active, in good standing, and has been held for one year. Endorsement is available from AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, KY, MA, MI, NJ, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA and WV where the license was obtained by state exam with a score of 75 percent or better, has been held at least a year, and carries no active complaints. Neither route requires the Experience Verification Affidavit.
RenewalBiennial. All electrician and electrical contractor licenses expire July 15 of even years, with the cycle opening 60 days prior. Continuing education is 16 board-approved hours per cycle, at least 8 on code update (ARM 24.141.2102).
NotesMontana licenses individual electricians statewide, so the journeyman credential is not a municipal patchwork. The individual license is distinct from the Electrical Contractor license a business needs to contract, and separately from the Department's Construction Contractor Registration.

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Common questions

Do you need a license to work as an electrician in Montana?
Montana licenses individual electricians statewide, so the journeyman credential is not a municipal patchwork. The individual license is distinct from the Electrical Contractor license a business needs to contract, and separately from the Department's Construction Contractor Registration.
What electrician license levels does Montana have?
The levels are Residential Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor.
How do you get licensed as an electrician in Montana?
Journeyman Electrician by examination (37-68-305, MCA) requires one of: completion of an approved inside wireman apprenticeship or an appropriate training program run by a bona fide union or trade association; third-party verification of 8,000 hours of practical experience wiring, installing and repairing electrical apparatus for light, heat and power; or at least 20,000 hours in electrical maintenance certified in writing by the employer, of which at least 8,000 must be practical experience. The application must be approved by the board before the exam, which is based on the 2020 NEC. Applicants must submit license verification from every jurisdiction where they hold or have held a professional license. Application fee $240 by examination, $250 by reciprocity or endorsement; a temporary work permit is $50 and is unavailable to applicants scoring 69 percent or below.
Does Montana have electrician license reciprocity?
Reciprocity (ARM 24.141.504) with AK, AR, CO, IA, ID, ME, MN, ND, NE, NH, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI and WY where the license is active, in good standing, and has been held for one year. Endorsement is available from AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, KY, MA, MI, NJ, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA and WV where the license was obtained by state exam with a score of 75 percent or better, has been held at least a year, and carries no active complaints. Neither route requires the Experience Verification Affidavit.

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Sources: boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

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