Minnesota Electrician Exam: Format, Scheduling, and What to Bring

The Basics: 80 Questions, 5.5 Hours, Open Book

Minnesota's electrician licensing exam — both Journeyman and Master — is one of the longest trade exams in the country. You get 80 multiple-choice questions and 5.5 hours to answer them. The passing score is 70%, meaning you need at least 56 correct answers.

Both exams are open-book. But "open-book" doesn't mean "bring whatever you want." Minnesota has strict rules about what crosses the threshold into the testing room.

What You Can Bring

For both the Journeyman and Master exams:

• A clean, printed copy of the state-adopted National Electrical Code (NEC) with the publisher's original, permanently installed index tabs
• A basic, non-programmable calculator

Master exam only:

• The Minnesota Laws and Rules booklet (provided at the testing site — you don't need to bring your own)

What You Cannot Bring

The prohibited list is specific and strictly enforced:

• Personal highlighters, pens, or markers (no marking up your NEC at the testing site)
• Loose-leaf papers, handwritten notes, or study guides
• Third-party hand-written or aftermarket index tabs
• Programmable calculators, smartphones, or electronic devices
• Code study manuals, cheat sheets, or commercial exam prep materials

If your NEC copy has handwritten notes in the margins, custom tabs you added yourself, or highlighted sections, it won't be allowed in. Bring a clean copy. Candidates have been turned away at the door over aftermarket tabs — it's not worth the risk.

Testing Locations and Schedule

St. Paul headquarters (DLI office): Testing runs weekly, Tuesday through Thursday. This is the most flexible option if you're in the metro area or willing to make the drive.

Greater Minnesota regional sites: Monthly testing sessions at Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, Virginia, Willmar, and Winona. These fill up, especially at the smaller sites, so schedule early once your application is approved.

You schedule your exam through the iMS portal after the DLI approves your application. Log in, select an available location and date, and confirm. No walk-ins.

The $50 Fee and What Happens If You Fail

The exam application fee is $50 for both the Journeyman and Master exams. This covers one attempt.

If you fail, your results arrive by email within about two weeks. You need to submit a new application and pay another $50 fee. The reapplication, DLI review, and scheduling process adds several weeks to the timeline.

Failed candidates should evaluate whether they need more time with the NEC before rescheduling. The exam tests practical code lookup and application, not memorization — familiarity with the NEC's structure and index is as important as knowing the content.

The 2026 NEC Transition

Minnesota is transitioning exam content to the 2026 National Electrical Code. Starting September 8, 2026, personal electrical licensing exams will be based on the 2026 NEC. If you're scheduling your exam around that date, you need to know which code edition your test will cover.

The transition date also means that permits filed on or after August 17, 2026 must comply with 2026 NEC provisions. Studying the old code and then immediately working under the new one creates an unnecessary knowledge gap.

If your exam falls before September 8, bring the current adopted code. If it falls on or after that date, bring the 2026 NEC. Don't guess — confirm the current adoption status with the DLI if you're scheduling close to the transition.

ADA and Language Accommodations

Candidates who need testing accommodations — whether for a disability or a language barrier — must submit a written request to [email protected] before scheduling their exam. The accommodation request is separate from the exam application itself.

Minnesota processes these requests individually, so submit yours well before your preferred test date to avoid scheduling delays.

Preparing Without Exam Prep Materials in the Room

Since commercial study guides stay outside the testing room, your preparation strategy should focus on NEC navigation. The 5.5-hour time limit is generous if you can find sections quickly. Candidates who tab and index their clean NEC strategically — using only the publisher's original tabs — have a significant advantage over those who rely on scrolling through the table of contents under pressure.

The Minnesota Electrician License Guide covers the complete exam logistics alongside the experience requirements and application process that get you to the testing room in the first place.

See more Minnesota guides →