In general, the requirements to become a licensed electrician vary in every state, since each state has its own governing body that regulates licensing for electricians. In most states, including Montana, a license is required to work as an electrician .
There are multiple options as an electrician in Montana:
- Residential Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
- Master Electrician
- Limited Electrical Contractor
- Unlimited Electrical Contractor
Electrician Training in Montana, MT
In general, in order to begin your electrician career, you have to complete an apprenticeship program. The training might be obtained via an apprenticeship program where the young electrician works under the guidance of an experienced and licensed professional electrician. Apprenticeship programs might comprise classroom instruction and hands-on training. Their duration is about four years. You may find more information here .
Montana Residential Electrician License
Residential Electricians are not permitted to practice in Montana in any manner without an active Montana Residential License or a temporary work permit. Before applying for a residential electrical license you have to fill the following requirements (an applicant must have either education “A” or experience “B” to apply for a license):
a) Education Requirements
Completion of an approved residential apprenticeship program in the electrical trade or completion of an appropriate training program conducted by a bona fide union or trade association.
b) Experience Requirements
You should apply by one of the following on a form prescribed by the board or as noted on this application:
1. A third party verification of 4,000 hours of legally obtained practical experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power in residential construction consisting of less than five living units in a single structure.
2. Having worked in the electrical maintenance field for at least 20,000 hours, accompanied by written certification by the applicant’s employer that the applicant has attained at least 20,000 hours in the electrical maintenance field while working for the employer. A minimum of 8,000 of these hours must be practical experience.
Note that all applications for examination must be approved by the State Electrical Board. Currently, exams are based on the 2008 NEC.
The fees for the applications are as follows:
- “Master Electrician” Application Fee: $240.00
- Temporary journeyman work permit for exam candidates (fee in addition to application fee): $50.00
All the check or money orders should be made payable to the State Electrical Board.
You may find information regarding the renewal schedule here and regarding the renewal fees here . For information regarding the exams check here and for reciprocal agreements check here .
Montana Journeyman Electrician License
Journeyman Electricians are not permitted to practice in Montana in any manner without an active Montana Journeyman License or a temporary work permit.
Before applying for a journeyman electrical license you have to fill the following requirements (an applicant must have either education “A” or experience “B” to apply for a license):
a) Education Requirements
Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in the electrical trade or completion of an appropriate training program conducted by a bona fide union or trade association.
b) Experience Requirements
You should apply by one of the following on a form prescribed by the board or as noted on this application:
1. A third party verification of 8,000 hours of legally obtained practical experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power.
2. Having worked in the electrical maintenance field for at least 20,000 hours, accompanied by written certification by the applicant’s employer that the applicant has attained at least 20,000 hours in the electrical maintenance field while working for the employer. A minimum of 8,000 of these hours must be practical experience.
Note that all applications for examination must be approved by the State Electrical Board. Currently, exams are currently based on the 2008 NEC.
The fees for the applications are as follows:
- “Journeyman Electrician” Application Fee by Examination: $240.00
- “Journeyman Electrician” Application by Reciprocity or Credentialing: $250.00
- Temporary journeyman work permit for exam candidates (fee in addition to application fee): $50.00
All the check or money orders should be made payable to the State Electrical Board.
You may find information regarding the renewal schedule here and regarding the renewal fees here . For information regarding the exams check here and for reciprocal agreements check here .
To apply for the Journeyman Electrician License using the online application please click here .
You may find the application that includes a detailed listing of the requirements here .
Montana Master Electrician License
Master Electricians are not permitted to practice in Montana in any manner without an active Montana Master License or a temporary journeyman work permit.
Before applying for a master electrical license you have to fill the following requirements (an applicant must have either education “A” or experience “B” to apply for a license):
a) Education Requirements
Written evidence of being a graduate as an electrical engineer of an accredited college or university and having minimum of 2,000 hours of legally obtained practical experience.
b) Experience Requirements
You should apply by one of the following on a form prescribed by the board or as noted on this application:
A third party verification of 8,000 hours of legally obtained journeyman level experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power with no less than 20 percent, but not more than 50 percent residential experience.
Note that all applications for examination must be approved by the State Electrical Board. Currently, exams are currently based on the 2008 NEC.
The fees for the applications are as follows:
- “Master Electrician” Application Fee: $240.00
- Temporary journeyman work permit for exam candidates (fee in addition to application fee): $50.00
All the check or money orders should be made payable to the State Electrical Board.
You may find information regarding the renewal schedule here and regarding the renewal fees here . For information regarding the exams check here and for reciprocal agreements check here .
To apply for the Master Electrician License using the online application please click here .
You may find the application that includes a detailed listing of the requirements here .
Montana Limited Electrical Contractor License
Limited Electrical Contractor licenses allow for residential construction consisting of less than five living units in a single structure.
“Electrical Contractors” are not permitted to practice in Montana in any manner without an active Montana “Limited Electrical Contractor” license.
Before applying for a residential electrical license you have to fill the following requirements:
a) Licensing Requirements
Proof of compliance with Montana Workers Compensation and also Unemployment Insurance or an Independent Contractor Exemption .
b) Additional Requirements
Montana Licensed Journeyman as the responsible electrician, which means the person engaged in a full-time capacity that is responsible for all licensed electrical work performed by the electrical contractor in Montana.
Note that the Montana responsible electrician’s license determines the level of the contractor’s license and what electrical work can be performed. A limited electrical contractor will require a Montana licensed journeyman electrician as the responsible party and limits the electrical work to residential construction consisting of less than five living units in a single structure.
The fee (non-refundable) for the applications are as follows:
- “Limited Electrical Contractor” Application: $300.00
All the check or money orders should be made payable to the State Electrical Board.
You may find information regarding the renewal schedule here and regarding the renewal fees here .
To apply for the Limited Electrical Contractor License using the online application please click here .
You may find the application that includes a detailed listing of the requirements here .
Montana Unlimited Electrical Contractor License
Unlimited Electrical Contractor allow for Residential, Commercial, Industrial or Institutional electrical work to be done.
“Electrical Contractors” are not permitted to practice in Montana in any manner without an active Montana “Unlimited Electrical Contractor” license.
Before applying for a residential electrical license you have to fill the following requirements:
a) Licensing Requirements
Proof of compliance with Montana Workers Compensation and also Unemployment Insurance or an Independent Contractor Exemption .
b) Additional Requirements
Montana Licensed Master as the responsible electrician, which means the person engaged in a full-time capacity that is responsible for all licensed electrical work performed by the electrical contractor in Montana.
Note that the Montana responsible electrician’s license determines the level of the contractor’s license and what electrical work can be performed. An unlimited electrical contractor will require a Montana licensed master electrician as the responsible party and limits the electrical work to residential construction consisting of less than five living units in a single structure.
The fee (non-refundable) for the applications are as follows:
- “Unlimited Electrical Contractor” Application: $300.00
All the check or money orders should be made payable to the State Electrical Board.
You may find information regarding the renewal schedule here and regarding the renewal fees here .
To apply for the Unlimited Electrical Contractor License using the online application please click here .
You may find the application that includes a detailed listing of the requirements here .
Montana Electrical License Exam Information
As mentioned before, only those applicants that have been approved by the Board will be eligible for registering for an exam. PSI is the exam vendor for the State Electrical Board. An admission letter will be issued to approved applicants. An approved applicant is eligible to take the exam within one week.
Regarding examination dates, those vary at each PSI location. Note that PSI maintains test centers at over 700 locations nationwide. You may find test centers locations at their website.
Examination fees are paid to PSI (you may contact PSI for payment options).
- Master Electrician Exam – $70.00
- Journeyman Electrician Exam – $60.00
- Residential Electrician Exam – $60.00
For the exams, you have to carry with you photo identification and your admission letter issued by the board office.
The examination is open book and the following books can be used:
- 2008 NEC CODE
- Montana State Electrical Board Statute and Rules
To pass the examinations you have to achieve a minimum score of 75%. The scores will be released to you at the PSI exam site after the completion of the exam.
If you fail the exam for the first time, you will be allowed to reschedule an exam with PSI almost immediately. However, if you fail twice, you will be required to wait six months before taking the exam again. Moreover, you will have to provide proof that you attended at least one eight-hour electrical code seminar approved by the board. Finally, in case of three or more exam failures, you will have to wait one year and submit a new application to the board before taking the exam again.
Montana Reciprocal Electrician Licence Agreements
The Board will reciprocate a Residential and Journeyman electrician license. The Board does not reciprocate a Master electrician license. The only way to obtain a master license is by examination.
Alaska has reciprocal agreements with the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Idaho (state-to-state only)
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (state-to-state only)
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Wyoming
Note: As of April 1, 2009, the Washington Electrical Board has withdrawn from the
Multi-State Reciprocal group for Electricians. For this reason, the applicants that want to apply from the State of Washington can only do so by endorsement. For more information on endorsing your license from the State of Washington, please check
here
.
Montana Electrician License Renewal Information
Regarding license renewal, electricians in Montana may renew their license in even numbered years (biennial renewal). The regular renewal dates are May 15 – July 15.
Active Master, journeyman and residential electricians may renew online. The online renewal may be performed with an e-Check or Credit Card here .
Following are the renewal fees (as of 2013):
| License | Active | Late Fee | Inactive | Inactive Late |
| Master Electrician | $135 | $135 | n/a | n/a |
| Journeyman Electrician | $135 | $135 | n/a | n/a |
| Residential Electrician | $135 | $135 | n/a | n/a |
| Limited Electrical Contractor | $275 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited Electrical Contractor | $275 | n/a | n/a | n/a |