How to Become an Electrician in Montana, MT


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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:

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 State Electrical Board

Before going into details regarding each electrician licence, some information regarding the Montana State Electrical Board is required. This board regulates the electricians licensing and controls all the aspects of the process. The State Electrical Board includes all the required information pertaining to the licensing and regulation of electricians in Montana on their website.

There is an e-mail form in order to contact the board directly. You may also apply for an appointment to board via this page. Alternatively, the contact info is the following:

301 South Park , 4th Floor (map)
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Fax: (406) 841-2309

For information on applications contact:
Telephone: (406) 841-2300
E-mail: [email protected]

For information on complaints contact:
Telephone: (406) 841-2319
E-mail: [email protected]

Board Office Contact:
Telephone: (406) 841-2329
E-mail: [email protected]

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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. Finally, the continuing education requirements can be found 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.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Montana.

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 off 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. Finally, the continuing education requirements can be found 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.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Montana.

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 off 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. Finally, the continuing education requirements can be found 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.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Montana.

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. Finally, the continuing education requirements can be found 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.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Montana.

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. Finally, the continuing education requirements can be found 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.

Finally, don’t forget to check Electrician Jobs in Montana.

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.

You may find all the frequently asked questions regarding the exam here.

Montana Continuing Education for Electricians

For each year in the renewal cycle, electricians have to undergo eight hours of continuing education. The hours might be obtained during any part of the cycle. A time period of four to eight hours per year will be allotted to NEC updates.

Note that graduates of apprenticeship programs who have just received their licence are exempted from the continuing education requirements for their first cycle. Those electrician that jump from journeyman or residential to a higher level are not exempted from the procedure.

Note that licensees are accountable for keeping a record of completion certificates for the hours attended and they should present those to the board members in case a random audit is performed.

You may view available on-line, correspondence, and in-person courses as well as check your individual credits taken. You should allow one month for entry of course information by sponsors.
Only courses approved by the Montana State Electrical Board will be reported for your individual credits.

Regarding continuing education, here are some more useful links:

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

Montana Electrical License Verification

There are three types of licensure verification requests:

1) Licensees for any profession can be verified for free via the Department of Labor and Industry. This sites offers access to the Business Standards Licensing Database in a real-time manner.

2) A licensee may request licensure information directly from the board via the program email link. At this form, you should include first and last name, address, city, state, license number and any other type of identifying information. This service is provided for free and a response should be expected within 3 days of receipt.

3) You may also request the official license verification to be sent to another state licensing board or individual for license confirmation status. In this case there is a fee of $20.00 per verification. Upon fee and official license verification form receival, the request will be processed and mailed within 5 days. You may find the official license verification form here.