Montana Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply (2026)
Montana licenses all electricians through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Electrical Board — a statewide system applicable from Billings and Missoula to Great Falls and Helena. The DLI Electrical Board issues journeyman, master, and contractor licenses and requires all commercial and residential electrical work to be performed by licensed individuals or registered apprentices under licensed supervision. See our Montana state exam prep page for practice questions aligned to the Montana journeyman exam.
This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step for 2026 — verified against the Montana DLI's official licensing information.
Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Electrical Board before applying.
Overview: Montana Electrical Licensing
Montana's electrical licensing program is administered by the DLI Electrical Board. The state adopted NEC 2023 as its current electrical code. Montana's largest employment centers for licensed electricians include Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Helena, with growing activity in energy and industrial sectors.
Types of Montana Electrician Licenses
The DLI Electrical Board issues the following license classifications:
| License | Experience Required | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Enrolled in approved program | Work under direct supervision |
| Journeyman Electrician | Approved apprenticeship (≈8,000 hrs) | Perform electrical work under master supervision |
| Master Electrician | Hold Journeyman + additional experience | Plan, supervise, and direct electrical work |
| Electrical Contractor | Hold Master + business requirements | Operate an electrical contracting business |
Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
To qualify for a Montana Journeyman Electrician license, you must meet the following:
Work Experience: Completion of a DLI-approved apprenticeship program, typically 8,000 hours of on-the-job electrical training combined with classroom instruction. JATC programs and other DLI-registered apprenticeship programs qualify.
Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Application: Submit a completed application with experience documentation and applicable fees to the DLI Electrical Board at erd.dli.mt.gov.
Examination: Pass the Journeyman Electrician exam with a score of at least 75%.
The Montana Electrician Exam: Format & Preparation
Montana's journeyman exam is administered at authorized testing locations in the state.
Exam Details:
- Format: Multiple-choice, open book
- Code Reference: NEC 2023 (bring a tabbed, highlighted copy)
- Passing Score: 75%
- Scheduling: Contact the DLI Electrical Board or testing provider after application approval
Open-book format permits your NEC codebook. The critical skill is navigating the code quickly and accurately under time pressure — something that only comes from deliberate practice.
Preparation Tips:
- Study NEC Articles 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 410, and 430
- Practice reading Tables 310.16, 250.122, and 220.12 fluently
- Work through timed load calculation problems (Articles 220 and 430)
- Tab and highlight your codebook before exam day
- Take full-length timed practice tests in the weeks prior to your exam
Our NEC 2023 practice questions are calibrated to the content distribution of the Montana journeyman exam.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Complete your apprenticeship at a DLI-approved program (typically 8,000 hours OJT)
- Create an account at erd.dli.mt.gov
- Submit your application with documentation and fees
- Schedule your exam after the DLI approves your application
- Pass the exam (75% or higher)
- Receive your Montana license — renew annually
Fees
All fees should be verified directly with the DLI before submitting:
| Fee | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| License Application Fee | Verify at erd.dli.mt.gov |
| Exam Fee | Verify with the DLI Electrical Board |
| Annual License Renewal | Verify at erd.dli.mt.gov |
Fees are subject to change. Always confirm current amounts before paying.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Montana electrician licenses renew annually. Renewal requires:
- Payment of the annual renewal fee through the DLI
- Compliance with any continuing education requirements
Verify current CE requirements with the DLI Electrical Board before your renewal date. CE courses must be board-approved.
Master Electrician License
The Master Electrician license in Montana authorizes you to supervise electrical work, pull permits, and serve as the qualifying party for an electrical contracting business. Requirements include:
- Active Montana Journeyman Electrician license
- Additional documented journeyman-level experience
- Pass the Master Electrician exam (open book, NEC 2023)
Verify exact requirements at erd.dli.mt.gov.
Reciprocity & Endorsement
Montana may recognize comparable licenses from other states. Contact the DLI Electrical Board to determine whether your out-of-state license qualifies for endorsement and what documentation is required.
Montana Electrical Market Outlook
Montana's electrical labor market is shaped by its unique geography and industries:
- Billings — regional commercial hub with consistent construction activity
- Missoula — university community with growing residential and commercial development
- Great Falls — industrial and healthcare construction
- Bakken-adjacent energy projects — eastern Montana oil, gas, and pipeline infrastructure
- Renewable energy — wind and solar development creates ongoing demand statewide
- Tourism and resort construction — year-round activity near Glacier and Yellowstone parks
A Montana DLI license is the legal entry point to all of these markets.
Official Resources
- Montana DLI Electrical Board: erd.dli.mt.gov
- NEC 2023 Codebook: Available at NFPA.org or major electrical supply houses
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