North Dakota Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Apply (2026)

North Dakota licenses all electricians through the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division — a statewide system applicable throughout the state from Fargo and Bismarck to Minot and Grand Forks. The State Fire Marshal issues journeyman, master, and contractor electrical licenses and requires all electrical work to be performed by licensed individuals or registered apprentices under licensed supervision. See our North Dakota state exam prep page for practice questions aligned to the North Dakota PSI exam.

This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step for 2026 — verified against the North Dakota State Fire Marshal's official information.

Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the North Dakota State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division before applying.

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Overview: North Dakota Electrical Licensing

North Dakota's electrical licensing is administered by the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division. The state adopted NEC 2023 as its current electrical code. North Dakota's largest employment centers for licensed electricians include Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, and Grand Forks, with significant additional demand from the energy sector in western North Dakota.

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Types of North Dakota Electrician Licenses

The State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division issues the following license types:

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Journeyman Electrician License Requirements

To qualify for a North Dakota Journeyman Electrician license:

Work Experience: At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job electrical training under a licensed electrician. Experience must be documented and verified.

Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Application: Submit a completed application with experience documentation and fees to the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division at sfm.nd.gov.

Examination: Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician exam with a score of at least 70%.

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The PSI Exam: Format & Preparation

North Dakota's journeyman exam is administered by PSI Exams at testing centers in the state, including locations in Fargo and Bismarck.

Exam Details:

• Administrator: PSI Exams
• Format: Multiple-choice, open book
• Code Reference: NEC 2023 (bring a tabbed, highlighted copy)
• Passing Score: 70%
• Scheduling: Schedule through PSI at psiexams.com after application approval

Preparation Tips:

• Study NEC Articles 100, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 410, and 430
• Practice residential and commercial load calculations
• Learn Tables 310.16, 250.122, and 220.12
• Tab and highlight your codebook before exam day
• Take full timed practice exams in the weeks before your test

Our NEC 2023 practice questions target the content areas most tested on the North Dakota journeyman exam.

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Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Accumulate 8,000 hours of documented OJT under a licensed electrician
2. Submit your application to the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division with documentation and fees
3. Receive approval and schedule your PSI exam
4. Pass the exam (70% or higher)
5. Receive your North Dakota license — renew annually

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Fees

Verify all fees at sfm.nd.gov before submitting:

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License Renewal & Continuing Education

North Dakota electrician licenses renew annually. Verify current renewal fees and any CE requirements with the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division before your renewal date.

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Reciprocity & Endorsement

North Dakota may recognize comparable licenses from other states. Contact the State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division at sfm.nd.gov to confirm eligibility and documentation requirements.

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North Dakota Electrical Market Outlook

North Dakota's construction market is shaped by a mix of urban growth and energy sector activity:

• Fargo metro — North Dakota's largest city; commercial, healthcare, and residential growth
• Bismarck — state government facilities, commercial development, and healthcare construction
• Minot — Minot Air Force Base and surrounding community construction
• Bakken Oil Field (Williston Basin) — western North Dakota's oil and gas industry creates significant electrical demand for well pads, processing facilities, and man camps
• Agriculture infrastructure — grain elevator and processing facility electrical work

A valid State Fire Marshal journeyman license is the legal requirement to work across all of these markets.

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Official Resources

• North Dakota State Fire Marshal's Electrical Division: sfm.nd.gov
• PSI Exams (scheduling): psiexams.com
• NEC 2023 Codebook: Available at NFPA.org or major electrical supply houses

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Ready to Pass the North Dakota Exam?

GetLicenseReady's NEC 2023 practice questions cover the code articles and calculation types tested on the North Dakota PSI journeyman exam.

Related reading: How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician License? | Journeyman vs. Master Electrician: What's the Difference? | How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try