Electrician Classes in North Dakota (Top Schools)

North Dakota is a good place to learn a new trade, and the electrician job is one of its top skills trade careers.

In fact, O*Net reported a 23% employment growth from 2020 to 2030 for electricians working here.

So if you want to pursue this career, here’s how to become an electrician in North Dakota.

Potential Salary

North Dakota electricians have the following salary information according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2021):

Mean Wage

• Annually – $67,750
• Hourly – $32.57

Regional Salary

How to Become a Licensed Electrician in North Dakota

The ND State Electrical Board oversees the regulations and license issuance for the following individuals:

• Apprentice electrician
• Journeyman electrician
• Class B electrician
• Master electrician
• Electrical contractor

Becoming an Apprentice Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Will work under the direct supervision of a licensed ND electrician
• Successfully completed one of the training requirements:
  • 576 hours of training classes and 8,000 hours of practical experience in no less than 3 years
  • 2-year electrical school and 8,000 hours of practical experience in no less than 3 years

State Registration Application

The Board requires that you register as an apprentice within 6 months of employment.

To apply for registration, you must submit the following:

• Completed apprentice registration form
• Application fee – $10

State Registration Renewal

Your registration will expire on January 31 of each year.

To renew, you must complete the online apprentice registration renewal form, filling in the following details:

• Your apprentice registration number
• Last 4 digits of your SS number

The renewal fee costs $10.

Becoming a Journeyman Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• 8,000 hours of practical experience in no less than 3 years
• Registered as an apprentice with the Board
• Completed the apprenticeship training
• Successfully pass the required exam

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed license application by exam form
• Documented work experience
• Notarized employment verification form
• Application fee – $25

Exam Details

The Board will administer the exams.

Here are the exam details for the journeyman exam:

• Eligibility period – 6 months
• Exam duration – 1 hour for the closed-book exam; 3.5 hours for the open-book exam
• Exam content
  • Fundamental electricity
  • ND Laws, Rules, and Wiring Standards
  • Current edition of the National Electrical Code
• Passing rate – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will expire on March 31 of each year.

To renew, you must complete the online electrical license renewal form indicating the following details:

• Your journeyman license number
• Last 4 digits of your SS number
• Proof of completing 8 hours of approved continuing education courses, 4 hours of which are about the electrical code

The renewal fee costs $25.

Becoming a Class B Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• 3,000 hours of practical experience in a farmstead or residential wiring in one- or two-family dwellings
• Successfully pass the required exam

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed license application by exam form
• Documented work experience
• Notarized employment verification form
• Application fee – $40

Exam Details

The Class B licensure exam has the same exam details as the journeyman exam.

License Renewal

Your license will expire on April 30 of each year.

The renewal requirements are the same as that of the journeyman license, except the renewal fee costs $40.

Becoming a Master Electrician

ND has 3 types of master electricians:

• Contracting master electrician – adheres to all ND wiring standards and shows proof of liability insurance
• Master of record electrician – adheres to all ND wiring standards for entities and shows proof of liability insurance that the master of record is covered by the entity
• Non-contracting master electrician – adheres to all ND wiring standards and has the same responsibilities as a journeyman wherein any work you perform is under the supervision of a contracting master or master of record electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• 2,000 hours of journeyman experience under the direct supervision of a contracting master or master of record electrician
• Successfully pass the required exam

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Completed license application by exam form
• Documented work experience
• Notarized employment verification form
• Application fee – $50

Exam Details

The master electrician licensure exam has the same exam details as the journeyman exam.

License Renewal

Your license will expire on April 30 of each year.

The renewal requirements are the same as that of the journeyman license, except the renewal fee costs $50.

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in North Dakota

The Board has different requirements for contracting and non-contracting electricians.

If you’re a…, then do the following steps:

Class B, contracting master, or master of record electrician

• Comply with the business requirements of the ND Secretary of State
• Complete the electrical contracting application and e-cert application forms
• Liability insurance – $500,000
• Annual license fee – $40 for Class B; $50 for master electrician

Non-contracting master electrician

• Complete the electrical contracting application and e-cert application forms
• Annual license fee – $50

Note that your license will expire on April 30 every year.

To renew, you must complete the online electrical license renewal form and pay the corresponding renewal fee.

You’re also required to complete 8 approved CE hours, half of which will cover the electrical code.

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in North Dakota

You can get the proper trade training you need through the approved electrician programs of vocational schools and sponsored apprenticeship programs.

Vocational Schools

Enrolling in a vocational school gives you the structured training you need and a 2-year diploma.

Some of the subjects you will take in class are:

• Basic math computations
• Blueprint reading
• Algebra with trigonometry
• Electrical theory
• OSHA regulations and first aid
• Electrical code
• Telecom cabling
• Basic telecommunications
• Motor controls
• Basic alarm technology
• Semi-conductors
• Logic circuits and programmable controllers
• Motor and generator theory
• Fire access and CCTV systems
• Power distribution and load calculations

You can get your practical training by either looking for companies who are hiring or getting placed into an apprenticeship by the school.

Sponsored Apprenticeship Programs

Sponsors of apprenticeship programs are unions (JATCs) and non-unions (private companies).

Regardless of the sponsor, both will provide you with real-world on-the-job training.

It also includes classroom instructions to build up your knowledge of the trade.

The table below lists some of the schools and associations approved by the Board to offer electrician training.

This page is also available in Spanish.