Journeyman and master electrician license and test requirements in North Dakota — what the state requires, who gives the exam, which NEC edition it is written on, the fees, and how to sign up. Free — no account needed.
Journeyman requires 8,000 hours of experience (not less than 3 years) registered as an apprentice under a licensed master/contracting master, plus completed apprentice training; up to 2,000 hours credit for a 2-year electrical school. Apply to NDSEB, get approved, then take the closed-book + open-book journeyman exam (NEC + ND laws/rules/wiring standards), passing at 70%.
Master requires at least one year (min 2,000 hours) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician under a licensed contracting master/master of record. After board approval, pass the master exam (same format: 1-hour closed-book + 3.5-hour open-book, NEC + ND standards) at 70%.
Kevin's Electrical Prep Course is built by a licensed master electrician, instructor and electrical inspector: 630+ practice questions with every math problem worked out step by step, timed practice exams, video lessons and drive-along audio. Both code books included — NEC 2023 and NEC 2026. So you study the edition North Dakota actually tests on — the NEC 2023. $200 for 6 months, and a pass guarantee.
See the course & take 15 free sample questions → Get 6-month access — $200North Dakota uses State board (NDSEB administers/schedules exams by invitation) as its testing provider. Licensing is handled by North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB).
2023 NEC. North Dakota has adopted the 2023 NEC and the NDSEB board-administered journeyman/master exams are drawn from the 2023 NEC. Confirm on ndseb.com.
Journeyman and Master exams are board-administered (by invitation after application approval), covering fundamental electricity, ND laws/rules/wiring standards and the current NEC. Both are split-format: a 1-hour CLOSED-book section plus a 3.5-hour OPEN-book section (code book, calculator, pencils permitted on the open portion). Passing score 70%. Source: https://www.ndseb.com/licensing/exam-dates-information/
~$25 journeyman, ~$50 master (per widely reported schedule; confirm with NDSEB) · License/app: ~$25 journeyman, ~$50 master initial application/annual (Master & Power Limited $50); confirm with NDSEB
Journeyman requires 8,000 hours of experience (not less than 3 years) registered as an apprentice under a licensed master/contracting master, plus completed apprentice training; up to 2,000 hours credit for a 2-year electrical school. Apply to NDSEB, get approved, then take the closed-book + open-book journeyman exam (NEC + ND laws/rules/wiring standards), passing at 70%.
Master requires at least one year (min 2,000 hours) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician under a licensed contracting master/master of record. After board approval, pass the master exam (same format: 1-hour closed-book + 3.5-hour open-book, NEC + ND standards) at 70%.
Journeyman: Journeyman requires 8,000 hours of experience (not less than 3 years) registered as an apprentice under a licensed master/contracting master, plus completed apprentice training; up to 2,000 hours credit for a 2-year electrical school. Apply to NDSEB, get approved, then take the closed-book + open-book journeyman exam (NEC + ND laws/rules/wiring standards), passing at 70%. Master: Master requires at least one year (min 2,000 hours) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician under a licensed contracting master/master of record. After board approval, pass the master exam (same format: 1-hour closed-book + 3.5-hour open-book, NEC + ND standards) at 70%.
Master reciprocity with Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. Journeyman reciprocity with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Must have passed an exam in the reciprocating state, hold a valid license 1+ year, and meet equivalent training/experience. Source: link
Statewide licensing by NDSEB. Exams are NOT run by a national vendor - the board approves the application, then sends an exam invitation with available dates (offered on scheduled dates, in Bismarck). Exam fees ~$25 journeyman, ~$50 master. Verify adopted NEC edition.
Everything above is kept current, but North Dakota can change a fee, a form or an exam provider at any time — and the state's own site is always the live answer. Before you register, click through and confirm:
These open North Dakota's official pages in a new tab. Nothing on this site replaces what your state board publishes.