Montana Electrician Exam

Electrician Practice

To get licensed in Montana, electricians are required to take an exam that covers such subjects as circuits, conductors, grounding, lighting and safety. Whether you live in Helena or Butte or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your electrician’s license.

Need of a License: All electrical contractors and electricians must be licensed by the State Electrical Board. Types of licenses issued and qualifications for each are:

Electrical Contractor (Unlimited and Limited)


An applicant must identify a full-time Montana licensed journeyman or master electrician for all work done in Montana.

Master Electrician
Need to show five years’ experience in planning, laying out, and supervising of electrical construction beyond journeyman status, and must pass a written examination. The practical experience requirement is one year for an electrical engineer graduate and four years for a graduate of an approved two-year curriculum electrical trade school.

Journeyman Electrician
Need to complete a four-year apprenticeship in electrical construction work or have four years of practical experience in electrical construction work and must pass a written examination.

Residential Electrician
Must furnish evidence of two year (4000 hour) apprenticeship in the electrical trade or two years practical experience in electrical construction work, and must pass a written examination.

Who Grants a License: Montana State Electrical Board

Qualifications and Exam Requirements

Applicants must pass a written exam. Types of licenses and qualifications for each are:

Contractor

  • Have proof of compliance with Montana Workers Compensation and also Unemployment Insurance or an Independent Contractor Exemption.
  • Have a Montana Licensed Master as the responsible electrician.
Master Electrician
  • 2000 hours of practical experience
  • 8000 hours of journeyman level experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power.

Journeyman Electrician

  • Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in the electrical trade or completion of an appropriate training program conducted by a union or trade association.
  • One of the following:
    • 8000 hours of l practical experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power.
    • Worked in the electrical maintenance field for at least (20,000) hours, accompanied by written certification by the applicants employer.

How to Apply for the License

Contractor - License Application

Master Electrician - License Application

Journeyman Electrician - License Application

Test Content

Contractor - See Candidate Booklet

  1. National Electrical Code
  2. Ohm’s Law
  3. Layout and practical installation of electrical circuits

Consists of 60 questions in multiple choice or true/false format.

Master Electrician – See Candidate Booklet

  1. National Electrical Code
  2. Cost Estimating
  3. Procurement & Material Handling
  4. Printreading
  5. Layout of Electrical Circuits
  6. Electrical Theory

Consists of 80 questions in multiple choice or true/false format.

Journeyman Electrician - See Candidate Booklet

  1. National Electrical Code
  2. Ohm’s Law
  3. Layout and practical installation of electrical circuits

Consists of 60 questions in multiple choice or true/false format.

Fees: There are fees to obtain a license.

Who Administers the Test: Only applicants who have been approved by the Montana State Electrical Board will be allowed to register for an exam. PSI is the exam vendor for the State Electrical Board (800) 733-9267.

License Renewal Requirements

Contractor - Biennial Renewal, May 15 - July 15

Master Electrician - Biennial: in even years; renewing between May 15 and July 15

Journeyman Electrician - Biennial, on even years; renewing between May 15 and July 15

Applicable Code: NEC 2020

Contact

Montana State Electrical Board
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513

(406) 841-2329
(406) 444-2309 fax

 

To prepare for your electrician exam, use the following two practice exams by Ray Holder (Master Electrician and Certified Electrical Trade Instructor) which have 300 questions with fully explained answers:

For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's Journeyman and Master Electrician Test Guide.

And take Tests.com's free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test and the Master Electrician Practice Test.

For electrician exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's Journeyman Electrician Exam and Master Electrician Exam listings.