Licensing Guides
Montana Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in Montana
Electrical, MT
Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Montana
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Montana?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Montana?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Montana?
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Montana?
Does My Montana Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Montana?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in Montana?
Working with electricity is a dangerous and demanding job, but with the right education and training you can learn how to do it right and become an electrical professional in Montana.
Everyone needs an electrician at some point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 818,700 electricians nationwide and 2,830 in Montana.
The national number is predicted to grow 10% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 80,000 to the ranks of this important workforce. That growth rate in Montana is projected at 27%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals, while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in Montana in July 2025 totaled 38,300, an increase of 600 (1.6%) from July 2024 and an increase of 7,400 or 24% from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Montana
Is a state license required to be an electrician in Montana? Yes.
All electrical work in the state of Montana requires a license. Electrician licenses are issued by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry through the Montana State Electrical Board. Electrical apprentices must also register with the state.
Steps to Get an Electrical License in Montana
There are different requirements for each level of licensing in the electrical field in Montana. However, at every level, a license is required by law. For each you must:
Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Complete classroom training.
Acquire work experience (progressively more for journeyman, master, and contractor status).
Pass a state-administered examination.
Pay all applicable fees.
Apply for your license.
How to Become an Electrician in Montana
To become a licensed electrician in Montana, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Meet the educational/experience requirements.
Pass the required exam.
Pay all applicable fees.
Below are the specifics for each license.
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICIAN
Work experience: Requires 8,000 hours of full-time practical experience in the electrical trade or completion of an apprenticeship program with 20,000 hours of electrical maintenance field experience, including 4,000 hours (residential) or 8,000 hours (journeyman) of practical experience.
Pass licensing exam: Administered by PSI.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience, educational record, and criminal history.
Pay application fee: $190.
Limitations: Can perform electrical work only on residential structures containing four or fewer dwelling units within the same building. May also wire accessory structures located on the same lot as the dwelling, provided they are residential in use and within size limits set by state code. Cannot perform commercial or industrial electrical work.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Work experience: Requires 8,000 hours of practical experience in the electrical trade or completion of an apprenticeship program.
Pass licensing exam: Administered by PSI. Journeyman electrician candidates can pay the state licensing board an additional $50 fee to legally start working as a temporary journeyman while they wait to take the test.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience, educational record, and criminal history.
Pay fee: $190.
Limitations: Can perform electrical work on residential, commercial, and industrial systems only while employed by and under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. Cannot contract directly with the public or operate an electrical business independently.
MASTER ELECTRICIAN
Work experience: Earn an electrical engineering degree and complete 2,000 hours of full-time practical experience in the electrical trade or complete 8,000 hours of journeyman experience.
Pass licensing exam: Administered by PSI.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience, educational record, and criminal history.
Pay fee: $190.
Limitations: Can perform and supervise electrical work on residential, commercial, and industrial systems. May design, plan, and oversee installations. Does not authorize contracting with the public unless also designated as the responsible electrician for a licensed electrical contractor.
LIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Work experience: Must designate a licensed journey electrician as the responsible electrician.
Pass licensing exam: No exam required.
Apply for license: Submit application with proof of compliance with Montana workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance (or independent contractor exemption) and name a responsible journeyman electrician.
Pay fee: $210.
Limitations: Required to operate an electrical contracting business. Restricted to residential construction. Must maintain full-time responsible journeyman electrician.
UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Work experience: Must designate a licensed Master Electrician as the responsible electrician.
Pass licensing exam: No exam required.
Apply for license: Submit application with proof of compliance with Montana workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance (or independent contractor exemption) and name a responsible journeyman electrician.
Pay fee: $210.
Limitations: Required to operate an electrical contracting business. Allows residential and commercial electrical contracting. Must maintain full-time responsible Master Electrician.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Montana
Montana issues five different electrician licenses:
Residential Electrician
Licensed to perform electrical work on residential structures with four or fewer dwelling units. This license is intended for electricians who specialize in residential wiring, installation, alteration, and repair and requires documented experience or completion of an approved apprenticeship and passage of a state exam.
Journeyman Electrician
Qualified to perform electrical work on residential, commercial, and industrial systems while employed by and under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. Journeyman electricians must meet experience requirements and pass a state exam but may not contract directly with the public.
Master Electrician
Authorized to plan, design, supervise, and perform electrical work on all types of electrical systems, including residential, commercial, and industrial. This license represents the highest level of electrician certification in Montana and requires advanced experience and successful completion of a state exam.
Limited Electrical Contractor
Allows an individual or business to contract for residential electrical work only, limited to structures with four or fewer dwelling units. A limited electrical contractor must designate and maintain a licensed journeyman electrician as the responsible electrician.
Unlimited Electrical Contractor
Permits an individual or business to contract for and perform all types of electrical work, including residential, commercial, and industrial projects. An unlimited electrical contractor must designate and maintain a licensed Master Electrician as the responsible electrician.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Montana
There are many benefits to getting your electrical license in Montana.
First and most important, it is required by law in Montana to be licensed through the state to legally perform any electrical work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
You begin earning money from the very first day you begin the process of becoming an electrician.
It protects your company and customers.
It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
As you build on your expertise your earning potential increases and you have more authority to pull building permits and bid on projects.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Montana?
The annual mean salary for electricians in Montana is $68,080 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An electrician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median electrician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.59% for entry-level workers, 3.24% for intermediate level, and 3.15% for senior level electricians. In Montana those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $56,900
Intermediate (2-4 years): $66,700
Senior (4-7 years): $71,900
Salaries can vary widely, depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an electrical business, this blog can give you an idea of how to improve your profit margins.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Montana?
Residential, Journeyman, and Master Electrician licenses incur a $190 fee, while the Contractor license fee is $210. In addition, there’s a $75 fee for the required residential or journeyman exam, or $85 for the master exam.
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How Long Does it Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Montana?
It takes 8,000 hours (about four years) to obtain a residential or journeyman license, then an additional 8,000 hours before you qualify for a master license. If you choose to become a contractor, the application process will take additional time.
The great news is that as an apprentice you begin earning a wage from the very beginning and that compensation goes up each year as you acquire more training and knowledge until you are fully licensed at the journeyperson level. Then it goes up again when you acquire your master license.
As a licensed contractor you can start your own electrical business, be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want. And we have a tool to help you.
Montana Electrician Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrician in Montana.
You can complete an apprenticeship program recognized by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the United States Department of Labor.
You can seek out a union apprenticeship available through local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees. Montana’s union apprenticeship program is organized through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), in collaboration with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEC) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Montana’s JATC is based in Helena. Non-union apprenticeship programs are offered through the Montana Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) trade association in cities such as Billings, Kalispell, Great Falls, and Bozeman.
Or you can complete a technical school program approved by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
There are a number of local community colleges that offer approved programs that lead to an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology or similar degrees. A few are:
Tuition: According to Community College Review, the average tuition in Montana is approximately $4,139 per year for in-state students and $8,788 for out-of-state students.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job you will need to have good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing and working in tight spaces.
For more detailed information about electrical trade school options in Montana, check out our post — Electrician Schools in Montana: The Ultimate Guide.
Montana Electrician Licensing Exam Details
In the state of Montana, PSI administers electrician licensing exams. You must register in advance to take the residential, journeyman, and master electrician exams. Experience requirements must be met to sit for the exams.
A 70% is required to pass the residential or journeyman exam. The master exam requires a passing score of at least 75%.
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Montana?
The journeyman electrician exam is open-book and contains 60 questions you must answer within three hours. Exam topics include:
National Electrical Code (NEC)
Ohm’s Law
Layout and Practical Installation of Electrical Circuits
The residential exam covers the same topics as the journeyman exam. It's also open-book, but you must answer 50 questions within 2.5 hours.
The Master Electrician exam is open-book and contains 80 questions you must answer within four hours.
Exam topics include:
National Electrical Code (NEC)
Cost Estimating
Procurement and Material Handling
Print Reading
Wiring Systems
Layout of Electrical Circuits
Electrical Theory
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Montana?
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry through the Montana State Electrical Board issues electrician licenses in Montana.
Does My Montana Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
Every state has different professional licensing requirements. Minimum work experience thresholds will vary, and many will require that you document that experience and pass a licensing exam. Be sure to check those mandates before beginning work as an electrical professional in another state, even if you’ve been doing electrician work in Montana.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Montana?
The Montana State Electrical Board has reciprocal agreements for residential and journeyman electrician licenses with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
An applicant for a Montana electrician license by reciprocity must have held the qualifying out-of-state license for at least one year. They must meet any additional Montana licensure requirements for the license type being requested. Reciprocity is not available for master electrician or electrical contractor licenses in Montana.
National Electrician Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The main national electrical certifications are:
Independent Electrical Contractors certification
National Fire Protection Association certification
Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Are There Electrician Scholarships in Montana?
Yes, there are electrician scholarships available in Montana. They include:
Gianforte Trade and Technology Scholarship: Offers $1,500 per semester for full-time students, or $750 for part-time students, enrolled in technical and trade programs, including electrical programs.
Montana State Fund Trade & Industry Scholarship: Awards $4,000 to students pursuing trade fields and focusing on safety.
Northwest Montana United Way Workforce Development Scholarship: Awards $500 to individuals pursuing careers in the trades, which can be used for tools or schooling.
Every scholarship has slightly different requirements and application processes, but in general you will need to:
Visit the organization's website.
Fill out an application.
Include a letter or letters of recommendation.
Wait for scholarships to be awarded.
How Can Someone Verify My Electrician License in Montana?
The Montana State Electrical Board provides an online search tool to verify electrical licenses. You can search by individual name, company name, or license number.
When Can an Electrician License Be Suspended in Montana?
A suspended electrical license means that the license holder is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that Montana electrician licenses can be suspended are:
Fraud in obtaining a license
Professional incompetence
Misleading or deceptive practices
Unethical conduct or practice harmful to the public
Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs
Client fraud
Code violations
Electrical permit abuse
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Montana electrician and electrical contractor license regulations, see the Montana State Electrical Board Rules and Statutes.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrician Work in Montana?
Performing electrical work without a proper license is a misdemeanor offense in Montana, with penalties including a minimum fine of $250 and a maximum fine of $1,000, plus potential incarceration ranging from 90 days to one year.
Continuing Education
Montana electrical licensees must complete 16 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle, with eight of those hours covering code updates. Renewal fees are also required.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive electrician business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
