Minnesota Electrician License Renewal (DLI)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

Minnesota journeyworker and master electrician licenses renew every two years through DLI's iMS system, with 16 hours of DLI-approved CE, at least 12 of them on the National Electrical Code, earned during the license term. Master licenses all expire at the end of February in odd-numbered years and contractor licenses at the end of February in even-numbered years, so the two never come due together.

At a glance

Journeyworker electrician: Expires every two years: DLI dates it to the end of the month in which the license was originally issued. Go by the expiration date on your license in iMS
Master electrician: Expires on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year
Electrical contractor: Expires on the last day of February of each even-numbered year
Continuing education: 16 hours of DLI-approved CE for journeyworker and master electricians, at least 12 of them on the National Electrical Code; the rest can be on Minnesota's electrical laws and rules or related technical subjects
When to take it: Within the license term before it expires. Extra hours don't carry over to the next term
More than one license: The same hours count toward each license you hold: you only need the hours of the license with the highest requirement
Fee: $53 for a journeyworker, $93 for a master electrician, $188 for an electrical contractor
Late fee: Added when a complete renewal isn't received by the expiration date: $20 for a journeyworker, $40 for a master, $90 for a contractor
Renew: Online through iMS, DLI's application and renewal system
Deadline: DLI must receive a complete renewal application by the expiration date, or the license can expire before DLI acts on it. While it's expired you can't do the work it covers
After it expires: You can apply to renew up to two years after the expiration date. After that, you apply for a new license
Renewing without CE: Can lead to license suspension and a $1,000 fine. A recently issued license may owe no CE at its first renewal: check your CE status with DLI
Contractor renewal: DLI won't renew the contractor license without current liability insurance and workers' comp information on file. Your responsible master electrician's license and your Secretary of State business filing must be active too

Registered unlicensed electricians renew every year: two hours of DLI-approved CE, a $19 fee ($5 more if late) and a work experience verification form.

The contractor's $25,000 surety bond is continuous and doesn't need renewing, but if you get a new bond or anything about it changes, send the new bond to DLI.

A change in business structure (say, from a sole proprietorship to an LLC) needs a new contractor license application for the new business, not a renewal.

After a contractor license expires, electrical permits can't be issued to the contractor until its renewal has been processed and approved.

How to renew

Look up your license in iMS and note the expiration date: journeyworkers by the month the license was first issued, masters at the end of February in odd-numbered years, contractors at the end of February in even-numbered years.
Finish 16 hours of DLI-approved CE, at least 12 on the National Electrical Code, before the license expires, and keep your completion certificates.
Renew online in iMS and pay the fee: $53 journeyworker, $93 master, $188 contractor.
Contractors: check your responsible master electrician's license is valid before you renew the contractor license.
Make sure DLI has the complete renewal by the expiration date, or the late fee applies and the license can lapse.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date in iMS and book your 16 CE hours (at least 12 on the National Electrical Code) with a DLI-approved provider.
45 days outFinish the CE hours: they have to be earned within the license term, before it expires.
30 days outRenew online in iMS and pay the fee. Contractors: check your responsible master's license is valid first.
Expiration dateLast day for DLI to receive a complete renewal without the late fee. Once the license expires, you can't do the work it covers.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your electrical contractor license (end of February, even-numbered years) and your responsible master's license (end of February, odd-numbered years)
Your registered unlicensed electricians' registrations (every year)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Minnesota electrician licenses expire?

A journeyworker license expires every two years: DLI dates it to the end of the month in which the license was originally issued. Master electrician licenses expire on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year, and electrical contractor licenses on the last day of February of each even-numbered year.

How many CE hours does a Minnesota electrician need to renew?

16 hours of DLI-approved CE for journeyworker and master electricians, at least 12 of them on the National Electrical Code; the rest can be on Minnesota's electrical laws and rules or related technical subjects. Extra hours don't carry over to the next term.

How much does it cost to renew a Minnesota electrical license?

$53 for a journeyworker, $93 for a master electrician, $188 for an electrical contractor. A late fee is added when a complete renewal isn't received by the expiration date: $20 for a journeyworker, $40 for a master, $90 for a contractor.

Can I renew an expired Minnesota electrician license?

You can apply to renew up to two years after the expiration date. After that, you apply for a new license. While it's expired you can't do the work it covers.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), electrical licensing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Minnesota guides

All Minnesota guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Minnesota Electrician License Renewal (DLI)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 4 min read

At a glance

Journeyworker electrician: Expires every two years: DLI dates it to the end of the month in which the license was originally issued. Go by the expiration date on your license in iMS
Master electrician: Expires on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year
Electrical contractor: Expires on the last day of February of each even-numbered year
Continuing education: 16 hours of DLI-approved CE for journeyworker and master electricians, at least 12 of them on the National Electrical Code; the rest can be on Minnesota's electrical laws and rules or related technical subjects
When to take it: Within the license term before it expires. Extra hours don't carry over to the next term
More than one license: The same hours count toward each license you hold: you only need the hours of the license with the highest requirement
Fee: $53 for a journeyworker, $93 for a master electrician, $188 for an electrical contractor
Late fee: Added when a complete renewal isn't received by the expiration date: $20 for a journeyworker, $40 for a master, $90 for a contractor
Renew: Online through iMS, DLI's application and renewal system
Deadline: DLI must receive a complete renewal application by the expiration date, or the license can expire before DLI acts on it. While it's expired you can't do the work it covers
After it expires: You can apply to renew up to two years after the expiration date. After that, you apply for a new license
Renewing without CE: Can lead to license suspension and a $1,000 fine. A recently issued license may owe no CE at its first renewal: check your CE status with DLI
Contractor renewal: DLI won't renew the contractor license without current liability insurance and workers' comp information on file. Your responsible master electrician's license and your Secretary of State business filing must be active too

Registered unlicensed electricians renew every year: two hours of DLI-approved CE, a $19 fee ($5 more if late) and a work experience verification form.

The contractor's $25,000 surety bond is continuous and doesn't need renewing, but if you get a new bond or anything about it changes, send the new bond to DLI.

A change in business structure (say, from a sole proprietorship to an LLC) needs a new contractor license application for the new business, not a renewal.

After a contractor license expires, electrical permits can't be issued to the contractor until its renewal has been processed and approved.

How to renew

Look up your license in iMS and note the expiration date: journeyworkers by the month the license was first issued, masters at the end of February in odd-numbered years, contractors at the end of February in even-numbered years.
Finish 16 hours of DLI-approved CE, at least 12 on the National Electrical Code, before the license expires, and keep your completion certificates.
Renew online in iMS and pay the fee: $53 journeyworker, $93 master, $188 contractor.
Contractors: check your responsible master electrician's license is valid before you renew the contractor license.
Make sure DLI has the complete renewal by the expiration date, or the late fee applies and the license can lapse.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date in iMS and book your 16 CE hours (at least 12 on the National Electrical Code) with a DLI-approved provider.
45 days outFinish the CE hours: they have to be earned within the license term, before it expires.
30 days outRenew online in iMS and pay the fee. Contractors: check your responsible master's license is valid first.
Expiration dateLast day for DLI to receive a complete renewal without the late fee. Once the license expires, you can't do the work it covers.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your electrical contractor license (end of February, even-numbered years) and your responsible master's license (end of February, odd-numbered years)
Your registered unlicensed electricians' registrations (every year)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Minnesota electrician licenses expire?

How many CE hours does a Minnesota electrician need to renew?

How much does it cost to renew a Minnesota electrical license?

Can I renew an expired Minnesota electrician license?

You can apply to renew up to two years after the expiration date. After that, you apply for a new license. While it's expired you can't do the work it covers.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), electrical licensing

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Minnesota guides

All Minnesota guides on one page

Electrician guides for other states

Compare electrician license renewals across states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for electricians

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet