Minnesota electrician exam pass rates
DLI reports exam pass rates to the Board of Electricity each quarter. On the first try, 32% of journeyworker candidates and 46% of master candidates passed, by the figures in the January 15, 2026 minutes.
January 2026 report
Why the numbers disagree
The minutes use different measures from one meeting to the next. By total exams counts every sitting, so people who test several times pull it down. By test taker counts people, so it runs higher. First attempt counts only people sitting the exam for the first time. In July 2025 DLI told the board it now calculates pass rates per individual rather than per exam attempt, and that people pass at much higher rates that way. Each figure below keeps the label the minutes give it.
What the numbers agree on: most candidates do not pass the first time, and the journeyworker exam has the lower first-try rate even though its questions are rated easier.
Minutes of Jul 14, 2026
| Period | Measure | Journeyworker | Master | Power limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 so far | By total examsJourneyworker printed as "$44.6%". | 44.6% | 49.3% | 55.9% |
| 2026 so far | By test taker (two figures, not labeled)The minutes do not say what the two figures are. | 33% / 55% (658 testers) | 36% / 57% (288 testers) | 44% / 64% (151 testers) |
Minutes of Apr 14, 2026
| Period | Measure | Journeyworker | Master | Power limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 so far | By total exams | 42% | 44.7% | 52.2% |
| 2026 so far | By test taker | 45% (349 testers) | 47% | 58% (74 testers) |
Minutes of Jan 15, 2026
| Period | Measure | Journeyworker | Master | Power limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | By total exams | 40% | 50% | 51% |
| 2025 | By test taker | 60% (820 testers) | 63% | 63% (177 testers) |
| 2021 to 2025 | Five-year average | 38.1% | 47.8% | 43.7% |
| Not stated (reported with 2025) | First attempt | 32% | 46% | 42% |
Minutes of Oct 14, 2025
| Period | Measure | Journeyworker | Master | Power limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 and 2025 so far | Basis not stated | 69% | 72% | 68% |
What to do with this
Plan to pass the first time: that is where most people fall short. Take full 80-question practice exams in exam mode, build speed in the untabbed code book, and learn the Laws and Rules Booklet. If you do fail, you can apply again 30 days later with a new application and fee; see retaking the exam.
Checked Nov 15, 2026. Earlier minutes are not linked from the board page, and the October 2026 minutes were not posted yet.