HF4330

Purpose

This bill aims to update who may supervise electrical work in Minnesota, clarify licensing categories for electricians, and strengthen rules around unlicensed work. It changes how journeyworker electricians and power limited technicians are licensed and supervised, and it sets limits on how many unlicensed workers can be supervised by licensed electricians. It also adds continuing education requirements for licensed technicians.

Main Provisions

• Journeyworker Electrician (Section 1)

  • A person may perform and supervise electrical work only if they are licensed as a journeyworker electrician.
  • Supervision options:
  • The worker is an employee, partner, or officer of a licensed electrical contractor.
  • The work is performed under the supervision of a master electrician who is employed by the same employer.
  • Experience and licensing for Class A journeyworker:
  • At least four years of experience in wiring, installation, and repair.
  • Up to one year of experience credit for completing a two-year post-high-school electrical program approved by the commissioner.
  • History note: No new Class B journeyworker licenses may be issued after August 1, 1985. Current Class B license holders may renew and keep their privileges, which cover limited single-phase work (up to 200 amperes) on farmsteads or small-town single-family dwellings.

• Power Limited Technician (Section 2)

  • A person must be licensed as a power limited technician to install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise electrical work for technology circuits or systems.
  • Supervision options mirror journeyworker rules:
  • Supervised by a master electrician or by a power limited technician, both employed by the licensed contractor.
  • Licensing requirements:
  • Either a four-year electrical college degree or at least 36 months of relevant experience.
  • Credit for up to 12 months of additional experience for completing a two-year post-high-school electrical course or other approved training.
  • Continuing education: licensees must complete 16 hours of acceptable continuing education at each renewal.

• Unlicensed Individuals (Section 3)

  • Definition: An unlicensed individual is someone not licensed to perform specific electrical work.
  • Registration and supervision:
  • Unlicensed individuals must register with the department before doing electrical work.
  • They may perform work only under direct supervision of a licensed worker, and must be employed by the same licensed electrical contractor as the supervising worker.
  • Supervision limits:
  • Generally, a licensed worker may supervise no more than two unlicensed individuals.
  • For technology circuits or systems work, the limit is three unlicensed individuals.
  • Recordkeeping: contractors must maintain records showing compliance and allow the department to inspect them.
  • Responsibility: the supervising licensed worker is responsible for the work’s compliance with the Minnesota Electrical Act and related rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Clarifies and tightens who can supervise electrical work, creating clearer paths for supervision via licensed journeyworker electricians or master electricians.
• Establishes a formal path and experience requirements for Class A journeyworker electricians; maintains an old restriction that no new Class B licenses be issued (though current Class B holders may keep their privileges).
• Introduces or tightens a specific licensure pathway for power limited technicians, including education, experience, and continuing education requirements.
• Strengthens oversight of unlicensed workers by requiring registration, strict direct supervision, and specific employer recordkeeping; sets explicit supervision caps to prevent over-reliance on unlicensed labor.
• Reinforces that the licensed electrician is ultimately responsible for the work performed by unlicensed workers, aligning supervision with safety and compliance goals.

Practical Implications

• Contractors may need to adjust staffing to ensure work is performed under appropriate supervision and by properly licensed individuals.
• Workers may need to pursue or maintain the appropriate license (journeyworker or power limited technician) and meet new education/experience requirements.
• Unlicensed workers will face stricter rules and more formal oversight, with clearer proof-of-supervision and recordkeeping.

Relevant Terms - journeyworker electrician - Class A journeyworker electrician license - Class B journeyworker electrician license - master electrician - power limited technician - technology circuits or systems - unlicensed individual - direct supervision - licensed contractor - recordkeeping - continuing education - Minnesota Electrical Act - electrical work - supervision limits - licensed vs. unlicensed supervision