Checked against primary sources 2026-09-07

Code LN

Minnesota Lineman License: The NESC Exam and 48 Months

The lineman license is the odd one out in Minnesota. It is the only electrical examination taken on a different book, it is the only one with no continuing education requirement, and its experience has to come from an electrical utility.

Test yourself: thirty free questions, timed

What the license covers

Minnesota Statutes 326B.31, subdivision 20 defines a lineman as an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience and technical knowledge to construct and maintain transmission and distribution systems.

That is the whole scope sentence. Transmission and distribution, not premises wiring, which is why the examination sits on a different standard.

Forty eight months, and where they have to come from

326B.33, subdivision 9(b) asks for at least 48 months of experience, acceptable to the commissioner, in wiring for, installing and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment for an electrical utility. The last three words are the constraint.

The DLI matrix puts the 24 month minimum in line work, and line work can supply all 48. Wiring for and installing caps at 12 months and maintaining and repairing at 12. Technology circuits can carry up to 6 and installing elevators up to 3, and process control circuits carry a zero maximum.

Compare that to the journeyworker matrix, where line work is capped at 3 months. The two licenses barely credit each other's time.

The exam, on the other book

Fifty questions, which is the shortest paper apart from the two 25 question installer exams. Five and a half hours and 70 percent to pass, the same as everything else.

The Licensing Examination Guide says applicants may use the National Electrical Code or the National Electrical Safety Code, used only for the lineman examination. So the lineman paper is the one Minnesota exam that is not a National Electrical Code exam.

DLI supplies the book. The guide says a copy is provided in soft cover format and does not include tabs or other aids, and that no other materials or electronic devices, including cell phones, are allowed in the building. Our practice material is written to the National Electrical Code and does not cover the safety code, so plan your study around the book DLI names.

Fees, and the two things missing

Fifty dollars for the examination application, $40 for the license and $8 for the board fee, so $48 new. Two entries on the lineman row differ from every other license on the fee schedule.

The continuing education column reads NA, so there is no $5 continuing education fee. Renewal is therefore $48 rather than $53, and $68 with the $20 late fee.

The DLI continuing education table matches, printing zero code hours and zero non code hours for LN.

The utility route

DLI lists the lineworker track on its utility apprenticeships page rather than with the construction electrician sponsors. Two sponsors are named.

The Minnesota Rural Electric Association covers greater Minnesota from multiple locations. Its published entry requirements are being 18 years or older, being physically able to work outside in all weather conditions and comfortable working at heights, and being available to work on an on call basis outside normal hours including overnights, weekends and holidays. Member utilities may also ask for an accredited lineworker program at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, M State Wadena or Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Jackson, a Class A commercial driver's license or the ability to get one, and residency within a set radius of the operation center, often 30 minutes.

Xcel Energy is the other sponsor DLI names, with entry at 18 years or older and a high school diploma or equivalent.

What the state does not publish about linemen

The Board of Electricity prints active license counts in its quarterly minutes for journeyworkers, masters, power limited technicians, registered individuals, contractors, technology systems contractors, registered employers and sign contractor bonds.

Lineman is not on that list. Neither are Class B installer or satellite system installer. There is no published count of licensed linemen in Minnesota and no published lineman pass rate, so anybody quoting you one is not quoting the board.

Questions people ask

Does Minnesota license linemen?

Yes. The lineman license, code LN, is issued by the Department of Labor and Industry, and Minnesota Statutes 326B.31, subdivision 20 defines it as constructing and maintaining transmission and distribution systems.

Is the Minnesota lineman exam on the NEC?

No. The Licensing Examination Guide says the National Electrical Safety Code is used only for the lineman examination. Every other Minnesota electrical exam is on the National Electrical Code.

How many questions is the lineman exam?

Fifty, with five and a half hours to complete it and a 70 percent pass mark. Those last two figures are the same for every electrical examination DLI runs.

How much experience does the lineman license need?

Forty eight months for an electrical utility, with at least 24 of them in line work. Minnesota Statutes 326B.33, subdivision 9(b) carries the utility requirement.

Does a lineman license need continuing education?

No. The DLI continuing education table prints zero code hours and zero non code hours for LN, and the fee schedule prints NA in the continuing education fee column, which is why renewal is $48 rather than $53.

Where do lineman apprenticeships run in Minnesota?

DLI names the Minnesota Rural Electric Association for greater Minnesota and Xcel Energy on its utility apprenticeships page. Member utilities may also ask for an accredited lineworker program at Dakota County Technical College, M State Wadena or Minnesota West.

What this page cites

• Minnesota Statutes 326B.31 Subdivision 20 defines the lineman license. source
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.33 Subdivision 9(b) sets the 48 months of experience for an electrical utility. source
• DLI Licensing Examination Guide Gives the 50 question count and says the National Electrical Safety Code is used only for the lineman examination. source
• CCLD licensing fee schedule Shows NA in the continuing education column for LN and a $48 renewal rather than $53. source
• DLI utility apprenticeships Names the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and Xcel Energy, with their published entry requirements. source
• Board of Electricity minutes, April 14, 2026 The active license counts the board publishes, which do not include a lineman row. source