A brief history
The State Board of Electricity was
established on July 8, 1899, to provide for public safety in the rapidly
expanding use of electricity. The first board was comprised of five members,
with its first meeting taking place on July 18, 1899. This board established a
requirement for registration and licensing of individuals who installed various
types of electrical work in counties with a population of more than 125,000
persons. In 1937, electrical licensing became mandatory statewide. Due to the
electrification of greater Minnesota, the requirement for inspection of
electrical installations spread statewide in 1951. In 1967, the law was changed
to require licensing, bonding, insurance and employment of a master electrician
for electrical contractors, whereas previously a bonded master electrician could
operate a business performing electrical work. Due to the proliferation of
power-limited electrical installations, alarm and communication contractor
licensing was established in 1985.
2005 consolidation
Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order on April 4, 2005, which transferred
a number of construction-code-related organizations to the Department of Labor
and Industry. The Board of Electricity was included in the reorganization. As a
result of the consolidation, the Department of Labor and Industry is responsible
for administration and enforcement of the laws and rules regulating the
licensing of electricians and inspection of electrical installations statewide,
except for cities that have by ordinance established a program for performing
electrical inspections. To ensure public safety, the law generally requires that
all electrical work be performed by or under the personal supervision of
licensed persons. Examination and licensing requirements help to ensure the
competence of the individuals licensed by the department. In addition, the law
generally requires that all electrical work be inspected for compliance with
nationally recognized electrical safety standards. (There are some limited
exemptions from both licensing and inspection). The combined requirements for
electrical licensing and electrical inspection help to ensure that the public
will be reasonably protected from fire and life safety hazards arising from the
use of electricity.
The Board of Electricity
The 2007 legislative session established a
Board of
Electricity to adopt the electrical code and any amendments, adopt rules
that regulate the licensure or registration of the electrical industry and issue
final interpretations of the electrical code.
General information
There are 11 Electrical Area Representatives who monitor the 81 electrical
inspectors who are independent contractors providing contract inspection
service. There are approximately 19,000 personal and business licensees in 14
classifications. On a yearly basis, the department processes approximately
125,000 Request for Electrical Inspection forms and completes approximately
250,000 separate electrical inspections.