Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Bismarck, ND

Complete permit and license guide for starting a electrical contractor in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota.

Updated 2026-03-15 5 stops $400–$1,500 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of North Dakota

1 stop

  1. North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in North Dakota. North Dakota charges a 5% state sales tax; local jurisdictions may add up to 3.5%. Register with the ND Office of State Tax Commissioner.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

City of Bismarck / Burleigh County

3 stops

  1. North Dakota State Electrical Board — Electrical Contractor License

    Electrical contractors in North Dakota must hold a contractor license from the ND State Electrical Board. A Master Electrician must be on staff. Requires passing a state exam.

    Official government source

    $100–$200 (initial)4–8 weeks

  2. City of Bismarck City Clerk — Business License

    Bismarck requires a Business License for certain regulated businesses within city limits. The City Clerk's office issues licenses for applicable business categories. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  3. Burleigh County / Bismarck Electrical Permit (per project)

    An electrical permit must be obtained from the local building department for each electrical project. A final inspection is required upon completion.

    Official government source

    $50–$400 per project1–5 business days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,500 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides