The State Board of Electricity was created by the Legislature in 1899 (see Laws of Minn. 1899, chap. 312). The board originally consisted of five members - two master electricians, two journeyman electricians, and one consulting electrical engineer or an electrical inspector of a city - appointed by the governor to five-year terms. The Legislature also established procedures for classifying and licensing electricians, and gave the board the power to examine applicants, grant licenses, and keep a record of licenses granted.
As technology changed, the rules under which the board operated were updated by the Legislature. Changes in the classification and required qualifications of licensed electricians were made in 1937 (see Laws of Minn. 1937, chap. 314) and 1959 (see Laws of Minn. 1959, chap. 496).
Two board members, "electrical suppliers" from rural areas, were added in 1947 (see Laws of Minn. 1947, chap. 253). In that same law, the board was given the power to inspect and condemn hazardous electrical installations; these powers were broadened and more clearly defined in 1951 (see Laws of Minn. 1951, chap. 555) when the power to certify inspectors was granted, and in 1959 (see Laws of Minn. 1959, chap. 496). In 1965 the board lost its jurisdiction over the installations, material, and equipment of utilities, and the signal systems of railroads (see Laws of Minn. 1965, chap. 123).
In 1967 the laws governing the board and the regulations it enforced underwent a major revision (see Laws of Minn. 1967, chap. 602). Changes were made in the classification of electricians and the inspection rules and procedures, although the composition of the board was not changed.
In 1973 the board's membership expanded to nine with the addition of two public members (see Laws of Minn. 1973, chap. 638, sec. 49). The board's main functions remained the supervision of electrical inspectors and the granting of electricians' licenses.
The board, along with other health related and non-health related licensing boards, was placed under the Department of Administration in 1975 (see Laws of Minn. 1975, chap. 136, sec. 62). The next year, the Legislature clarified that the governor's appointments to the board no longer required the consent of the Senate (see Laws of Minn. 1976, chap. 149, sec. 53). Board membership increased to 11 in 1985, adding two licensed alarm and communication system contractors (see Laws of Minn. 1985, 1st Sp. Sess, chap. 6).