Electricians receive training through community colleges, trade schools or apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.
Typical costs:
A certificate or associate's degree costs about $1,000-$11,000. For example, J.F. Drake State Technical College[1] in Huntsville, AL, offers two different certificate programs in electrical technology for $4,400 and $9,229. An associate's degree at Hawkeye College[2] in Waterloo, IA, costs $11,171 for tuition and fees. Education Portal[3] lists topics covered in electrician certificate programs, such as residential wiring, electric motors and voltage testing. An associate's degree[4] provides more extensive training, and typically covers electricity planning and training in the National Electrical Code, which prepares students for the certification exam.
An apprenticeship costs $250-$1,420 per year of enrollment, lasting around four years. The Construction Industry Training Council[5] in Colorado offers apprenticeships from $710 per semester over the four-year program. Arkansas State University offers a four-year electrical apprenticeship program for $260 per year, which covers 2,000 hours of job training. Electrical apprenticeships may last longer than other programs, but students have the ability to earn an income while they work.
Licensing for electricians costs $15-$150 per year, with an exam fee of $30-$75. North Carolina's exam fees is $75 and the license fees are $60-$150, depending on the number of restrictions. In Arkansas, the licensing exam fee is $56-$86 and initial license fees are $25-$50.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] , apprenticeships should last about four years and include 144 hours of classroom instruction with 2,000 hours of job training. Classes should cover electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, safety and first aid. Job training includes installing conduit, drawing diagrams for electrical systems, and working with wiring, outlets and switches.
Additional costs:
Extra costs for electrician training could be $500-$10,000 and may include books, tools, room and board for training programs. For example, Mohave Community College[7] in Bullhead City, AZ, estimates books and supplies at $24,564 for room and board and $1,188 for books and supplies. Tools required for electricity students at Tennessee Technology Center in Knoxville, TN, cost $2,500 and include a wrench set, electrician's hole saw, conduit bender, steel fish tape and many other hand tools and safety supplies.
Discounts:
Scholarships for electrical training programs may be available. The Electrical Association of Philadelphia[8] awards one $3,000 scholarship to a student attending a technical school, while Lowe's[9] offers nearly 200 scholarships ranging from $2,500-$5,000 each year.
Some schools may bundle tool kits together for students to purchase at a discount. For example, the Erwin Technical Center[10] in Tampa, FL, sells an electrical tool kit for $512. Other supplies, such as a drill bit set and pliers, may be purchased at hardware stores.
Shopping for electrician training:
Local chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association[11] offer information on apprenticeships and training opportunities.
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