Electrician Schools in Idaho: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Idaho Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical systems experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.” 

According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.

The Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS) licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — requiring applicants to meet job experience or a mix of job experience and classroom instruction requirements. Even electrical apprentices must be registered with the DBS. Most people entering the electrician industry in Idaho learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a community college. 

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Idaho:

• College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls

• College of Western Idaho in Nampa

• College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls

• North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene

• Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston

Idaho Apprenticeships

The Idaho chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) sponsor joint union-based apprenticeship programs for aspiring Idaho electricians through the Southwestern Idaho Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC).

• The Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC also offers union-based apprenticeship training in Pocatello.

• Nonunion apprenticeship programs are available through the Independent Electrical Contractors of Idaho (IEC).

• Electrical Business: Many Idaho businesses provide the on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.

Electrician Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education, such as Idaho.

There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but again most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Idaho such as:

• University of Idaho

• Idaho State University

As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician. 

Typically, they include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:

• Foundations of Mathematics

• Electrical Theory

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• Programmable Controllers

• Electrical Controls

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Idaho community colleges on average is $3,634 per year for in-state students and $7,627 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Becoming a licensed journeyman electrician in Idaho takes about four years or 6,000 hours of working as an Idaho electrical apprentice. This experience can be obtained through full-time work experience, and in some cases, classroom instruction. Most apprenticeships require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.

Idaho also issues several types of limited electrician licenses, including: elevator, irrigation sprinkler, limited energy, manufacturing/assembling, outside wireman (lineman), refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning, HVAC, sign, and well driller/pump installer. These specialty licenses require a minimum of two years of work experience—or 4,000 hours—within the specialty area.

Level of Difficulty

Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

School Comparison: At a Glance

The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Idaho’s college system. They typically offer financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required classroom training. After completing classroom training and/or on-the-job training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam to receive their journeyman license.

College of Southern Idaho: 

• Offers a four-year Apprenticeship program designed to help you fulfill the qualifications to become an electrical journeyman

College of Western Idaho:

• Offers a four-year Apprenticeship program designed to help you fulfill the qualifications to become an electrical journeyman

• Offers a series of Electrical Upgrade Training classes to add skills, prepare for testing, and fulfill annual training requirements:

  • Electrical Journeyman Code Update

  • Electrical Journeyman Test Preparation

  • Electrical Journeyman Upgrade Grounding

  • Electrical Journeyman Upgrade Motor Controls

College of Eastern Idaho:

• Offers a four-year Electrical Apprenticeship program that’s designed to help students prepare for residential, commercial, and industrial work

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree for apprentices/journeymen who have completed at least 16 general education credit hours on campus

North Idaho College:

• Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship Program designed to meet the educational requirements for electrical apprentices in Idaho

• Offers several Electrician Continuing Education programs for journeyman continuing education credit, including:

  • Calculations

  • Grounding and Bonding

  • NEC Update

  • Electricians License Renewal

Lewis Clark State College:

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree for electrical apprentices that includes 16-18 general education requirements and 64 credits of electrical-based theories and apprenticeship work

Steps for Enrollment in Idaho

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins by applying for admission on the school’s website. You also have the option of applying at the school’s admission office in person or mailing a paper application there. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process includes the following steps:

• Complete your application.

• Pay the application fee (if applicable).

• Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

• Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

• Submit placement test scores.

• If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

Electrician Career Requirements in Idaho

To recap, Idaho requires on-the-job training or a mix of classroom training and work experience to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrical license, you need to obtain four years (6,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training as an electrical apprentice.

To become eligible to take the master electrician exam, candidates must work for four years as a licensed journeyman electrician. 

To register as an electrical contractor, you must submit the appropriate application and either possess master electrician licensure yourself, or hire someone with a master electrician license. Electrical contractors must submit proof to show they hold at least $300,000 of liability insurance and maintain workers’ compensation insurance. Electrical contractor licenses must be renewed every year.

To renew licenses annually, journeyman, master electricians, and electrical contractors must complete 24 continuing education credits. Continuing education must total eight hours from each of the following categories: National Electrical Code updates, industry-related training, and other code-related training.

For a detailed explanation of Idaho’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Idaho Electrical License. 

Salaries for Electricians in Idaho

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Idaho? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median annual salary in Idaho for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $48,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,100

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $92,100

For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Idaho, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or organization with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Idaho.

• The Idaho Department of Labor offers union and nonunion apprenticeship opportunities through Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC in Boise and Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC in Pocatello.

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 291 in Boise is one of the largest electrical unions in the world with electrical apprenticeships available.

• IBEW Local 449 offers apprenticeships that are college-accredited and nationally certified.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

• Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon

• Bellingham Technical College in Bellingham, Washington

• Montana IEC in Helena, Montana

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Idaho. The opportunities are all around you.