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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Natural State.
The growing demand for electricians in Arkansas — including apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, residential journeyman electricians, master electricians, residential master electricians, industrial maintenance electricians, and electrical contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 9% growth rate for electricians in Arkansas and 6% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Arkansas posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch your electrical career in the state of Arkansas.
Accredited Arkansas 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 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.
Arkansas requires an electrician license to perform residential or commercial electrical work in the state. The Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners is responsible for issuing electrician licenses. Apprentices don’t need to be licensed as long as the electrical apprenticeship program is certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
The following community colleges and trade schools offer electrician classes in Arkansas:
Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock
Arkansas Apprenticeships
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but 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 degree at one of the four-year universities in Arkansas such as:
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges and trade schools 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, these programs include coursework in the fundamentals of electrical technology. 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
Electrical Systems and Controls
Communication Systems
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
OSHA standards
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 Arkansas community colleges on average is $2,994 per year for in-state students and $4,750 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 state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Arkansas electrical training programs vary in length, from a few months to several years.
To apply for a journeyman electrician license in Arkansas, you must demonstrate 8,000 hours (around four years) of work experience through a registered apprenticeship program and complete 800 hours of classroom instruction.
Level of Difficulty
Electrical 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 Arkansas’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.
Steps for Enrollment in Arkansas
Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has 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 program, 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 16 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or with a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school 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 Arkansas
Arkansas requires a mix of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to fulfill licensing requirements.
Journeyman Electrician License: Requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 800 hours of classroom instruction.
Master Electrician License: Requires a degree in electrical engineering plus two years of construction-related work experience, or six years of construction-related experience plus two years of experience working as a journeyman electrician.
Residential Journeyman Electrician License: Requires two years of experience working with wiring in one and two-family homes, or two years of experience working in an apprenticeship approved by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners.
Residential Master Electrician License: Requires three years of work experience in wiring one and two-family homes plus one year of work experience as a licensed residential journeyman electrician.
Air Conditioning Electrician License: Requires two years of experience in wiring HVAC equipment, or any combination of experience approved by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners. An Arkansas HVAC license also satisfies the requirements for an air conditioning electrician license.
Industrial Maintenance Electrician Licensee: Requires four years of experience in the maintenance of electrical conductors and equipment under the direction of a master electrician, engineer, or journeyman electrician.
Electrical Contractor License: Requires a master electrician license plus five years of work experience. Contractors must also pass a business law exam, purchase bonding and insurance, and undergo a financial review.
After licensure, Arkansas requires renewal every year. Journeyman and master electricians are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of continuing education every three years.
For a detailed explanation of Arkansas’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Arkansas Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Arkansas
Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy electrician apprenticeship, 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 Arkansas? According to the BLS, the mean electrician salary in Arkansas is $47,070.
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Arkansas, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 16 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.
Arkansas Apprenticeship maintains a list of open apprenticeships across Arkansas for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships. The Independent Electrical Contractors Mid-South offers non-union apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
American Trade School in Saint Ann, MO
Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, TN
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, MS
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Arkansas. The opportunities are all around you.
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