Electrician Schools in Florida: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Florida 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.” 

Florida has quite a few training programs for aspiring electricians. There is a plethora of full-time apprenticeship opportunities and a wide selection of college programs focused on electrical work. Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized apprenticeship programs but include both technical and on-the-job training to assure competency in the field. Although most workers enter apprenticeships directly, some choose to attend technical colleges or trade schools first. 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.

Florida Apprenticeships

• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Florida Chapters: IEC Florida East Coast  and IEC Florida West Coast (non-union)

• Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees: Miami Electrical JATC in Miami and Fort Myers, Florida East Coast Electrical JATC in West Palm Beach, Central Florida Electrical JATC in Winter Park, The Electrical Training Alliance of Daytona Beach in Port Orange, Tampa Area Electrical Apprentice & Training Committee in Tampa, Gainesville Electrical JATC in Gainesville, The Electrical Training Alliance of Jacksonville in Jacksonville (alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the Florida chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA) (union)

If you choose to start with some kind of electrician education, there are a lot of training programs to choose from in Florida. Several schools have aligned their program curriculum with the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).

NCCER lists the following programs on their website as accredited electrician schools in Florida:

• AMIKids Orlando in Apopka, Pinellas Park, and Melbourne

• Atlantic Technical College in Pompano Beach

• Charlotte Technical College in Port Charlotte

• Erwin Technical College in Tampa

• Florida State College at Jacksonville

• Florida Technical College in Kissimmee

• Florida Technical College in Lakeland

• Florida Technical College in Orlando

• Florida Technical College in Pembroke Pines

• Fort Myers Technical College in Fort Myers

• Fred K. Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey

• Indian River State College in Fort Pierce

• Lindsey Hopkins Technical College in Miami

• Lively Technical College in Tallahassee

• Manatee Technical College in Bradenton

• Miami Lakes Education Center in Hialeah

• Northwest Florida State College in Niceville

• Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth

• Pensacola State College in Pensacola

• Pinellas Technical College in St. Petersburg and Clearwater

• Polk State College in Bartow

• River Oak Technical College in Live Oak

• Santa Fe College in Gainesville

• Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota

• Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee

Electrician Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college, you may want to speak with people in the field in your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. Florida does not have uniform requirements statewide for electrician certificates because journeymen are licensed at the municipal level. However, most jurisdictions require 144 hours of classroom education for each of at least four years of practical experience.

In terms of college education for electricians, typically you’ll find a range of degree and certificate programs, but, again, most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. However, sometimes a certificate or degree can give you an advantage in getting into a competitive apprenticeship. 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

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need 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 Florida like:

• University of Miami

• Florida State University

• Florida A & M University

• University of South Florida

In many cases but not always, formal education pays 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 practical skills. 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. Among the most common classes offered in these degree programs are:

• Foundations of Mathematics

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• 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 Florida community colleges on average is $5,404 per year for in-state students and $11,632 for out-of-state students. However, some programs listed here cost $2,000 to $3,000 and others are upward of $15,000. There will be some variations in fees at each school, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

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

Program Length

As noted above, you can choose from a certificate or an associate’s degree. The certificates require as few as 12 or as many as 33 credit hours. Associate’s degree programs typically take two years and require 60 credits or more.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. Most important, Florida requires a minimum amount of classroom instruction for applicants to be eligible for licensing. Also, oftentimes that formal education can be applied toward a college degree, such as an associate’s of applied science in Electrical Construction Technology. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get electrician training through an online certificate program. This will not satisfy the educational requirement for licensing in Florida, but it may give you a base of knowledge to help you get started as a helper. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online electrician classes.

Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are very accessible throughout the state.

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

Many of the training schools listed above are part of the Florida College System. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans and have a 100% acceptance rate. A lot of the programs offered at these schools are the required classroom instruction that is part of an  apprenticeship. Others offer certificate programs that meet NCCER guidelines that lead to Level 1-4 certification.

Atlanta Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

(With additional successful testing, may be used for the first year of an electrical apprenticeship program) 

Charlotte Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Erwin Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours (14 months)

Florida State College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Fort Myers Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

 Fred K. Marchman Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Palm Beach State College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Santa Fe College

• Electricity | Certificate | 1,200 hours

Tallahassee Community College

• Electricity | Apprenticeship | 4 years

Steps for Enrollment in Florida

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and 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:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

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

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

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. 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 Florida

Florida licenses electricians at the municipal level. Most municipalities require 8,000 hours (four years) of documented experience and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year to qualify for an electrician license. Those are also the requirements of a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship. An exception would be Miami-Dade County, which requires three years of electrical trade experience, with 1.5 years of experience that can be substituted for an equivalent education. These are the minimum requirements to qualify to sit for the journeyman exam. There are further requirements for a master electrician license. Electrical contractor licenses are issued by theFlorida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB).

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

Salaries for Electricians in Florida

Before paying for technical education 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 Florida? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Florida for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years : $48,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,000

• Senior 4-6 years: $66,000

• Supervisor > 7 years: $96,400

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

Industry Apprenticeships 

As we said earlier, most electricians get their training through a formal apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license. 

There are several electrical union apprenticeship programs in Florida, which are offered by local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in coordination with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together they make up the Electrical Training Alliance. There are 8 IBEW jurisdictions in Florida.

• LU 177 Jacksonville

• LU 349 Miami

• LU 606 Orlando

• LU 676 Pensacola

• LU 728 Ft. Lauderdale

• LU 756 Daytona Beach

• LU 915 Tampa

• LU 1205 Gainesville

And, there are seven Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees that serve them all. The JATCs in Florida are:

• Miami Electrical JATC

• Florida East Coast Electrical JATC

• Central Florida Electrical JATC

• The Electrical Training Alliance of Daytona Beach

• Tampa Area Electrical Apprentice & Training Committee

• Gainesville Electrical JATC

• The Electrical Training Alliance of Jacksonville

Non-union apprenticeships like those offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida are similar to the union programs. There are two Florida Chapters of the IEC.

• IEC Florida East Coast in Riviera Beach

• IEC Florida West Coast in Tampa

These non-union and union programs culminate in journeyman status as directed by national standards. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.

Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized formal apprenticeship programs but include both technical and on-the-job training. After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered journey workers and may perform duties on their own, subject to local or state licensing requirements.

Other School Options

We’ve highlighted many NCCER accredited colleges thus far, but although accreditation can give you confidence in your technical or community college, accredited programs are far from your only option. One other option is Florida Training Services.

Florida Training Services: Students at Florida Training Services complete a four-year apprenticeship recognized by the Florida Department of Education Registered Apprenticeship that satisfies the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship requirements. The curriculum follows NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research) standards. Graduates receive a certificate of completion that documents work hours required to qualify for the licensing exam.

There are so many programs throughout the state that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. There are just too many to list them all here, but in addition to all those already mentioned, each of the schools below has electrician programs.

• CBT Technology Institute

• Osceola Technical College

• Sheridan Technical College

• Seminole State College

• South Florida Institute of Technology

• Southern Technical College

• Withlacoochee Technical College

Florida has hundreds of college campuses across the state. If one of the schools above isn’t in your area, check this list to see where else you can look for electrical training in Florida.

You can find the training you need to excel in an electrical career in Florida. The opportunities are all around you!