Electrician Schools in Maine: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Maine Electrician Training Programs

According to the 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.

In Maine, electrical licensure is conducted through the Electricians’ Examining Board, which is a division of the State of Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. To become licensed, applicants must gain experience and complete coursework.

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

• Southern Maine Community College in South Portland

• Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor

• Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle

• Washington County Community College in Calais

• Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield

• Central Maine Community College in Auburn

• Maine Electrical Institute in Portland

• York County Community College in Wells

• The University of Maine in Orono

Many high schools in Maine also offer career and technical education courses. One of the paths to becoming eligible to sit for the journeyman electrician exam includes graduating from an approved/accredited applied technology high school two-year electrical program, logging 8,000 hours of electrical installations, and completing a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code. Lewiston Regional Technical Center is one of the training centers that serves high school students.

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 Maine.

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 you attend 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 electrician 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 Maine such as:

• The University of Maine

• University of Southern Maine

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, these programs 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

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Electrical Systems

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• Electrical Controls

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting

School Selection Criteria  

There’s much 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 Maine community colleges on average is $4,020 per year for in-state students and $7,666 for out-of-state students. 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

Program length varies based on the school. High school programs must be two years for journeyman exam eligibility. For college programs, applicants must simply graduate from an approved/accredited program, log 4,000 hours of electrical installations, and complete a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code.

Southern Maine Community College’s Electrician Technology Certificate takes four full-time semesters to complete (approximately two years), whereas York County Community College’s Electrician Technology Certificate takes one year to complete.

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 Maine’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. 

Southern Maine Community College

• Offers an Electrical Engineering Technologies Associate degree

• Offers an Electrician Technology Certificate

Eastern Maine Community College

• Offers an Electrical and Automation Technology Associate degree

• Offers an Electricians Technology Certificate

Northern Maine Community College

• Offers an Electrical Construction and Maintenance Associate degree

• Offers an Electrical Construction and Maintenance Certificate

Washington County Community College

• Offers a Residential and Commercial Electricity diploma

Kennebec Valley Community College

• Offers an Electrical Lineworker Certificate

• Offers an Electrical Technology Certificate

• Offers an Electrical Technology Associate degree

Central Maine Community College

• Offers an Electromechanical Technology Certificate 

• Offers an Electromechanical Technology Associate degree

Maine Electrical Institute

• Offers a variety of programs and courses to satisfy the education requirements for journeyman exam eligibility

York County Community College

• Offers an Electrician Technology Certificate

The University of Maine

• Offers an Electrical Engineering Technology Certificate through an online program

Steps for Enrollment in Maine

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 includes 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 check.

Electrician Career Requirements in Maine

All electrical work performed in Maine requires a license. The state of Maine issues six types of electrician licenses through the Electrician’s Examining Board, which is a division of the State of Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. There are different requirements for each. An apprentice must work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician. Each of the other licenses require a combination of hands-on experience, education and passing an exam.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Maine

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 Maine? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Maine for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $53,800

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $63,600

• Senior 4-6 years: $70,800

• Supervisor > 7 years: $100,800

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

Apprenticeship programs must be licensed in Maine, and the Maine Department of Labor’s Career Center regulates them. Once you enroll in an apprenticeship program, you will receive help registering for required classroom training and could be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

The State of Maine Department of Labor website maintains a list of active apprenticeship programs. Current nonunion opportunities include:

• Mancini Electric

• Maine Construction Academy

• Aurora Roofing and Solar

• Basix

Union opportunities are available with:

• Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine

• IBEW Local 567

• IBEW Local 1523

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are nearby training centers throughout New England. 

• Manchester School of Technology in Manchester, NH

• Laconia Adult Education in Laconia, NH

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