Electrician Schools in New Hampshire: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited New Hampshire Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and 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.

The State of New Hampshire issues licenses for journeyman electricians, master electricians, or high/medium voltage electricians. Electrical apprentices and high/medium voltage trainees also must register with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. The Electricians' Board outlines New Hampshire’s licensing requirements in accordance with state statute RSA 319-C.

Most people entering the electrician industry in New Hampshire 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 the state of New Hampshire:

• Manchester Community College in Manchester

• Lakes Region Community College in Laconia

• New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades in Hampton

• Granite State Trade School in Raymond

• Advanced Technical Schooling in Maine

• Dover Regional Career Technical Center in Dover

New Hampshire Apprenticeships

Apprentice applicants can choose one of two paths to become an electrician: union or nonunion.

The New Hampshire Chapter of Associated Builder and Contractors Inc. connects apprentices with nonunion electrical contracting companies. Union apprenticeships require membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The New Hampshire Joint Apprentice and Training Committee partners with the IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) under the Electrical Training Alliance to match apprentices with union companies.

You must apply for an electrical apprenticeship with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Electricians’ Board.

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.

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 the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

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, 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

• 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 New Hampshire community colleges on average is $6,952 per year for in-state students and $15,095 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here 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 apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

New Hampshire offers various training programs and certifications of varying length.

According to state law, apprentice electricians must complete four years of field experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician. Electrical apprentices also must meet one of the following criteria: 

• Complete 600 hours of electrical classroom instruction, with at least 24 hours on the topic of electrical safety

• Hold an associate or higher degree from an electrical program

• Work 10 or more years as a licensed journeyman or master electrician in another jurisdiction

To apply for a journeyman electrician license, you must provide documentation of at least 8,000 hours of experience on the job. To sit for the journeyman electrician license exam, candidates must complete an electrical vocational education program of at least 1,080 hours (two years) or achieve 2,000 hours of work experience under a licensed electrician. Most programs require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.

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 New Hampshire’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Many electrical training programs are intended to fulfill the 1,080 hours of required classroom training. After completing classroom training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.

Manchester Community College

• The majority of students enroll in two-year programs. Tuition costs about $8,000 per year for in-state students. 

Lakes Region Community College

• Most students participate in a two-year program. Tuition costs roughly $7,000 per year for in-state students.

New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades

• Electrical apprentices must complete a 152-hour course. Tuition costs about $1,500.

Advanced Technical Schooling in Maine

• Students take an interactive online program over the course of four years. Tuition per year is roughly $1,485.

Dover Regional Career Technical Center in Dover

• Most students participate in a four-year program. The cost of enrollment is $1,450 per year (including books). 

Granite State Trade School in Raymond

• Electricians can take continuing education courses on the NEC code over three consecutive days. Cost is $300.

Steps for Enrollment in New Hampshire

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 checks.

Electrician Career Requirements in New Hampshire

To recap, New Hampshire requires education or on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. The State of New Hampshire issues licenses for journeyman electricians, master electricians, or high/medium voltage electricians. Electrical apprentices and high/medium voltage trainees also must register with the New Hampshire OPLC.

Obtaining a journeyman license in the state of New Hampshire requires a minimum of four years of field experience in an apprenticeship program or equivalent, plus at least 600 hours of classroom-based instruction. Master electricians must have two years of work experience as a licensed journeyman before they are eligible to take the master electrician exam.

To keep your New Hampshire state-issued license current you must renew it every two years. All licenses issued will expire two years from the date of issuance, on the last day of the month in the month the license was issued.

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

Salaries for Electricians in New Hampshire

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

• Entry level <2 years: $54,400

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $64,400

• Senior 4-6 years: $71,700

• Supervisor > 7 years: $102,000

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in New Hampshire, you typically need a high school diploma or GED. High school students and other interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, formal electrician training—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. connects apprentices with nonunion electrical contracting companies. Union apprenticeships require membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The New Hampshire Joint Apprentice and Training Committee partners with the IBEW 490 in Concord and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) under the Electrical Training Alliance to match apprentices with union companies.

You must apply for an electrical apprenticeship with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Electricians’ Board.

At Apprenticeship.gov, applicants can search by state and job category for the best HVAC apprenticeship program.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers throughout the New England area, including:

• Maine Electrical Institute, Portland

• The Peterson School, Woburn, Massachusetts

• NHTI-Concord’s Community College, Concord

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