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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 Sooner State.
The growing demand for electricians in Oklahoma — including apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, and electrical contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 10% growth rate for electricians in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch your electrical industry career in Oklahoma.
Accredited Oklahoma 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 shortened apprenticeships 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 Oklahoma Construction and Industries Board (CIB) licenses all levels of electricians in Oklahoma, including journeyman and electrical contractors. To begin electrician training, candidates need to apply for an apprentice registration card and work under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Oklahoma:
Metro Technology Centers (MetroTech) in Oklahoma City
Moore Norman Technology Center in Norman
Canadian Valley Technology Center in El Reno
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw
Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee
Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater
Wes Watkins Technology Center in Wetumka
Mid-America Technology Center in Wayne
Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee
Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma such as:
University of Oklahoma in Norman
Oklahoma State University in Stillwater
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 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, 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
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 Oklahoma community colleges on average is $3,475 per year for in-state students and $7,963 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
To apply for a residential journeyman electrician license in Oklahoma, you must demonstrate 4,000 hours (about two years) of work experience in electrical construction work through a registered apprenticeship program. On the other hand, an unlimited electrical journeyman license requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
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 Oklahoma’s college system. They typically offer students 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 all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.
Offers an Electrician’s Assistant program (1,050 hours)
Moore Norman Technology Center
Offers an Electrical Trades program (1,050 hours)
Offers an Electrical Technology program at Kansas, Afton, and Pryor campuses
Canadian Valley Technology Center
Offers an Electrical Trades program (1,000 hours)
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
Offers an Electrical Assistant program (470 hours)
Offers a Residential-Commercial Electrician's Assistant program (940 hours)
Indian Capital Technology Center
Offers an Electrician’s Assistant program (1,050 hours)
Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship - Residential program (600 hours)
Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship - Commercial program (600 hours)
Offers a Residential Electrician’s Assistant program (960 hours)
Offers an Electricians Assistant Residential/Commercial program (900 hours)
Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Offers an Electrical Careers Technology program
Steps for Enrollment in Oklahoma
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 18 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 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 Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires on-the-job training, and in some cases classroom instruction to fulfill licensing requirements.
To become eligible for an unlimited journeyman electrician license, candidates must demonstrate 8,000 of work experience, with at least 4,000 hours covering commercial or industrial work. Formal classroom training can account for up to 2,000 hours.
Residential journeyman candidates need a minimum of 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Formal classroom training can account for up to 1,000 hours.
Oklahoma offers three types of electrical contractor licenses:
Unlimited Electrical Contractor: Requires 12,000 hours of job experience in electrical construction work, including 4,000 hours as an unlimited journeyman electrician
Residential Electrical Contractors: Requires 8,000 hours of job experience under the supervision of an electrical contractor
Limited Electrical Contractor: Requires 16,000 hours of work experience or 8,000 hours of work experience plus a degree in electrical engineering
Oklahoma electricians licenses require annual renewal, along with six hours of continuing education every three years.
For a detailed explanation of Oklahoma’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Oklahoma Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma? The mean electrician salary in Oklahoma is $57,200
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Oklahoma, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.
Oklahoma Works maintains a list of open apprenticeships across Oklahoma 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 (IEC) of Oklahoma City offers nonunion 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 Arkansas and Missouri.
Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, AR
University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR
Ranken Technical College in multiple Missouri cities
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Oklahoma. The opportunities are all around you.
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