Electrician Schools in Tennessee: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Tennessee 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. 

Most people entering the electrical industry in the state of Tennessee learn on the job as an apprentice electrician. Formal education is not required by law in Tennessee at the state level; those licenses are issued primarily at the local level. Therefore, educational requirements vary from municipality to municipality.  However, the state does issue Electrical Contractor licenses for projects of $25,000 or more and Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) licenses for areas of the state with no licensing regulations for projects under $25,000.

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee (ABC Greater Tennessee) and Tennessee’s Independent Electrical Contractors chapters each have an electrical apprenticeship program that is four years long and meets U.S. Department of Labor standards. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also has eight jurisdictions in Tennessee and five Joint Apprentice Training Committees (JATC).

Tennessee Apprenticeships

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee: Electrical Program offered at both the Nashville and Knoxville Construction Trades Academy

Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) — has two chapters in Tennessee

• IEC Middle Tennessee

• Mid-South IEC

Tennessee Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees are alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the Tennessee chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA) — The East Tennessee Chapter, The Memphis Chapter, and The University of Tennessee (student) Chapter. They are all four to five years long with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 900 hours of related study.

• Nashville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (NEJATC)

• Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Center

• Memphis Electrical JATC

• Oak Ridge Electrical JATC

• Electrical Training Academy Knoxville

If you choose to start your journey with electrician education rather than a union or nonunion apprenticeship, you may want to select a program from one of Tennessee’s public colleges (TCAT):

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Crump

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Jackson

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Knoxville

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Livingston

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — McMinnville

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Morristown

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Murfreesboro

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Pulaski

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Shelbyville

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Chattanooga

The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) has accredited six programs in Tennessee including several TCAT programs.

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

• Nashville State Community College

• RCAM (Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing) in Kingsport in Partnership with Northeast State in Blountville

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Athens

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Morristown

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Nashville

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Dickson

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 your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some insist on a minimum amount of education to perform electrical work. Other states, like Tennessee, favor local licensing so you’ll need to follow the requirements of the municipalities where you plan to work — usually a minimum amount of hands-on training and classroom education. If the return on investment for formal education is not there in your state or jurisdiction, it may make more sense to simply get an entry-level position and get on-the-job training. 

There’s typically a range of choices 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

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 Tennessee like:

• Vanderbilt University

• University of Tennessee Knoxville

• Tennessee Technological University

• Christian Brothers University

• University of Memphis

• The University of Tennessee — Chattanooga

• Tennessee State University

As stated earlier, 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 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, 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 Tennessee community colleges on average is $5,142 per year for in-state students and $15,666 for out-of-state students. However, many of the electrician programs listed here cost $4,000 to $10,000. There will be some variations in fees at each school, though, 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 occupational 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 5,000 clock hours or as many as 1,700 credit hours. Associate’s degree programs typically take two years and require 60 credits or more. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. In some municipalities in Tennessee, a minimum amount of classroom instruction may be required 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. 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 accredited schools listed above are Tennessee public colleges for technical training (TCAT). They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans, and acceptance is typically on a first-come, first-served basis by date of completed application.

Full time/Part Time 16 months — Diploma

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Morristown | Day/Night

Full time 16 months — Certificate/Diploma

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — McMinnville | Day/Night 

Full time/Part Time 12 months — Certificate/Diploma

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Crump | Day

Full time 12 months — Certificate/Diploma

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Knoxville | Day/Night

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Livingston | Day

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Murfreesboro | Day

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Pulaski  | Day

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Chattanooga | Day/Night

Full time 5,184 clock hours — Certificate         

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Jackson | Night (Apprenticeship)

Part Time 1,728 clock hours — Certificate/Diploma

Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Shelbyville | Night

NCCER Accredited Programs

Nashville State Community College

• Electrical Engineering Technology, A.A.S. | 2 years

• Industrial Electrical Maintenance Technical Certificate | 1 year

RCAM (Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing) in Kingsport

• Electrical Systems Technician | 3-4 years

Full time 20 months — Certificate/Diploma

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Athens | Day

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Nashville | Day

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Dickson | Day 

Full time/Part Time 16 months — Diploma

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Morristown | Day/Night

Steps for Enrollment in Tennessee

Every program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with you 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 Tennessee

Because licensing is done at the local level, the educational mandates can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some Tennessee communities, entry-level professionals just need to meet employer expectations to get started, but they must work for a licensed electrician. To be eligible to become a licensed electrician, you must gain specific years of experience under the supervision of a master electrician or electrical contractor and pass a test.

If you wish to be an electrical contractor, you will need to apply for the statewide electrical contractor exam. It contains two parts—the business and law exam and the trade exam based primarily on the National Electrical Code (NEC). For a detailed explanation of Tennessee’s Electrician licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Tennessee Electrical License. 

Salaries for Electricians in Tennessee

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

• Entry level <2 years: $49,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,800

• Senior 4-6 years: $65,100

• Supervisor > 7 years: $93,200

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

Industry Apprenticeships

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, a valid driver’s license, and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better.  

There are many electrical union apprenticeship programs in Tennessee, 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.

Nonunion apprenticeships such as those offered by the Greater Tennessee chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the two Tennessee chapters of Independent Electrical Contractors — IEC Middle Tennessee and Mid-South IEC — are similar to the union programs.

These nonunion 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 classroom and on-the-job training. Some also utilize the Electrician Apprenticeship Training program offered through the College System of Tennessee. 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

Although accreditation can give you confidence in your technical or community college, accredited programs are far from your only option.

There are other programs throughout the state to choose from that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. In addition to all those already mentioned, each of the schools below has electrician programs.

• Achieve Trade School in Nashville

• William Moore College of Technology (Moore Tech) in Memphis

• Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin

• Fortis Institute in Cookeville

• Fortis Institute in Nashville

• Northeast State Community College in Blountville

• Total Tech in Nashville

Tennessee has hundreds of college campuses across the state with electrical programs. You can find the training you need to excel as an electrician in Tennessee. The opportunities are all around you.