Electrician Schools in Arkansas (Top Programs)

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Electrician Schools in Arkansas

Becoming an electrician in Arkansas means entering a stable skilled trade with real possibilities for a career, though you need a license from the Arkansas State Board of Electrical Examiners.

The Arkansas State Licensing Board of Contractors issues licenses to those who want to run their own business.

The career ladder of an electrician in Arkansas is:

  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master electrician
  • Independent electrical contractor

Technical Training Required

In Arkansas, the training or apprenticeship period lasts for about 4 years of work experience, or 8,000 hours, along with 800 hours of technical instruction.

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Though most individuals enter an apprenticeship program directly, some choose to enroll in a technical program at a vocational school.

Vocation-Technical School

Those who want to follow this type of training to become a journeyman can choose from online programs, vocational schools or community colleges that have an electrical program.

This path awards either electrician certificates, other career diplomas or associate’s degree.

While enrolled, expect to study:

  • Electrical Theory
  • Blueprint Reading
  • Electrical Algebra
  • AC/DC Currents
  • Welding
  • Motors and Transformers
  • First Aid/Safety/OSHA Regulations
  • Electric Code Standards

Even those who choose to enroll in an educational program will have to find employment to meet the on-the-job experience requirement.

Some schools help students with finding this type of employment.

During your technical program, you can begin working with an electrical contractor to receive on the job training and accumulate the experience required to earn your journeyman license. Some technical schools offer job placement assistance to make this process easier. Other schools actually include training placement that provides a specified number of hours of job experience as part of the program.

School Name Address
Arkansas State University 7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, AR 72112
College of the Ouachitas One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104
Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute 1620 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335
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Direct Apprenticeship

Apprentices work as employees-in-training, under the supervision of an electrical contractor.

Their pay is a percentage of that of a journeyman’s wage.

the most common way of finding an apprenticeship is through a union, and many people contact their local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATCs) for this purpose.

Non-union apprenticeships are also available, with the Mid-South Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) being the best way to find such a position.

Those interested can even search the online Arkansas Apprenticeship directory.

To be accepted in any type of apprenticeships, an individual needs to meet these basic requirements:

  • 18 years old
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Reliable transportation
  • Pass a general math and reading skills test
  • A copy of a high school or college transcript with passing grades in the standard algebra class

Apprentices need to register with the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners.

Becoming a Journeyman

Those who completed their apprenticeship programs can apply for the journeyman exam.

The exam is 3 hours long, has 60 questions and is open-book.

The book allowed in the exam is the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code.

Some of the exam topics are:

  • Grounding and bonding
  • General knowledge of the trade
  • Calculations
  • Service, feeders, branch feeders, and overcurrent protection
  • Raceways and enclosures
  • Conductors
  • Motors and controls
  • General Use Equipment
  • Special occupancies and equipment
  • Low voltage circuits
  • Safety

Once you pass the exam, you can pay the fee for your journeyman electrician license.

Master Electrician Certificate

Many journeymen choose to become master electricians after some time.

A master electrician is usually a  supervisor for the electrical company and the person holding this position needs a license.

To obtain this license, one of the following requirements has to be met:

  • A degree in electrical engineering with 2 years of construction-related experience; OR
  • 6 years in the construction field working on both residential and commercial properties, with 2 years of experience as a journeyman electrician; OR
  • Another combination of experience approved by the Board

The license is offered to those who pass the exam.

To take the exam, you have to fill out an application and send it to the Board.

The exam is scheduled by those who are approved.

This test lasts 3 hours, has 60 questions and is open-book, with the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code being the book allowed during the examination.

The topics in the exam are:

  • Grounding and bonding
  • Conductors
  • General knowledge of the electrical trade
  • Calculations
  • Service, feeders, branch feeders, and overcurrent protection
  • Raceways and enclosures
  • Motors and controls
  • Utilization and general use of equipment
  • Special occupancies and equipment
  • Low voltage circuits, alarms, and communications
  • Safety

To obtain the master electrician license those who passed the test have to also pay a fee.

Independent Electrical Contractor

Master electricians can get a license to work as independent electrical contractors after a period of 5 years.

This license allows them to work on residential properties.

To qualify, candidates need to be or to hire a master electrician, and to pass the Business and Law exam.

Those interested need to register for the Business and Law exam, and they can do so online.

This exam is 2 hours long, has 50 questions, and candidates can reference the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Arkansas Fourth Edition during the exam.

The questions will cover:

  • Business organization
  • Licensing
  • Estimating and bidding
  • Contract management
  • Project management
  • Insurance and bonding
  • OSHA record keeping
  • Personnel regulations
  • Financial management
  • Tax laws
  • Lien laws

After passing the exam, the following documents need to be attached to the application:

  • Business and Law exam score
  • A surety bond – $10,000
  • Proof of worker’s compensation insurance
  • 3 references from former employers accounting for 5 years of experience.
  • A financial review of less than 1 year old, from a Certified Public Accountant

The approved individuals can begin contracting their services to the public.

Salary

How much a person will earn will be tied to how advanced in their career they are, as well as to their location.

Annual Salary Range:
$34K
$44K
$56K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Little Rock $45,130
Fort Smith $42,225
Fayetteville $43,765
Springdale $43,765
Jonesboro $44,658
North Little Rock $45,130
Conway $44,693
Rogers $43,502
Bentonville $43,415
Pine Bluff $43,459

Regional Salary in Arkansas

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO1,960$47,300$22.74$64,170$30,150
Fort Smith, AR-OK330$47,850$23.01$66,700$28,870
Hot Springs, AR270$42,640$20.5$58,000$30,700
Jonesboro, AR320$46,170$22.2$60,870$28,930
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR2,220$45,570$21.91$60,390$28,970
Pine Bluff, AR120$61,400$29.52$73,340$38,820
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

License Renewal

Licenses have to be renewed after the first year for journeymen and master electricians.

At the time of the first renewal, this professional can choose to renew it every year, every 2 or every 3 years.

These professionals need to always be updated with the National Electric Code, which updates every 3 years.

For this purpose, every 3 years they need to complete 8 hours of continuing education.

Those who work as independent electrical contractors have to renew their licenses every year.

They will receive by mail more details related to the steps they need to take to renew their license.

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