Electrician Schools in Washington (Top Programs)

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Electrician Schools in Washington

Washington is a good state to become an electrician in, and we have the info to get you started if you’re considering a new career.

Everyone needs to train for this trade, and then pass an exam to obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (WDLI).

Apprenticeship

In Washington,  apprentices need to accumulate  8,000 hours of work experience along with 96 hours of classroom education in order to earn their licenses.

The following topics will be taught in class:

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  • Hazardous Locations
  • How to Navigate the NEC
  • Volts, AMPS, OHMS
  • Electrical Systems
  • A Theory
  • Basic electronics
  • Commercial & Industrial Load Calcs
  • Lighting Systems and Ballasts
  • AC Motor/Box & Raceway
  • General Requirements for Conductors
  • Ohm’s Law & Combination Circuits
  • Calculation for Trainees
  • Low Voltage Conductors & Cables
  • Theory of Electrical Circuits
  • Wiring and Lighting Protection
  • Control Systems
  • Standby Generators
  • Grounding vs Bonding
  • Basic Motor Controls
  • Lighting & Signs

The minimum accepted age for an apprenticeship is 16, and the application fee is $47.

Only those accepted can choose to enroll in one of the following:

  • Union or Non-Union Apprenticeship
  • Trade School
  • On-the-Job Training

All apprentices will be issued certifications before they starting training.

Union or Non-Union Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are still a very common way of becoming an electrician.

Union apprenticeships are available through Electrician Training Alliance Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATC) and they require membership.

Those who don’t want to become union members, need to contact non-union organizations accepting apprentices.

Trade School

Attending trade school is an equally popular way of becoming an electrician, and in many cases, the entry-level position is made available for those enrolling in these schools.

School Name Address
Perry Technical Institute 2011 W Washington Ave., Yakima, WA 98903
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges 7662 Chanute St NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837
Washington State Community and Technical Colleges 1101 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
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Informal On-The-Job Training

Another option of training as an electrician is by finding licensed electricians willing to take on trainees.

This option is very similar to the non-union apprenticeship and more appropriate for those who already know a licensed electrician.

Become a Journeyman

Requirements:

  • Fill out the application
  • Pay the application fee – $86.30
  • Attach proof of completed apprenticeship
  • Pass the exam organized by the L&I Electrical Licensing and Certification, through PSI Exams

The 77 questions in the exam cover the following topics:

  • Wiring and protection
  • Services
  • Overcurrent protection
  • Grounding & bonding
  • Wiring methods
  • Electrical equipment
  • Motors, HVAC, Generators & transformers
  • Hazardous locations
  • Special occupancies and equipment
  • Emergency & standby
  • Special conditions
  • Communication systems
  • Washington laws & rules
  • Major load calculations
  • General trade knowledge & Theory

Applying for a Specialty Electrician License

Those who accumulated 4,000 hours as an electrical trainee, may apply for a specialty electrician license.

Their training must cover these areas:

  • Residential
  • Pump and irrigation
  • Signs
  • Limited energy system
  • HVAC/refrigeration system

For the following specialties,  candidates need to accumulate 2,000 hours of experience and 24 hours of classroom instruction:

  • Domestic well
  • Nonresidential maintenance
  • Nonresidential lighting maintenance and lighting retrofit
  • Residential maintenance
  • Restricted nonresidential maintenance
  • Appliance repair
  • Equipment repair
  • Door, gate, and similar systems

Specialty certifications are issued to those who pass the appropriate exam, organized by PSI Exams.

Requirements to take the exam:

  • Fill out the application form
  • Pay the application fee – $86.30

Master Electrician or Electrical Administrator

Master electrician requirements:

  • 4 years experience as a journeyman electrician
  • Detail the type of work performed
  • Apply for and pass the exam

The sole requirement for the electrical administrator certification is to pass the specific exam.

The exams are organized by PSI Exams and they cover the same topics as the journeyman exam, though the difference is in the number of questions:

  • 110 questions for the master electrician exam
  • 92 questions for the electrical administrator exam

Salary

The type of certification you’ll have as an electrician will influence how much you earn.

Annual Salary Range:
$39K
$51K
$65K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Seattle $53,214
Spokane $48,252
Tacoma $51,856
Vancouver $50,710
Bellevue $53,214
Kent $51,753
Everett $52,047
Renton $53,162
Federal Way $51,856
Yakima $48,144

Regional Salary in Washington

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bellingham, WA560$79,490$38.21$104,810$39,450
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA1,080$68,410$32.89$87,820$44,180
Kennewick-Richland, WA880$86,000$41.34$108,270$48,780
Longview, WA290$79,410$38.18$105,780$46,360
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA450$92,880$44.66$133,790$48,340
Olympia-Tumwater, WA510$81,250$39.06$124,990$45,010
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA10,060$92,450$44.45$138,290$50,720
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA1,170$76,040$36.56$109,720$40,570
Walla Walla, WA110$67,330$32.37$83,800$36,840
Wenatchee, WA310$78,180$37.59$106,940$43,100
Yakima, WA450$71,430$34.34$102,890$38,010
* 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

Apprentices need to renew their certifications every other year.

Your journeyman certificate will expire every 3 years and 24 hours of continuing education credits are needed to renew it, as follows:

  • 8 hours must cover the changes to the national electrical code
  • 4 hours must cover the changes to the revised code of Washington and the Washington administrative code
  • The remaining 12 hours can cover any approved course

The specialty certification, master electrician and electrical administrator certifications need to be renewed every 3 years after completing 24 hours of continuing education courses.

USA Electrician Schools by City


USA Electrician Schools by State


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