Electrician Schools in Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Hawaii Electrician Training Programs

According to the 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. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.

All electrical work performed in the state of Hawaii requires a license issued by the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers, which is a part of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division. The agency issues Hawaii electrician licenses for:

• Journey worker electrician

• Supervising electrician

• Journey worker industrial electrician

• Supervising industrial electrician

• Journey worker specialty electrician

• Supervising specialty electrician

• Maintenance electrician

• Electrical contractor 

To gain experience and prepare to take the various electrical contractor exams, most applicants enroll in an electrician apprenticeship program, or at a technical college to earn certification and find a trainee position.

In most cases, obtaining an electrician license in Hawaii takes a minimum of four years, or 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience, combined with anywhere from 120 to 1,000 hours of classroom work, depending on the desired level of licensure.

Hawaii offers one union apprenticeship program, operated through the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund (HETF). Apprenticeships generally require you to be at least 18 years old, earn a high school diploma or GED, be physically fit, complete an oral interview, and pass an aptitude test and algebra class. 

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrical training classes in Hawaii:

• Honolulu Community College in Honolulu

• Hawaii Community College in Hilo

• Kauai Community College in Lihue

• Leeward Community College in Pearl City

Hawaii Apprenticeships

• Hawaii offers one union apprenticeship program, operated through the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund (HETF).

• Honolulu Community College offers an apprenticeship program that provides related instruction to those on Oahu who are apprenticing in various construction and mechanical trades, including electricians. Upon completion of an approved apprenticeship program, work and instruction hours may be counted toward an Applied Trades Associate degree.

• Electrical Business: Some Hawaii businesses provide on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.

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, as does Hawaii.

There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get full-time 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 program at one of the four-year universities in Hawaii, such as: University of Hawaii at Mānoa.

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 systems, 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 Hawaii community colleges on average is $2,815 per year for in-state students and $7,663 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, so 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

Apprenticeships typically last four to five years and require a mix of classroom instruction and on-the-job experience. Most 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 Hawaii’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 available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required training. After completing a minimum of four years, or 8,000 hours, of hands-on work experience, combined with classroom instruction, apprentices can apply to take one of the electrician exams.

Honolulu Community College

• Offers an Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program. Students can earn either a certificate of competency and a certificate of achievement, or an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Hawaii Community College

• Offers an Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program. Students can earn either a certificate of achievement, or an AAS degree.

Kauai Community College

• Offers an Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program. Students can earn either a certificate of achievement, a certificate of competence or an AAS degree.

Leeward Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology Program – Maintenance Electrician program designed for those who want journey worker electrician licenses, industrial electrician licenses, or specialty and maintenance electrician licenses.

Steps for Enrollment in Hawaii

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

Hawaii offers various types of electrician licenses. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division issues the licenses. Each has different requirements ranging from from one to nine years of experience and classroom education.

For instance a Journey Worker Electrician must have five years of experience (not less than 10,000 hours) in residential or commercial wiring, and satisfactory completion of 240 hours of electrical academic coursework at an accepted University of Hawaii Community College that offers an appropriate program of study. Then to become a Supervising Electrician you'll need another four years of experience as a licensed journey worker electrician or the equivalent.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Hawaii

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

• Entry level <2 years: $53,100

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $61,100

• Senior 4-6 years: $69,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $90,900

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Hawaii, you usually need a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or trade school with which they’d like to apprentice. 

Hawaii offers one union apprenticeship program, operated through the Hawaii Electricians Training Fund (HETF). The requirements to become an apprentice include:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age, and provide documented proof.

• Provide a copy of high school diploma or GED, as well as all applicable transcripts and records to show evidence of successful completion of one full year of high school Algebra 1 or higher math or successfully complete the National Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (NJATC) Tech Math Course.

• Pass the NJATC Aptitude Test with a minimum score established by the NJATC.

• With the exception of individuals who qualify for Direct Interview or Direct Entry, prior to registration, all applicants being offered an apprenticeship opportunity shall complete a preparatory boot camp, with a maximum length of 80 hours, comprising both classroom and hands-on evaluation as determined by the JAC.

• Must be a United States citizen to work on U.S. military bases.

• Pay an application fee of $33 at time of application.

• Must pass a substance abuse test prior to indenturing.

• Must become a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1186 when you become an indentured apprentice.

Other School Options

We’ve highlighted community colleges and apprenticeships thus far. In addition to all those already mentioned, each of the schools below has an electrical program or classes that can help get you started.

• University of Hawai'i Maui College

• Brigham Young University in Laie

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