Electrician Schools in Kansas: The Ultimate Guide

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

Unlike many states, electrical licenses in Kansas are issued at the local level. However, the Kansas state legislature established minimum criteria needed to earn a journeyman electrician license. In Kansas, each municipality must issue an exam based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), and potential journeyman applicants must have at least two years (4,000 hours) of electrical trade experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician, as well as 240 hours of classroom instruction. 

This experience is usually obtained through an apprenticeship program working with a local electrical company or union, as well as enrollment at a trade school or community college. However, licensing requirements often vary by county. For instance, Wichita issues various trade certificates for specific types of electricians, including general electricians, residential electricians, elevator installers, and alarm wiring installers. The City of Topeka has a separate licensing process for low-voltage alarm installation, which requires less experience and education as a traditional journeyman.

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in the State of Kansas:

• Johnson County Community College in Overland Park

• Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, Kansas

• Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson

• Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland

• Salina Area Technical College in Salina

• Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville

• North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit

Kansas Apprenticeships

• Kansas has four Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC):

• Kansas City JATC

• Topeka Electrical JATC

• Hutchinson Electrical JATC

• Wichita Electrical JATC

• Independent Electrical Contractors of Kansas (IEC)

• Electrical Business: Some Kansas businesses provide the 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 in Kansas from city to city.

There’s typically a range 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

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 advanced degrees at one of the four-year universities in Kansas like:

• University of Kansas

• Kansas 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, these programs 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 (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 Kansas community colleges on average is $3,484 per year for in-state students and $4,443 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs and 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 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

Regardless of the city or municipality, potential journeyman applicants must have at least two years (4,000 hours) of electrical work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician, as well as 240 hours of classroom instruction. 

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, OSHA regulations, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

School Comparison: At a Glance

The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Kansas’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants.These electrical programs provide the necessary classroom training to become a licensed journeyman. 

Johnson County Community College 

• Offers an Electrical Technology Certificate (30 credits) 

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology (2-year degree)

Kansas City Kansas Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology Certificate (44) credits

• Offers an Associate in Applied Science in Electronics Engineering Technology (2-year degree)

• Offers an Electronics Engineering Technology Certificate (33 credits)

Hutchinson Community College 

• Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship - Construction (65 credits)

Northwest Kansas Technical College 

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology (2-year degree)

Salina Area Technical College 

• Offers an Electrical Technology Program with the option to earn a Technical Certificate (9 months) or Associate’s Degree (2-year degree)

Coffeyville Community College 

• Offers an Electrical Technology Certificate (44 credits)

North Central Kansas Technical College 

• Offers an Electrical Technology Certificate (71 credits)

University of Kansas 

• Offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Kansas State University  

• Offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering as well as graduate programs including Master of Science and PhD.

Steps for Enrollment in Kansas

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. 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 Kansas

To recap, Kansas requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you need at least two years (4,000 hours) of electrical trade experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician, as well as 240 hours of classroom instruction. 

To meet eligibility to take the master electrician exam, most municipalities require at least two years of work experience as a licensed journeyman electrician. 

After licensing, most municipalities require journeyman and master electricians to renew their licenses every two years. In some cases, continuing education requirements must be met before you can renew your license. For specific renewal information, contact your local department of labor. 

Kansas doesn’t offer reciprocity with other states.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Kansas

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

• Entry level <2 years: $52, 300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $62,000

• Senior 4-6 years: $67,900

• Supervisor > 7 years: $97,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships  

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Kansas, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or union with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, an apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Kansas.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Kansas electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of Kansas, a nonunion trade group, offers 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 Colorado, Nebraska, and Missouri:

• Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado

• Metropolitan Community College Area in Omaha, Nebraska

• State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, Missouri

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