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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely install and repair electrical systems. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout The Bluegrass State.
The growing demand for electricians in Kentucky — journeyman electricians, master electricians, electrical contractors, and electrical engineers — means that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 9% growth rate for electricians in Kentucky and 6% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Kentucky posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Kentucky 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.
The Electrical Division of the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — requiring applicants to meet job experience and/or classroom instruction requirements. Electrical apprentices must register with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Labor. Most people entering the electrician industry in Kentucky learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a local community college.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Kentucky:
Madisonville Community College in Madisonville
Somerset Community College in Somerset
Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro
Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg
Gateway Community and Technical College in Florence
Hopkinsville Community College in Hopkinsville
Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Bowling Green
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Elizabethtown
Kentucky Apprenticeships
Kentucky Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)
Offers a four-year apprenticeship program in Louisville and Lexington
Independent Electrical Contractors of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (IEC-KYIN)
Electrical Business: Some Kentucky 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 some require a minimum amount of education, such as Kentucky.
There’s typically a range of certificates and degree 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 a Bachelor of Science or graduate degree at one of the universities in Kentucky like:
As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
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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 (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 Kentucky community colleges on average is $3,629 per year for in-state students and $12,449 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 state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Apprenticeships are four years long and consist of 576 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of hands-on training. 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 Kentucky’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 programs are intended to fulfill all or portions of the 576 hours of required classroom training. After completing classroom training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.
Candidates who receive no classroom training can qualify for a journeyman license after achieving six years of work experience under a licensed electrical contractor or master electrician.
Madisonville Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Gateway Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology with separate tracks for Construction Electrician and Industrial Electrician.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Hopkinsville Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology with separate tracks for Construction Electrician, Industrial Electrician, and Automated Industrial Controls Technician.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Ashland Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology with separate tracks for Construction Electrician and Industrial Electrician.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology with separate tracks for Construction Electrician, Industrial Electrician, and Automated Industrial Automation and Process Control Technician, and Industrial Automation and Robotics Technician.
Offers several electrical certificates of varying credit length.
Offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Steps for Enrollment in Kentucky
Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins 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:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores or results of aptitude test.
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 Kentucky
To recap, Kentucky requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrical license, you need to complete a formal apprenticeship or trade school program (576 hours) and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or six years of verified work experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or electrical contractor.
To become eligible to take the master electrician exam, candidates must work for a minimum of two years as a licensed journeyman electrician.
To work as an electrical contractor, you need a master electrician license or someone on your staff must hold a valid license. You can obtain your electrical contractor license by submitting a licensing application, paying the appropriate fee, obtaining workers compensation and liability insurance, and passing the Kentucky Business and Law exam.
After licensing, Kentucky electricians must complete six hours of continuing education each year on topics including: OSHA requirements, the National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical math, and more. Note: Only two of the six continuing education hours may pertain to safety-related topics.
Kentucky offers license reciprocity with Ohio, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Virginia.
For a detailed explanation of Kentucky’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Kentucky Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Kentucky
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 Kentucky? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Kentucky for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $51,800
Intermediate 2-4 years: $59,800
Senior 4-6 years: $66,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $97,700
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Kentucky, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Kentucky.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 701 JATC) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Kentucky electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of the Bluegrass, 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 Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.
The Electrical Training Institute in Indianapolis, IN
IEC Central Ohio in Columbus, OH
Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Livingston, TN
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Kentucky. The opportunities are all around you.
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