Electrician Schools in Louisiana: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Louisiana 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.

In Louisiana, electrician licenses for journeyman and master electricians are issued by local municipalities or parishes. However, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) issues electrical contractor licenses at the state level. Most people enter the electrical industry by gaining experience through a union-based apprenticeship program, enrollment at a technical school, or as a direct-hire trainee. Licensed contractors who own electrical contracting companies employ direct-hire trainees.

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Louisiana:

• Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe

• SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles

• South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette

• Nunez Community College in Chalmette

• Northshore Technical Community College in Bogalusa

• ITI Technical College in Baton Rouge

• Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever

• Delgado Community College in New Orleans

• Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Alexandria

Louisiana Apprenticeships

• Louisiana Statewide Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC)

• Baton Rouge Area Electrical JATC

• Shreveport Area Electrical JATC

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 130

• Electrical Business: Many Louisiana businesses provide the hands-on 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 Louisiana.

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 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 electrician 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 at one of the four-year universities in Louisiana such as:

• Louisiana State University

• Louisiana Tech University

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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

• Electrical Systems

• 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 Louisiana community colleges on average is $2,971 per year for in-state students and $6,101 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 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

In Louisiana, journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by local municipalities, or parishes. In most jurisdictions, earning a journeyman license takes about five years of hands-on work experience, combined with an apprenticeship program or enrollment at a technical school. Most training programs 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 Louisiana’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. After completing the required training for a local municipality or parish, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.

Louisiana Delta Community College

• Offers a Technical Diploma in Electrician studies

SOWELA Technical Community College

• Offers an Industrial Electrician Technology certificate

South Louisiana Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science (Technical Studies) in Electrician

• Offers an Electrician Technician diploma

Nunez Community College

• Offers an Electrical Construction - Advanced, Certificate of Technical Studies

• Offers an Electrical Construction, Certificate of Technical Studies

Northshore Technical Community College

• Offers an Electrician Program

ITI Technical College

• Offers an Electrical Technology Program certificate

Fletcher Technical Community College 

• Offers an Electrician Program

Delgado Community College

• Offers several certificates, including Electric Line Technician, Commercial Electrician, Residential Electrician, and Small Industrial Electrician

Central Louisiana Technical Community College 

• Offers an Electrician Technology program

Steps for Enrollment in Louisiana

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

To recap, journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by local municipalities or parishes. In most jurisdictions, candidates must demonstrate five years of work experience before they become eligible to take a journeyman or maintenance electrician licensing exam. Additionally, most jurisdictions require master electricians to have five years of previous work experience as journeyman electricians. Both journeyman and master licenses require renewal annually.

Louisiana offers two types of electrical contractor licenses—residential and commercial. Obtaining a commercial contractor license means you can work on commercial projects valued at more than $10,000. A residential contractor license means you can work on residential jobs valued at more than $7,500. 

Residential contractors in Louisiana must maintain $100,000 of general liability insurance. Residential and commercial licenses require applicants to provide financial statements proving at least a $10,000 net worth. Contractors must also designate a qualifying party for documentation purposes. Electrical contractors also must pass the business and law trade exams. 

First-time electrical contractors must renew their licenses after one year, but then every one to three years afterward. Electrical contractors are required to complete six hours of continuing education each year.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Louisiana

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

• Entry level <2 years: $50,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,200

• Senior 4-6 years: $65,100

• Supervisor > 7 years: $95,100

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

Industry Apprenticeships   

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Louisiana, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs include tests that require you to demonstrate basic competency in electrical fundamentals. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission maintains a list of companies offering apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Louisiana electricians. Among the Local Union in Louisiana are:

• LU 130 New Orleans

• LU 194 Shreveport

• LU 446 Monroe

• LU 995 Baton Rouge

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.

• Delta Technical College in Horn Lake, Mississippi

• Arkansas College of Electricity in Rogers, Arkansas

• South Texas Electrical JATC in San Antonio, Texas

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