Electrician Schools in Montana: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Montana 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 systems 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.” 

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.

To legally perform electrical work in the state of Montana, you must be licensed by the state. Electrician licenses are issued by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry through the Montana State Electrical Board. Electrical apprentices must also register with the state.

Most people entering the electrician industry in Montana 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 Montana:

• Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell

• Montana State University Northern in Havre

Montana Apprenticeships

The Montana chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) sponsor joint union-based apprenticeship programs for aspiring Montana electricians through the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) in Helena. The Montana Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) also offer nonunion based apprenticeships in cities such as Billings, Butte, Great Falls, and Bozeman. The following unions in Montana offer apprenticeship programs:

• IBEW Local 532 in Billings

• IBEW Local 233 in Great Falls

• IBEW Local 768 in Kalispell

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 Montana.

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 the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Montana such as:

• University of Montana in Missoula

• Montana State University in Bozeman

As stated earlier, formal education can pay 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 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

• Electrical Theory

• Electrical Maintenance

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• Programmable Controllers

• 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 Montana community colleges on average is $4,139 per year for in-state students and $8,788 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where 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 any state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

To acquire a residential electrician license in Montana, you must complete 4,000 hours of practical experience (residential) or 8,000 hours of practical experience (journeyman), as well as more than 500 hours of classroom training covering topics such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) and electrical theory.

Most acquire this experience through union or nonunion apprenticeships. The basic requirements for joining an apprenticeship include being at least 18, possessing a valid driver’s license, high school diploma or GED, maintaining Montana residency, and passing an aptitude test.

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 Montana’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 only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required classroom training. After completing classroom training and/or on-the-job training, candidates can take and pass the journeyman exam to receive their journeyman license.

Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell

• Offers an Electrical Technology program that provides the training needed to enter the field of electrical wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites. Students can earn a Certificate of Applied Science after two semesters and an Associate of Applied Science degree after four semesters. Upon graduation of the program, students are eligible for advanced placement into a registered apprenticeship program.

Montana State University Northern, Havre

• Offers an Electrical Technology program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in conjunction with the State of Montana apprenticeship program.

Steps for Enrollment in Montana

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

To recap, Montana requires on-the-job training or a mix of classroom training and work experience to legally perform electrical work. To be licensed as a residential electrician, you must have 4,000 hours of full-time experience and to be eligible for a journeyman electrical license, you need 8,000 hours of full-time practical experience as an electrician.

There are two ways to obtain a master electrician license: Earn an electrical engineering degree and complete 2,000 hours of full-time practical experience in the electrical trade, or 8,000 hours of full-time practical experience as a licensed journeyman with 20%-50% of those hours performed in the residential sector.

There are two types of electrical contractor licenses in Montana: limited electrical contractors and unlimited electrical contractors. Limited contractors can perform work on a single residential construction with fewer than five units and must employ a full-time journeyman electrician as the responsible party. Unlimited contractors can work on both residential and commercial properties and must employ a full-time master electrician as the responsible party.

Residential, journeyman, and master electrician licenses require renewal every two years in Montana. Requirements for renewal are 16 hours of continuing education with at least 8 hours focused on code updates.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Montana

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

• Entry level <2 years: $48,900

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,400

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,800

• Supervisor > 7 years: $92,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships 

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Montana, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or organization 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 Montana.

• IBEW Local 532 offers an apprenticeship program that allows students to gain on-the-job experience while also earning a competitive wage.

• IBEW Local 233 offers an apprenticeship program that allows students to gain on-the-job experience while also earning a competitive wage.

• IBEW Local 768 offers an apprenticeship program that allows students to gain on-the-job experience while also earning a competitive wage.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho.

• North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

• Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, South Dakota.

• College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho.

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