Electrician Schools in Nevada: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Nevada Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a four- or five-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.

To perform electrical work in the state of Nevada, you must be a licensed contractor, or work under a licensed electrician. Each district has its own journeyman license requirements, and is managed differently by county and city. The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) is responsible for issuing electrician contractor licenses. Nevada doesn't offer a master electrician license.

Most people entering the electrician industry in Nevada 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 Nevada:

• Great Basin College in Elko

• Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno

• College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and Henderson

• Advanced Training Institute in Las Vegas

Nevada Apprenticeships

• Electrical JATC of Southern Nevada

• Northern Nevada Independent Electrical Contractors

• Electrical Business: Some Nevada 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 Nevada.

There’s typically a range of degree and electrical 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 Nevada like:

• University of Nevada

• Nevada State College

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 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 Nevada community colleges on average is $2,700 per year for in-state students and $9,345 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 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

Since Nevada handles licensing at the city or county level, training requirements vary. However, it takes at least three years to become a licensed journeyman electrician in Nevada. Most of Nevada’s electrical programs require 8,000 hours (typically four years) of on-the-job electrical training and classroom instruction. The state of Nevada requires completion of four years experience as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee to apply for an electrical contractors license.  

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 Nevada’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. After completing classroom training and on-the-job training requirements, candidates can apply for journeyman certification.

Great Basin College 

• Offers an Electrician Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Systems Technology.

Truckee Meadows Community College

• Offers a  four-year Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship.

College of Southern Nevada 

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology: Utilities-Electrical Power.

Advanced Training Institute 

• Offers an Electrician Trainee Certificate. 

Steps for Enrollment in Nevada

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

To recap, Nevada requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. Most Nevada jurisdictions require 8,000 hours (typically four years) of on-the-job electrical training and classroom instruction. The State of Nevada requires completion of four years experience as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee in order to apply for an electrical contractors license.  

After licensing, Nevada electricians need to renew their licenses every three years and complete at least 18 hours of continuing education. A minimum of eight hours must cover the National Electrical Code. 

Nevada offers license reciprocity with Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The endorsing state must complete a Request for Verification of License form to verify the license. 

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

Salaries for Electricians in Nevada

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

• Entry level <2 years: $52,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $62,900

• Senior 4-6 years: $69,800

• Supervisor > 7 years: $99,600

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Nevada, you typically need 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 Nevada.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Nevada electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of Nevada, a nonunion trade group, also offers apprenticeship programs.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Utah, Oregon, and Idaho.

• Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah

• Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls, Idaho

• Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon

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