Electrician Schools in North Dakota: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited North Dakota 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.

The North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB) licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — requiring applicants to meet job experience or a mix of job experience and classroom instruction requirements. Even apprentices must be registered with the NDSEB. Most people entering the electrician industry in North Dakota learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or non-union 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 North Dakota:

• Bismarck State College in Bismarck

• North Dakota State College of Science in Fargo and Wahpeton

• Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, McLaughlin, and Mobridge

North Dakota Apprenticeships

• The Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund offers union-based apprentice training in several cities, including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston.

• The Independent Electrical Contractors of the Dakotas offers non-union apprenticeships in Fargo, Grand Forks, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City.

• Electrical Business: Many North Dakota 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 North Dakota.

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 North Dakota such as:

• University of North Dakota

• North Dakota State University

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

• 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 North Dakota community colleges on average is $4,270 per year for in-state students and $7,571 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

Becoming a licensed journeyman electrician requires 8,000 hours (about four years of experience), or 6,000 hours of job-related experience plus the completion of a two-year electrical trade school program. In some cases, the NDSEB also counts other work experience, like construction work, toward your overall requirements.

A Class B electrician license requires 3,000 hours of on-the-job training. However, completing an approved, two-year electrical school program will count for 1,000 hours of training. 

Most apprenticeships 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 North Dakota’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 apply for the journeyman exam.

Bismarck State College: 

• Offers several electrical training programs, including:

  • Electrical Maintenance apprenticeship

  • Certificate or Associate of Applied Science in Electric Power Technology 

  • Substation Electrician apprenticeship 

  • Certificate or Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Transmission Systems Technology 

  • Certificate or Associate of Applied Science: Electrical Lineworker 

North Dakota State College of Science: 

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology with three tracks:

  • Electrical Construction

  • Industrial Electrician

  • Electrical Master Technician

Sitting Bull College: 

• Offers an Electrical Certificate program - 29 credit hours

Steps for Enrollment in North Dakota

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:

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 North Dakota

To recap, North Dakota requires on-the-job training or a mix of classroom training and work experience to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrical license, you need to obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training. Two-thousand hours of job training may be substituted for the completion of a two-year trade school program. 

A Class B electrician must complete 3,000 hours of work experience in farmstead or residential wiring, in one-family or two-family dwellings, and under the supervision of a licensed electrician.

To become eligible to take the master electrician exam, candidates must work for two years as a licensed journeyman electrician. 

Electrical contractors must meet the same criteria as those who hold a master electrician license, as well as obtain the required insurance, fill out the appropriate application, and submit the required documentation.

To renew licenses annually, journeyman, master electricians, and electrical contractors must complete eight hours of continuing education classes, four hours of which must cover the National Electrical Code (NEC). 

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

Salaries for Electricians in North Dakota

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

• Entry level <2 years: $49,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,500

• Senior 4-6 years: $65,500

• Supervisor > 7 years: $92,200

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

Industry Apprenticeships  

To meet apprenticeship requirements in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce maintains a list of companies offering apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and more.

The Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund, IBEW Local 1593, IBEW Local 1426, and IBEW Local 714 offer union-based apprentice training, while the Independent Electrical Contractors of the Dakotas offers non-union apprenticeships.

Other School Options

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

• Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, S.D.

• Flathead Valley Community College in Flathead and Libby, Mont.

• Minneapolis Electrical JATC in St. Michael, Minn.

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