Electrician Schools in Ohio: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Ohio 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 Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), part of the Ohio Department of Commerce, issues state licenses for electrical contractors. Ohio does not require state-level electrician licenses for residential journeyman electricians.

However, two cities require a licensed journeyman electrician to perform electrical work. In Middletown and Hamilton, you must have a minimum of three years of experience in an apprenticeship along with technical training to apply for a journeyman electrician license.

All other municipalities allow one to instead work under a licensed contractor electrician as an electrician employee for five years, or complete an electrician apprenticeship at a trade school or community college, before becoming eligible to apply for an electrician contractor license. 

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

• Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County in Newark

• Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Englewood

• Mid-East Career and Technology Centers in Zanesville

• Collins Career Technical Center in Chesapeake

• Madison Adult Career Center in Mansfield

• Pickaway-Ross CTC in Chillicothe

• Scioto County Career Technical Center in Lucasville

• Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville

• Northwest State Community College in Archbold

Ohio Apprenticeships

• Some of the Ohio Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee chapters include:

• Dayton Ohio Area Electrical JATC

• Cleveland Electrical JATC

• Electrical Trades Center in Columbus

• Lorain County Electrical JATC in Lorain (IBEW Local 129)

• Cincinnati Electrical Training Center (IBEW Local 212)

• Toledo Electrical JATC in Rossford (IBEW Local 8)

• Youngstown Area Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 64)

• Independent Electrical Contractors of Central Ohio (IEC)

• Independent Electrical Contractors of Northern Ohio (IEC)

• Electrical Business: Many Ohio businesses provide 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.

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 Ohio like:

• Ohio State University

• Ohio University

As stated earlier, in many cases 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

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Low Voltage Systems

• Cabling

• 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 Ohio community colleges on average is $4,876 per year for in-state students and $11,127 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 any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Almost all Ohio counties require five years of experience, either through apprenticeship training, vocational school, or on-the-job training to qualify for licensure. Most specify 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 Ohio’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 apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required training to prepare students to take the journeyman or contractor licensing exam, depending on the jurisdiction. 

Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County

• Offers an Electrical Trades program

Miami Valley Career Technology Center

• Offers an Electrician program

Mid-East Career and Technology Centers

• Offers an Electrical Technologies program

Collins Career Technical Center

• Offers an Electricity program

Madison Adult Career Center

• Offers an Industrial Electrical Maintenance program

Pickaway-Ross CTC

• Offers an Electrical program

Scioto County Career Technical Center

• Offers an Industrial/Constructional Electricity program

Eastern Gateway Community College

• Offers an Associate of Technical Study (Type-B) in Electrical Trades Technology

Northwest State Community College

• Offers an Electrical Engineering Technology program

Steps for Enrollment in Ohio

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

To recap, Ohio issues electrical contractor licenses at the state level. Ohio does not require state-level electrician licenses for residential journeymen, except in Middletown and Hamilton. All other municipalities allow trainees to work under a licensed electrical contractor electrician for five years before becoming eligible to apply for an electrician contractor license. Electrical contractors must also complete additional requirements, such as purchasing $500,000 in liability insurance and passing a licensing exam.

Middletown and Hamilton require a minimum of three years of experience in an apprenticeship along with technical training to become eligible for a journeyman license.

After licensing, electrical contractors must renew their licenses annually. For a detailed explanation of Ohio’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Ohio Electrical License. 

Salaries for Electricians in Ohio

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

• Entry level <2 years: $52,100

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,500

• Senior 4-6 years: $68,200

• Supervisor > 7 years: $97,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Ohio, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the union, community college, or trade school. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Ohio.

ApprenticeOhio 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 Ohio electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of Northern Ohio and Central Ohio, a non-union trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

Additionally, Ohio has 17 JATC locations where you can complete a five-year apprenticeship.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

• The Electrical Training Institute in Indianapolis, Ind.

• Ann Arbor Electrical JATC in Ann Arbor, Mich.

• Western Pennsylvania Electrical JATC in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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