Electrician Schools in Oregon: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Oregon Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. 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.

Oregon licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — requiring applicants to meet job experience and classroom instruction requirements. Even apprentices must be registered with the state. Most people entering the electrician industry in Oregon 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. All of these apprenticeships must be recognized by the state.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has accredited several institutions in Oregon with electrical programs. All of them provide the educational element of apprenticeships registered through the state. Some have pre-apprenticeship programs to help students learn the basics before getting started in the electrical field. The following are Oregon community colleges that offer electrician classes and have been accredited by NWCCU:

• Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton

• Central Oregon Community College in Bend

• Chemeketa Community College in Salem

• Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Milwaukie, Wilsonville

• Clatsop Community College in Astoria

• Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls

• Lane Community College in Eugene

• Mount Hood Community College in Gresham

• Rogue Community College in Grants Pass

• Tillamook Bay Community College in Tillamook

• Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario

• Umpqua Community College in Roseburg 

Oregon Apprenticeships

• Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon (IEC)

  • Limited Energy

  • Inside Electrical

  • Roseburg Inside Electrical

  • Residential Electrician

• Oregon Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC) are alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the Oregon chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA). They are located all over the state. More on each below.

• Electrical Business — some Oregon 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 Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) 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 in Oregon.

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

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need 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 Oregon like:

• Oregon State University

• Portland State University

• University of Portland

• Oregon Institute of Technology

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. In Oregon they are called pre-apprenticeship classes. 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. 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 Oregon community colleges on average is $4,694 per year for in-state students and $7,748 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. 

There are also always 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

Apprenticeships are four to five years long, with at least 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Pre-apprenticeship programs are 17-21 credits and are a great way to move up the ranking list of competitive apprenticeships.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. In Oregon, a minimum amount of classroom instruction is required for applicants to be eligible for licensing. Those classroom hours can be put toward an Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree that’s usually about 90 credits. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get started on your electrician training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online electrician classes.

Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries and can make you a more attractive candidate for apprenticeship. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are accessible throughout the state.

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 above are part of the Oregon Community College system. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans and have a 100% acceptance rate. Apprenticeships, however, have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students enrolled in a registered apprenticeship. Central Oregon Community College (COCC), for instance, says on its website that prospective apprentice students should choose a program via Oregon Apprenticeship, NW Apprenticeship Services, or by contacting another apprenticeship program. Once a student is accepted as an apprentice, the Apprentice Committee will provide the COCC course information. Let’s take a look at each of the different schools.

Blue Mountain Community College

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Associate’s Degree (SAAS) | 91 credits

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Statewide Career Pathways | 60 credits | Certificate of Completion (SCPC)

• Limited Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Statewide Career Pathways | 24 credits | Certificate of Completion (SCPC)

• Trade Worker Apprenticeship Technologies | Statewide Career Pathways | 24 credits | Certificate of Completion (SCPC)

Central Oregon Community College

• Limited Energy Electrical | Apprenticeship classes | 3 years

• Limited Maintenance Electrician | Apprenticeship classes | 2 years

• Manufacturing Plant Electrician | Apprenticeship classes | 4 years

Chemeketa Community College

• Inside Wire Electrician Apprenticeship | Applicable to Certificate or AAS | 4 years w/ Independent Electrical Training Center

Clackamas Community College

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Apprenticeship/AAS | 4 years

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Apprenticeship/Certificate | 4 years

• Limited Electrician Technologies | Apprenticeship/Certificate | 2-3 years

Clatsop Community College

• Apprenticeship, Electrician | Apprenticeship classes | 4 years

• Apprenticeship, Electrician | AAS | 92 credits

Klamath Community College

• Electrical Apprenticeship | In partnership with local businesses | 4 years

Lane Community College

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Apprenticeship/AAS  | 4 years

• Inside Electrician  | Apprenticeship Program  | 4 years

• Pre-apprenticeship  | Individual classes – earn points toward entry into apprenticeships

• Entry-level Trades Worker | Certificate | 17-21 credits

Linn-Benton Community College

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Apprenticeship/AAS  | 4 years

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies  | Certificate  | 4 years

• Limited Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Certificate  | 2 years

Mount Hood Community College

• NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center  | Apprenticeship | 4 years | Inside Electrical & Residential

• Central Electrical Training Center  | Apprenticeship | 1 year | Residential

• Crater Lake Electrical | Apprenticeship | 4-5 years | General Journeyman Electrician

• Pacific Inside Electrical | Apprenticeship | 4-5 years | General Journeyman Electrician

Rogue Community College

• Inside Electrician and Manufacturing Plant Electrician

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies  | AAS | 4 years

• Electrician Apprenticeship Technologies | Certificate | 4 years

• Limited Maintenance Electrician | Certificate | 2 years

Tillamook Bay Community College

• Inside Electrician | Apprenticeship/Certificate  | 4 years

• Limited Maintenance Electrician  | Apprenticeship/ Certificate | 2 years

Treasure Valley Community College

• General Journeyman Electrician | Apprenticeship/Certificate | 4 years

• Manufacturing Plant Electrician | Apprenticeship/Certificate | 4 years

Umpqua Community College

• Roseburg Industrial Electrical JATC

• Manufacturing Plant Electrician | Apprenticeship | 4 years

• Limited Maintenance Electrician | Apprenticeship | 2 years

Steps for Enrollment in Oregon

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with 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.

However, if you are hoping to attend one of the apprenticeship programs listed above, you must apply directly to an employer or JATC. Once you have a position as an apprentice, then you can apply for classes. While waiting for an opening you can compile a portfolio of documentation required for program entry.

• Diploma or GED certificate

• Transcripts from high school and college

• Placement test scores

• Work experience documented on letterhead with the tasks listed and years of service (construction related)

• Trades and safety certificates

• For Veterans, a copy of the DD224 long form

Electrician Career Requirements in Oregon

As mentioned earlier, the State of Oregon requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. You must complete a board-approved electrician apprenticeship program such as through one of Oregon’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees or attend classes and get verified work experience meeting all experience and classroom instruction requirements to be allowed to take the licensing exam. Each type of license requires a different number of hours of work. General Journeyman Electricians and Limited Residential Electricians, for example, need 8,000 hours; Limited Maintenance Electricians only need 4,000 hours of work. Licensing exams are open book and based on the National Electrical Code (NEC).

After licensing, electricians in Oregon must complete continuing education every three years to keep their electrician license active. The Oregon Building Codes Division Office (BCD) issues non-contracting electrical licenses, while the Oregon Construction Contractors Board issues contracting electrical licenses. Oregon offers general journeyman electrician reciprocity agreements with the states of Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Oregon maintains general supervising electrician reciprocity agreements with Arkansas and Utah. For a detailed explanation of Oregon’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Oregon Electrical License.

Salaries for Electricians in Oregon

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

• Entry level <2 years: $54,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $64,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $71,900

• Supervisor > 7 years: $102,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Most apprenticeships are four to five years long and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better. 

The Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) maintains a list of apprenticeships registered with the Apprenticeship & Training Division. There are both union and non-union apprenticeships.

The electrical union apprenticeship programs in Oregon are offered by local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in coordination with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together they make up the Electrical Training Alliance.

Oregon Electrical Training Alliances:

• NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center (NIETC) in Portland (IBEW Local 48)

• Pacific Inside Electrical JATC in North Bend (IBEW Local 932)

• Central Electrical Training Center in Tangent (IBEW Local 280)

• Crater Lake Electrical Training Center Central Point (IBEW Local 659) 

Non-union apprenticeships like those offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon also meet apprentice requirements of BOLI and USDOL.

• Northwest Institute of Technology in Portland (IEC of Oregon and Area I Inside Electrical JATC)

• Independent Electrical Training Center in North Salem (IEC of Oregon and Area II Inside Electrical JATC)

• Area III Inside Electrical JATC (Mid Oregon Chapter of IEC)

• Klamath Basin Inside Electrician JATC Klamath Falls (Klamath Community College and Apprenticeship Partners — individual employers)

• Area 5 Inside Electrical JATC in Rogue Valley (Rogue Community College and Apprenticeship Partners — individual employers)

These non-union and union programs culminate in journeyman status as directed by national standards. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.

Other School Options

In addition to all those already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Idaho and Washington State.

• Southwest Idaho Electrical Training Center in Boise, ID (IBEW Local 291)

• LU 112 -NECA Electrical Training Center In Kennewick, WA (IBEW Local 112)

• Puget Sound Electrical JATC in Renton, WA (IBEW Local 46)

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