Electrician Schools in Rhode Island: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety, Division of Professional Regulations Unit issues electrician licenses for journeyman and master electricians, as well as specialty electrical licenses based on training and experience — requiring applicants to meet a mix of job experience and classroom instruction requirements.

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

• New England Institute of Technology on New England Tech Boulevard in East Greenwich 

• Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, Lincoln, and Providence

Rhode Island Apprenticeships

• Local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union chapters partner with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to offer apprenticeships through local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) offices.

• Trade associations like the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) provide nonunion apprenticeships. The Rhode Island Construction Training Academy also places apprentices with local nonunionized employers.

• Many Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island like:

• The University of Rhode Island

• Roger Williams 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 systems, 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’s much 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 Rhode Island community colleges on average is $3,950 per year for in-state students and $10,582 for out-of-state students. 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 financial aid in the form of federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

To be eligible for the Rhode Island journeyman electrician exam, you need to complete 8,000 hours (four years) of on-the-job experience as well as 576 hours of classroom training. 

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   

Let’s take a look at electrician training centers and trade schools in Rhode Island.

New England Institute of Technology

• Offers an Associate of Science degree in Electrical Technology with Renewable Energy Systems

• Offers an Associate of Science degree in Electrical Technology

Community College of Rhode Island

• Meets the education requirements for individuals in sponsored electrical apprenticeships

Steps for Enrollment in Rhode Island

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

To be eligible for the Rhode Island journeyman electrician exam, you need to complete 8,000 hours (four years) of on-the-job experience as well as 576 hours of classroom training.

For master electrician, or electrical contractor, licensure, you must complete six years of work experience, with two as a journeyman electrician, then pass the electrical contractor exam. 

Rhode Island also offers the following specialty electrician licenses, each of which requires 2,000 hours of related work experience:

• Oil Burner Electrician  

• Alarm Electrician  

• Electric Sign Contractor 

• Electric Sign Installer

Journeyman licenses and master licenses require 15 hours of continuing education every two years.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Rhode Island

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

• Entry level <2 years: $54,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $64,300

• Senior 4-6 years: $71,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $101,900

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Aspiring electrical apprentices are responsible for securing employment as an apprentice on their own, but may find resources through the Rhode Island Apprenticeship Program and their partnership with Apprenticeship Rhode Island. 

Apprenticeships options include:

• IBEW Local 99 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center in Cranston

• Rhode Island Builders Association in East Providence

• Rhode Island Construction Training Academy in Pawtucket

• Sponsoring Rhode Island electrical businesses

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers with electrician programs in nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts:

• Porter and Chester Institute in Bridgeport, Connecticut

• Southeastern Technical Institute in South Easton, Massachusetts

• The Peterson School, with Massachusetts locations in Woburn, Westwood, Worcester, and Haverhill

You can find the training you need to excel in an electrical industry career in Rhode Island. The opportunities are all around you.