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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive job training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrical field, training is readily available throughout the Old Dominion State.
The growing demand for electricians in Virginia — journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical engineers — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 14% growth rate for electricians in Virginia and 7% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Virginia posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Virginia 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.
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), through the Virginia Board for Contractors, issues electrical licenses for journeyman and master electricians. Apprentice electricians must register with the Virginia Department of Labor.
Most people entering the electrician industry in Virginia learn on the job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical company and taking classes at a local community college or trade school.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Virginia:
Wytheville Community College in Wytheville
Tidewater Community College in Norfolk
Danville Community College in Danville
Reynolds Community College in Richmond
Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg
Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge
Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon
New River Community College in Dublin
Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave
Virginia Apprenticeships
Union-based apprenticeships, known as Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs), are available through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). JATCs are located in both Newport News and Ashland.
The Virginia Board for Contractors maintains a list of approved tradesmen formal vocational training providers to help applicants meet the education requirements.
The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Chesapeake – Dulles provides nonunion apprenticeships in the state of Virginia.
Electrical Business: Many Virginia 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 Virginia.
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 Bachelor of Science or graduate degree at one of the universities in Virginia like:
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
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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 Virginia community colleges on average is $3,736 per year for in-state students and $8,977 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 state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
To become eligible for a journeyman license, apprentices need to demonstrate 8,000 hours, or four years, of practical experience—along with 240 hours of classroom instruction. 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 Virginia’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships are often in high demand and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. After completing classroom training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.
Offers a two-year Construction Technology Electrical Diploma.
Offers an Electronics Engineering Technology certificate.
Offers an NCCER Electrical level 1 certification, which provides an introduction to working with electricity. Students may also pursue courses in HVAC and plumbing, among other trades.
Central Virginia Community College
Offers multiple one-year Electrical Technology certificates.
Mountain Gateway Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College
Offers an Electrical Technology program that qualifies candidates for the journeyman licensing exam.
Offers several electrical certificates, including an Electrical-Construction Technology certificate.
Offers an Electrical Technology certificate.
Offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Steps for Enrollment in Virginia
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:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
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 Virginia
To recap, Virginia requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you need to complete a formal trade school program or apprenticeship (240 hours) and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training.
To become eligible to take the master electrician exam, candidates must work for one year as a licensed journeyman electrician or provide documented proof of 10 years of full-time electrical trade experience.
After licensing, Virginia electricians must complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. Both journeyman and master electricians need to renew their licenses every two years and complete at least three hours of continuing education.
Virginia has reciprocity agreements with many states, although they differ from state to state. The Virginia Board for Contractors website spells out the specifics of these license reciprocations. For a detailed explanation of Virginia’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Virginia Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Virginia
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 Virginia? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Virginia for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,500
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,700
Senior 4-6 years: $67,600
Supervisor > 7 years: $98,300
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Virginia, you must have 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 Virginia.
The Virginia Board for Contractors maintains a list of approved tradesmen formal vocational training providers to help apprentices meet the education requirements.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Virginia electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Chesapeake – Dulles, and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Virginia, both nonunion trade groups, offer apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and electrical schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina
Carver Career and Technical Education Center in Charleston, West Virginia
Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland
Haywood Community College in Clyde, North Carolina
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Virginia. The opportunities are all around you.
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