Electrician Schools in West Virginia: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited West 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 West Virginia State Fire Marshal licenses every level of this workforce, except for apprentices, at the state level. Applicants must meet job experience or classroom instruction requirements. Most people entering the electrician industry in West Virginia learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion 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 the state of West Virginia:

• James Rumsey Technical Institute in Martinsburg

• Academy of Careers and Technology in Beckley

• Carver Career and Technical Education Center in Charleston

• Cabell County Career Technology Center in Huntington

• Fred W. Eberle Technical Center in Buckhannon

• Mercer County Technical Education Center in Princeton

• Putnam Career and Technical Center in Eleanor

• Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont

• Fayette Institute of Technology in Oak Hill 

West Virginia Apprenticeships

• The West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs website maintains a list of apprentice programs provided by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), including locations in Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and Cumberland/Hagerstown.

• Electrical Business: Some West 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.

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 you attend 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 West Virginia such as:

• West Virginia University

• West Virginia University Institute of Technology

• West Virginia University Potomac State College

• Marshall University

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 courses 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

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 West Virginia community colleges on average is $3,610 per year for in-state students and $8,321 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here may be reimbursed by or paid for 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

West Virginia offers various training programs and certifications. To sit for the journeyman electrician license exam, candidates must complete an electrical vocational education program of at least 1,080 hours (two years) or achieve 2,000 hours of work experience under a licensed electrician. Most programs 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 West Virginia’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Many electrical training programs are intended to fulfill the 1,080 hours of required classroom training. After completing classroom training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.

James Rumsey Technical Institute

• Electromechanical Engineering Technology Degree (4 years)

Academy of Careers and Technology

• Electrical Technician Program - (1,080 hours)

Carver Career Center

• Electrical Technician Program - (1,080 hours)

Cabell County Career Technology Center

• Electrician Technician Program - (1,080 hours)

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center

• Electrical Technician Program - (1,080 hours)

Mercer County Technical Education Center

• Electrical Technician Program - (1,080 hours)

Putnam Career and Technical Center 

• Electrical Technician Certificate - (1,080 hours)

Pierpont Community and Technical College 

• Electric Utility Technology Program - Associate of Applied Science (2 years)

Fayette Institute of Technology 

• Electrical Technology Certificate (1,080 hours)

Steps for Enrollment in West Virginia

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

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 West Virginia

To recap, West Virginia requires education or on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman license, you need 2,000 hours of hands-on electrical work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician, or to complete either an approved West Virginia Department of Education vocational course consisting of 1,080 hours or a U.S. Department of Labor approved apprenticeship program.  

To become eligible to take the master electrician license exam, candidates need at least 4,000 hours of hands-on electrical work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Note: Vocational training cannot be counted toward the required work experience. 

After licensure, West Virginia electricians do not need to complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office recognizes reciprocity with all 50 states, so long as the candidate meets the minimum training requirements for West Virginia. 

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

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

• Entry level <2 years: $47,600

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,300

• Senior 4-6 years: $62,700

• Supervisor > 7 years: $89,200

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in West Virginia, you typically need a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, formal electrician training—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in West Virginia.

West Virginia’s Joint Apprenticeships Programs maintains a list of unions offering apprenticeships for aspiring electricians. They include: 

• IBEW 246 – Steubenville

• IBEW 141 – Wheeling

• IBEW 307 – Cumberland/Hagerstown

• IBEW 317 – Huntington

• IBEW 466 – Charleston

• IBEW 596 – Clarksburg

• IBEW 968 – Parkersburg

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

• Louisville Electric - JATC in Louisville, KY

• Carolinas Electrical Training Institute in Charlotte, NC

• Electric Education Center in Bensalem, PA

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