Electrician Classes in Arkansas (Top Schools)

Arkansas’ rising economy and housing market led to an increased demand for qualified electricians.

Because of this, the U.S. Department of Labor expects that the job growth for electricians in the state will grow by 16.1% by 2024.

So if you aspire to become an electrician, now’s the time to enter the electrical industry.

Below, you’ll learn how you can become a professional electrician in Arkansas.

Potential Salary

The positive job outlook has led to a steady rise in the pay grades of electricians over the years.

The salary information below shows how much Arkansan electricians can potentially earn as of May 2021 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $44,740
• Hourly – $21.51

How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Arkansas

The Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners oversees the statewide licensing of electricians.

They are responsible for…

• Registration of apprentice electricians
• License issuance for the following classes:
  • Journeyman electrician
  • Residential journeyman electrician
  • Master electrician
  • Residential master electrician
  • Air conditioning electrician
  • Industrial maintenance electrician

Becoming an Apprentice Electrician

Qualifications

The Board has a simple requirement for apprentice electricians in order to be state-registered.

That is, you must have successfully entered into an apprenticeship program.

There are two ways to enroll in an apprenticeship program:

• Through union or non-union sponsors
• Through a technical school

Both will require that you meet these requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Passing grade in high school algebra
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Pass the general aptitude test and interview

If you prefer a union-sponsored apprenticeship program, you can contact the local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC):

• El Dorado JATC
• Fort Smith Elec. JATC
• Jonesboro Elec. JATC
• Little Rock Elec. JATC

If you want a non-union one, you can try the Mid-South Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC).

For a complete list of available apprenticeships, visit the AR Apprenticeship website.

State Registration Application

The Board requires electrical contractors or master electricians to register their new apprentices within 30 days of hire.

They must submit the following:

• Apprentice registration application form
• Proof of enrolling in an accredited U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Apprenticeship (OAT) apprenticeship program
• Registration fee – $10

State Registration Renewal

Your apprentice state registration will only be valid for one year.

As such, you must renew it every time until you complete the apprenticeship program.

To renew, your employer must submit the following:

• Proof of current enrollment in an OAT-approved apprenticeship program
• Renewal fee – $10

Becoming a Journey-level and Master-level Electrician

Qualifications of a Journeyman Electrician

The Board requires that you completed a four-year (8,000 hours) OAT-approved apprenticeship program.

If you didn’t complete an apprenticeship program, you must have eight years (16,000 hours) of electrical construction subject to the Board’s approval.

Such experience or training may include the electrical experience you gained in the military.

Qualifications of a Residential Journeyman Electrician

The Board requires that you meet these requirements:

• Two years of experience in wiring one or two family dwellings
• A two-year combination of training and experience the Board may approve of
• Signed letter from your school verifying your experience hours

Qualifications of a Master Electrician

The Board requires that you meet one of these requirements:

• Electrical engineering degree plus two years of construction experience
• Six years of construction experience (residential and commercial) plus two years of journeyman experience
• A combination of training and experience the Board may approve of

Qualifications of a Residential Master Electrician

The Board requires that you meet one of these requirements:

• Three years of experience in wiring of one or two family dwellings plus one year of residential journeyman experience
• A combination of training and experience the Board may approve of

Qualifications of an Air Conditioning Electrician

The Board requires that you meet one of these requirements:

• Two years of experience in wiring HVAC/R equipment
• A combination of training and experience the Board may approve of as equivalent to either of the following:
• HVAC/R electrician license issued by an AR municipality
• HVAC/R Class A or Class B license issued by the AR HVAC/R Licensing Board

Qualifications of an Industrial Maintenance Electrician

The Board requires that you meet one of these requirements:

• Four years of electrical conductors and equipment maintenance experience supervised by a master, journeyman, or industrial maintenance electrician or an engineer
• A combination of training and experience the Board may approve of

License Application for All License Classes

The Board requires that you meet the following in order to approve your eligibility to test:

• Meet the experience requirements
• Undergo a pre-licensure criminal background check

Afterward, you can submit the following:

• Licensure application form
• Proof of work experience and training dated within six months of application
• Applicable fees

Exam Details for All License Classes

The Board has contracted Prov, Inc. to administer the exams.

Each exam costs…

• $80 for a computer-administered exam
• $56 for a paper-and-pencil exam

You will have one year of eligibility to test.

It will be an open-book exam, with the following details:

• Journeyman electrician – 60 questions in 3 hours
• Residential journeyman electrician – 40 questions in 2 hours
• Master electrician – 60 questions in 3 hours
• Residential master electrician – 60 questions in 3 hours
• Air conditioning electrician – 60 questions in 3 hours
• Industrial maintenance electrician – 50 questions in 2 hours

You will need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.

License Renewal for All License Classes

Your license will expire after one year, on the last day of the month.

If you prefer, the Board allows you to pay the renewal in advance for up to three years.

To renew, complete the following steps:

• Complete the 8-hour continuing education on the National Electrical Code (NEC)
• Log in to the AR License Renewal portal
• Pay the applicable fee
  • Journeyman electrician – $25
  • Residential journeyman electrician – $25
  • Master electrician – $50
  • Residential master electrician – $50
  • Air conditioning electrician – $25
  • Industrial maintenance electrician – $25

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in Arkansas

Later on, you may want to decide to set up and operate your own electrical business.

For that, you need a license, which you can only obtain if you meet these qualifications:

• Has up to five years of trade experience
• Holds a valid and current master electrician license
• Successfully pass the AR Business and Law Exam

The exam will be administered by Prometric, and it will be a 2-hour 50-item open-book exam.

It will test your knowledge in the following areas:

• Business organization
• Licensing
• Estimating and bidding
• Contract management
• Project management
• Insurance and bonding
• OSHA recordkeeping
• Personnel regulations
• Financial management
• Tax laws
• Lien laws

Upon passing the exam, submit to the AR Contractors Licensing Board the following:

• Completed application form
• A copy of your master electrician license
• Proof of passing the Business and Law exam
• If an entity, documentation showing you’re in good standing with the Secretary of State
• Three references from former employers proving your five years of experience
• Current financial statement reviewed or audited by a certified public accountant
• Certificate of worker’s compensation insurance if applicable
• Surety bond of $10,000
• Filing fee – $100

Do note that your license has a validity of one year.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Renewal application form (via the online renewal portal)
• Applicable renewal fee
• Current reviewed or audited financial statement
• Current certificate of worker’s compensation insurance, if applicable

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Arkansas

To become a professional electrician, you must have the appropriate trade education and training.

Technical schools can help acquire these, enabling you to learn the knowledge and skills in…

• Electrical theory
• AC/DC currents
• Blueprint reading
• Electrical algebra
• Welding
• First aid/Safety/OSHA regulations
• Electric code standards
• Motors and transformers

Below is a list of schools in Arkansas that you can consider enrolling into.

Electrician Schools by City

• Little Rock