Electrician Classes in Connecticut (Top Schools)

Reasons to Become an Electrician

Electricians are more and more in demand, in Connecticut.

It’s estimated that by 2024, there will be 12.8% more jobs available for these professionals.

Average Salary

Connecticut’s electricians earn on average $52,122 per year, while the salary is lower at a national level – $47,951 per year.

The most an electrician can make in Connecticut is $59,394 per year, whereas across the country the maximum pay is around $54,640 annually.

Of course, your experience and education can greatly impact how much you’ll make.

If you want to work as an electrician, you need a license from the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).

These are the steps you must follow:

• Become a journeyman
• Pass the exam for journeymen
• Consider becoming an independent electrical contractor

Becoming a Journeyman

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection issues certifications for Unlimited Journeymen (E-2) who completed 8,000 hours of apprenticeship training and 144 hours of education in a classroom.

There are 2 ways of meeting these requirements:

• Attend a technical college for classroom education
• Obtain an entry-level position in a state-licensed contracting company, for the hour experience

OR

• Join an apprenticeship program organized either by unions or non-unions

Technical Colleges

By attending a technical or community college you’ll earn not only the needed hours but also an electrical technician (or mechanic) certificate or an associate’s degree in applied electrical technology.

This education also counts towards the 8,000 hours needed for your journeyman license, but the amount of hours you can deduct depends greatly on the school you enroll in as well as the classes you take.

These are the subjects electricians should study, especially if they want to apply for an E-2 license later on:

• Orientation and safety
• Tools, equipment, and instruments
• Residential wiring (maintenance and repair)
• Commercial wiring, maintenance, and repair
• Industrial wiring, maintenance, and repair
• Low voltage wiring, maintenance, and repair
• Cable installation/splicing installation, maintenance, and repair
• Basic knowledge and associated trades

While it’s not always the case, your school might be able to find employment with a licensed electrician, that could result in a full-time job.

These are some of the contracting companies in Connecticut:

• Paquette Electric in Pomfret Center
• Electrical Contractors Incorporated in Hartford
• M. Rizzo Electrical Contractors in Danbury

Union or Non-union Apprenticeship

Enrolling with a union is the traditional way of finding an apprenticeship.

You need to contact your local JATC, or Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee if you want to enroll in an apprenticeship through a union.

Before you can do that, you must meet these requirements:

• Be 18 years old
• Come with an ID that has your picture
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be physically healthy as to be able to perform the job’s duties
• Have reliable transportation to school and job’s site
• Pass an aptitude test
• A passing grade for a full year of algebra
• Go for an interview
• Drug-free

If you prefer a non-union apprenticeship, you should contact the Independent Electrical Contractors of New England, found in Rocky Hill.

Apprentices must register with the state and work with an approved sponsor.

The Apprenticeship Self-Registration for Approved Sponsors page has more information on the subject.

Sit Through the Exam

The E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyman license allows you to do any kind of electrical work as long as your employer is properly licensed.

Requirements to get this certification:

• Fill in the application
• Have a notarized proof for 8,000 hours of apprenticeship experience (or the equivalent of work experience and education) OR a letter showing you completed your apprenticeship
• Must apply within 30 days from completing the apprenticeship

The exam lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes, has 80 questions and you need to score at least 70% to pass.

Question breakdown:

• Raceways and boxes – 8 questions
• General electrical knowledge – 7 questions
• Service, feeders, and branch circuits – 7 questions
• Conductors and Cables – 7 questions
• Grounding and Bonding – 6 questions
• Overcurrent Protection – 6 questions
• Photovoltaics (solar power) – 6 questions
• Special occupancies and equipment – 5 questions
• Motors – 5 questions
• Fire detection and alarm systems – 5 questions
• Safety information – 5 questions
• Electrical power – 4 questions
• Lighting – 3 questions
• Low voltage – 2 questions
• Illuminated signs – 2 questions
• High voltage – 2 questions

You’re allowed to bring the 2014 or 2011 National Electric Code as well as Ugly’s Electrical Reference on the exam.

If you pass this test, you must renew your certification every year, after you complete your mandatory continued education for that period of time.

Become an Independent Electrical Contractor

If you want to conduct business in Connecticut as an electrician and work on any project without limitations, you need the E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor License.

There are some requirements you must meet to get this certification:

• Two years as a journeyman electrician (E-2 license) OR six years of equivalent, documented experience
• Passing the Unlimited Electrical Contractor exam with a 70% score
• Passing the Business and Law exam with a 70% score

There’s a single application for both exams.

The electrical contractor exam lasts 4 hours, you can bring the same books as above in the room, and you must answer 100 questions.

They’re as follows:

• Conductors and cables – 10 questions
• Photovoltaics – 10 questions
• Service, feeders, and branch circuits – 10 questions
• Special occupancies and equipment – 9 questions
• Raceways and boxes – 8 questions
• Grounding and bonding – 7 questions
• Safety information – 6 questions
• Overcurrent protection – 6 questions
• Electrical power – 6 questions
• Motors – 6 questions
• General electrical knowledge – 6 questions
• Fire detection and alarm systems – 5 questions
• High voltage – 4 questions
• Lighting – 3 questions
• Illuminated signs – 2 questions
• Low voltage – 2 questions

The business and law exam lasts for 2 hours, you can consult the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management a must answer 50 questions.

Question breakdown:

• Estimating and bidding – 7 questions
• Contracts – 6 questions
• Tax Laws – 5 questions
• Labor Laws – 5 questions
• Licensing – 5 questions
• Project Management – 5 questions
• Environmental and Safety – 5 questions
• Financial Management – 4 questions
• Risk Management – 4 questions
• Business Organization – 2 questions
• Lien law – 2 questions

The worker’s compensation insurance is mandatory in Connecticut, even as self employed or when the employees are self insured.

All electricians must renew their licenses every year and also maintain their education.

The Department of Consumer Protection has more details on this process.