Electrician Classes in Delaware (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

In the next 6 years, Delaware will see an 18.3% increase in electrician jobs, according to the Delaware Department of Labor claims.

At an average of $50,348 per year, electricians in Delaware earn more than most, as the national average is $47,951 annually.

The best-paid electricians in the state make $57,372 per year, whereas, at a national level, the highest salary is around $54,640 per year.

Becoming an Electrician

The State of Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners is the institution issuing the electrician certifications.

Pursuing an electrician career starts with becoming an apprentice, then a journeyman, after which you can become a master electrician.

The master certification allows you to work as an electrical contractor through the Delaware Division of Revenue.

This institution releases 2 types of certifications. 

Below are the steps needed to become an electrician in Delaware:

• Earn the hands-on Experience and Course Hours needed to Become a Journeyman
• Pass the Exam Needed to Become a Journeyman
• Get a Delaware Master Electrician License 
• Get your License to work as an Independent Electrical Contractor

Earn the Experience and Course Hours Needed to Become a Journeyman

You will need 4 years of experience or an apprentice course to qualify as a journeyman.

You can achieve this in 2 ways:

• Get a 2-year degree at a vocational school and train under an electrical contractor.

OR

• Attend a union apprenticeship course, or finish your training with a non-union organization and get a job with an electrical contractor.

Although theoretical education is not requested for a journeyman certification, you will still need it in order to know how to perform your job.

Vocational Schools

To become an entry-level electrician, attend a vocational school and get an electrical technician certificate or Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology. 

Such a school will provide both the theoretical and practical knowledge you need for your future master electrician license.

Even with attending a program, you will still need to earn 200 workweeks of experience for your journeyman license.

The vocational schools will typically place you with a certified electrician in order to earn experience. 

Sometimes, this becomes a full-time employment opportunity. 

Alternatively, you can look for a job by asking friends or responding to newspaper ads. 

Some of the well known electric companies in Delaware are:

• All-Pro Electric and Construction Services in Newark
• White Clay Electrical Services in Wilmington
• Supreme Electric Company in Port Deposit

Getting an associate’s degree will shorten the 6 year period of experience needed to become a master electrician to only 4 years.

Apprenticeship Programs

In Delaware, the Local 313 IBEW Union has a JATC or Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee.

The IBEW and NECA local union chapters partnered up to offer apprenticeship programs under the National Training Alliance.

The requirements to enroll in a JATC course are as follows:

• Be 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma/GED
• Have a high school transcript proving you passed Algebra 1
• Be able to transport yourself to the classroom and job site
• Be able to physically perform the requirements of the trade
• Pass a general aptitude test

You will also have to become a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The non-union training programs are just as useful, and you can apply for training through the Independent Electrical Contractors, Chesapeake Area Chapter.

Apprentice Application

Before you attend an apprenticeship program, you will need the Board of Electrical Examiners to release an apprenticeship certification for you.

Complete this application, pay the $59 fee and submit it along with a note from your supervisor that confirms you enrolled in the program.

This certification needs to be renewed once every 2 years. 

Pass the Exam to Become a Journeyman

To get a journeyman electrician license, you have to:

• Fill in the application
• Get a 75% score in the journeyman electrician exam
• Be 20 years old
• Finish an apprenticeship program or complete 8,000 hours of work experience under a licensed master electrician.

The Board of Electrical Examiners will decide on the time of the exam after you submit the application.

This exam lasts for 3 hours, allows you to consult the 2014 National Electric Code, and has 80 questions with multiple answers. 

The subjects of the exam include:

• Wiring and protection – 22%
• Wiring methods and materials – 19%
• Equipment for general use – 19%
• General electrical knowledge – 10%
• Special occupancies – 10%
• Special equipment – 5%
• Special conditions – 5%
• Communication systems – 5%
• Safety – 5%

Your certification needs to be renewed once at 2 years. 

For this, you will have to further pursue your education based on the time you got your license.

• Additional education hours aren’t required if your certification was received less than 12 months before the 24 month renewal period ends.
• You have to finish 2 hours of education if your license was received less than 24 months but more than 12 months before the 24 month renewal period ends
• You will have to finish 5 hours of education if your license was received at the start of the 24 month renewal period. 
• You have to finish 5 hours of education every 24 months if you renewed your license before. 

Check out the Board of Electrical Examiners page to look for classes.

Get Your Master Electrician License 

A master electrician has more experience, and to get the certification you need:

• To fill in the application
• Get a 75% score in the master electrician exam 
• An experience of 6 years with a master electrician or an associate’s degree in applied electrical technology. 

The Board of Electrical Examiners will decide on the time of the exam after you submit the application.

This exam lasts for 4 hours, allows you to consult the 2014 National Electric Code, and has 100 questions with multiple answers. 

The subjects of the exam include:

• Wiring and protection – 23%
• Wiring methods and materials – 19%
• Equipment for general use – 19%
• General electrical knowledge – 10%
• Special occupancies – 9%
• Special equipment – 5%
• Special conditions – 5%
• Communication systems – 5%
• Safety – 5%

Your certification needs to be renewed once at 2 years. 

For this, you will have to further pursue your education based on the time you got your license.

• Additional education hours aren’t required if your certification was received less than 12 months before the 24 month renewal period ends.
• You have to finish 5 hours of education if your license was received less than 24 months but more than 12 months before the 24 month renewal period ends.
• You will have to finish 10 hours of education if your license was received at the start of the 24 month renewal period. 
• You have to finish 10 hours of education every 24 months if you renewed your license before. 

Check out the Board of Electrical Examiners page to look for classes.

Get your Independent Electrical Contractor License

To sell your services to the public, you have to be recorded as a residential or non-residential contractor with Delaware. 

Your certification will enable you to employ master electricians and start your own electrical company. 

The contractor certifications are released by the Delaware Division of Revenue.

These certifications are either residential or non-residential and show where your company’s headquarters are.

The residential certifications allow you to have a business in Delaware only, while the others enable work out of state. 

If you plan on getting a non-residential license, remember to study the papers in the non-residential application packet.

For the residential license, you need to fill in an application, bring your insurance paperwork such as worker pay and unemployment.

The certification needs to be renewed once a year.

The first renewal’s cost is proportionally divided, after which it will cost $75 a year.