Electrician Classes in Georgia (Top Schools)

According to recent statistics, Georgia will increase its demand for highly qualified electricians by 17.4%.

With such a good job market, now’s a good time for you to start an electrical career.

Below, you’ll learn how you can become a licensed electrician in Georgia.

Potential Salary

Electricians in Georgia will continue to enjoy higher pay rates compared to similar occupations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession will have the following salary information as of May 2021:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $54,790
• Hourly – $26.34

How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Georgia

Georgia has relaxed regulations for its apprentice and journeyman electricians compared to other states.

Here, you don’t have to register or apply for a license to legally work as an electrician.

For apprentices, you only need to enroll in an approved apprenticeship program.

For journeymen, after completing the apprenticeship, you only need to be employed by a licensed electrical contractor.

Do note that some employers will prefer that you hold a professional certificate as proof of your capabilities as a journeyman.

Some professional certificates that you can obtain could be from the following associations:

• Independent Electrical Contractors
• National Fire Protection Association
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Associated Builders and Contractors

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in Georgia

The GA Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors issues two types of licenses:

• Class I (Restricted) – limited to single-phase electrical installations with 200 amperes maximum at the service drop or the service lateral
• Class II (Non-restricted) – no restrictions; can work in electrical installations exceeding 200 amperes

Qualifications

Whether you’ll apply for a Class I or Class II license, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• At least four years (8,000 hours) of experience under a licensed electrical contractor
• Successfully pass the licensure exam

Note:
Class I license applicants must have experience in at least six Primary Experience areas.
Class II applicants must have experience in the following:

• All Primary Experience areas
  
• Electrical installations in excess of single-phase, 200 amperes systems under a licensed Class II contractor

Please refer to GA Rules and Regulations, Rule 121-2-.01 for the complete details.

License Application

To apply for a Class I or Class II license, you need to submit the following:

• Duly accomplished and notarized application form
• Payment of fees
  • Application fee – $30
  • Processing fee – $10 for mail; $5 for online
• Three notarized original references, with at least one being a licensed electrical contractor
• Background check (from the local law enforcement agency)
  • If with disciplinary actions/sanctions, submit a letter of explanation and the court documents
• Current Secure and Verifiable Document and Affidavit of Citizenship

After submission, the Board will review your application.

If they approve, you’ll receive a notification to sit for the exam.

Exam Details

The Board has contracted with PSI to help administer the licensure exams.

Both Class I and Class II exams will have two portions, including a pre-test:

• Regulations, laws, and administrative functions – 30 questions covering these topics:
  • Comply with laws
  • Comply with regulations
  • Comply with administrative requirements
  • Plan and organize work
• Technical functions – 110 questions covering these topics:
  • Maintain basic electrical circuits
  • Install and maintain the following electrical controls and devices
  • Install and maintain d-c and a-c rotating equipment
  • Install, size, and maintain transformers
  • Install and maintain interior electrical systems
  • Special equipment, conditions, and locations
• Pre-test – 15 questions for Class I; 22 questions for Class II

You will have eight hours (four hours for each portion) to complete the exam.

To pass, you need to have a final scaled score of at least 70.

License Renewal

Your license (Class I or Class II) will expire on June 30 of even-numbered years.

To qualify for renewal, you need to complete four hours of approved continuing education courses per year (a total of eight CE hours per renewal period).

The CE courses must cover most of these categories:

• Codes and standards
• Business law, insurance, and finance
• Safety and OSHA compliance
• Materials and installation methods
• Theoretical content related to scientific knowledge for the practice of electrical contracting

To renew, you will need to do the following:

• Apply through the GA Online Services for Current License Holders
• Pay the renewal fee – $75

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Georgia

There are two ways where you can obtain proper electrician training:

• Through technical-vocational schools
• Through apprenticeship programs

Technical-Vocational Schools

These schools offer comprehensive education and the possibility of earning a degree or diploma.

Here, you’ll acquire the basic knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Residential wiring
• Commercial and industrial wiring
• Electrical theory
• Advanced electrical theory
• Applied math
• OHM’s law
• Safety/CPR/first aid
• Transformers/Generators
• National Electric Code
• Electrical motors
• Reading blueprints
• Line logic
• Programmable controllers

Later, the schools will help facilitate your internship/apprenticeship through their partners.

These are some of the firms willing to employ apprentices:

• Metro Electrical Contractors (Atlanta)
• D&N Electric Company (East Point)
• Bettis Electric (Roswell)

Apprenticeship Programs

You may prefer to go directly into the electrical scene after high school.

For this, you need to contact the local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for a union-sponsored apprenticeship program.

You can also go for a non-union-sponsored apprenticeship program through the local ABC and IEC chapters.

The list below features union and non-union sponsors that you can contact for an apprenticeship.

Electrician Schools by City

• Athens
• Atlanta
• Augusta
• Columbus