Electrician Classes in Kentucky (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

In Kentucky, the electrician jobs will grow with 26% by 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In Kentucky, an electrician is expected to earn $44, 642 per year on average, and $50,870 per year for the best-paid electricians.

By contrast, these salaries are a bit lower than at the national level, with the median one being $47,951 per year, and the highest being $54,640 per year.

Becoming an Electrician

Let’s have a look at the requirements needed to become an electrician.

• Become an apprentice
• Pass the exam and get an electrician certification
• Get your master electrician certificate
• Become an Electrical Contractor

Become an Apprentice

To get your Standard Journeyman Electrician Certification from the Kentucky Electrical Division of the Public Protection Cabinet, you can:

• Proof you have been working as an electrician for 6 years
• Proof you have been working as an electrician for 4 years and took 576 hours of classes

To get the required training and receive your license, you can:

• Go to a vocational school and then get hired
• Attend a union or non-union program
• Get hired by you have been working as an electrician for 6 years

Vocational Schools

You can attend a vocational school that will provide you with the training and class hours required to get your certification.

If you work towards an associate’s degree, the diploma will count as work experience.

You can get your practical training by joining a union or non-union program or get hired as an apprentice.

The vocational schools cover subjects as:

• Introduction to the National Electric Code
• CPR and First Aid Training
• DC/AC Theory
• Blueprint Reading
• Motor theory
• Grounding and resistance theory and testing
• Lightning Protection

Union and Non-Union Apprenticeship Programs

The Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) is an alliance between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

In order to attend, you need to:

• Be 18 years old
• Photo ID
• Have the skills needed in performing your job
• Have a driver’s license
• Take the electrical Training Alliance Aptitude Test Battery
• Bring a high school diploma/GED
• Pay union dues

You first have to get recorded as an apprentice with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the US Department of Labor.

The non-union programs work similarly except that you would train under a contracting company.

The requirements to attend a non-union program are:

• Be 18 years old
• Photo ID
• Have the skills needed in performing your job
• Take the IEC of the Bluegrass Entrance Exam
• High school diploma/GED

You first have to get recorded as an apprentice with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the US Department of Labor.

Getting your first job

You can get hired as an assistant while also continuing your education, and work towards your experience.

Some of the companies willing to hire:

• Beacon Electrical Service Inc in Fairdale
• Caye Electric in Louisville
• Relco Electric in Fern Creek

Pass the exam and get an electrician certification

The Kentucky Electrical Division of the Public Protection Cabinet issues the license, for which you need:

• Test results score
• Legalized proof of six years of experience OR 576 classroom hours and four years of experience
• An application form and fee
• Color photo 
• Copy of driver’s license or birth certificate

The Kentucky Standard Journeyman Electrician – 703 which you have to pass lasts for 4 hours, allows the use of the 2014 National Electric Code and any edition of Ugly’s Electrical Reference. 

The test has 80 questions with multiple answers and costs $100 to take.

You can schedule your exam online.

After passing the exam, you will need to bring the required paperwork and a fee that varies according to when you applied.

Your certification needs to be renewed once a year, until the end of your month of birth.

You will have to bring:

• $50 renewal fee
• Proof your completed six hours of continuing education with an authorized provider
• Renewal form

The extra 6 education hours typically cover updates to the National Electric Code and math. 

The classes need to be finished in the year leading up to the license renewal. 

Get your master electrician certificate

A master electrician license allows you to supervise other electricians.

In order to apply for one, you need to bring:

• Test results score
• Legalized proof of six years of experience OR 576 classroom hours and four years of experience
• An application form and fee
• Color photo 
• Copy of driver’s license or birth certificate

The Kentucky Standard Master Electrician – 701 which you have to pass lasts for 5 hours, allows the use of the 2014 National Electric Code and any edition of Ugly’s Electrical Reference. 

The test has 100 questions with multiple answers and costs $100.

The topics of the exam are:

• General Knowledge and Plan Reading – 12%
• Services and Service Equipment – 16%
• Feeders – 4%
• Branch Circuits and Conductors – 16%
• Wiring Methods and Materials – 19%
• Equipment and Devices – 10%
• Control Devices – 3%
• Motors and Generators – 8%
• Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions – 12%

You can apply for this exam online. 

After passing the exam, you will need to bring the required paperwork and a fee that varies according to when you applied.

Your certification needs to be renewed once a year, until the end of your month of birth.

You will have to bring:

• $100 renewal fee
• Proof your completed six hours of continuing education with an authorized provider
• Renewal form

The extra 6 education hours typically cover updates to the National Electric Code and math. 

The classes need to be finished in the year leading up to the license renewal. 

Become an Electrical Contractor

An electrical contractor license allows you to start your own company and employ other electricians. 

You do not need to have a master electrician certificate in order to get this license unless you are working for yourself.

However, one of the electricians you are working with must have one.

To get an electrical contractor license you need:

• Proof you passed the exam 
• Pay a minimum of $500,000 general liability, then workers’ compensation insurance by sending a notarized workers compensation waiver if you are the sole employee of the company
• The completed form and paid fee
• Color photo 
• Copy of driver’s license or birth certificate
• To pay a $60 fee for the test.

The Kentucky Standard Master Electrician – 701 which you have to pass lasts for 1.5 hours, allows the use of the Kentucky Contractors Business and Law, 5th edition, and has 30 questions with multiple answers.

The topics of the exam are:

• Business Structure Practices and Licensing – 10%
• Estimating and Bidding – 13%
• Contractors and Acceptance – 7%
• Project Management and Planning – 13%
• Financing and Recordkeeping – 13%
• Insurance and Bonding – 10%
• Labor Law and Personnel Policies – 10%
• Tax, Lien Laws, and Dispute Resolution – 13%
• Safety and OSHA Compliance – 10%

You can apply for this exam online. 

After passing the exam, you will need to bring the required paperwork and a fee that varies according to when you applied.

Your certification needs to be renewed once a year, until the end of your month of birth.

You will have to bring:

• $200 renewal fee
• this – Certificate of Liability Insurance (minimum of $500,000 general liability) and workers’ compensation insurance OR notarized workers compensation waiver if the sole employee of the company – this 
• A designated master electrician hired (can be the only employee of the business)
• Proof your completed six hours of continuing education with an authorized provider
• Renewal form 

The extra 6 education hours classes need to be finished in the year leading up to the license renewal. 

The contractor electrician classes have to be attended in addition to the master electrician classes if you have certificates for both.

Electrician Schools by City

• Lexington
• Louisville