Electrician Classes in New York (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

The New York State Department of Labor expects a 23% rise in demand for electricians between 2014 and 2024.

As an electrician in the State of New York, expect to be paid $51,451 per year, though the salary can reach $58,629 annually.

By contrast, these salaries are higher 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

In the State of New York, counties and cities are responsible for issuing licenses to electricians because there is no state-wide regulation in place.

Steps:

• Earn work experience through an apprenticeship
• Pass the exam to get your license
• Get your license as a master electrician or as an electrical contractor

Start Your Apprenticeship

The first thing to know is that in some New York cities, there is no journeyman license, and the apprentices there will directly get their master electrician license.

In this guide, we’ll guide you through the process of getting your certification in New York City.

Here are other major jurisdictions you might be interested in:

• Buffalo
• Rochester
• Syracuse
• Albany

In The City That Never Sleeps, you can either get a license as a Master Electrician or Special Electrician License.

The New York City Department of Buildings accepts candidates that meet just one of the following requirements:

• Graduated a vocational, industrial, trade school, or apprenticeship program in electrical technology with at least 5.5 years of hands-on experience; OR
• Attend classes at any school above, use half of the program’s duration towards the 7.5 years of experience; OR
• Completed a college-level course in electrical or mechanical engineering or has a Bachelor’s of Science in that field, and uses half the school time towards the 7.5 years of experience needed; OR
• Accumulate 7.5 years of experience in the decade prior to applying for the license – at least 10,500 hours must be electrical work supervised by a licensed electrician; OR
• Have a Master of Science diploma and earn 3,500 hours of field experience doing electrical work while supervised by a licensed electrician; OR
• Have a Bachelor of Science diploma and earn 4,900 hours of field experience doing electrical work while supervised by a licensed electrician

Technical School Programs

These schools allow you to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Technology diploma, and thus reducing the experience required for the license.

While in school you’ll receive both classroom education and lab-based training, and in some cases help in finding an internship.

Expect to study the following:

• Safety and Health Awareness
• Blueprint Reading and Sketching
• Basic Mathematics and Trade Math
• Trade Electrical Theory
• Tools and Equipment
• National Electrical Code
• New York Electrical Code
• Motor Control and Distributed Control
• Intelligent Wiring Systems
• Low Voltage Systems
• Lighting Controls and Energy Efficiency
• Project Layout and Planning
• Thinwall Conduit Raceway Systems
• Rigid Conduit Raceway Systems
• Installing Services, Switchboards and Panels
• Floor Duct Installation
• Installing Sound and Communication Systems
• Installing Fiber Optic and Tele/Data Cable
• Welding/Exothermic Welding and Brazing, Mechanical Fastening
• Motor Control Center Installation
• Installing, Splicing and Terminating Wires and Cables
• Cable Tray Installation
• Lighting System Installation
• Testing and Troubleshooting Feeders, Motors, and Branch Circuits
• Fire Alarm and Security System Installation
• Motor Installation

If you find an internship, expect to transition to full-time apprentice upon finishing your school education.

Apprenticeship Programs

These can be found by browsing the site of the New York State Department of Labor.

You’ll be able to find apprenticeships programs offered by both unions and non-union organizations.

Get Your License

In New York City, you can get one of 2 types of electrician certificates:

• Special: Allowed to work on specific buildings and lots, such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and are mostly city employees
• Master: allowed to bid on any work, and perform electrical work as a contractor

Requirements for the special electrician license:

• Be older than 21
• Submit the Background Investigation Questionnaire and, if needed, the Supplemental Investigation Questionnaire as well
• Have at least 10,500 hours of experience installing, altering, repairing wiring of appliances, including lights, heating, and power in/on edifices, while being supervised by a special or master electrician
• Provide proof of your experience
• Pass the examination – written and practical

The exam covers:

• The NYC Electrical Code
• The National Electrical Code
• Applicable Rules and Regulations

Keep in mind that you must apply for both exams, separately and you can take the practical one only if you score over 70% on the written one.

Your license must be renewed yearly, after completing 8 hours of continued education, by attending one of these approved courses.

Become a Master Electrician

Residents of New York City who finished their apprenticeship are eligible to become master electricians.

If the above applies to you, this license allows you to hire other electricians and bid on jobs as a contractor.

Requirements:

• Have $1 million as general liability insurance
• Also, have Worker’s Compensation and Disability Insurance
• If applicable, have project insurance as well

You also have to meet the requirements described earlier for the special electrician license.

Just like above, you’ll have to sit through 2 exams, after you applied for each of them, and you can only take the practical one if you scored at least 70% on the written one.

To renew your license, you have to prove 8 hours of continued education and you do this every year.

Electrician Schools by City

• New York