Electrician Classes in Pennsylvania (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

Pennsylvania already has more than 20,000 working electricians, the industry is still on the rise.

According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, there will be a 13.8% increase in electrician jobs by 2014.

As an electrician in the State of Pennsylvania, expect to be paid $47,855 per year, though the salary can reach $54,531 annually.

These salaries are at about the same level as the national ones, where the median one is $47,951 per year, and the highest $54,640 per year.

Let’s have a look at the requirements for becoming an electrician in this state.

Become an apprentice

Each county in this state has different requirements for journeyman licensing.

However, there are some that apply to most of Pennsylvania’s jurisdictions:

• Enroll in an apprentice program for 3 to 5 years and attend 750 and 900 hours of education; OR
• Enroll in a vocational school to get a 2-year diploma and 2 more years of experience; OR
• Be employed by an electrician for 10 years

Apprenticeship Programs

Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATC) are available as a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) coordinates and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

You can also enroll in similar non-union programs.

Both union and non-union programs have some requirements:

• Be 18 years old
• High school diploma/GED
• Take one year of algebra
• A general aptitude test

While union programs offer job placement, a non-union course requires students to search for employment.

Trade Schools

These offer structured classroom training and field experience.

At the end of the program, you will receive a diploma.

Class subjects include:

• DC Electronics / AC Electronics
• Basic Applied Electrical Math
• Non-linear Circuit analysis
• Programmable Logic Controllers
• Electric Motor Control
• National Electric Code
• Blueprint Reading

Being employed by an electrician

If you pass the ICC or the Thomson Prometric exam and acquire 10 years of experience, you can apply for a journeyman license without additional training.

Electric jobs are generally posted on industry boards.

Pass the journeyman exam

Many counties in Pennsylvania don’t require an additional journeyman exam, and bringing proof of apprenticeship is enough.

However, there are 3 cities where licensing is required.

Allentown, PA

To get a journeyman license in this city, you need:

• An experience of 4 years
• A completed application form
• Be 21 years old
• High school diploma/GED
• Pass the journeyman test

The exam lasts for 4 hours and consists of 80 open book questions.

The topics cover:

• General Knowledge – 8%
• Services and Service Equipment – 13%
• Feeders – 3%
• Branch Circuits and Conductors – 20%
• Wiring Methods and Materials – 26%
• Equipment and Devices – 13%
• Control Devices – 3%
• Motors and Generators – 5%
• Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions – 11%

The license needs an annual renewal and offers reciprocity with the City of Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Kutztown, Reading, Scranton and the State of Connecticut.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA

Only electrical contractor licenses are issued in these cities.

Become an electrical contractor

Every city has different requirements for a contractor license, so let’s have a look at 3 of the state’s largest cities.

Allentown, PA

To work as a master electrician in this city, you need:

• An experience of 4 years
• A completed application form
• Be 21 years old
• High school diploma/GED
• Pass the master electrician test

The exam lasts for 5 hours, consists of 100 open book questions and requires a 70% score to pass.

The topics cover:

• 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 will need to renew the license yearly, and no insurance or bond is required.

Pittsburgh, PA

The licenses are issued by The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections and required:

• Be 18 years old
• Pass the electrical contractor test
• Photo ID
• Proof of apprenticeship
• A $300,000 general liability insurance
• City taxes registration proof

The exam lasts for 5 hours, consists of 100 open book questions and requires a 70% score to pass.

Topics cover:

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

You will need to renew the license yearly and provide proof of experience each time you renew it.

Philadelphia, PA

The electrical contractor license in this city requires:

• An experience of 4 years
• Car insurance, a $500,000 general liability insurance and Worker’s Compensation
• City taxes registration proof
• Three passport-sized pictures and a filled in application form
• Pass the electrical contractor test

The exam lasts for 5 hours, consists of 100 open book questions and requires a 70% score to pass.

Topics cover:

• 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%

The license will be released by the Business Services Department.

Electrician Schools by City

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh