Electrician Classes in South Carolina (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

The tourism in South Carolina is on the rise and this means there’s an increased demand for retail locations, and these need to be built or modernized.

Skilled workers including electricians are also needed more, and the US Department of Labor predicted 19% more jobs for electricians between 2012 and 2022.

As an electrician in this state, expect to be paid on average, $44,496 44,533 per year, though the salary can reach $50,703 annually.

These salaries are lower than those across the nation, where the median one is $47,951 per year, and the highest $54,640 per year.

To work as an electrician, you need to obtain a license from the Municipal Association of South Carolina and to follow these steps:

• Gain experience as an apprentice
• Pass the exam to become a journeyman
• Get your master electrician certification
• Become an independent electrical contractor

Being an Apprentice

The duration of the apprenticeship lasts for about 2 years, or 4,000 hours, and takes place under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician.

You can also choose to study for 2 years at a technical college and then accumulate 2,000 hours of work experience while being supervised.

Technical College

While attending a technical college, you’ll receive both classroom and hands-on technical training, while earning a diploma.

Expect to study:

• Electrical Panels
• Conduit Work
• Grounding and Wiring
• Wiring Protection Devices
• Electrical Boxes, Receptacles, and Switches
• Wiring a Residence
• Installing Lighting, Ceiling Fans, and Appliances
• Commercial Wiring & Installation
• Electrical Theory
• National Electrical Code
• First Aid/Safety/OSHA
• Blueprint Reading
• AC/DC Currents
• Motors and Transformers
• Welding
• Electrical Basics and Tools
• Project Layout and Planning
• Thinwall Conduit Raceway Systems
• Rigid Conduit Raceway Systems
• Motor Control Center Installation
• Installing, Splicing and Terminating Wires and Cables
• Testing and Troubleshooting Feeders, Motors, and Branch Circuits
• Installing Instrumentation and Process Control Systems
• Safety Awareness

You still have to earn 2,000 hours of actual work experience, and these are some of the companies routinely seeking to employ apprentices on entry-level positions:

• Atlantic Electric LLC in Charleston
• West Electrical Contractors in Newberry
• Delta Electrical Contractors in Duncan
• Spratlin Electric Co in Cayce
• Quality Electrical Contractors in Greenville
• Metro Electric in Charleston

Apprenticeship Programs

These programs are made available through unions and non-unions, and we included both on our list of schools above.

Even if you join such a program, do expect to also receive classroom education related to your trade.

Take the Journeyman Exam

Journeymen in South Carolina get their certification from the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC), but they must provide proof of 2 years of work experience.

PROV, Inc. supervises the exams for this certificate, and you must fill in an application, mail it along with the work experience proof, and then you can take the exam if you’re approved.

You can reference the 2014 National Electric Code and the American Electrician’s Handbook during the 3-hour long examination.

You’ll have to answer 70 questions that cover these topics:

• Wiring Methods & Materials – 22 questions
• Wiring & Protection – 14 questions
• Communication Systems – 4 questions
• Equipment for General Use – 6 questions
• General Electrical Theory & Principles – 9 questions
• Motors & Controls – 3 questions
• Plan Reading – 4 questions
• Special Conditions – 3 questions
• Special Equipment – 3 questions
• Special Occupancies – 2 questions

The journeyman certification must be renewed every year, but you’ll receive a reminder some 60 days before the deadline.

Become a Master Electrician

You only have to become a master electrician if you plan on becoming an electrical contractor later on.

Only journeymen can apply for this license after they gained 4 years of work experience.

Just like above, you have to apply to take the exam and provide proof of your experience.

You can use the following books during the 4-hour long exam:

• 2014 National Electric Code
• 2012 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• American Electrician’s Handbook

You’ll have to answer 100 questions, they might have more than 1 correct answer, and these are the covered topics:

• Equipment for General Use – 10 questions
• General Electrical Knowledge – 15 questions
• Motors & Controls – 5 questions
• Plan Reading – 5 questions
• Special Conditions – 5 questions
• Special Equipment – 5 questions
• Special Occupancies – 7 questions
• Wiring & Protection – 18 questions
• Wiring Methods & Materials – 25 questions
• Low Voltage Communication Systems – 5 questions

The process to renew your master electrician license is the same as for journeyman.

Become an Independent Electrical Contractor

At this stage, it is the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) who issues licenses.

You can become either a mechanical or a residential electrical contractor, and this means you can either work on commercial spaces or on residences, respectively.

Requirements to become a mechanical-electrical contractor:

• Pass the technical exam
• Pass the business and law exam
• Prove 2 years of experience – must be in your field and in the 5 years before your application

Make sure to carefully read this exam bulletin as it has information regarding the exams, study materials, and the registration form.

This application form will help you determine if you must also submit a financial statement balance sheet:

• Use this form if you plan on bidding on jobs valued up to $30,000
• If the jobs have a higher value, you must consult with an accountant

Make sure your application also contains a proof of your experience, finances, and proof you passed the exams.

You’ll get your license if you’re approved, and you must renew it every 2 years.

Additionally, you’ll have to check with the authorities in the city you work, to make sure you don’t need to meet extra requirements.

Residential Electrical Contractor

This license limits your work on 1 or 2 family homes, apartment buildings that are 3 stories tall and with less than 16 units.

Just like above, you’ll have to pass 2 exams for which you apply and make sure to study this exam bulletin for it contains all the information you might be needing to know.

You renew your license every 2 years.

Depending on where you’ll work, you might have to meet additional requirements.

Electrician Schools by City

• Charleston