Electrician Classes in Wyoming (Top Schools)

Job Outlook

The construction industry was on the rise in Wyoming, as the population was also on the rise.

This led to an increased demand for electricians.

Electricians in the State of Wyoming are paid $42,758 annually, though their salary can reach $48,717 per year.

By contrast, these salaries are lower than at the national level, as the average one is $48,043 per year and the highest $54,738 per year.

The Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety regulates the licensing process for electricians.

These are the steps to becoming an electrician in Wyoming:

• Gain enough experience as a trainee
• Get your journeyman license
• Become a master electrician
• Get your electrical contractor license

Become an Apprentice

The apprenticeship period lasts as follows:

• 8,000 hours of supervised work experience
• 576 hours of classroom education (144 hours per year)

There are 2 ways to accumulate these hours:

• Directly join an apprenticeship program
• Enroll in a technical school and earn a degree in 2 years, and then gain 4,000 hours of work experience

If you have a DD-214 discharge record showing you received electrical training during your time in the army, you also qualify.

Electricians who want to work on low voltage systems only need 4,000 of practical training, as Wyoming has a separate license for them.

Those working on systems under 90 volts are further split into the following categories:

• LV-G – General low voltage systems
• LV-A – Alarm systems
• LV-C – Communication systems
• LV-S – Sound systems
• LV-T – Television and satellite systems
• LV-X – Control systems
• LV-LS – Lawn sprinkler systems

Technical School 

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is directly implemented in this state, without modifications, and this means that studying the NFPA 70 standard for the 576 required hours is enough to qualify for the journeyman license.

By attending a trade school and earning a diploma, classroom education goes in-depth with some aspects.

These are some of the subjects you’ll study:

• Project Layout and Planning
• Raceway Systems
• Installing Services, Switchboards and Panels
• 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
• Motor Installation
• Control System Installation
• Installing Instrumentation and Process Control Systems
• Service and Troubleshooting
• Safety Awareness

You’re more likely to land a paid position as an apprentice after completing the classroom education through such a school, and some of them can even help you find one.

Apprenticeship Programs

These programs are available either through unions or through open-shops (non-unions).

The requirements are similar for both, though you should still inquire about them when you apply:

• Minimum 18 years old
• Minimum one credit in algebra with a passing grade
• High school graduate or GED
• Must have a valid driver’s license

You must attach these documents as well:

• Copy of birth certificate
• Copy of driving record
• High school or GED transcripts
• Complete work history
• DD-214, if you received electrical training during your military service

Those who choose a non-union apprenticeship will have to complete their classroom hours through the Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Apprentice License

Regardless of how you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll need to register for a license.

However, it’s the employer (or sponsor) who needs to request your license or the JATC.

Even low voltage apprentices must be registered as such.

Pass the Journeyman Exam

You can’t take the exam without filling out the application for it first.

Eligibility:

• 4 years of experience installing in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. 
  • no category can have more than 75% of your experience
• 576 hours of  classroom instruction related to electricity

Any additional course related to electricity can add up to 2 years of credit towards the experience requirement.

Former military personnel who received electrical training must also submit the DD-214 form.

If you’re accepted, you have to pay the exam fee of $105 to the testing company, Pearson Vue.

You have 4 hours to answer 80 questions, and to pass you need to have a score of over 70%.

During this open book exam you’ll have questions covering:

• General knowledge (6%)
• Services and service equipment (11%)
• Feeders (4%)
• Branch circuits and conductors (19%)
• Wiring methods and materials (26%)
• Equipment and devices (13%)
• Control devices (4%)
• Motors and generators (6%)
• Special occupancies, equipment, and conditions (11%)

If you pass, you’ll also have to pay the initial licensing fee of $100.

After every 3 years, you have to renew it and pay the renewal fee of $50.

Only those who continue their education for 16 hours are eligible to renew their certification, and 8 hours must cover NEC and the code updates.

Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah, have a reciprocity agreement with Wyoming, and you can use this application if you want to use it.

If you want to become a limited or low voltage electrician, you must also take an exam for which you can apply here.

There are 12 different types of licenses you can get, and the initial price for the certification is $100.

You do have to renew your limited license every 3 years after paying the $50 fee, but you don’t need to continue your education.

Become a Master Electrician

You can become a master electrician only if:

• You have 8 years of experience, and at least 4 must be as a journeyman in all settings: residential, commercial, and industrial.
• 576 hours of classroom education related to the field
• Pass an exam

If you get accepted for the exam, you have to pay the exam fee of $105, directly to Pearson Vue.

The exam lasts for 5 hours, is open book and you have 100 questions to answer, that cover the following topics:

• 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%)

To pass you have to score at least 75% and you’ll have to pay $200 for the issuing of the license.

The renewal happens every 3 years and costs $100.

You can even apply through the reciprocity agreement that Wyoming has with Idaho, South Dakota, and Utah.

Become Licensed as an Electrical Contractor

As an electrical contractor you’ll be able to run your own electrical business.

Just like before, you can get a license as an electrical contractor, but also as a a low voltage/limited electrical contractor.

Electrical Contractor

Requirements:

• Complete an application along the Personnel of Applicant form
  • This form means you must :
    • maintain worker’s compensation insurance
    • all electrical work done must be supervised by a master electrician
• Complete the Master Acknowledgment of Responsibility form
• Payment of $400 initial licensing fee

You don’t have any work experience requirement for this license.

Low Voltage/Limited Electrical Contractor

With this license you still can only perform electrical work under 90 volts, and only on the load side of equipment.

Requirements:

• Complete an application
• Complete the Technician Acknowledgment of Responsibility form
• Payment of $200 initial licensing fee

There is no work experience needed here, and the license must be renewed every year, after paying the $200 fee.