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Electricians will always be working in a field that is in demand and this includes the State of Alabama.
In this state, the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board oversees them and issues the required licenses allowing interested individuals to work as electricians.
Remember that there are 3 levels of electricians:
- Apprentices
- Journeymen
- Contractors
Article Table of Contents
Training as an Apprentice
The apprenticeship period in Alabama is of about 4 or 5 years and includes classroom education as well.
There are 2 ways in which one can be an apprentice:
- 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction
- 6,000 hours of hands-on work experience while completing a 2-year educational program in a technical school
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is the easiest route to become an electrician.
Many individuals choose to contact their local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) which can help them find a contractor willing to take on an apprentice.
These apprenticeships are sponsored through the Electrical Training Alliance, by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union.
Union membership is mandatory to enroll in these apprenticeships.
Only those who meet the following requirements can apply for a JATC apprenticeship:
- 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- A passing grade in a high school algebra class
- Pass a general aptitude test
- Driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Show up for an interview
Non-union apprenticeships are also available, and those interested need to find an employer looking to take on an apprentice, on their own.
There are 2 organizations that can help to find non-unionized apprenticeships:
- Central Alabama Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
- ABC-affiliated Construction Education Foundation Alabama (CEFA, in Birmingham)
As mentioned, 576 hours of technical education are part of an apprenticeship.
Technical Schools
Earning an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology program is another way to complete the apprenticeship period.
The Board allows individuals to substitute 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience with up to 2 years of formal education.
These candidates must still gain 6,000 hours of on-the-job experience before earning a license as an electrician.
The 6,000 hours of work experience needed will be accumulated with a contractor, as an apprentice.
All apprentices will work under the supervision of a journeyman electrician or electrical contractor.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alabama Southern Community College | 251 College Street Gilbertown, AL 36908 |
| Alabama Southern Community College | 30755 Highway 43 South Thomasville, AL 36784 |
| BEJATC of Birmingham | 5000 East Lake Boulevard Birmingham, AL 35217 |
| Bevill State Community College | 1411 Indiana Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501 |
| Bishop State Community College | 351 North Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36603 |
| Gadsden State Community College | 1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, AL 35903 |
| George C Wallace State Community College | 1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, AL 36303 |
| George C Wallace State Community College | 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, AL 36703 |
| H Councill Trenholm State Technical College | 1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| JATC of Mobile | 2244 Halls Mill Road Mobile, AL 36606 |
| JATC of Montgomery | 1469 Jean Street Montgomery, AL 36107 |
| J F Drake State Community and Technical College | 3421 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35811 |
| J F Drake Ingram State Technical College | 5375 Ingram Rd, Deatsville, AL 36022 |
| Jefferson Davis Community College | 220 Alco Dr, Brewton, AL 36426 |
| John C Calhoun State Community College | 6250 U S Highway 31 N, Tanner, AL 35671 |
| Lawson State Community College | 3060 Wilson Rd SW, Birmingham, AL 35221 |
| Lurleen B. Wallace Community College | 750 Greenville Greenville, AL 36037 |
| Lurleen B. Wallace Community College | 886 Glenwood Road Luverne, AL 36049 |
| Lurleen B. Wallace Community College | 1708 North Main Street Opp, AL 36467 |
| NALJATC of North Alabama | 1805 East 17th Street Sheffield, AL 35660 |
| Northwest-Shoals Community College | 800 George Wallace Blvd, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 |
| Shelton State Community College | 9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 |
Becoming a Journeyman
To become a journeyman electrician, individuals need to pass an exam and earn a license from the Board.
The first step once the apprenticeship period is completed is to fill out an application.
Those who are approved can take the exam.
Those who pass need to pay the licensing fee.
The exam lasts for 4 hours, has 80 questions, and candidates can reference the 2014 National Electric Code and the American Electricians Handbook during the exam.
The exam will cover topics such as these:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Raceways and Boxes
- Special Occupancies and Equipment
- Electrical Power
- Motors
- Low Voltage
- Lighting
- Illuminated Signs
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Safety Information
- Overcurrent Protection
Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor
To work as an independent electrical contractor means to run your own business, and those interested need to earn a special license from the Board.
Requirements:
- 8,000 hours of experience
- Managerial experience
Maintenance work hours are not included in the requirement.
The process starts with an application, and those approved need to pass another exam.
This exam is 5 hours long, has 110 questions, and candidates can reference these books:
- 2014 National Electric Code
- The American Electricians Handbook
- Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management
- Alabama Electrical Contractors Supplement to the Contractors Guide
These are the topics on the exam:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Raceways and Boxes
- Special Occupancies and Equipment
- Electrical Power
- Motors
- Low Voltage
- Lighting
- Illuminated Signs
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Safety Information
- Overcurrent Protection
- Business Organization
- Risk Management
- Project Management
- Estimating – 4 questions
- Safety and Environmental
- Labor Laws
- Tax Laws
- Financial Management
- Contracts
- Lien Law
- Licensing Law
Salary
These professionals, in Alabama, earn on average $45498 year, though the salary will be influenced by a number of factors, especially experience.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $45,974 |
| Montgomery | $43,546 |
| Huntsville | $45,935 |
| Mobile | $44,948 |
| Tuscaloosa | $45,524 |
| Dothan | $42,963 |
| Auburn | $43,530 |
| Decatur | $44,531 |
| Madison | $45,935 |
| Florence | $41,873 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 180 | $51,340 | $24.69 | $69,800 | $33,610 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 290 | $50,150 | $24.11 | $70,400 | $29,860 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 2,490 | $55,110 | $26.49 | $77,160 | $36,310 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 440 | $50,460 | $24.26 | $74,870 | $36,210 |
| Decatur, AL | 430 | $58,300 | $28.03 | $99,030 | $36,510 |
| Dothan, AL | 210 | $48,180 | $23.16 | $64,550 | $34,060 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 690 | $58,600 | $28.18 | $72,900 | $37,140 |
| Gadsden, AL | 130 | $45,790 | $22.02 | $70,560 | $31,720 |
| Huntsville, AL | 940 | $59,160 | $28.44 | $81,330 | $38,100 |
| Mobile, AL | 1,420 | $55,730 | $26.79 | $72,320 | $36,320 |
| Montgomery, AL | 660 | $51,870 | $24.94 | $70,820 | $36,210 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 430 | $56,030 | $26.94 | $79,690 | $36,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing the License
Both licenses have to be renewed every year.
To renew the electrical contractor license, individuals need to also complete a number of continuing education hours.
Journeymen don’t have any requirement related to continuing their education for license renewal.
The Board has more details regarding the renewal of the license.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State