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Becoming an electrician in Arkansas means entering a stable skilled trade with real possibilities for a career, though you need a license from the Arkansas State Board of Electrical Examiners.
The Arkansas State Licensing Board of Contractors issues licenses to those who want to run their own business.
The career ladder of an electrician in Arkansas is:
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Master electrician
- Independent electrical contractor
Article Table of Contents
Technical Training Required
In Arkansas, the training or apprenticeship period lasts for about 4 years of work experience, or 8,000 hours, along with 800 hours of technical instruction.
Though most individuals enter an apprenticeship program directly, some choose to enroll in a technical program at a vocational school.
Vocation-Technical School
Those who want to follow this type of training to become a journeyman can choose from online programs, vocational schools or community colleges that have an electrical program.
This path awards either electrician certificates, other career diplomas or associate’s degree.
While enrolled, expect to study:
- Electrical Theory
- Blueprint Reading
- Electrical Algebra
- AC/DC Currents
- Welding
- Motors and Transformers
- First Aid/Safety/OSHA Regulations
- Electric Code Standards
Even those who choose to enroll in an educational program will have to find employment to meet the on-the-job experience requirement.
Some schools help students with finding this type of employment.
During your technical program, you can begin working with an electrical contractor to receive on the job training and accumulate the experience required to earn your journeyman license. Some technical schools offer job placement assistance to make this process easier. Other schools actually include training placement that provides a specified number of hours of job experience as part of the program.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | 7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, AR 72112 |
| College of the Ouachitas | One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104 |
| Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute | 1620 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335 |
Direct Apprenticeship
Apprentices work as employees-in-training, under the supervision of an electrical contractor.
Their pay is a percentage of that of a journeyman’s wage.
the most common way of finding an apprenticeship is through a union, and many people contact their local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATCs) for this purpose.
Non-union apprenticeships are also available, with the Mid-South Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) being the best way to find such a position.
Those interested can even search the online Arkansas Apprenticeship directory.
To be accepted in any type of apprenticeships, an individual needs to meet these basic requirements:
- 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver’s license
- Reliable transportation
- Pass a general math and reading skills test
- A copy of a high school or college transcript with passing grades in the standard algebra class
Apprentices need to register with the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners.
Becoming a Journeyman
Those who completed their apprenticeship programs can apply for the journeyman exam.
The exam is 3 hours long, has 60 questions and is open-book.
The book allowed in the exam is the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code.
Some of the exam topics are:
- Grounding and bonding
- General knowledge of the trade
- Calculations
- Service, feeders, branch feeders, and overcurrent protection
- Raceways and enclosures
- Conductors
- Motors and controls
- General Use Equipment
- Special occupancies and equipment
- Low voltage circuits
- Safety
Once you pass the exam, you can pay the fee for your journeyman electrician license.
Master Electrician Certificate
Many journeymen choose to become master electricians after some time.
A master electrician is usually a supervisor for the electrical company and the person holding this position needs a license.
To obtain this license, one of the following requirements has to be met:
- A degree in electrical engineering with 2 years of construction-related experience; OR
- 6 years in the construction field working on both residential and commercial properties, with 2 years of experience as a journeyman electrician; OR
- Another combination of experience approved by the Board
The license is offered to those who pass the exam.
To take the exam, you have to fill out an application and send it to the Board.
The exam is scheduled by those who are approved.
This test lasts 3 hours, has 60 questions and is open-book, with the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code being the book allowed during the examination.
The topics in the exam are:
- Grounding and bonding
- Conductors
- General knowledge of the electrical trade
- Calculations
- Service, feeders, branch feeders, and overcurrent protection
- Raceways and enclosures
- Motors and controls
- Utilization and general use of equipment
- Special occupancies and equipment
- Low voltage circuits, alarms, and communications
- Safety
To obtain the master electrician license those who passed the test have to also pay a fee.
Independent Electrical Contractor
Master electricians can get a license to work as independent electrical contractors after a period of 5 years.
This license allows them to work on residential properties.
To qualify, candidates need to be or to hire a master electrician, and to pass the Business and Law exam.
Those interested need to register for the Business and Law exam, and they can do so online.
This exam is 2 hours long, has 50 questions, and candidates can reference the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Arkansas Fourth Edition during the exam.
The questions will cover:
- Business organization
- Licensing
- Estimating and bidding
- Contract management
- Project management
- Insurance and bonding
- OSHA record keeping
- Personnel regulations
- Financial management
- Tax laws
- Lien laws
After passing the exam, the following documents need to be attached to the application:
- Business and Law exam score
- A surety bond – $10,000
- Proof of worker’s compensation insurance
- 3 references from former employers accounting for 5 years of experience.
- A financial review of less than 1 year old, from a Certified Public Accountant
The approved individuals can begin contracting their services to the public.
Salary
How much a person will earn will be tied to how advanced in their career they are, as well as to their location.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $45,130 |
| Fort Smith | $42,225 |
| Fayetteville | $43,765 |
| Springdale | $43,765 |
| Jonesboro | $44,658 |
| North Little Rock | $45,130 |
| Conway | $44,693 |
| Rogers | $43,502 |
| Bentonville | $43,415 |
| Pine Bluff | $43,459 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 1,750 | $50,330 | $24.2 | $70,390 | $35,410 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 370 | $49,820 | $23.95 | $70,200 | $30,150 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 260 | $45,150 | $21.71 | $59,060 | $29,550 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 380 | $48,420 | $23.28 | $60,730 | $30,810 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 2,100 | $48,180 | $23.17 | $61,770 | $32,740 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 110 | $66,040 | $31.75 | $77,140 | $42,590 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
License Renewal
Licenses have to be renewed after the first year for journeymen and master electricians.
At the time of the first renewal, this professional can choose to renew it every year, every 2 or every 3 years.
These professionals need to always be updated with the National Electric Code, which updates every 3 years.
For this purpose, every 3 years they need to complete 8 hours of continuing education.
Those who work as independent electrical contractors have to renew their licenses every year.
They will receive by mail more details related to the steps they need to take to renew their license.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
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Electrician Schools by State