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In Oklahoma, the demand for electricians is steady as they belong to the steady construction industry.
Those who want to become an electrician need to start off as apprentices and then pass an exam to obtain a license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.
Article Table of Contents
Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship lasts in Oklahoma for 8,000 hours, representing hands-on training and job experience, though classroom education is also needed.
4,000 hours must be spent performing work on commercial spaces, while 2,000 hours can be substituted with related formal education.
The apprenticeship can be completed in 2 ways:
- Enroll in a technical college
- Union or non-union apprenticeship program.
Technical College
Those who consider a career in the electrical field are more likely to enroll in a technical college before stating out the actual apprenticeship.
Some of the subjects taught in a technical college are:
- Industrial Safety
- Electrical Theory
- AC/DC Circuits
- Electrical Construction Calculations
- National Electric Code
- Commercial and Residential Wiring
- Electrical Motor Controls
- Transformers
- Motors
- Blueprints
Many schools offer internships or help with finding employment after graduation.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Canadian Valley Technology Center | 6505 E Hwy 66, El Reno, OK 73036 |
| Central Technology Center | 3 CT Circle, Drumright, OK 74030 |
| Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center | 4601 N Choctaw Rd, Choctaw, OK 73020 |
| Gordon Cooper Technology Center | 1 John C Bruton Blvd, Shawnee, OK 74804 |
| Great Plains Technology Center | 4500 W Lee Blvd, Lawton, OK 73505 |
| Indian Capital Technology Center | 2403 N 41st St E, Muskogee, OK 74403 |
| Kiamichi Technology Center | 1509 S McKenna, Poteau, OK 74953 |
| Meridian Technology Center | 1312 S Sangre Rd, Stillwater, OK 74074 |
| Metro Technology Centers | 1900 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 |
| Mid-America Technology Center | 27438 State Hwy 59, Wayne, OK 73095 |
| Mid-Del Technology Center | 1621 Maple Dr, Midwest City, OK 73110 |
| Moore Norman Technology Center | 4701 12th Avenue NW, Norman, OK 73069 |
| Northeast Technology Center | 6195 W Hwy 20, Pryor, OK 74361 |
| Northeast Technology Center | 19901 S Hwy 69, Afton, OK 74331 |
| Northeast Technology Center | 450 N Hwy 59, Kansas, OK 74347 |
| Wes Watkins Technology Center | 7892 Highway 9, Wetumka, OK 74883 |
Union Apprenticeships
Union apprenticeships are organized through local JATCs, and enrolling in one also means becoming a member.
These programs also include classroom education, generally as evening hours.
Non-Union Apprenticeships
Non-union apprenticeship programs are for those not interested in becoming union members, or who want to work with specific electricians or companies.
The enrolling requirements are generally the same as for union apprenticeships.
Apprentice Registration
All apprentices need to register with the Board as soon as they start their training.
Become a Journeyman
Once the apprenticeship is completed, individuals can take the journeyman exam, for which they need to apply first.
Candidates have 4 hours and 15 minutes to solve 100 questions, and the passing score is 75%.
The National Electrical Code or the Ugly’s Electrical Reference are allowed during the examination, which will cover:
- General Knowledge
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Electrical Installation Requirements
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Motors and Transformers
- Overcurrent Protection
- Safety
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Raceways and Boxes
- Special Occupancies and Equipment
- Low Voltage, Alarms, Signaling Systems, and Communications
- Lighting and Signs
Those who pass this exam will become unlimited journeyman electricians.
Independent Electrical Contractor
Electricians who want to sell their services to the public need an independent electrical contractor license.
Requirements:
- 4,000 hours experience as an unlimited journeyman electrician
- Fill out the application
- Pass the electrical contractor exam
- Pass the Business & law exam
- A $5,000 bond issued to the Bonds and Insurance Unit
- General liability insurance of $50,000
Both exams are passed with a score of at least 75%.
The Business and Law exam have 50 questions that can be answered in 2 hours.
The questions cover:
- Bidding and Estimating
- Project Management and Supervision
- Contracts
- Financial
- Labor and Personnel
- Risk Management
- Payroll and Payroll Taxes
- Licensing Requirements
For the contractor exam, candidates have 4 hours to answer 100 questions, while using their National Electric Code and any edition of Ugly’s Electrical Reference.
The topics on this exam cover:
- General Knowledge
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Electrical Installation Requirements
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Overcurrent Protection
- Safety
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Motors and Transformers
- Raceways and Boxes
- Special Occupancies and Equipment
- Low Voltage, Alarms, Signaling Systems, and Communications
- Lighting and Signs
Salary
The median salary of an electrician in Oklahoma is lower than the national average, but the more experience one accumulates, the more they’ll earn.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $46,127 |
| Tulsa | $46,667 |
| Norman | $45,835 |
| Broken Arrow | $46,521 |
| Lawton | $41,394 |
| Edmond | $45,981 |
| Enid | $45,689 |
| Stillwater | $45,689 |
| Muskogee | $46,229 |
| Bartlesville | $46,229 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 160 | $54,600 | $26.25 | $75,260 | $32,810 |
| Lawton, OK | 110 | $61,050 | $29.35 | $80,400 | $35,900 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2,830 | $60,890 | $29.27 | $82,830 | $36,810 |
| Tulsa, OK | 2,090 | $59,380 | $28.55 | $81,210 | $36,530 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Maintaining the License
The apprentice registration has to be renewed every year until the apprenticeship is completed.
The unlimited journeyman license has to be renewed every 3 years after completing 6 hours of continuing education.
The unlimited electrical contractor license has to be renewed every year.
These professionals also need to complete 6 hours of continuing education every 3 years to maintain their licenses.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
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Electrician Schools by State