Electrician Schools in Wisconsin (Top Programs)

In Wisconsin, electricians are in demand, and they need a license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Before getting licensed, a person needs some training.

Electrician Training

Future electricians will choose their training path based on the type of license they want to obtain.

For a journeyman electrician license, you need to complete one of the following:

• 8,000 hours of job experience over a period of at least 4 years
• 2-year degree and 3 years of experience
• Complete an approved apprenticeship program

For an industrial journeyman electrician license, you need to complete one of the following:

• 5,000 hours experience in 5 years
• 2-year degree and 3-years of experience
• Complete an approved apprenticeship program

For a residential journeyman electrician license, you need to complete one of the following:

• 3,000 hours experience – in the last 3 years
• 2-year degree and 1-year of experience
• Complete an approved apprenticeship program

Trade School or College

Those who graduate from a technical college are allowed to subtract a number of hours from the hands-on experience requirement, though not all licenses allow the substitution of the same amount of hours.

These schools offer an Associate of Applied Science degree, diploma or certificate, all of which are accepted for entry-level positions though they might open the doors for long term career goals as well.

Many schools also offer internships or help to find said entry-level positions.

Some of the topics include:

• Cable tray installation
• Pulling wire and cable
• Installing and wiring various devices
• Reading blueprints and schematics
• Lighting fixture installation
• Mounting and wiring transformers

Direct Work Experience

Those who choose this path must work directly for a business or electrical contractor and under the supervision of a qualified journeyman or master electrician.

This is a way of entering the electrical trade is preferred by those who already work for such companies.

Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship programs are a more popular way of becoming an electrician.

These are available through unions and non-union organizations, and they offer both the hands-on training and the mandatory classroom education.

The JATCs are the ones offering union apprenticeship programs, and their requirements are:

• 18 years old
• High school or GED transcripts
• A minimum grade of C in algebra
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license
• Paying the $20 application fee
• Becoming a member

Individuals who don’t want to become members of the unions can contact non-unions through local employers and the admission requirements are similar.

Once the training starts, all apprentices will need to apply for a license from the Department.

Journeyman Electrician

As mentioned, there are 3 licensing classifications for a journeyman.

Journeyman Electrician

A journeyman electrician works supervised by a licensed master electrician, a registered master electrician or a licensed residential master electrician.

The requirements are:

• Complete the application
• Complete the training
• Pay the application fee -$35
• Pay the exam fee -$30
• Pay the credential fee -$100  (after passing exam)
• Score 70% on the exam

Journeymen class A from Iowa can apply by reciprocity.

The topics of the exam cover:

• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305
• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316
• National Electrical Code (NEC)

Industrial Journeyman Electrician

An industrial journeyman electrician works within the facility or property of employment, or outside of it while under the supervision of a licensed master electrician, registered master electrician, or licensed journeyman electrician.

Requirements and steps:

• Fill out the application
• Pay the application fee $35
• Pay the exam fee $30
• Score at least 70% on the exam
• Pay the credential fee $100, after passing the exam
• Prove at least 5 years and 5,000 hours of industrial electrical experience

Those who graduated with a degree can use 500 hours for each semester to substitute for the experience requirement, but the hours cannot exceed 2,000 hours.

The questions will cover:

• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305
• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316
• National Electrical Code (NEC)

Those who apply by apprenticeship, must:

• Pay the $35 application fee
• Pay a $100 credential fee
• Provide proof of completing the apprenticeship

Residential Journeyman Electrician

A residential journeyman electrician can only work on dwellings or detached accessory buildings.

These professionals can work on other types of properties if they’re supervised by a registered master electrician or a licensed journeyman electrician.

The license is issued based on experience or after passing the exam.

To take the exam, individuals need to:

• Fill out the application
• Pay the application fee – $35
• Pay the exam fee – $30
• Pay the credential fee -$100, after passing the exam
• Prove at least 3 years and 3,000 hours of residential electrical experience

500 hours for each semester in a trade school can be used towards the experience, but not more than 2,000 hours in total.

The passing score is 70% and the topics cover:

• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305
• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316
• National Electrical Code (NEC)

Those applying by apprenticeship, must:

• Pay the $35 application fee
• Pay a $100 credential fee
• Provide a copy of your apprenticeship certificate of completion

Master Electrician

In Wisconsin, there are  2 licensing options for master electricians.

Master Electrician

A master electrician can install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring in any setting.

Requirements:

• Fill out the application form
• Pay the application fee $35
• Pay the exam fee $30
• Pay the credential fee -$200, upon passing the exam

Additionally, one of the following is also mandatory:

• At least 1-year experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
• At least 10,000 hours experience installing, repairing, and/or maintaining electrical wiring within the last five years.
• Have a degree in electrical engineering

For the second requirement, individuals can substitute up to 3,000 hours with 500 hours per semester if they have a degree.

Candidates will have to score at least 70% on the master electrician exam which will cover:

• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305
• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316
• National Electrical Code (NEC)

Individuals with a master electrician license (class A) from Iowa, may apply by reciprocity.

Residential Master Electrician

A residential master electrician can perform work on dwellings and dwelling units.

When supervised by a master electrician, they can work in other settings as well.

The requirements for becoming a residential master electrician are the same as for a master electrician.

There is a slight difference in the number of hours needed for the experience criteria, as these candidates only need 5,000 hours in total.

The exam details are also the same.

Electrical Contractor

The electrical contractor license is issued to those who meet the requirements and want to run their own business.

Requirements:

• Fill out the application
• Pay the application fee -$35
• Pay the credential fee -$200
• Have worker’s compensation insurance
• Comply with unemployment compensation requirements

There is no experience required to become an electrical contractor in Wisconsin.

Salary

In Wisconsin, the average salary of an electrician varies greatly between cities.

Regional Salary in Wisconsin

License Renewal

All licenses need to be renewed every 4 years.

Requirements:

• Pay the renewal fee:
  • $100 for the journeyman, industrial journeyman, and residential journeyman
  • $200 for a master electrician, residential master electrician, electrical contractor
• Continue education:
  • 24 hours for journeyman and master electrician
  • 18 hours for an industrial and residential journeyman, and residential master electrician

Electrical contractors don’t need to continue their education to renew their license.

Electrician Schools by City

Electrician Schools by State