The state of Rhode Island encourages residents to pursue a career in electrical technology and fulfill the demand for electricians, which continues to increase with each passing year.
The requirements to start a career in this discipline are quite simple, and candidates will be glad to know that there are significant rewards for them once they complete the steps.
To help make it even more straightforward, we have prepared a detailed guide below showing how to become an established electrician in Rhode Island. We examine several approaches to receiving comprehensive training and the steps involved in getting a license and becoming certified.
We also outline a few institutions offering top-class electrician training in Rhode Island before highlighting the possible figures that candidates can expect concerning their returns at the end of each year.
How to Become an Electrician in Rhode Island
Below are the steps required to start a career as an electrician in Rhode Island.
Step 1: Meeting the Basic Requirements
In Rhode Island, the basic requirements to become an electrician are to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Most training programs enforce these requirements by refusing to admit candidates who do not have the required credentials.
Step 2: Classroom Training
To become a successful electrician in Rhode Island, one must receive sufficient classroom training. The state requires 576 hours of classroom training before candidates can practice professionally.
Vocational institutions and community colleges offer these programs, including those we highlight in an upcoming section.
Step 3: On-the-Job Training
After receiving classroom training, candidates are expected to practice and apply what they have learned in the real world. This is done through hands-on training arrangements such as the ones offered by apprenticeship programs.
Hands-on training as an aspiring electrician in Rhode Island must be at least 8,000 hours.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Anyone looking to work as an electrician in Rhode Island must receive a license. Anyone seeking an electrician license in the state must meet the requirements set by the Division of Professional Regulations unit of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety.
The requirements to receive a license include the steps highlighted above (8,000 hours of on-the-job experience and 576 hours of classroom training) and sending an official application to the state.
After completing these steps, those who wish to take the licensing exam may do so. After passing the exam, they must pay a $72 fee to receive their official license.
Journeyman electricians in Rhode Island may become master electricians after working for 2 years with a journeyman license. Master electricians in the state are also regarded as Electrical Contractors.
Top Electrician Schools in Rhode Island
Candidates looking for top-quality training programs to start an electrician career in Rhode Island may consider any of the entries below:
Community College of Rhode Island
Providence, RI Campus Only
Community College of Rhode Island’s Electrical Apprenticeship training program helps students meet the classroom training hours for licensing.
Tuition
$1,240 - $1,410Contact
(401) 825-2320
ElectricalApprenticeship@ccri.edu
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI Campus Only
Roger Williams University's campuses in Providence and Bristol offer excellent education in residential and commercial electrical technology.
Tuition
$1,670 per YearContact
(401) 254-3838
ucadmissions@rwu.edu
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI Campus Only
Lastly, candidates looking for a unique and exciting pathway may consider the New England Institute of Technology's Electronics, Robotics, and Drones program, which is held at the school's East Greenwich Campus.
Tuition
$34,875 per YearContact
(401) 739-5000
neitadmissions@neit.edu
Explore electrician schools in Rhode Island by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Rhode Island electricians may be among the lowest-paid in the state, the highest-paid in the state, or the average earners. Experience and location are among the factors that place professionals in these categories.
An electrician’s credentials, specialty area, and specific employment company will also significantly determine their salary range.
Currently, the lowest-paid electricians in Rhode Island earn an average annual salary of $52,124, while the average earners manage an annual salary of around $86,102. The top 10% make as much as $142,228 or more at the end of every year.
Sorting by location alone, with all else being equal, Providence has the highest annual average salary for electricians in the state: $95,001. Cranston is also worth highlighting, with an annual average salary of $86,557.
The job outlook for electrical technology is good. The field is expected to grow in Rhode Island and across the country, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 6% increase in employment until 2032.