Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 2,350 work in Rhode Island. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. That growth rate is expected to be much higher in Rhode Island — projected at a whopping 20% according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of firms in the U.S. had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
» Want to grow your electrical business? Click here to get a demo.
Is a license required for electricians in Rhode Island? Yes.
The state of Rhode Island requires a license to perform electrical work. That issues licenses for license for apprentices, journeymen, and master electricians. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety, Division of Professional Regulations Unit is responsible for issuing electrician licenses. Electricians must comply with local building codes and follow the National Electric Code (NEC).
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: To be eligible for the Rhode Island journeyman electrician exam, you need to complete 8,000 hours (four years) of on-the-job experience as well as 576 hours of classroom training. You can obtain the required experience and training at a technical school or through an apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
The state of Rhode Island offers both union and non-union apprenticeship programs. The Department of Labor and Training Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety’s Rhode Island Apprenticeship Program provides resources for electrical apprentices.
In Rhode Island, local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union chapters partner with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to offer apprenticeships through local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) offices.
Trade associations like the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) provide non-union apprenticeships, including the ABC affiliate program available in Pawtucket.
Most technical schools and apprenticeship programs require you to be 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver’s license, and pass an aptitude test.
BECOME JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN: After gaining the 8,000 hours (four years) of on-the-job experience as well as 576 hours of classroom training, you become eligible for the journeyman electrician exam, administered by the State of Rhode Island. The exam covers general trade knowledge, electrical systems, and the National Electrical Code book.
After passing the exam and paying a $72 license fee, you can obtain your journeyman electrician's license by submitting a licensing application.
Send the completed application form to:
Rhode Island journeyman electrician licensees must pay $72 to renew their licenses and complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years.
OBTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE (Master): Being an independent electrical contractor in Rhode Island means you can offer your services to the public, hire electricians, and run your own business. After completing the required six years of work experience, with at least two years serving as a licensed journeyman electrician, you become eligible for the electrical contractor exam, administered by The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety, Division of Professional Regulations Unit. After passing the test, there is a $240 fee to receive your electrician's license.
Rhode Island electrical contractor licensees (master electrician) must pay $240 to renew their licenses and complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years.
Rhode Island offers several classifications of electrician licenses: journeyman, master (contractor) electrician as well as specialty electrical licenses based on training and experience including those listed below and more.
There are many benefits to pursuing a Rhode Island electrician license:
The annual mean pay for electricians in Rhode Island is $68,840 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
Overall cost may vary depending on your choice of preliminary electrical education. Each of the licenses has a different fee. Journeyman licenses cost $72 and require a renewal fee of $72 every two years. Electrical contractor (master) licenses cost $240, and corporate contractor licenses cost $200. All require renewal every two years at the same rate.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.