Become an Electrician in Oklahoma
Electricians provide electrical power to homes, businesses and factories. They work with wires, panel boards, load centers, outlets and other components to install, maintain and repair electrical systems. To work as an electrician in Oklahoma, you must be at least 18 years old and obtain a license through the Oklahoma State Department of Health Occupational Licensing Service. You also must have a solid understanding of electrical code and possess manual dexterity. Use these tips to become an electrician in Oklahoma.
Contents
Steps
Pursue Electrician Education Courses
- Graduate from high school. A high school diploma is not required to become an electrician in Oklahoma, but most apprenticeship programs give preference to high school graduates. Because electrician jobs require the application of mathematical equations, high school students aspiring to become electricians should take several math classes, including algebra.
- Earn a certificate or degree. A degree or certificate is not required to become an electrician in Oklahoma. However, credits earned through coursework may be applied to the required apprenticeship classroom hours.
- Attend a vocational or technical school in Oklahoma specializing in electrician education. These diploma or certificate programs typically provide classroom instruction combined with hands-on projects.
- Graduate from a community college or university. Many colleges offer associate's and bachelor's degree programs for electricians. Students typically complete course work in electrical fundamentals, wiring, blueprints and planning, tool usage and electrical codes.
Complete an Electrician Apprenticeship
- Meet the apprenticeship requirements. Apprenticeship applicants in Oklahoma must be at least 16 years old, pass a criminal background and register with the Construction Industries Board as an Apprentice.
- Determine the type of apprenticeship to pursue. An apprenticeship provides the required on-the-job training and classroom instruction required for licensure in Oklahoma. Most apprenticeship program take about 4 years to complete. Apprentices usually are paid about 50 percent of the market rate during on-the-job training. Consider the options for apprenticeship programs in Oklahoma.
- Choose a state sponsored apprenticeship. The Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC) partners with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) to offer an electrician apprenticeship program, referred to as the IEC-OKC. Funded by the United States Department of Labor, the program matches workers with employers to meet local labor market needs. Through the IEC-OKC, apprentices are employed by local electrical contractors and take classes outside of their working hours. The training program requires 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and prepares apprentices for licensing as a journeyman electrician in Oklahoma.
- Select a union apprenticeship. In Oklahoma, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) partners with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to offer apprenticeship programs. The IBEW provides career placement assistance and continuing education opportunities upon completion of the apprenticeship. Union apprenticeships are available through IBEW chapters in Ponca City, Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
- Choose an online electrician program. These apprenticeship programs allow students to complete classroom training online. The online programs match students with local apprenticeship programs for on-the-job training. Make sure the online electrician program is accredited by the Oklahoma State Construction Industries Board before enrolling, or the training hours may not be applicable to licensure.
Obtain an Electrician License in Oklahoma
- Understand the licensing requirements in Oklahoma. In order to do electrical work in Oklahoma, all electricians are required to be licensed in the state. To obtain a license, applicants must be at least 18 years old; have a high school diploma or show proof of 2,000 hours of electrical trade experience; pass a national criminal background check; and pass an electrician exam. The Oklahoma electrician license exam is administered by PSI, which is an independent testing company. Electrician license application forms are available online at the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board website.
- Evaluate what type of electrician license you need. There are several types of electrician licenses in Oklahoma. Each type of license has specific requirements and fees, but the application process in Oklahoma is the same for all license types.
- Get an unlimited electrician contractor license. In Oklahoma, an unlimited electrician contractor license permits electricians to maintain, alter, repair and install any equipment that uses electrical energy. The license requires at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job experience, including 4,000 hours as a licensed journeyman and 4,000 hours in a commercial or industrial workplace.
- Provide proof of $50,000 liability insurance, $5,000 license bond and workers' compensation insurance.
- Pass the unlimited electrical contractor exam. The unlimited electrical contractor exam is 2 parts. A 50-question exam focuses on business law, and a 100-question exam focuses on electrical installation requirements and the National Electrical Code. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the unlimited electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $330 unlimited electrical contractor license fee, $25 application fee and $88 exam fee.
- Obtain a limited electrician contractor license. A limited Oklahoma contractor license allows electricians in Oklahoma to manage electrical project, but prohibits license holders from doing any hands-on work. The license requires 16,000 hours of work experience in industrial work, electrical work and project management; or an electrical engineering degree from an accredited college combined with 8,000 hours of work experience.
- Provide proof of $50,000 liability insurance, $5,000 license bond and workers' compensation insurance.
- Pass the limited electrical contractor exam. The limited electrical contractor exam is 2 parts. A 50-question exam focuses on business law, and a 100-question exam focuses on electrical installation requirements and the National Electrical Code. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the limited electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $330 limited electrical contractor license fee, $25 application fee and $88 exam fee.
- Become licensed as an Oklahoma residential electrical contractor. The residential electrical contractor license in Oklahoma allows electricians to work only on 1- or 2-family residential buildings. The license requires at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience, including 4,000 hours as a licensed journeyman and 4,000 hours as an apprentice, or 3,000 hours as an apprentice and 1,000 hours of formal education.
- Provide proof of $50,000 liability insurance, $5,000 license bond and workers' compensation insurance.
- Pass the residential electrical contractor exam. The 80-question test focuses on general electrical knowledge, installation requirements, electrical circuits and feeders, and safety. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the residential electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $300 unlimited electrical contractor license fee, $25 application fee and $88 exam fee.
- Obtain an Oklahoma unlimited electrical journeyman license. The unlimited electrical journeyman license allows electricians to conduct electrical work under the supervision of an electrical contractor. An unlimited journeyman electrician may not contract on his/her own. The license requires at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience, including 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial settings. Applicants must have completed at least 4,000 hours of classroom education.
- Pass the unlimited electrical journeyman exam. The 80-question test focuses on general electrical knowledge, installation requirements, electrical circuits and feeders, and safety. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the residential electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $75 unlimited electrical journeyman license fee, $25 application fee and $88 exam fee.
- Get a residential electrical journeyman license. The residential electrical journeyman license allows electricians to conduct electrical work in 1-, 2- or 3-family residences under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. The license requires at least 4,000 hours as an apprentice, with 2,000 of those hours in classroom education.
- Pass the residential electrical journeyman exam. The 80-question test focuses on general electrical knowledge, installation requirements, electrical circuits and feeders, and safety. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the residential electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $75 residential electrical journeyman license fee, $25 application fee, and $88 exam fee.
- Obtain a refinery electrical journeyman license. The refinery electrical journeyman license restricts electrical work to refinery facilities. This license is only available if you have an Oklahoma electrical license in good standing.
- Provide proof of $50,000 liability insurance, $5,000 license bond and workers' compensation insurance.
- Pass the refinery electrical journeyman exam. The 100-question test focuses on general electrical knowledge, installation requirements, electrical circuits and feeders, hazardous locations and safety. Applicants must pass with a score of at least 75%.
- Pay the refinery electrical contractor fees. Applicants must pay the $75 refinery electrical journeyman license fee, $25 application fee and $88 exam fee.
Renew Your Oklahoma Electrician License
- Meet Oklahoma electrician license renewal requirements. Oklahoma electrician licenses must be renewed annually, and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month. In order to renew your license, you must complete 6 hours of continuing education each year. Renewal fees in Oklahoma are $200 for contractor licenses and $75 for journeyman licenses.
Tips
- If you do not pass an electrician's exam in Oklahoma the first time, you may retake the exam after 30 days. If you fail the exam a second time, you must wait 90 days to take the test again.
- Oklahoma offers license reciprocity with other states, provided you held a license for a minimum of 1 year and the license is in good standing. States offering reciprocity include: Alaska, Arkansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
Warnings
- Electrician work can be strenuous and may involve lifting heavy objects. The work also requires the ability to stand, stoop or kneel for long periods of time.
- Performing electrical work without a license is a misdemeanor in Oklahoma. Persons found guilty may be fined $200 to $1,000, in addition to court costs.
