Are you looking for the requirements to pursue your career as an electrician at one of Maine’s best electrician schools, colleges, or universities?
In this blog post, you’ll find all the information you need to choose from the best electrician schools in Maine.
This article provides all the information you need on how to become an electrician and the requirements to become an electrician.
We will also explore the types of electrical licenses and the best electrician schools, universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programs in Maine.
Let’s get to it already!
ALSO READ: Best Electrician Schools in Los Angeles
Table of Contents
Is Becoming an Electrician a Good Career Choice in 2024?
Becoming an electrician is a great career choice to make in 2024. Electricity power is one primary need in every home, community, and world.
The need for electric power and its installations would remain in demand, placing the job outlook for electricians in a position that is not likely to fall soon.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected an 8% job demand growth through the coming years up until 2029.
This confirms that there will be more job openings for electricians in the coming years. Now is the best time to become an electrician in your state, Maine.
What are the Requirements to Become an Electrician in Maine?
The requirement to become an electrician in Maine and other states is to obtain a license that permits you to handle electrical work within the state.
One of the requirements to become an electrician and obtain your license is to complete at least 8,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice.
Also, you must enroll in a study program that provides 576 hours of classroom education at any accredited university or College in Maine.
After acquiring the needed experience, you would then apply to the electrical board with a fee of $25.
Your application will be reviewed and approved before you’ll be given a chance to write an exam.
If you can secure a passing mark of 70% on the exam, you’ll be issued an electrician’s license and be permitted to perform electrical work in Maine.
ALSO READ: Best Electrician Schools in Virginia| All You Need to Know
How Do I Become an Electrician in Maine?
Becoming an electrician in Maine entails knowing what pathway to take in acquiring an electrician’s license.
An electrician’s license is the only approved document that permits you to work as an electrician.
In Maine, the Electrician Examining Board is responsible for issuing an electrician’s license after you have satisfied all the requirements.
There are many proposed routes to obtain a license in Maine. You can critically examine them and decide which is best suited for you.
#1. Get Started at a Technical School.
Beginning your career as an electrician can be done by first applying to an electrician school from the best electrician schools, universities, and colleges in Maine.
The best electrician universities in Maine are all accredited and approved by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Instructions for Higher Education.
These technical schools in Maine offer a two-year electrical program that provides the necessary classroom education needed to begin your apprenticeship.
After completing your program at the school, you’ll be awarded a certificate of training, which can be used during your application for an apprenticeship program.
An apprenticeship program typically covers 8,000 hours of electrical work experience over 4 years. Then you’ll have to complete a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code (NEC) before taking the journeyman exam to obtain your license.
#2. Go for an Apprenticeship Program
In this option, you can join (without going through a training school) an apprenticeship program and build your 8,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice.
You’ll also have to complete approved coursework of 576 hours from Maine’s Electrician Examining Board before writing the journeyman license exam.
Read More: 10 Best Electrician Schools in Mississippi| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply
#3. Attend an Accredited Community College.
Attending an accredited community college is another option to explore in pursuing your career as an electrician.
You can choose from the list of the best electrician colleges in Maine, after which you would have to proceed for 4,000 hours (2 years) of electrical work experience under a master’s electrician plus a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code.
What Type of Electrician License Exists in Maine?
Here is a list of the licenses an electrician can get in Maine after attending any of the best electrician schools, colleges, or universities in Maine.
#1. Limited License
This type of electrician license is limited to residential properties in Maine and permits the tradesman to work only on residential structures.
Obtaining this license in Maine requires 4,000 hours of work experience, which is about 2 years, under the employment of a master electrician before you’ll be qualified to write a licensing exam.
Having obtained this license and wishing to have a journeyman license, you’ll have to remain employed by a master electrician while getting the additional hours required.
#2. Journeyman’s License
A journeyman license in Maine permits you to work under the employment of a master electrician on residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
A journeyman electrician license in Maine can be obtained by acquiring 8,000 hours of work experience (about 4 years) under the employment of a master electrician. Afterward, you’ll be required to write an exam conducted by the Maine Electrician Examining Board.
The pay of a journeyman electrician is usually higher, and more opportunities are available to him than those with a limited license.
Read More: Top 10 Best Electrician Schools in San Diego
#3. Master Electrician’s License
Obtaining a master electrician license is the highest type and is unlimited in scope.
You’ll have permission from the Maine Electrician Examining Board to work on all electrical installations and have employees working under you.
To become a master electrician, you’ll work under a master electrician for an additional 4,000 hours after obtaining your journeyman license.
After that, you’ll take an exam before you obtain a Master’s electrician license.
Generally, a master’s electrician license takes about 7 years to obtain.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Electrician Schools in Chicago
List of the Top 10 Best Electrician Schools in Maine
Maine State in the U.S. is known to be home to some community colleges and trade, technical, and vocational schools, making it well-equipped for all intending electricians to obtain the needed experience for a license.
The following training colleges and universities are the top 10 best electrician schools in Maine to consider in 2024 and the requirements you need to apply;
#1. Northern Maine Community College
Northern Maine Community College is one of the best community colleges in Maine and is located in
The College provides academic programs in various fields, including construction and skilled trades like electrical construction and maintenance.
Also, their teaching method combines theory with practical and hands-on experience in electrical installations.
The learning duration at Northern Maine Community College is 2 years, with a tuition fee of $5,051 to $7,841 for in-state and out-of-state students per year.
#2. Eastern Maine Community College
Eastern Maine Community College is one of the best electrical engineering colleges in Maine. Its main college campus is located in Bangor, Maine.
The electrical training programs they offer cover the 576 hours of classroom education needed as a requirement for a license application in Maine.
Training at Eastern Maine usually lasts 2 years, and the tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state students are $5,147 and $7,907 per year, respectively.
Read More: Top Electrician Schools in Arkansas
#3. Southern Maine Community College
Southern Maine Community College is an accredited college that offers certificate programs in electrical technology and other skilled trades.
They have two campuses, one in South Portland and the other in Brunswick, Maine.
Their certificate programs run for 2 years, covering 2 out of the 4 years of on-the-job experience needed for a journeyman electrician’s license.
The tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state students are $5,110 and $7,870 per year, respectively.
#4. Maine Electrical Institute
Maine Electrical Institute is an accredited electrician training school in Portland, Maine.
They have a well-structured curriculum that teaches students the best practices and most up-to-date code regulations.
They offer to teach students virtually or on-site at their campus in Portland.
The learning duration for their training program is 2 years, with a tuition fee of $4,200 for the 2 years, which you must pay upfront.
Read More: Top Electrician Schools in Florida
#5. Central Maine Community College
Central Maine College is an accredited school that offers degree and certificate programs in various fields.
The learning duration for each program is usually 2 years, with extensive class and practical work.
Tuition fees at Central Maine are $2,880 per year for in-state students.
#6. Kennebec Valley Community College.
Kennebec Valley Community College is an accredited school in Fairfield, Maine.
They offer a variety of programs in different fields of learning, including electricity-related programs.
They train their students by combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on projects.
The learning duration for programs in Kennebec is usually 2 years, and the tuition fees are $5,157 and $7,917 per year for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
Read More: Top 10 Electrician Schools in California
#7. Lewiston Regional Technical Center
Lewiston Regional Technical Center applies various learning methods like classroom education, laboratory work, community-based projects, and others in training their students.
They focus on producing electricians with skills and are competent in the field of electricity, and they work towards achieving that.
Their 2-year program covers the 576 hours of classroom experience required for a journeyman electrician license exam. The school is located in Lewiston, Maine.
#8. Washington County Community College
Washington County Community College in Calais, Maine, offers electrical-related programs and a variety of other programs.
The college is an accredited school, and the programs offered are usually 2 years.
The tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state students are $5,036 and $8,672 per year, respectively.
Read More: Best Electrician Schools in Toronto| All You Need To Know
#9. Waldo County Technical Center
Waldo County Technical Center is located in Waldo, Maine. Also, Waldo County is a learning center that prepares high school students in various fields of learning.
The program comprises classroom education and hands-on experience in electrical work.
Students partaking in this program would earn a Maine Electrician Helper license, which makes it possible for them to seek employment under the supervision of a Master Electrician.
The learning duration is usually 2 years.
#10. Westbrook Regional Vocational Center
The Westbrook Regional Vocational Center is an accredited training center that provides students with entry-level skills needed for employment in the electrical field.
The technical education and training at Westbrook are available for high school students to gain some exposure and experience in the electrical field.
The Westbrook Regional Vocational Center is situated in Westbrook, Maine, and has the requirements to train you to become an electrician.
VISIT SCHOOL
ALSO READ: Best Electrician Schools in Arizona– A Detailed Guide
What Apprenticeship Programs are Available in Electrician Schools in Maine?
Two types of electrician apprenticeship programs handled by Maine’s Department of Labor Center are required to train you to become an electrician.
- Pre-Apprenticeship Program
- Apprenticeship program
#1. Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is organized by the State’s Department of Labor, especially for students still in high school.
The program accepts students in 11th and 12th grades who are interested in becoming electricians and are willing to start training during their school year.
These students will have to work part-time with a registered employer with the understanding that they will become full-time apprentices after they graduate.
Students in the pre-apprenticeship program can count up to 1,000 hours of on-the-job training towards their apprenticeship hours.
The requirements for students to be a part of this electrician pre-apprenticeship program in Maine are that they must be in junior or senior high school, be at least 16 years old, be a full-time student, and have excellent academic standing.
#2. Apprenticeship Program
The apprenticeship program is essential to becoming an electrician, as only by working as an apprentice will you be able to gather 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience and training.
The Maine Department of Labor is in charge of running this mandatory apprenticeship program for prospective electricians.
The apprenticeship program would involve both classroom education and hands-on practical training under the supervision of a licensed master, journeyman, or limited electrician.
About 250 employers statewide participate in Maine’s Department of Labor apprenticeship program by sponsoring apprentices to acquire the training.
To be accepted into this apprenticeship program, students must be at least 16 years old, have a diploma or GED, be physically sound, pass a criminal history background check, and be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
While filling out the application form, you can indicate if you have previously earned some credit hours of training or experience (like through the Pre-Apprenticeship Program).
You will earn wages as an apprentice, but your sponsor would have to be the one to specify that on your application form.
Read More: Best Electrician Schools in Sacramento| All You Need To Know
What are the Salary Expectations for Electricians in Maine?
The average salary for an electrician in Maine falls between $46,205 – $63,941 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in Maine earned around $54,240 in 2019.
The salary expectations for electricians in Maine vary a lot. The varying nature depends on many factors, including location, skills level, certification, and work experience.
ALSO READ: Top Electrician Schools In Pennsylvania| All You Need To Know
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine’s Best Electrician Colleges and Universities
Do You Need a Degree to Be an Electrician in Maine?
You do not need a degree to become an electrician.Â
Becoming an electrician requires you to complete the required hours of work experience and classroom training and pass the license exam coordinated by the Licensing Board in your state.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Electrician in Maine?
Becoming an electrician in Maine requires about 8,000 hours of electrical work experience working under a licensed electrician, plus 576 hours of classroom training.
All these things, and passing a licensing exam by the Electrician Examining Board, would get you a journeyman electrician license.
However, to become a master electrician, you must work for 4,000 hours as a journeyman electrician before you are eligible to become a licensed master electrician in Maine.
Do You Need a License to Do Electrical Work in Maine?
Electricians in Maine must be licensed to perform electrical work and installations on residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
How Much Does a Journeyman Electrician Make in Maine?
The average salary for a journeyman electrician ranges between $54,900 – $71,000 per year. It varies greatly and depends on several factors, including location, skill level, certification, and work experience.
References
Our Recommendation
