How to Become an Electrician in Arkansas

Are you currently living in Arkansas and searching for a career path?

What if I told you that there is one that promises stable work, steady income, and a diverse range of job opportunities within the field?

Becoming an electrician will grant you all that and more!

So, if you’re interested in becoming an electrician in Arkansas, keep reading to find out how you can achieve that.

Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Arkansas

ARJobLink.Arkansas.gov lists some of the job duties and responsibilities of electricians as follows:

• Receives work requests listing repairs and installations needed; determines materials and supplies needed for job completion.
• Installs and connects electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures as specified.
• Operates various hand and light power tools to splice wires, solder connections, and cut or drill wiring holes for fixtures and conduits.
• Operates various meters to test voltage, amperage, and continuity of electrical circuits.
• Reviews electrical system plans and specifications to ensure the efficiency of system maintenance and availability of parts.
• Performs preventative maintenance and testing of electrical wiring, motors, and fixtures as needed.

And more.

Electricians also need some soft skills to be successful in the industry as well.

These skills include:

• Customer Service
• Empathy
• Ethical Conduct
• Time Management
• Communication
• Leadership
• Adaptability

Those looking to work in the electrical industry need to be willing and able to expand their skillset and expertise at every opportunity in order to truly thrive.

How to Become an Electrician in Arkansas

Now that you know about the skills required to become an electrician, you may be wondering how you can actually go about entering the electrical field.

Read the steps down below to find out!

Meet The Requirements

To be eligible for an electrical license in Arkansas, you must be 18 years old or older.

You must also have a high school diploma or a GED.

Make sure you meet these requirements before applying to take the licensing exam!

Complete Your Classroom Hours

You have to be sure to complete 800 classroom hours before you can apply for your electrical license in Arkansas.

Be sure you meet this requirement or you will be unable to obtain your license.

Complete Your Training

If you do not gain 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience, you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license in Arkansas.

You can gain all the necessary hours by completing an apprenticeship program.

You can also gain working hours while attending some vocational or technical schools and community colleges.

Get Your License

Once you’re sure you’ve met all the requirements, you can apply for your electrical license!

To do this, you need to take and pass the electrical exam.

This exam will be 60 questions, and you must score a 70% or higher to pass.

If you pass the exam, you can get your license!

Training Programs for Electricians in Arkansas

Here are some institutions in Arkansas that offer electrical training programs.

Fulmer Electrical Training

Fulmer Electrical Training promises, “We can help you pass your test the first time.

If not, we will work with you until you do pass.”

The program is available for online and at-home study, and offers workbooks, seminars, and other resources to ensure students will be able to pass their electrical licensing test. 

Fulmer electrical really puts the majority of their focus on preparing students for the big exam.

Practice tests and additional DVDs are available for students with different learning capabilities.

Northwest Technical Institute

Northwest Technical Institute offers an Electrical Construction & Maintenance program.

Ntcmn.edu promises, “You will enter the workforce as a construction electrician apprentice and you’ll be equipped to work toward a journeyman or master electrician’s license.

The construction electricity diploma opens a wide range of career opportunities for you, depending on your interests and skill level.”

The program goes over a wide range of the necessary skills for electricians, such as:

• Blueprint reading
• Residential and Commercial installation
• Programmable controllers
• National electric code

And more.

Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College’s offers the ‘Pocahontas Area Electrical Apprenticeship Program’, which provides students with the training they need to successfully obtain their electrical license.

According to Blackrivertech.org, “Workers who complete apprenticeship training programs can expect to hold good jobs at good pay!

Their skills are a source of personal satisfaction, as well as employment security.

Statistics show that apprentices earn higher wages, have more stable work records, are promoted sooner and more often than un-trained workers.”

Ultimate Technical Academy

The Ultimate Technical Academy offers an equal amount of classroom theory and technical, hands-on training!

UTA says, “UTA’s fast track method of training gives the most value because of what can be learned in just a matter of weeks, compared to months or years of traditional training.

Since our program is based on working with a wide array of operational equipment in the labs and students work at their own experience level, both new and experienced technicians benefit.”

The program is known for its prioritization of using the fast-track method of training students, so it’s a great option for those who want to get into the grind of things as soon as possible.

Electrician Salaries in Arkansas

Unfortunately, Arkansas has some of the lowest-paid electricians in all of the U.S

Some electricians in Arkansas will make less than $40,000 per year, especially at the beginner level.

However, it’s more common for electricians residing in this state to make $50,000 or more!

View the chart below to see a more in-depth breakdown of the average earnings of electricians by city.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Little Rock	$60,262
North Little Rock	$60,262
Jonesboro	$60,020
Conway	$59,675
Hot Springs	$59,675
Fayetteville	$59,453
Springdale	$59,453
Rogers	$59,100
Pine Bluff	$58,408
Fort Smith	$57,005

Regional Salary in Arkansas

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I be eligible to take the Journeyman Electrician Exam in Arkansas?

After completing a 4-year program and earning all necessary work and study hours, you will be eligible to take the journeyman exam in Arkansas.

How much does a licensed electrician make per year in Arkansas?

The salary an electrician earns depends on work experience and expertise.

However, most electricians in Arkansas can expect to make between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.

How much does an electrician apprenticeship pay per hour in Arkansas?

Most commonly, electrician apprenticeships in Arkansas pay between $15 and $21 per hour.

Electrician Info by State