How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Nebraska: License Requirements and Guide

Like other states, in Nebraska, the job of an electrician does not come easy. It requires a certain degree of hard work and commitment. The good thing is the electrical trade in Nebraska continues to create more job opportunities for people. According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, there is an expected increase in employment opportunities by 15.5%.

In this article, we cover how to become a licensed electrician in Nebraska by starting from apprenticeship to journeyman and then becoming an electrical contractor. So let’s get started!

How to Get an Electrician License in Nebraska?

The steps to becoming an electrician in Nebraska are:

Step1: Acquire the work experience you need to become a journeyman 

Step 2: Get your license as a journeyman electrician or residential journeyman wireman

Step 3: Consider getting an electrical contractor license 

Step1 – Obtain Necessary Work Experience to Become a Journeyman 

In Nebraska, there are two different recognized licensing categories for journeyman electricians. These categories have different requirements and examinations:

  • Residential Journeyman Electrician: This permits only electrical works in residential buildings, and it requires of a minimum three years of experience in the electrical trade. 
  • Journeyman Electrician: This permits both residential and commercial electrical work, and it requires at least four years of experience in the electrical trade.

You can choose from two options how you would like to gain the experience you need to apply for the licensing exams:

You could go for a five-year field apprenticeship that includes hours of classroom-based technical training in electrical theory and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Alternatively, you could opt for a two-year associate’s degree in electrical technology.

Three cities in Nebraska, Fremont, Hastings, and Lincoln, have completely different municipal licensing requirements. Therefore, if you choose any of these three cities, you would have to pass a municipal licensing exam as well as meeting certain requirements determined by the local licensing authority for such a city.

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You would need to register as an apprentice to be certain that your work experience as an apprentice gets recognized. This is not a difficult process. You can do it online with a registration fee of $20 in even-numbered years and $40 in odd-numbered years.

Unionized Apprenticeship Requirements

Your apprenticeship could either be a unionized one or one without any union affiliations. If it is a unionized one, then you need to meet the following requirements:

  • You must be no less than eighteen years of age. 
  • You must provide a copy of your birth certificate
  • You must provide a copy of your social security card
  • You must possess a valid driver’s license
  • You must be able to present high school or GED transcripts
  • You must be able to show proof that you completed one year of high school algebra with a passing grade.
  • You must provide documentation of previous experience if you have one.
  • You must pay a sum of $20 as an application fee.

Going with the unionized apprenticeship would also mean your acceptance to become a dues-paying, card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Non-Unionized Apprenticeship Requirements

If you opt for the non-union apprenticeship, you would have to meet the following requirements:

  • You must be no less than eighteen years of age;
  • You must have your high school education;
  • You must be able to provide a copy of your social security card;
  • You must have a valid driver’s license;
  • You must possess a reliable means of transportation;
  • You must be physically fit to perform all the tasks that come with the apprenticeship; program, whether or not you are provided accommodation;
  • You must pay the sum of $25 for the registration;
  • You must get a pass on a math test.
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Step 2 – Becoming a  Licensed Journeyman Electrician or Residential Journeyman Wireman

The next step would be to apply for a journeyman electrician license or residential journeyman wireman license.

With a journeyman electrician license, you would be permitted to install apparatus, electrical wiring, and equipment. You would also be able to supervise apprentice electricians. 

To earn this license, you would need to meet the following requirements:

  • Fill out the application completely. 
  • Gain the required no of hours of experience.
  • Pay the licensing fee.
  • Pay a sum of $60 for the examination.
  • Have at least 76% in the examination. 

You need a minimum of four years of experience in the electrical trade to get the journeyman electrician license. Alternatively, a two-year degree in electrical technology can make you qualified.

Once you meet these requirements, you would be able to take the examination. It is a 50 question exam that covers topics on:

  • National Electrical Code (NEC) 2014
  • Nebraska State Electrical Act
  • Basic electricity
  • Blueprint reading
  • Fire alarm circuits 
  • Emergency circuits

You would get the license once you pass the examination. 

If it is a residential journeyman wireman license you opt for instead, you would be permitted to perform a wire or install electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for residential installations as well as supervise apprentice electricians. This license limits you to buildings of single-family or two-family structures. 

To get this license, you need to get the following done: 

  • You must fill the application form. 
  • Pay the licensing fee 
  • Pay a sum of $60 for the examination.
  • You must score a minimum of 76% on the residential electrician exam.

Some of the questions that would be covered in the examination would be based on the following topics:

  • National Electrical Code (NEC) 2014
  • Nebraska State Electrical Act
  • Fire alarm circuits 
  • Blueprint reading
  • Basic electricity
  • Emergency circuits
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Step 3 – Consider Becoming a Licensed Electrical Contractor 

You can go a step further by earning yourself an electrical contractor license. 

Some of the requirements for this license are:

  • You must complete the application. 
  • You must pay the licensing fee 
  • Pay the sum of $125 for the examination.
  • Score at least 76% on the exam 

Some requirements of this license are:

  • National Electrical Code (NEC) 2014
  • Nebraska State Electrical Act
  • Basic electricity
  • Emergency circuits
  • Fire alarm circuits
  • Blueprint reading 

Electrician License Renewal in Nebraska 

Journeyman Electrician License: This license has to be renewed even-numbered year on the 31st of December. This must be done with 12 hours of continuing education.

Residential Journeyman Wireman License: This license has to be renewed every two years on the 31st of December. You will be required to have completed 12 hours of continuing education. 

Electrical Contractor License: This license must be renewed every two years on the 31st of December and continuing education of 12 hours.

Electrician License Reciprocity in Nebraska 

The Journeyman License: The state of Nebraska has reciprocal agreements with the following states for the journeyman license: Alaska, Montana, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, Idaho, Iowa, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Minnesota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. 

Electrical Contractor License: For this license, the state of Nebraska has reciprocity agreements with Minnesota and South Dakota. If you intend to reciprocate your electrical contractor license from any of these states, you would have to pay a registration fee that is equivalent to the cost of the electrical contractor exam together with the licensing fee.

Conclusion

Despite how tedious the journey to becoming an electrician seems in Nebraska, it is very achievable as long as you are ready to make the necessary sacrifices. 

References 

ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to Become an Electrician in Nebraska

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