Compare accredited Electrician schools across Rhode Island below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Electrician Schools in Rhode Island
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
#1
MotoRing Technical Training Institute
📍
East Providence, RI
•In-state option•BOC Score
65.8
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Rhode Island.
Schools closest to the main population center in Rhode Island are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Rhode Island is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Electrician Schools in Rhode IslandSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Electrician Schools in Rhode Island
School
Median graduate earnings
New England Institute of Technology
$62,151
MotoRing Technical Training Institute
$46,174
Electrician Pay and Job Outlook
What electricians earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for electriciansTop-paying states for electricians
Rhode Island Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$74,090
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
2,420 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.99
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
4.0%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$100.21/hr ($56.11 base + $44.1 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
If you want to become a licensed electrician in Rhode Island, you need proper training. The state requires classroom instruction and hands-on experience before you can get your license. Choosing the right school will set you up for success.
Here’s what you need to know about the strongest training programs in the state and how to get started.
Electrician License Requirements in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) oversees electrician licensing. To work legally as an electrician, you must hold a state-issued license.
Rhode Island law requires electricians to complete an approved apprenticeship and pass a licensing exam before performing electrical work unsupervised. . Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Basic Steps to Get Licensed
Enroll in an approved electrician training program at a technical school or community college.
Start a registered apprenticeship with an employer or union sponsor.
Complete required classroom hours (usually 576 hours over 4 years for journeyperson licensing).
Complete required on-the-job training hours (typically 8,000 hours).
Apply for the journeyperson license exam with the Rhode Island DLT.
In Rhode Island, you can apply to either union or non-union programs.
Union apprenticeships are usually offered through organizations like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 99. They combine classroom training with paid apprenticeship placements for signatory contractors; availability varies by location and employer demand and is not guaranteed.
Non-union apprenticeships may be provided by independent contractors, companies like Electric Boat, or trade associations.
Both paths meet the state’s licensing requirements. The main difference is in pay structure, benefits, and job placement opportunities.
Tips for Choosing the Right Electrician School
Check state approval. The program should meet Rhode Island DLT standards for related technical instruction.
Look at scheduling. Evening classes help if you’re working full-time.
Ask about placement help. A school with strong ties to local contractors can help you land an apprenticeship faster.
Tour the labs. See the equipment and training spaces before enrolling.
Consider your long-term plan. Some programs lead into degrees; others focus only on meeting licensing requirements.
Safety and Code Training
Every electrician in Rhode Island must know the National Electrical Code (NEC) and state amendments. Training programs include code instruction, OSHA safety requirements, and hands-on practice.
OSHA training is a must for electrical workers. Many schools include the OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training cards as part of their course.
What to Do Next
If you’re serious about training to become an electrician in Rhode Island:
Review the list of schools above.
Contact at least two programs to compare class times, costs, and start dates.
Verify each program’s approval with the Rhode Island DLT.
Apply early, especially for apprenticeship programs with limited spots.
Starting with the right school sets you on the path to completing your apprenticeship and earning your license.
In Rhode Island, Electrician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $74,090 per year, and most earn between $42,990 and $102,840 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Rhode Island employs roughly 2,420 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.99 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving Rhode Island include MotoRing Technical Training Institute, and New England Institute of Technology. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Electrician Training and Licensing in Rhode Island
Licensing for Electrician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Rhode Island licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does electrician training in Rhode Island involve?
Electrician training in Rhode Island is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do electricians earn in Rhode Island?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), electricians in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $74,090. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $42,990 to $102,840 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the Rhode Island license or certification process for electricians?
Licensing for electricians in Rhode Island is administered by Professional Regulation. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
