CCRI Electrician Program

The Community College of Rhode Island runs the state's largest non-union electrical apprenticeship program — and most people picking between CCRI, Roger Williams University, and an ABC chapter have no idea what the actual differences are beyond sticker price.

What CCRI's Electrical Apprenticeship Covers

CCRI's program delivers the 576 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI) that the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training requires for a Certificate B (Journeyperson) license. That breaks down to 144 classroom hours per year across a four-year apprenticeship, running alongside your 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training.

Coursework focuses on NEC code application, residential and commercial wiring methods, motor controls, conduit bending, and grounding calculations. Classes typically run evenings to accommodate daytime field work schedules. The program is housed under CCRI's Workforce Development division at the Warwick campus, though scheduling and locations can shift between semesters.

One thing to understand: CCRI handles the classroom side only. You still need an employer who is registered as an apprenticeship sponsor with the DLT Apprenticeship Office. Without that sponsor relationship, your on-the-job hours do not count toward the 8,000-hour threshold — no matter how many classes you complete.

Roger Williams University's Electrical Apprenticeship Program

RWU's four-year Electrical Apprenticeship Program (EAP) is NCCER-accredited and runs about $2,000 per year. Like CCRI, it satisfies Rhode Island's 576-hour RTI requirement. The key difference is the NCCER credential: RWU graduates receive nationally recognized certifications alongside their state-approved classroom hours, which can simplify paperwork if you ever transfer to a state that recognizes NCCER transcripts.

RWU's program leans more heavily on structured modular coursework, with each year building toward increasingly complex commercial and industrial content. Class sizes tend to be smaller than CCRI's, though availability depends on enrollment cycles.

Both CCRI and RWU require that you maintain an active DLT apprenticeship registration throughout the program. Attending classes without a registered sponsor does not satisfy the registered-apprenticeship requirement for your on-the-job hours, and you still cannot sit for the journeyperson exam until your OJT and RTI hours are independently verified.

ABC and Non-Union Alternatives

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Rhode Island chapter offers apprenticeship training through their merit-shop model. ABC programs focus on open-shop contractors — employers who hire based on qualifications rather than union membership. The training covers the same NEC fundamentals, but the organizational structure and job placement network differ from both CCRI and the IBEW Local 99 union track.

Non-union apprentices can also receive RTI through employer-sponsored in-house training programs, provided the curriculum is approved by the DLT Apprenticeship Office. These programs are less common and typically available only through larger electrical contractors with established training departments.

How to Choose the Right Program

The practical decision comes down to three factors:

Cost: CCRI is the most affordable option. RWU runs about $2,000 per year. IBEW Local 99's apprenticeship is funded through union dues and contractor contributions, so out-of-pocket costs are minimal for accepted apprentices — but admission is competitive.

Schedule flexibility: CCRI and RWU both offer evening classes designed around day work. ABC programs vary by contractor and chapter scheduling.

Career network: Your training program shapes which contractors you work with early on. IBEW apprentices work exclusively on union jobs. CCRI and RWU graduates work for any licensed contractor willing to sponsor them.

Regardless of which program you choose, the licensing path stays the same: 8,000 OJT hours, 576 RTI hours, and a passing score on Rhode Island's closed-book journeyperson exam administered at the DLT office in Cranston.

If you want the complete licensing roadmap — from apprentice registration through the exam application packet to your first permit pull — the Rhode Island Electrician License Guide walks through every step and form in order.

See more Rhode Island guides →