Checked against primary sources 2026-09-07

Racine County

Racine WI Electrician License: Classes and Training

Racine holds the published training center address for two IBEW locals at once, and its own committee takes applications on Mondays. The city inspection department enforces the code and says nothing at all about who may hold an electrical credential.

Test yourself: thirty free questions, timed

The license, and what the city page does not say

The license is the DSPS one. Wis. Stat. 101.862(2) requires an electrician license or a registered electrician enrollment for the individual, and 101.862(1) requires an electrical contractor license for the business.

Racine's Building Inspection Department "enforces City and State Building, Heating, Plumbing, Electrical, and Zoning Codes" and points to Municipal Code Chapter 18, "Buildings and Building Regulations." Its contact number is 262-636-9171 and it offers an Electrical Permit Application for download.

The page as we read it does not state who may pull an electrical permit, what credential is required, or whether the city issues any electrical license. We did not read Chapter 18, so this page says what the city page says and no more.

The Racine Area Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Committee

The committee is at 1840 Sycamore Ave, Racine, WI 53406, covering all of Racine County with specific exclusions noted for portions of Burlington Township.

The Electrical (Construction) Apprenticeship Program runs five years, with a minimum of 8,000 hours on the job and a minimum of 700 paid classroom hours delivered as "one full day (eight hours) every week during the school year for five (5) semesters," plus a minimum of 100 hours of class instruction completed on the apprentice's own time.

That 100 hour unpaid figure is the lowest of the committees we read. Kenosha publishes 150, Green Bay 200, Madison 250 and Appleton 200.

Entry, quoted: "Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age" with proof; "High School Graduate or have attained a General Equivalency Diploma"; "One (1) full year of high school Algebra with a passing grade of 'C'" or equivalent; official high school transcripts; the "NJATC Apprentice Selection Test Battery"; a statement of physical capability plus drug screening before placement; and the "Ability to get to school and work on a timely and consistent basis."

Applications are taken year round, but on a narrower schedule than most: "Year-round, on Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment."

Two locals, one training address

The Wisconsin Building Trades Council publishes the training centers for IBEW Local 127 and IBEW Local 430 at the same address: "Gateway Tech College 1001 S Main St. Racine WI, 53403."

So Racine is where the classroom is for both the Racine committee and the Kenosha committee, while the Kenosha committee's own office stays at 3030 - 39th Avenue in Kenosha. If you are applying in Kenosha, check which building you are expected at.

Gateway Technical College

Gateway runs the Construction Electrical Apprentice program, code 50-413-2, described as nearly 9,000 hours of combined on the job and classroom training. It names the Racine Joint Apprenticeship Committee at 1840 Sycamore Avenue as a program location, alongside its Kenosha campus at 3520 - 30th Avenue.

Entry is at least 18, a high school diploma or equivalent, one year of high school algebra at a passing grade of C, an aptitude test, a personal interview and the physical ability to work at heights or in confined spaces.

The order of events matters. You apply through the committee, submit transcripts, test, interview twice yearly, get ranked, and then a contractor hires you and notifies Gateway's Apprenticeship Department.

Where a Racine candidate sits the exam

Racine is not one of the six Pearson VUE cities DSPS names, and DSPS runs no 2026 sitting of its own here.

The Pearson cities are Eau Claire, Madison, Brookfield, Kenosha, Ashwaubenon and Milwaukee. The DSPS venues are Pewaukee, Appleton, Deforest, Eau Claire and Weston, with Pewaukee running on January 27 to 28, March 10 to 11, May 12 to 13, July 14 to 15, September 1 to 2 and November 10 to 11 in 2026.

Apply early if you want a DSPS seat. SPS 305.09 requires the application to reach the department at least 30 calendar days before the day of the examination.

Your next move in Racine

Starting out, take the registered electrician enrollment, then get to 1840 Sycamore Avenue on a Monday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or make an appointment.

Already working, count the hours. Journeyman takes 8,000 hours over at least 48 months, industrial journeyman takes five years at 1,000 hours a year inside one employer's facilities, and residential journeyman takes three years at 1,000 hours a year on dwellings.

Then check the employer on the state license search before you sign anything.

Questions people ask

Does Racine issue its own electrician license?

Its building inspection page describes no credential requirement and points to Municipal Code Chapter 18, which we did not read. The credential that governs the work is the DSPS one.

How long is the Racine electrical apprenticeship?

Five years, with a minimum of 8,000 hours on the job, a minimum of 700 paid classroom hours across five semesters and a minimum of 100 hours of unpaid instruction.

When can I apply to the Racine committee?

Year round, on Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment, at 1840 Sycamore Ave.

Is there a drug test?

The committee's published entry list includes a statement of physical capability plus drug screening before placement.

Why do Kenosha and Racine share a training address?

The Wisconsin Building Trades Council publishes the training centers for IBEW Local 127 and IBEW Local 430 at the same Gateway Tech College address on S Main St in Racine.

Where do Racine candidates sit the electrician exam?

Not in Racine. The Pearson VUE cities DSPS names are Eau Claire, Madison, Brookfield, Kenosha, Ashwaubenon and Milwaukee, and the DSPS venues are Pewaukee, Appleton, Deforest, Eau Claire and Weston.

What this page cites

• Racine Area Electrical JAC The address, the county coverage, the hours, the entry list and the Monday application window. source
• City of Racine Building Inspection Enforces city and state codes under Municipal Code Chapter 18, with the electrical permit application and the contact number. source
• Wisconsin Building Trades Council training center map Publishes both Local 127 and Local 430 training centers at the same Racine address. source
• Gateway Technical College Construction Electrical Apprentice Program 50-413-2 and the Racine committee location at 1840 Sycamore Avenue. source
• DSPS Trades Credentialing Examination Information The Pearson VUE cities and the DSPS venues with their 2026 dates. source