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Careers and Pathways to Licensing


Apprentices are the entry-level on-the-job training positions. This is where everyone starts in the licensed trades. You can choose to either go get a formal education in the trade or simply get hired by a contractor. Apprentice registration with the CIB encourages the health and safety of the Apprentice, the Apprentice’s co-workers and other workers on the job site, the employer, the property owner, and the public by requiring direct on-the-job supervision by the licensed Contractor or their licensed Journeyman.

How do I become an Apprentice?

  1. Apply to work for a contractor in the trade you would like to get licensed in.
  2. Once you have a job with a licensed contractor register with the Construction Industries Board to become an apprentice.
  3. Go to work and start earning money!

Formal education?

Formal education is optional. Most apprentices who choose formal education work in their chosen trade while they are attending these programs. Education can be from a career tech, trade association, or union. Formal education can earn you additional hours toward a journeyman/contractor license. These programs often have strong connections with local businesses and industries. This can help you secure apprenticeship opportunities and potentially lead to job offers after completion. Career tech programs are designed to provide specialized training that is tailored to the needs of specific industries. This focused education can give you a competitive edge in the job market. Completing a career tech program can provide you with industry-recognized credentials or certifications that can enhance your resume and demonstrate your qualifications to potential employers. Career tech programs are often more affordable than traditional college programs. This can help you avoid substantial student debt while still gaining valuable skills and education. These programs often include training in soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are essential in any workplace. Many career tech programs offer flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend classes, which can make it easier to balance your education with work or other responsibilities. 

What is after apprenticeship?


Journeymen's License
Most people apply for a journeymen's license after their apprenticeship. Once you have worked enough verifiable hours you can apply to get your journeymen's license in your trade, then you must pass the journeymen test for your trade.  The test covers topics you should have learned during your apprenticeship such as code and questions specific to your trade. The journeyman test is open book. Once you pass the test you will get your new license in the mail. A journeymen's license allows you to work unsupervised. In addition, you may now supervise and train apprentices in your trade.

*State law allows some exemptions related to verifiable working hours due to military experience. Check with CIB staff to see if you qualify.

Contractor's License
Once you have achieved the required hours you may apply and then test for a contractor's license for your trade.  The contractor test is similar to the journeymen's test, but it also covers questions related to business law. This is the highest form of licensing for the trades in the state of Oklahoma. A contractor's license allows you to supervise just like a journeyman, but it also allows you to operate your own business in your trade.

*State law allows some exemptions related to verifiable working hours due to military experience. Check with CIB staff to see if you qualify.

    Education through enrollment in a CIB approved school, training course, or program generally provides classroom education and may or may not include field hands-on work. Education in CIB approved school, training course, or program can count towards the Journeyman experience requirement. If a student is only attending classes and is not performing on-the-job hands-on work in the field, registration with the CIB would not be required and proof of education in a CIB approved school/training program can be submitted at the time of application to sit for the Journeyman examination.

Mechanical trade approved schools

 

Austin Community College
Austin, Texas

Autry Technology Center
Enid, Oklahoma

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center
Fort Cobb, Oklahoma

Canadian Valley Technology Centers
Chickasha, Oklahoma & El Reno, Oklahoma

Central Tech Center
Sapulpa, Oklahoma

Central Texas College
Killeen, Texas

Chickasaw Institute
Ada, Oklahoma

C-Tec
Newark, Ohio

Eastern Okla. County Technology Center
Choctaw, Oklahoma

Emily Griffith Technical School
Denver, Colorado

Fortis College
Largo, Florida

Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, Oklahoma

Great Plains Technology Center
Lawton, Oklahoma

Grayson College
Denison, Texas

Green County Technology Center
Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Indian Capital Technology Centers
Tahlequah, OklahomaSallisaw, OklahomaMuskogee, Oklahoma

Intellitech College
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jess Dunn Skills Center (Correctional Facility)
Taft, Oklahoma

Kiamichi Technology Centers
McAlester, Poteau, Talihina, & Durant, Oklahoma

Lexington Skills Center (Correctional Facility)
Lexington, Oklahoma

Lincoln Tech
Grand Prairie, Texas

Live Oaks Career Development Campus
Milford, Ohio

Mable Bassett Correctional Center – Career Tech Skill Center (Correctional Facility)
McLoud, Oklahoma

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, Oklahoma

Metro Technology Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mid-American Technology Center
Wayne, Oklahoma

Mid-Del Technology Center
Midwest City, Oklahoma

Moore-Norman Technology Center
Norman, Oklahoma

Navy & Air Force Training Course (Military)
Sheppard AFB, Texas

Northeast Technology Center
Claremore, Oklahoma

OSUIT Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technologies
Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Technical College
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Paris Junior College
Paris, Texas

Pinnacle Career Institute
Kansas City, Missouri

Pontotoc Technology Center
Ada, Oklahoma

Ranken Technical College
St. Louis, Missouri

Red River Technology Center
Duncan, Oklahoma

Seward County Community College
Liberal, Kansas

Southern Okla. Technology Center
Ardmore, Oklahoma

Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Dickson, Tennessee

Tri-County Technology Center
Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Tulsa Technology Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa, Oklahoma

WSU Campus of Applied Sciences & Tech
Wichita, Kansas

Western Technology Center
Burns Flat, Oklahoma

Wichita Technical Institute
Tulsa, Oklahoma

    Education through enrollment in a CIB approved school, training course, or program generally provides classroom education and may or may not include field hands-on work. Education in CIB approved school, training course, or program can count towards the Journeyman experience requirement. If a student is only attending classes and is not performing on-the-job hands-on work in the field, registration with the CIB would not be required and proof of education in a CIB approved school/training program can be submitted at the time of application to sit for the Journeyman examination.

Plumbing trade approved schools

Associated Builders and Contractors
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Central Tech Sapulpa Campus
Sapulpa, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Institute of Technology
Ada, Oklahoma

Kiamichi Technology Center-Stigler
Stigler, Oklahoma

Lexington Careertech Skills Center (Correctional Facility)
Lexington and Alva, Oklahoma

Mabel Basset Correctional Center-Career Tech Center
McLoud, Oklahoma

Mid-America Technology Center
Wayne, Oklahoma

Mid-Del Technology Center
Midwest City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Technical College
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tri-Count Tech
Nowata, Osage & Washington Oklahoma

Tulsa Technology
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Wes Watkins Tech Center
Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Mcintosh & Hughes counties, Oklahoma

    Education through enrollment in a CIB approved school, training course, or program generally provides classroom education and may or may not include field hands-on work. Education in CIB approved school, training course, or program can count towards the Journeyman experience requirement. If a student is only attending classes and is not performing on-the-job hands-on work in the field, registration with the CIB would not be required and proof of education in a CIB approved school/training program can be submitted at the time of application to sit for the Journeyman examination.

Electrical trade approved schools

Canadian Valley Technology Center
El Reno, Oklahoma

Central Tech Center
Drumright, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Institute of Technology
Ada, Oklahoma

Eastern Okla. County Technology Center
Choctaw, Oklahoma

Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, OK

Great Plains Technology Center
Lawton, OK

HBI Electrical Program 
Guthrie, OK

Indian Capital Technology Center
Muskogee, Oklahoma & Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Kaimichi Tech
Atoka, Oklahoma; Idabel, Oklahoma; McAlester, Oklahoma; Poteau, Oklahoma

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, Oklahoma

Metro Technology Center-South Bryant Campus
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mid-America Technology Center
Wayne, Oklahoma

Mid-Del Technology Center
Midwest City, Oklahoma

Moore Norman Technology Center
Norman, Oklahoma

Northeast Technology Center – Afton
Afton, Oklahoma

Northeast Technology Center – Kansas
Kansas, Oklahoma

Northeast Technology Center – Pryor
Pryor, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

OSU Institute of Technology – Electrical Construction
Okmulgee, OK

Oklahoma Technical College
Tulsa, OK

Pontiac Business Institute
Holdenville, OK

Southern Tech
Ardmore, OK

Tulsa Technology Center
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa, OK

Wes Watkins Technology Center
Wetumka, OK

Last Modified on Jul 15, 2024
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