Electrical Lineworker is a Certificate program offered by Centura College in Norfolk, VA. The program takes 15 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $7,500.
Program Overview
The Electrical Lineworker program prepares students for entry-level employment in the utility industry by combining foundational safety practices, technical theory, and hands-on field training.
Students learn electrical fundamentals, power-line-worker safety, CPR, aerial framing, pole setting and pulling, and the safe operation of bucket trucks, digger derricks, crane trucks, and aerial lifts, along with trenching, excavating, and boring equipment.
This is a 15-week certificate — 15 credit hours / 420 clock hours across three courses — offered at the Norfolk campus.
What sets this Program apart
The Electrical Lineworker certificate is fast, field-focused, and built around safety.
- Hands-on field training: pole climbing, pole-top rescue, aerial framing, rigging, and operating bucket trucks, digger derricks, and crane trucks.
- Safety credentials integrated into the program, including OSHA-10 and CPR / First Aid / AED.
- A short, intensive 15-week path into the utility industry.
Admission Requirements and Process
Personalized plans for each student. The Admissions Department will assist with completing the application process: get connected with one of our Admissions Reps who will help you complete your application, then meet with a financial advisor and create your personalized plan.
General Requirements
- Application and $25 FeeApplicants must submit an Application for Admissions and a $25 application fee in order to be considered for admission. The application fee is waived for veterans with proof of…
- Age RequirementApplicants must be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have an approved cosigner if under the age of 18.
- High School Diploma or GEDApplicants must provide acceptable proof of graduation from high school, a General Education Diploma, or equivalent. If the applicant provides an international/foreign transcript,…
- Government-Issued Photo IDApplicants must submit a government issued photo ID, such as a copy of a state issued driver’s license, state issued identification card, or passport.
Application Process
- 1Review General RequirementsReview the general requirements: a $25 application fee, and applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have an approved cosigner if under the age of 18.
- 2Interview With AdmissionsAll applicants must complete an interview with an Admissions Representative. If the applicant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be present.
- 3Complete Your ApplicationGet connected with one of our Admissions Reps who will help you complete your Application for Admission along with the $25 application fee (waived for veterans with proof of service).
- 4Create Your Personalized PlanOnce the application and application fee have been submitted, the Admissions Representative will schedule a preliminary appointment with an advisor who will help you develop a financial plan. Electrical Lineworker is not eligible for Title IV federal student aid.
- 5Acceptance and Enrollment AgreementApplicants who have met all admissions criteria will be recommended for acceptance. An applicant’s signed Student Enrollment Agreement does not constitute a contract until it has been approved by the Campus Executive Director or designee. The applicant will be notified of the admission decision in writing.
Program Schedule
The Electrical Lineworker certificate runs 15 weeks — 15 credit hours / 420 clock hours across three courses — combining classroom instruction, applied labs, and field exercises.
Scheduling at the Norfolk campus:
- Day: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Our start dates are as follows:
- January 20, 2026
- February 23, 2026
- March 30, 2026
- May 11, 2026
- June 15, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 24, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- November 2, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- December 07th, 2026
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Cost of Attendance
Tuition for the Electrical Lineworker certificate is $7,500 ($500 per credit × 15 credits). Tuition does not include textbooks, tools, or supplies. Additional fees include a $25 application fee (waived for veterans), a $125 administrative fee, and a one-time $12 library fee; program materials and safety/uniform items vary by program and are itemized on the Enrollment Agreement.
Financial Aid
This certificate is not eligible for federal Title IV student aid. Other funding options for those who qualify include:
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding through the Hampton Roads Workforce Council
- VA education benefits (GI Bill®), the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Military Tuition Assistance
- Vocational Rehabilitation and employer sponsorship
- The Centura Scholarship Match Program (dollar-for-dollar match up to 10% of tuition, books, and fees against qualifying outside scholarships)
- Institutional payment plans
Curriculum
The Electrical Lineworker certificate comprises three courses totaling 15 credit hours (420 clock hours):
The required courses below are from Centura College's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELW 100 | Power Industry and Electrical Fundamentals | 5 |
| ELW 110 | Utility Climbing Techniques | 5 |
| ELW 120 | Power Line Equipment and Field Operations | 5 |
| Totals | 15 |
Career Outcomes
The Electrical Lineworker certificate prepares graduates for entry-level employment in the electric utility industry — constructing, maintaining, and repairing the overhead and underground systems that distribute electrical power. Graduates pursue roles such as:
- Apprentice Lineworker / Line Technician
- Groundman
- Utility Field Technician
Graduates complete safety credentials including OSHA-10 and CPR / First Aid / AED as part of the program.
What to expect as a Centura College student
As a Centura College student, you will spend most of your time in applied labs and field exercises — climbing poles, framing aerial equipment, and operating utility trucks — under experienced instructors, with safety at the center of every task.
Centura welcomes veterans and active-duty military (GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon, and Military Tuition Assistance), and a financial aid team helps you build a plan before you start. Programs are short and start often, with new cohorts beginning roughly every month.
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
This program: All Centura College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Electrical Lineworker students complete safety credentials including OSHA-10 and CPR / First Aid / AED. (This certificate is not eligible for federal Title IV student aid.)
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Approved program of study
- Recognized by employers nationwide
- A credential that reflects real, job-ready skills
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Norfolk Campus (IPEDS, 2024).