IBEW Local 197 — Bloomington, IL: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 197: whether applications are open right now, what the apprenticeship pays, how the process works, and a free alert the moment the next window opens.
Application status
Always acceptingApplications are accepted on a recurring schedule — next monthly application day: 2026-08-25 (typically the 4th Tuesday of every month), plus a dedicated week Jan 4-8, 2027 for the Inside Wireman and Telecommunications programs; all applications taken now are for the 2027/2028 school year.
Next monthly application day: 2026-08-25 (typically the 4th Tuesday of every month), plus a dedicated week Jan 4-8, 2027 for the Inside Wireman and Telecommunications programs; all applications taken now are for the 2027/2028 school year
Applications are handled by Bloomington-Normal Electrical JATC (BNJATC).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 21, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
Get alerted when Local 197 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Bloomington’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 197 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $48.00/hr (2026 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $74.42/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $21.60 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $24.00 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $26.40 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $31.20 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $36.00 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $40.80 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $48.00 |
Local 197 doesn't publish its apprentice percentage steps — the table shows typical IBEW steps applied to the local's journeyman rate. Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Applications accepted 1 day each month (in person and online via secure.tradeschoolinc.com), typically the 4th Tuesday unless a holiday; posted 2026 dates include Aug 25, Sep 22, Oct 27, Nov 24, Dec 22, then Jan 4-8, 2027. Gather all required documents before applying. Interviews by a 6-person BNJATC panel (3 journeymen + 3 contractors), each scoring 0-100, averaged; applicants stay on the ranked eligibility list 1 year and may reapply to improve their score. Optional $20 GAN aptitude study guide (algebra + reading comprehension). Inside Wireman: 5-year program, 8,000+ OJT hrs, 720 classroom hrs. BNJATC, 2407 Beich Rd Suite B, Bloomington, IL 61705.
Be ready before the window opens
The applicants who get in prepped early. 500+ NJATC-format practice questions, timed tests, and an AI mock interview — free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 197 in Bloomington accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 21, 2026: Applications are accepted on a recurring schedule — next monthly application day: 2026-08-25 (typically the 4th Tuesday of every month), plus a dedicated week Jan 4-8, 2027 for the Inside Wireman and Telecommunications programs; all applications taken now are for the 2027/2028 school year. Application schedules are set by the JATC and can change on short notice — always confirm on the JATC's own site before making plans.
How much does IBEW Local 197 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 197 is $48.00/hr (2026 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $74.42/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 197?
Applications go through Bloomington-Normal Electrical JATC (BNJATC). The usual process: submit the application with your HS diploma or GED, transcripts showing algebra, and ID; take the aptitude test; then complete a scored interview that sets your rank on the eligibility list.
What test does IBEW Local 197 use?
Most IBEW inside-wireman programs use the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra & functions plus reading comprehension); a growing number use the broader GAN battery. Either way, your test score plus interview decide your ranking — prep before the window opens.
Related Resources
More IBEW locals near Bloomington
Michael Briglio
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman · Licensed Contractor · IL Educator
Michael started in the IBEW at 18 and made foreman as a 3rd-year apprentice. Thirteen years in, he’s a Local 134 journeyman, a licensed electrical contractor, a licensed Illinois teacher, and OSHA 30 and EPA 608 certified. He teaches a federally recognized pre-apprenticeship on the south side of Chicago — where he’s helped 100+ students get into the IBEW. He built Sparky AI around exactly what the NJATC exam tests and what trips people up. Prep with this and you walk in ready.
Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.