Frequently Asked Questions

NLC does not offer job placement, however NLC supports student employment efforts in several ways:

• NLC offers a specially designed Career Planning and Strategies course where students learn about various jobs and careers to which their education applies. Students also learn effective cover letter and résumé writing, interviewing skills, networking methods, preparation for entrance testing, and professional behaviors.
• Electrical Lineworker Program students and alumni have exclusive access to NLC’s Job Portal where Utilities, Municipalities, Electric Cooperatives, Investor Owned Utilities, and Contractors from across the nation post job openings.
• All students participate in mock interviews allowing them to practice interview skills and receive detailed feedback on their performance.
• All students receive an opportunity to interview with Quanta Services, the nation’s largest electrical contractor with 200+ operating companies across the U.S.

All of our campuses have met or exceeded stringent state requirements in order to be licensed to operate. In addition to state requirements the California campus is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges.

No. Federal law requires a clean record to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a graduation requirement of our program.

Unfortunately, no. NLC provides industry-leading tools to our students, prioritizing safety and professionalism. These tools are not only the safest but also brand new, ensuring you have the necessary equipment for a rewarding career ahead.

Direct payment or student loans are two paths to pay tuition. Various loan and scholarship options are available. Please see our Tuition page for more information.

NLC aims to deliver instruction that mimics the real-world industry environment for a practical learning experience. Students work in crews of 4-5 members, supporting one another while the instructor guides them as a crew leader would.

Additionally, we expand enrollment based on a student-to-instructor ratio that best maximizes student safety, productivity, and camaraderie. This means that regardless of the class size, you will be in a group that is getting the educational attention you need.

We have a vigorous Educational Quality department committed to regular audits to ensure the highest delivery and a successful learning environment for all students. The quality of NLC’s programs remains the same regardless of class size.

You can be denied admission if you do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

NLC uses an open enrollment process, which means that complete applications are reviewed in the order they are received. A complete application consists of the application form, $100 application fee, copy of valid driver’s license, DOT medical exam, and official HS/GED transcript. The last step to secure a seat is payment of the $850 enrollment deposit.

The enrollment deposit helps cover the cost of materials that are used in your training. Many training materials get worn out quickly and are replaced each term. NLC strives to ensure that only high-quality tools and materials in good working condition are used in your training.

Yes, possessing a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a requirement for graduation at NLC. Utility employers nationwide increasingly require new employees to come to them with a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL). It is NLC’s objective to create the most highly employable graduates possible.

No. Marijuana, including a mixture or preparation containing marijuana, continues to be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 21 CFR § 1308.11. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), a person is not physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if he or she uses any Schedule I controlled substance such as marijuana. (See 49 CFR §§ 391.11(b)(4) and 391.41(b)(12)). Accordingly, with a Class A CDL being a graduation requirment a student may not use marijuana even if is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.