Which lineman program covers your state, and what test do you take?
The nine IBEW outside-line programs and the utilities that use the EEI CAST test, straight from their own pages. Checked October 24, 2026.
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- SELCATClosed
- ALBATNot published
- Cal-NevClosed
- Mo ValleyClosed
- MSLCATYear-round
- NEATMonthly
- NW LineYear-round
- SWLCATNot published
- AJEATTNot published
Checked October 24, 2026 · see how each one opens →
The nine IBEW outside programs
Union outside-line apprenticeships in the construction industry aren’t run by your local. They’re run by nine regional programs, most covering several states. The electrical training ALLIANCE’s directory lists exactly these nine.
| Program | States | Entry test | CDL | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELCAT | AL AR FL GA LA MS NC SC TN | No entrance test published | Class A with air brakes for overhead and underground | Closed |
| ALBAT | IL IN KY MD MI OH VA DC WV | Aptitude test before the interview (ALBAT doesn’t name it publicly) | Class A or permit | Not published |
| Cal-Nev | CA NV | Aptitude test at the Riverside office, before the interview | A valid, unrestricted commercial driver’s license (the class isn’t stated on the page) | Closed |
| Mo Valley | SD ND NE IA WI MO MN | ETA aptitude test (reading comprehension + algebra), on-site | Class A with air brakes AND manual transmission, held in one of 17 listed states, plus a DOT physical | Closed |
| MSLCAT | UT ID WY CO MT | ETA aptitude test per its standards (may be after selection) | Class A with no restrictions | Year-round |
| NEAT | NY NJ ME DE RI CT PA VT NH MAunconfirmed | Math + reading aptitude test, monthly; pass = 3 or higher on 0–9 | Class A OR Class B with air brakes; “M” endorsement if you live in New York | Monthly |
| NW Line | OR WA ID CA | NJATC (ETA) aptitude test, 3rd Monday of each month | Class A with no E restriction (so not restricted to automatic transmission) | Year-round |
| SWLCAT | AZ KS NM OK TX | ETA aptitude test before the interview | Class A required to interview, no permit | Not published |
| AJEATT | AK | Not published for linemen | Not published on the lineman page | Not published |
Utility route
The EEI CAST test
Graphic arithmetic, mechanical concepts, reading. What’s on it, how it’s scored, and where the free official practice hides.
The real ranking
The interview
Every program ranks you by a committee interview; four of the nine publish a 0–100 score. How it works and what they listen for.
The real wall
Class A CDL
Most programs won’t interview you without it. Which ones take a permit, and the manual-transmission catch.
Who’s behind this
LinemanPrep is run by Michael Briglio, an IBEW journeyman inside wireman and federally recognized pre-apprenticeship instructor who has helped hundreds of students get into union apprenticeships. He’s not a lineman, so this site doesn’t teach line work. It tells you what each program and utility publishes, with a link to the source for every fact. More about us