Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), apprentice hours only count toward compliance if the proper ratio of journeymen to apprentices is met each day. This ensures apprentices are properly supervised while gaining on-the-job training.
What the Ratio Rule Requires
The standard requirement is 1 journeyman for every 1 apprentice.
This ratio must be met daily, not just averaged over the project.
Journeymen must be in the same occupation as the apprentices they supervise.
What Happens If the Ratio Is Not Met
Apprentices must be paid at journeyman wage rates for those hours.
Their hours do not count toward the 15% apprentice labor-hour requirement.
Example: If you have 3 apprentices and only 1 journeyman on a given day, all 3 apprentices must be paid at journeyman rates, and none of their hours count toward compliance.
Why the Ratio Matters
Protects the quality of apprenticeship training by ensuring supervision.
Prevents projects from inflating apprentice hours without proper oversight.
Ensures compliance with both DOL standards and IRA requirements.
Best Practices
Plan staffing so that every apprentice scheduled to work has a journeyman paired with them.
Track daily crew compositions using certified payroll.
Use Apprentix to verify that apprentices are registered and active so hours count when ratios are met.
Train foremen and site supervisors to monitor ratios in real time.
Exceptions and Alternatives
If a state or occupation requires a different ratio, those rules apply.
If the ratio is missed for a day, you can still stay compliant by paying journeyman wages—but those hours will not count toward the 15% requirement.
If you are looking for a different occupation as the journeyman to oversee a registered apprentice, you must request approval from Apprentix (if we are your program sponsor) or whoever your sponsor may be.
If you are looking for a contractor to serve in the journeyman role, you must request approval from Apprentix (if we are your program sponsor) or whoever your sponsor may be.
Related Article: To learn how apprentice wage progression works and how to calculate correct pay, see How to Determine the Apprentice’s Wage.