becoming licensed electrician?
#1
07-19-02, 09:03 AM
becoming licensed electrician?
Hi, how can I become a "licensed" electrician as opposed to just the "do-it-yourselfer" that i am now? Do you need a degree or certain certifications? Thanks
#2
07-19-02, 09:25 AM
This will depend on what state and what locality within the state you reside in or desire to do work in.
For the most part Licensing authorities require that you work in the field for four years under the supervision of Master Electrician before they will allow you to apply to take the test for a Journeyman's License. Many licensing boards have now gone to a six year standard in the field with that being shortened to four years if you have completed a federally registered apprenticeship program, they are usually four years in duration.
My suggestion is that first you contact your local licensing authority. You can usually find them in the phone book if not call the building department in your area and they will be able to direct you.
You will have to spend time in the field working in the trade!! No way around that.
If you are going to do this I would strongly recommend looking into an apprenticeship program in your area. Check the phone book and see if there is an ABC chapter in your area, they run apprenticeship programs. ABC is the Association of Builders and Contractors, they are an open shop, merit shop association. You may also contact the local IBEW or International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, this is the union and they also run apprenticeship programs.
Also, make sure that you get yourself into some kind of prep class when it gets close to time to take the test. Without a prep class your chances of passing the exam are roughly 30%.
Hope this answers your questions, if you have more post back with them. I spent six years as an apprenticeship coordinator and still have many contacts across the country.
For the most part Licensing authorities require that you work in the field for four years under the supervision of Master Electrician before they will allow you to apply to take the test for a Journeyman's License. Many licensing boards have now gone to a six year standard in the field with that being shortened to four years if you have completed a federally registered apprenticeship program, they are usually four years in duration.
My suggestion is that first you contact your local licensing authority. You can usually find them in the phone book if not call the building department in your area and they will be able to direct you.
You will have to spend time in the field working in the trade!! No way around that.
If you are going to do this I would strongly recommend looking into an apprenticeship program in your area. Check the phone book and see if there is an ABC chapter in your area, they run apprenticeship programs. ABC is the Association of Builders and Contractors, they are an open shop, merit shop association. You may also contact the local IBEW or International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, this is the union and they also run apprenticeship programs.
Also, make sure that you get yourself into some kind of prep class when it gets close to time to take the test. Without a prep class your chances of passing the exam are roughly 30%.
Hope this answers your questions, if you have more post back with them. I spent six years as an apprenticeship coordinator and still have many contacts across the country.
