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Caleb
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
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What education do you need to become an Electrician?
I am a 16-year-old high school student who wants to become an electrician.
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ian villebrun
Correctional specialist
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Mountain Iron, Minnesota
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ian’s Answer
How To Become An Electrician In 6 Steps
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
This step is essential. You may not be able to progress any further until you can show that you've successfully completed high school or earned a GED or other type of equivalency certification. It's one of the most basic educational requirements that you'll need to meet before you can become an electrician.
If you're still in high school, choose your courses carefully. Algebra and trigonometry are important, since such math is used by electricians to measure wiring lengths, determine the angle of a circuit, and calculate the force of an electrical current. In addition, you may want to pay special attention to subjects like physics and English. Shop and mechanical drawing classes are also helpful. After all, being an electrician requires knowing how to read technical documents and understand basic scientific concepts.
If you are an adult who didn't complete high school, it's possible to earn your high school diploma online. This is a convenient way to take care of this crucial first step.
2. Consider getting pre-apprenticeship training at a trade school or vocational college
How to Become an ElectricianIncreasingly, this step is vital for making you stand out among your competition. Learning the fundamentals of electrical work is often more manageable when you aren't yet employed as an apprentice and worried about pleasing your boss. Electrician programs at trade schools, technical institutes, and career colleges provide a more comfortable introduction to this trade. They can help you gain the foundational expertise you'll need.
You'll be able to learn about the National Electric Code, workplace safety, electrical theory, and many other things that can give you a head start on other people who may apply for the same apprenticeships. Most trade school programs even include hands-on training and regular classroom instruction. That way, you'll have a solid footing when you pursue the next step of the process.
3. Apply for an apprenticeship
You can get an apprenticeship as an electrician by researching opportunities and applying as soon as you're ready. After all, you never know how many other people might be applying for the same apprentice jobs, so it's good to get a jump on them if you can. In fact, having a sense of urgency may be one of the most essential aspects of knowing how to become an electrician apprentice.
You may be able to find a local apprenticeship through the United States Department of Labor or by exploring newspaper classifieds and online job boards. In addition, electrical apprenticeship openings periodically become available through organizations such as:
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
You may need to pass a basic aptitude exam as part of the application process. The exam will most likely test your reading comprehension and ability to perform simple arithmetic and first-year algebra. In addition, you will need to pass a job interview. And you may need to meet specific physical requirements, pass a drug test, and demonstrate a certain level of mechanical aptitude.
That's why many employers recommend getting some basic electrical training before applying for the apprenticeships they sponsor. Trade and vocational schools specialize in helping students get up to speed on what they'll need to know to succeed during the application process.
4. Register as an electrician trainee or apprentice in your state (if required)
Some states, such as California and Texas, require electrical apprentices to register before being allowed to work on actual job sites. It's generally a straightforward step since it only involves filling out a form and potentially paying a small fee. But every state has its requirements, so be sure to check with your state's licensing, labor, or consumer affairs department.
5. Complete your apprenticeship
This step is the heart of the whole process. Your apprenticeship will combine on-the-job training with online and classroom courses. You'll be mentored and supervised by a master or journeyperson electrician throughout four to five years of training. And you'll get paid an hourly wage.
Along the way, you'll study essential concepts and receive practical job-site experiences related to a typical electrician job description. For example, you'll get the opportunity to practice and learn about aspects of the trade such as:
Reading construction blueprints and technical diagrams for electrical plans
Installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, electricity distribution equipment, and various control systems
Making sure that all work complies with the National Electric Code as well as state and local regulations
Testing and inspecting electrical systems and components for problems by using special devices
You'll perform very basic tasks at the beginning of your apprenticeship. But you will gradually get to carry out more and more complex tasks as you refine your skills and practical understanding of relevant concepts. By the end of your apprenticeship, you will likely be capable of performing a full range of construction- and maintenance-related electrical work at the journeyperson level.
6. Get licensed or certified in your state and/or municipality (if required)
One of the most important things to understand when exploring how to become a licensed electrician is that every state sets its own standards. In most states, you need a license to be a qualified electrician. Some states (such as Illinois and Pennsylvania) don't license electricians at the state level; however, some towns and cities within those states do have licensing requirements.
So it's essential to contact your state and the municipalities you plan to work in. Ask them if you need a license to perform electrical work. In some cases, you may need a license to work as an employee of an electrical contractor. In other cases, you may not need a license unless you plan on starting your own electrical business.
In locations that do require a license, you may have to pass an exam that tests your understanding of the National Electric Code, various electrical concepts, safety practices, and local laws and building codes. You will probably also have to prove that you have completed a certain amount of relevant classroom instruction and practical training under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson or master electrician.
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
This step is essential. You may not be able to progress any further until you can show that you've successfully completed high school or earned a GED or other type of equivalency certification. It's one of the most basic educational requirements that you'll need to meet before you can become an electrician.
If you're still in high school, choose your courses carefully. Algebra and trigonometry are important, since such math is used by electricians to measure wiring lengths, determine the angle of a circuit, and calculate the force of an electrical current. In addition, you may want to pay special attention to subjects like physics and English. Shop and mechanical drawing classes are also helpful. After all, being an electrician requires knowing how to read technical documents and understand basic scientific concepts.
If you are an adult who didn't complete high school, it's possible to earn your high school diploma online. This is a convenient way to take care of this crucial first step.
2. Consider getting pre-apprenticeship training at a trade school or vocational college
How to Become an ElectricianIncreasingly, this step is vital for making you stand out among your competition. Learning the fundamentals of electrical work is often more manageable when you aren't yet employed as an apprentice and worried about pleasing your boss. Electrician programs at trade schools, technical institutes, and career colleges provide a more comfortable introduction to this trade. They can help you gain the foundational expertise you'll need.
You'll be able to learn about the National Electric Code, workplace safety, electrical theory, and many other things that can give you a head start on other people who may apply for the same apprenticeships. Most trade school programs even include hands-on training and regular classroom instruction. That way, you'll have a solid footing when you pursue the next step of the process.
3. Apply for an apprenticeship
You can get an apprenticeship as an electrician by researching opportunities and applying as soon as you're ready. After all, you never know how many other people might be applying for the same apprentice jobs, so it's good to get a jump on them if you can. In fact, having a sense of urgency may be one of the most essential aspects of knowing how to become an electrician apprentice.
You may be able to find a local apprenticeship through the United States Department of Labor or by exploring newspaper classifieds and online job boards. In addition, electrical apprenticeship openings periodically become available through organizations such as:
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
You may need to pass a basic aptitude exam as part of the application process. The exam will most likely test your reading comprehension and ability to perform simple arithmetic and first-year algebra. In addition, you will need to pass a job interview. And you may need to meet specific physical requirements, pass a drug test, and demonstrate a certain level of mechanical aptitude.
That's why many employers recommend getting some basic electrical training before applying for the apprenticeships they sponsor. Trade and vocational schools specialize in helping students get up to speed on what they'll need to know to succeed during the application process.
4. Register as an electrician trainee or apprentice in your state (if required)
Some states, such as California and Texas, require electrical apprentices to register before being allowed to work on actual job sites. It's generally a straightforward step since it only involves filling out a form and potentially paying a small fee. But every state has its requirements, so be sure to check with your state's licensing, labor, or consumer affairs department.
5. Complete your apprenticeship
This step is the heart of the whole process. Your apprenticeship will combine on-the-job training with online and classroom courses. You'll be mentored and supervised by a master or journeyperson electrician throughout four to five years of training. And you'll get paid an hourly wage.
Along the way, you'll study essential concepts and receive practical job-site experiences related to a typical electrician job description. For example, you'll get the opportunity to practice and learn about aspects of the trade such as:
Reading construction blueprints and technical diagrams for electrical plans
Installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, electricity distribution equipment, and various control systems
Making sure that all work complies with the National Electric Code as well as state and local regulations
Testing and inspecting electrical systems and components for problems by using special devices
You'll perform very basic tasks at the beginning of your apprenticeship. But you will gradually get to carry out more and more complex tasks as you refine your skills and practical understanding of relevant concepts. By the end of your apprenticeship, you will likely be capable of performing a full range of construction- and maintenance-related electrical work at the journeyperson level.
6. Get licensed or certified in your state and/or municipality (if required)
One of the most important things to understand when exploring how to become a licensed electrician is that every state sets its own standards. In most states, you need a license to be a qualified electrician. Some states (such as Illinois and Pennsylvania) don't license electricians at the state level; however, some towns and cities within those states do have licensing requirements.
So it's essential to contact your state and the municipalities you plan to work in. Ask them if you need a license to perform electrical work. In some cases, you may need a license to work as an employee of an electrical contractor. In other cases, you may not need a license unless you plan on starting your own electrical business.
In locations that do require a license, you may have to pass an exam that tests your understanding of the National Electric Code, various electrical concepts, safety practices, and local laws and building codes. You will probably also have to prove that you have completed a certain amount of relevant classroom instruction and practical training under the supervision of a licensed journeyperson or master electrician.