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Jackson
Student
Toledo, Ohio
1
Question
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What certifications do you need to be an electrician? What are the levels to becoming an electrician?
I'm a 10th grader in high school, and I am interested in going into the trades after graduating. How many years did you spend at each level?
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Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
401
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Jackson,
What an interesting question you've got here! Becoming an electrician typically involves progressing through several levels, starting with training and moving into more advanced roles. Here's a breakdown of the process and certifications:
1. Education & Training
- High School: Continue to focus on math (especially algebra), physics, and shop classes if available. Some schools offer pre-apprenticeship programs or technical training in electrical work.
- Vocational or Trade School (optional but recommended): Some aspiring electricians start with an electrical program after high school, which can take about a year or two.
2. Apprentice Electrician
- Apprenticeship: After high school, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship, which usually lasts 4–5 years. During this period, you’ll get paid while you learn on the job from licensed electricians, and you’ll also take some classroom instruction.
- License Requirement: Many states require you to register as an electrical apprentice before you begin working. You’ll work under a journeyman or master electrician.
- Certifications: You may need to pass a state exam to advance to the next level.
3. Journeyman Electrician
- Experience Requirement: After completing your apprenticeship (usually around 8,000 hours of on-the-job training), you can take an exam to become a journeyman electrician.
- License: A journeyman license allows you to work independently and even supervise apprentices.
- Duration: It typically takes 4–5 years to reach this level.
4. Master Electrician
- Experience Requirement: After working as a journeyman for 1–2 years, you can qualify to take the master electrician exam.
- License: A master electrician license allows you to own your own electrical business, work on more complex systems, and supervise journeymen and apprentices.
- Certifications: Some states require continuing education to maintain your license as a master electrician.
5. Specializations
- Depending on your interest, you can specialize in areas like residential, commercial, industrial, or maintenance electrical work, each requiring additional certifications or training.
In total, becoming a fully licensed master electrician can take about 6–8 years, including your apprenticeship and journeyman experience.
If you want to start preparing now, look into trade-specific courses and programs that might give you a head start during high school!
Best wishes!
What an interesting question you've got here! Becoming an electrician typically involves progressing through several levels, starting with training and moving into more advanced roles. Here's a breakdown of the process and certifications:
1. Education & Training
- High School: Continue to focus on math (especially algebra), physics, and shop classes if available. Some schools offer pre-apprenticeship programs or technical training in electrical work.
- Vocational or Trade School (optional but recommended): Some aspiring electricians start with an electrical program after high school, which can take about a year or two.
2. Apprentice Electrician
- Apprenticeship: After high school, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship, which usually lasts 4–5 years. During this period, you’ll get paid while you learn on the job from licensed electricians, and you’ll also take some classroom instruction.
- License Requirement: Many states require you to register as an electrical apprentice before you begin working. You’ll work under a journeyman or master electrician.
- Certifications: You may need to pass a state exam to advance to the next level.
3. Journeyman Electrician
- Experience Requirement: After completing your apprenticeship (usually around 8,000 hours of on-the-job training), you can take an exam to become a journeyman electrician.
- License: A journeyman license allows you to work independently and even supervise apprentices.
- Duration: It typically takes 4–5 years to reach this level.
4. Master Electrician
- Experience Requirement: After working as a journeyman for 1–2 years, you can qualify to take the master electrician exam.
- License: A master electrician license allows you to own your own electrical business, work on more complex systems, and supervise journeymen and apprentices.
- Certifications: Some states require continuing education to maintain your license as a master electrician.
5. Specializations
- Depending on your interest, you can specialize in areas like residential, commercial, industrial, or maintenance electrical work, each requiring additional certifications or training.
In total, becoming a fully licensed master electrician can take about 6–8 years, including your apprenticeship and journeyman experience.
If you want to start preparing now, look into trade-specific courses and programs that might give you a head start during high school!
Best wishes!