How Do You Become an Electrician? 7 Key Steps

More than 80,000 new jobs are expected to be available each year in the next decade. You don’t have to attend college to be an electrician. The job offers stability and good pay. You can either learn the necessary skills at a trade or apprenticeship school, or through a combination of both. Do you want to pursue this rewarding and interesting career? Follow these 7 steps for a rewarding career as an electrical engineer:

Step 1: Assess Your Natural Abilities to Become an Electrician

Do you want to become an electrician but are you ready? To be successful, electricians need a combination of knowledge and soft skills. Which of the following do you already have?

• Detail-oriented work to ensure safety and precision.
• Electrical problems can be solved by using critical thinking.
• Work in different environments requires physical stamina.
• Project completion is more efficient with time management.
• Communication skills for working with clients, contractors and teams.
• Customer service skills that explain problems and solutions clearly.
• Calculating and measuring the length of wires using basic math.
• Understanding electrical principles is a science that requires a thorough understanding of the subject.

Step 2: Earn Your High School Diploma

A high school diploma is required for trade schools and apprenticeships. What you learn in high school will be a foundation for what you’ll learn at trade school and in the workplace as an electrician. The following are some of the most important subjects that you will learn in high school and how they relate to your future as an electrician:

• Algebra for calculating resistance, voltage and current.
• Geometry is used to measure angles, wire layouts and bend conduits.
• Understanding electricity, magnetism and circuits.
• Understanding electrical conductivity, material properties and chemistry.
• Computers: understanding technical documents and diagnostic software.
• Understanding smart home automation and programming.
• Shop to develop hand-eye coordination and use of tools.
• Communication with coworkers and customers.

Step 3: You Must Meet Minimum Requirements to Become an Electrician

You must also meet certain basic requirements.

• You must be 18 years of age
• How to get a driving license
• Pass a drug screen
• Physical fitness is essential for the job

Step 4: Attend Trade School to become an Electrician

Technical programs provide you with essential electrical knowledge, and help you prepare for licensing exams. You should look for a school that offers both classroom and hands-on training. Electrical programs should include:

• Comprehensive curriculum
• Experienced instructors
• Hours of lecture and shopping
• Mentorship
• Flexible schedules

You will learn how to install cable systems, understand industrial motors, and bend conduits with PERL Electrical principles in mind. Learn from experienced teachers and receive personalized supervision. You will also acquire the necessary skills to prepare for an apprenticeship. Electrical programs can help you stand out among other applicants for apprenticeships.

Step 5: Apply for an Electrician Apprenticeship

Your career school may have an apprenticeship.

• Training on the job for 8,000 hours
• Classroom instruction of up to 1,000 hours
• Electrical theory, mathematics and safety codes
• Start at 40-50% the wage of a journeyman
• The ability to pass a qualification or aptitude test

Step 6: Become a Licensed Electrician

State and local rules on electrician licensing are different. You should check with your state for the specific requirements in your area. In general, however, you will need to be an apprentice, and pay a fee and submit a form to the governing board. It is possible that you will need to pass a test and have significant experience working under a licensed electrical contractor. To get an E-1 Unlimited Electrical contractor license , for example, in Connecticut you will need 12,000 hours experience and 720 classroom hours. At least 70% must be scored on the licensing test. To become a Journeyman Wireman in Colorado, you must have 8,000 hours of work experience and 288 classroom hours. You also need to score at least 70% on the CO Journeyman Wireman exam.

There are different levels of licensing. Most common are:

• Journeyman Electrician (JEC): This allows you to supervise and work independently with electrical installations, repairs and maintenance.
• Master Electrician: This is the highest level in licensing for most states. It allows you to design and install electrical systems, obtain permits, supervise journeymen and apprentices, and even run your own company.

Step 7: Find a Mentor for your Electrician

You gain experience and knowledge when you work as an electrician’s apprentice. Your boss may be a valuable mentor to you as your career progresses. If that person isn’t right for you, look to someone else who has experience in your career as a mentor. You can learn more from them than just the skills you need to do your job. They can guide you through the application process, exam preparation and interview prep and connect you with the right people. They can help you with any questions and act as a sounding-board and advisor for the duration of your career. Ask an electrician you know if they would be willing to give you advice. You can also find an electrician through a career training program, or a professional association.

Are you interested in a career as an electrical engineer? We will help you lay the foundations you need. To get started, fill out the form below.