Electrical system installation, maintenance, and repair are the areas of expertise for electricians with electrician certification. These systems include electrical lines, circuit breakers, and other electrical components in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. There are different licensing criteria in each state or jurisdiction for people looking to become electricians. Let’s look at the procedures skilled electricians must follow to obtain a license during their electrician certification program:
Step 1: Meet The Minimum Age Requirement
To become an electrician, you must be at least eighteen. This prerequisite is standard across all states and jurisdictions.
Step 2: Obtain A High School Diploma Or GED
Most states and jurisdictions require electricians to have a high school diploma or GED. This is to ensure that electricians have a primary education. These skills are essential for electricians to read blueprints, write reports, and perform calculations when working on electrical systems.
Step 3: Complete An Electrician Training Program
Electrician apprenticeship can be completed at vocational schools, community colleges, or technical schools. In these programs, students learn about electrical theory, circuitry, wiring, and safety practices. They also learn how to read blueprints and use electrical tools and equipment.
Step 4: Accumulate Work Experience
Most states and jurisdictions require electricians to have work experience and training from electrician programs before being licensed. Apprenticeship programs combine in-class learning with practical experience. Apprentices acquire hands-on experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems while working under a licensed electrician.
Step 5: Pass An Exam
After completing their electrician apprenticeship, electricians must pass an exam to obtain their license. The exam covers electrical theory, circuitry, wiring, safety practices, and local electrical codes. The exam may be written or practical, or a combination of both.
Step 6: Obtain Insurance And Bonding
Some states and jurisdictions require electricians to have liability insurance and be bonded. Liability insurance protects electricians if they cause damage or injury while working on electrical systems. Bonding ensures that the client is compensated if an electrician does not complete a job or completes it improperly.
Step 7: Renew Your License
Most states and jurisdictions require electricians to renew their licenses periodically after they have graduated from electrician trade schools. Renewal requirements vary by state and jurisdiction but usually involve continuing education courses to keep up with changes in electrical codes and safety practices.
Additional Requirements
Some states and jurisdictions may have additional requirements that electricians must fulfill to obtain their licenses. These requirements may include the following:
Background Checks
Before receiving a license, electricians must pass a electrician certification investigation into the electrical industry in several states. A criminal history check and proof of employment history may be part of the background investigation.
Drug Testing
Electricians must pass a drug test in some states before earning a license. In addition, before the exam or throughout the apprenticeship course, a drug test may be conducted.
Specialized Licenses
Several jurisdictions offer specialized licenses for electricians working on specific electrical systems, such as high-voltage or industrial ones. To earn these specialized licenses, electricians must complete extra electrician trade schools degrees and pass additional tests.
Tips For Navigating The Licensing Process
Research The Requirements
Before beginning the licensing process in an electrician career, it’s essential to research the specific requirements for the location where you plan to work. This can help you prepare and ensure that you meet all of the necessary qualifications.
Get Organized
The licensing process often involves submitting multiple forms and documents. It also includes your training certification from an accredited electrician program. To stay organized, consider creating a checklist of all required items and keeping them in a designated folder or binder.
Allow Plenty Of Time
It’s vital to give yourself plenty of time to complete all the processes to obtain the license because the licensing procedure for skilled electricians can take weeks or even months.
Conclusion
If you want to become an electrician, you must complete significant training, have work experience, and pass an exam. Every state and jurisdiction has a different set of licensing regulations. However, an electrician must typically be at least 18 years old, possess the required abilities, have completed an electrical training program, and include a high school certificate or GED.
