Did you know that in 2019, only 41% of Californians who took the electrical certification exam passed it? This means that three-fifths of future electricians in the Golden State could benefit from electrical training.

If you want to sign up for electrical training in California, then now is the perfect time to get started. Here’s how you can get real-world experience while earning your electrical certification.

How to become an electrician

You may be wondering: How do I enter the electrical field? Here’s what to do.

Get your GED or high school diploma.

Find a trade or vocational school.

Apply for an apprenticeship program.

Work in the field for four to five years.

Get your electrical license.

Whether you’re a veteran, an unskilled worker or unemployed, it’s never too late to learn basic electrical training. All you need to do is earn your GED or high school diploma as soon as possible.

Not sure where to start? Try to find a vocational school close to your home.

Now: Make sure you apply for an apprenticeship after you register with your state or work under a C-10 licensed contractor (required by the state of California, for example). Don’t forget to register as an apprentice by obtaining proof of enrollment in the school and submitting all necessary applications.

Expect to spend four to five years studying with a master electrician or C-10 licensed contractor to learn the ropes.

After completing your time on the job, you can finally earn your electrical license. This means you are officially allowed to work in your state. But there’s a catch: you have to fill out forms and pass an electrical exam before you can get licensed.

Why do I want to become an electrician? The answer is simple: stable working hours and excellent benefits.

Does that sound good to you? Then read on to learn more about what it takes to become a licensed electrician.

Don’t have a diploma? No problem!

Here’s the deal: You don’t even need a high school diploma to start your career as an electrician. InterCaost College will guide you down a path that will help you earn a diploma while you complete your education. (More information on this page)

Today, you can also complete your high school diploma online. Talk about convenience!

Why is this important? Sadly, without a basic education, you may not get very far in the electrical industry. That’s because you’ll be dealing with trade math daily.

Still in high school? Then now is the perfect time to make sure you take the right courses. If you want to get a head start on your career, then you may want to enroll in a course in

English
Algebra
Health and Safety
Construction
Mechanical Drafting

Once you’ve mastered these subjects, you’re well on your way to completing your electrical training program!

Complete your electrical training program

Want to know what an electrical program looks like? Look no further.

First, most electrical training programs will teach you the correct codes, equipment and safety information you need to start your career.

That’s not all.

Your electrical instruction will also cover.
The basics of electrical power and distribution.
Basic math skills.
Electrician code requirements.
Wiring requirements for commercial and home installations.
Courses on control theory.

We cannot stress this enough: Once the school certifies your enrollment, you must obtain your Electrical Trainee Card (ET Card) when you enroll in the training program. Why? Because it shows that you are legally allowed to be an intern in your state.

Curious about what to do next? After you register with an electrical training school and receive your Electrical Trainee (ET) card, you need to plan where you will get your work experience. Most schools have a job assistance department that will help you with the important part of building up your work hours.

How long does it take to complete electrical training?

The best part is that it only takes 50 weeks to complete your studies. This is the equivalent of 900 hours of study time to prepare for the exam and entry-level jobs.

Looking for a flexible electrical program? Try hybrid electrical training.

Hybrid electrical training combines traditional school learning with online assignments that you can complete online. This is great for people with busy schedules who can’t commit to a full-time campus experience.

For example, the Hybrid Electrical Training program allows you to attend campus classes once a week and work on projects with your instructor. Not only that, but you can usually sign up for these classes on weekends as well.

Do I have to work during the week? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With the Hybrid Electrical Training Program, you can complete your assignments any time during the workday (or evening). What’s not to love?

The bottom line: find a location near you to earn your electrical certification. You won’t regret it!

All About Apprenticeships

Headaches with electrical apprenticeships or on-the-job training? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

While most apprenticeships take four years to complete, not everyone has the time to focus on it. Instead, you may choose to focus on electrical studies first and then build up your work time.

However, most companies will want to see your training and on-the-job experience on your resume. Why? Because you need to demonstrate that you can perform the necessary tasks required in the field.

Trying to start your own electrical business? You need to be licensed, not only to gain the trust of your customers, but also to have a contractor business, as in some states you may not even qualify for an electrical license.

You may also want to consider an apprenticeship program with

The National Electrical Contractors Association

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Independent Electrical Contractors

Another good idea is to look for electrical apprenticeships with the U.S. Department of Labor. If that doesn’t work, it doesn’t hurt to check the job boards online and in the newspaper.

Now that you’ve found the right apprenticeship program for you, it’s time to take your aptitude test. This means that your reading, arithmetic and algebra skills will be put to the test. Most importantly, you must also pass a job interview.

As if that weren’t enough, be prepared to pass your drug test and mechanical aptitude exam. Not to mention meeting the physical fitness requirements. If you can’t get into an apprenticeship program, consider a waitlist. If not, consider the fast track option of attending a California approved trade school or vocational college. You can earn your ET card quickly and even work while you attend school. This is a strong alternative to the apprenticeship program.

Become a Licensed Electrician

How do I become a licensed electrician? It depends on the state you live in. However, most states require you to obtain an electrical license before you can trade.

That said, those living in places like Pennsylvania and Illinois don’t require you to obtain a state license. But certain towns do require it, so you may want to get one to avoid the hassle.

This is important: Make sure you know which cities you want to offer your services in before you open your doors. Why? Because you can check first to see if you need an electrical permit to practice there.

Planning to work for yourself? Then you need to have your electrical license to practice in your area.

What do I need to get an electrical license?

All you have to do is make sure you understand the following.

National standards
The different electrical concepts
How to work safely
Building codes and laws

Once you understand these skills, you can plan to complete your trade school program in ten months. After you graduate, start building up the hours you need to take and pass the journeyman’s exam, and when you earn your electrical license, you’ll be ready to say hello to your electrical career!

Start your electrical career today

Still eager to know how to become an electrician? Fortunately, we have everything you need to get on the right path.

From earning a high school diploma to enrolling in a trade school or apprenticeship program, it can take about five years to accomplish your ultimate goal. But the sooner you start, the sooner you can begin your electrical career.

So there you have it. The rest is up to you!

Professional Electrician Tools

If you are ready to return to work after a workplace accident, excellent electrical tools are your best bet. Knoweasy tools are professional electrician tools that can meet the various needs of electricians when working and effectively improve the efficiency and safety of their work.