Electrical Education & Licenses

Overview

You must have a valid state-issued electrical contracting license in order to perform electrical contracting work. Electrical work has a broad definition and covers a wide range of electrical activities. It can be as big as multi-million-dollar industrial power distribution and as small as electrical service and repair in dwellings.

Businesses and individuals who wish to engage in electrical contracting must have state-issued electrical contracting licenses issued by the state, county, or city. This requirement varies from state to state.

Some states require individuals performing electrical installations or working in the electrical construction trade to be certified as electricians or licensed master electricians. Others learning the electrical construction trade are required to hold an electrical training certificate or be an electrical apprentice in a registered apprentice program

Electrical Education

Apprentice, Trainee, Helper

To learn to be an electrician, you need to begin as one of the above. An electrical trainee must have a trainee certificate and work under the supervision of a master electrician and or licensed journeyman electrician. An electrical apprentice is typically part of a state approved electrical apprenticeship program. Many times an electrical helper is a person learning on the job and have some various classroom training. 

Journeyman License

To become a licensed journeman electrican you must have the required experience and education and pass the appropriate exam. These individuals are certified to work for a licensed electrical contractor performing electrical installations and supervise electrical trainees and helpers The specific rules vary from state to state. 

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Unbelievably some states, counties, and cities do not have a licensed journeyman requirement and do not even provide some type of exam to obtain that license or certification. Finally, there are even a few states that do not have a state issued electrical contracting license.