Electrician Training

Summary: Electrician training is required for individuals who wish to pursue a career as an electrician, and continuing education is required for electricians who will be working with a licensed electrical contractor.

Electrician Training and Continuing Education Units

What is Electrician Training and Continuing Education Units? (California example)
Continuing Education about current electrical codes is required for electricians. Verified amounts of hours worked in the trade will also be required depending on the level of the electrician.

Who needs to be certified:
If you work as an electrician for a Class C-10 Electrical Contractor you will be required to be certified for certain levels of electrical work.

What do I need to do to work as an electrician for a contractor licensed as Class C-10 in California?

Electrician Training and CEU Requirements
Here is an example of the California requirements for Journeyman Electricians: Every three years on the date issued Continuing Education is Required for Electricians including: 32 hours of continuing education and at least 2000 hours worked in the trade the previous three years. Consult your specific State Department of Apprenticeship Standards for complete and up to date information. Typically after you complete your electrical training course you will be emailed your a Certificate of Completion. Check with your training course provider for complete details.

Electrical Continuing Education
Many electrician training courses offer quality, affordable state approved electrical continuing education courses for electricians and electrical professionals. These courses are usually designed with electricians in mind, and will help improve your knowledge of the latest National Electrical Codes. Online courses may prove to be convenient for you and your schedule, while workshop classes will definitely be more thorough and offer interactive discussion.

NOTE: Make sure that any course that you are considering has been approved for your state.

Here is an example of what is required to work as an Electrician for a Contractor licensed as Class C-10 in the State of California:
(note: This table only displays two categories)

See the complete table at the California Department of Industrial Relations

Each statement in the yellow areas indicate that a level of certification is required to perform electrical work for the specific category to the left. with the title shown in the header above in the dark blue.

You can work as an electrician for a class C-10 contractor if...	General electrician	Residential electrician
You have on the job experience of at least...	8,000 hours required. Sign up for and pass the exam	4,800 hours required. Sign up for and pass the exam
You have some on the job experience, but not the required amount.	Some on the job experience - general electrician	Some on the job experience - residential electrician
You are a registered apprentice participating in a state approved apprenticeship program.	Registered apprentice - general electrician	Registered apprentice - residential electrician
You have decided to embark on a career as an electrician and have no experience or related instruction.	No on the job experience or instruction - general electrician	No on the job experience or instruction - residential electrician

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards states that Electrician Certification may be required in your area. Contact your local apprenticeship office for more details.

* These figures may change depending on your location and position.

Interesting Statistics about the Electrical Industry

Source: Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain

There are currently 694,900 electricians in the workforce with a 9% unemployment rate.
87.7% of electricians are merit shop, meaning that an overwhelming majority of this industry's workforce does not belong to a union.
11% of electricians are self-employed.
Electricians contribute to one of America's biggest industries, construction; in December of 2011, spending on construction was $816,383 million and is expected to steadily increase.

More about Independent Electrical Contractors

Who is the Best Electrician

Who do you consider as a best electrician?

Dave's Reply:
This is a Loaded Question, However - A licensed Electrical Contractor that is experienced for the application or project, reliable, and with great references is your best bet.

I'm Trying to Get Into the Apprenticeship in NJ, Any Tips?

Hello, I really want to join our local Electricians Union. I know you must first become an apprentice. Do you have any tips that might aid me in my quest. I turned 31 in Dec. I'm very dedicated and hard working. I do have a construction background, do you think that would help at all. I know its not just wiring, but rather a lot of hard work and sweating. Digging ditches, hot attics, etc. I'm more than comfortable with this. I'm just nervous about any math test that might be given. Its been years sense school. Any idea of what they might ask. Or where I should be caught up to. (School Wise) I've never felt so driven about anything and really want to make this happen. Any ideas or help will be much appreciated.

Dave's Reply:
Anthony, I personally never went through the formal apprenticeship because my Father taught me the trade first hand. However I did buy a lot of books, mostly all the books used for the Apprenticeship, Journeyman and Master Training. The math is not difficult. Your success will come as a result of your will to learn, and your ability to work. Get a good mentor who is in the trade that you can work for, then pay attention and ask questions.
The electrical trade is very rewarding, because our lives depend on it.
I'm sure you will do fine, Best of luck to you Anthony!
Dave