Electricians are known as experienced tradespeople trained to deal with a wide range of electrical power difficulties. Their primary role is to install, maintain, and repair all types of electrical equipment. This career necessitates significant training and strict certification due to the technical expertise required and the risk involved. Electricians are classified into multiple categories based on their knowledge and licensing.
In this post, we define an electrician and walk you through the processes of becoming a licensed electrician.
Journeyman Electrician
The most basic level of an electrician is a journeyman. After completing an apprenticeship, a journeyman electrician becomes a licensed electrician. A journeyman can work alone, but he or she cannot instruct apprentices, supervise a project site, or get electrical permits.
Master Electrician
After two years of experience, a journeyman electrician can seek to become a master electrician. Specific standards vary by jurisdiction. However, most states need candidates to pass an exam before being licensed. Master electricians can supervise jobs, train apprentices, and manage electrical teams.
Independent Electrical Contractor
Electrical contractors are essentially proprietors of their own businesses. To finish works, they engage teams of electricians. Electrical contractors can carry particular insurance and be master electricians.
Within the trade, an electrician can choose to specialize in one of the following areas or generalize their role:
Electrician For Homes
Residential electricians work in homes and small apartment complexes, installing, repairing, and maintaining wiring and electrical systems.
Electrician For Business
Commercial electricians are experts at resolving electrical problems in businesses. Electricians must undergo a specified number of hours of training in a commercial setting throughout their apprenticeship since commercial buildings use somewhat different types of power than residential structures.
Electrician For Industry
Industrial electricians work in large buildings with a lot of heavy machinery and equipment. Manufacturing plants, power plants, and chemical plants are all examples of industrial facilities. The electrical requirements of industrial buildings are often higher than those of residential and commercial buildings.
What Are The Steps To Become An Electrician?
To become a certified electrician, you must first complete the following steps:
1. Obtain A High School Diploma Or An Equivalent Qualification
You’ll need a high school education or the equivalent to pursue a career as an electrician. Though most of the job requires industry-specific expertise, electricians use a variety of academic topics regularly.
2. Fill Out An Application For An Apprenticeship
Whether you choose to complete your training at a trade school or not, you must complete an apprenticeship to become a licensed electrician. You can find an apprenticeship in a variety of methods, including:
- Apprenticeship and work placement programmers are familiar at trade schools.
- The Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees, or JATC, will place you with a local union employer to facilitate and conduct any classroom and lab-based technical training at their facility.
- You should opt for a non-union electrical contractor’s apprenticeship placement as well.
3. Become An Electrical Apprentice By Registering And Completing Your Training
Before working on construction projects as an electrician, some states require electrical apprentices to register. Most states demand that you have completed at least four years of apprenticeship. So, before you start working, find out what your state’s requirements are.
Conclusion
Licensing and certification requirements differ by state and even city, so make sure you know what certifications you’ll need to work in your area as an electrician. If your area requires a license, you may also be required to pass an electrical exam. The National Electric Code, safety measures, electrical concepts, and construction codes will all be tested on this exam. You’ll also need to show proof that you finished your apprenticeship.
