How Long Does It Take to Be an Electrician With a Step-by-Step Process

As you read this blog, you may be considering a career in this fast-growing industry. This is an excellent decision, and we appreciate that you are thinking about this industry. Compared to other industries, this one is relatively easy to enter.

However,  many of you may have a question: how long does it take to be an electrician? Typically, you need 4-7 years to become a professional electrician. Maybe now it sounds very exciting to you, but before making a decision, first know about the steps and career outcome of becoming an electrician.

What Steps Do You Need To Become An Electrician

Well, to become an electrician, you don’t need to obtain a lot of degrees and certificates. This is very simple, and you just need a few requirements to enter this industry. Now, take a look and carefully read the steps to start your career in this vast sector in the USA.

Step 1: Get a high school diploma or GED

To become an electrician, you must have a high school diploma or GED certification. Very busy, but those Math and Science classes are very effective for electricians. An electrician needs to work with measurements, angles, and electrical current, so you have to be good at Algebra and physics to become a good electrician.

This degree is very important, as many of the programs and apprenticeships have a minimum GPA requirement. So, a good result in this sector will add extra value to your admission.

Step 2: Achieve a trade school or vocational technical education

Though it is not mandatory, a trade school or vocational program can still give you an extra advantage in this industry. It will provide you with the rope before you start a job; it will not only give you textbook knowledge but also allow you to have hands-on training. Here are some of the points below

• Institutional knowledge will increase your technical skills and give you a full understanding of basic to advanced electrical systems before jumping into apprenticeships.
• In this course module, there are several types of programs available, and when you take part in such courses, it will add an extra benefit to your career.
• Typically, this program ranges from 2 to 4 years, and it costs around 2000-20000, so you should think about this because it is an investment for your future.

Step 3: Apply for an apprenticeship

So, now you come in on these days where you really learn on-the-job training and someone’s instructions. It is the backbone of your journey to become an electrician. However, you can easily find these types of opportunities at local Union trade associations or online job boards.

Therefore, here are some of the basic requirements that you need to fill out before applying for an apprenticeship.

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma
• Pass a basic aptitude test

Step 4: Register for an electrician apprentice

In the USA, many states require individuals to register as apprentices in order to work legally. However, every state has its own rules; some require passing a test to prove their apprenticeship. So it will be better to check the local regulations.

Step 5: Finish The Apprenticeship

Okay, now it comes to the main stage, which typically can take 2-5 years. During this phase, you will acquire all the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as an electrician. However, here are the things that you will get after the apprenticeship.

• Most of the apprenticeships require completing around 8000 hours of supervised work. Maybe that sounds like a lot, but this is the thing that you need to be a capable electrician for.
• You will get around 150 hours of classroom instruction during this session each year. During this phase, you will get knowledge about electrical theory, electrical safety protocols, and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
• During this apprenticeship, you will learn everything from electrical wiring systems to reading blueprints, and you will also develop your critical thinking skills.

Step 6: Achieve a journeyman electrician license

Now, if you want to work independently, then you need a journeyman electrician license. You need to take an exam; that test will assess your knowledge of NEC, local codes, and electrical systems. I want to get this license. Here are some tips and requirements that will help you become a journeyman electrician.

You can go for online classes and practice tests, which are available for you to get ready.

Remember, each state has its own rules and regulations, so you have to research and know the exact requirements and necessary documents.

What Are The Career Outcomes of an Electrician

In this industry, you’ve got several options and opportunities to expand your career. And it is growing rapidly. According to the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to other industries, there is a 7% growth in electrician employment between 2021 and 2031.

So there is a lot of scope in this industry. Now take a look below and learn about the role and career outcome in this industry.

Role	Description
Residential Electrician	Works on wiring and electrical systems in houses, including construction and repair. Usually simpler compared to other roles.
Commercial Electrician	Works in commercial spaces like offices, stores, and restaurants.
Industrial Electrician	Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in factories and industrial plants.
Lineworker	Installs and maintains overhead power lines.
Renewable Energy Specialist	Focuses on solar panel installation, wind turbine maintenance, and other green energy technologies.
Smart Home Electrician	Installs and maintains electrical systems in smart homes, including automation and control systems.
Contractor/Business Owner	Starts and manages their own electrical contracting business.
Supervisor/Foreman	Leads and supervises other electricians after gaining experience and training.
Electrical Inspector	Becomes a qualified inspector to ensure systems meet safety and code standards.
Technical Instructor/Trainer	Shares expertise by teaching or training new electricians.

Whatever path you choose, remember one thing: always work with transparency, honesty, and punctuality, like Best Price Electrician.

Conclusion

So we hope you understand how long does it take to be an electrician. More than the time, it has a promising career with a lot of opportunities. For that reason, we are encouraging you to become a professional in this industry, and that is why we have given you a full road map to becoming an electrician. We hope this guide will be very helpful to you; thank you very much.