Many careers rise and fall, but electrical work is and will always be on a steady path. In the United States, skilled trades are regaining ground. It’s a profession where regulation and skills are at the core. And because of that, certification matters.
For someone new to this world, who wants to know all the right steps, it may feel overwhelming. But the path to becoming an electrician is structured, and when you know the basics, it is easy to follow. If you’re researching how to become a certified electrician in the U.S., you’re already thinking in the right direction. To work as an electrician, you need a license, and the training to get is just the start of a long-term, official career. Keep reading find what it takes to move from entry-level training to journeyman status and beyond.
The U.S. Electrician Career Structure
Electricians are responsible for keeping electrical systems working at all times. Licensing varies by state, but usually, to perform electrical work, a licensed electrician is required. Licensing means you understand safety protocols, the National Electrical Code (NEC), and regulations that are specific to the state. It also protects consumers and helps with credibility.
In the U.S., there is no federal electrician license. Licenses are issued by states or local jurisdictions. Electricians need to complete an apprenticeship and pass a licensing exam to earn a journeyman electrician license. This way, they can work independently and take on complex electrical tasks. There are some states that also differentiate between residential, commercial, and specialty classifications.
If you want to know more about exactly how long it takes to become an electrician, from starting your training to getting your license and starting to work, take a look at this article.
1. Build a Foundation with Education
High School Diploma or GED
The first formal requirement for most electricians is a high school diploma or GED. You need basic knowledge of algebra, physics, and electronics, which are helpful because they introduce key concepts that are also in electrical training. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, states do not require college degrees if you want an electrician license, but it’s helpful to have a good foundation in math and science to help you as you start training.
Trade or Technical School
If you prefer to master the subjects a little better before an apprenticeship, you can choose a technical or trade programs that offer electrical theory. These also help failiarize with code, a big part of the electrical training. It is not mandatory in all states, but such programs can prepare you for apprenticeships, and many apprenticeship sponsors accept trade school credits toward experience hours.
2. Enter an Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship is where the real learning begins. You can’t become a certified electrician without entering a registered apprenticeship. This is the most common and practical pathway for those asking “How do I get a journeyman electrician license?” This is also good for people who need to earn money while studying, because apprenticeships combine on‑the‑job supervised training for which you get paid with classroom instruction.
What Apprenticeships Involve
At the end of an apprenticeship program, you need to have about 8,000 to 10,000 hours of supervised work experience, which you can gain in around 4 to 5 years. You’ll work under a licensed electrician and learn practical skills such as:
- Wiring installation and repairs
- Reading blueprints and electrical diagrams
- Learning to apply the National Electrical Code
- Safety procedures
- Troubleshooting electrical systems
In addition, apprentices complete hundreds of hours of classroom instruction in topics such as electrical science, building codes, National Electrical Code (NEC) updates, and safety.
In terms of pay, wages start low, but they rise each year as your skills improve and you move through training. On average, apprentices start at around $14 – $22 per hour, and their pay rises closer to journeyman rates by the final year.
Where to Find Apprenticeships
This differs from state to state, but usually, apprenticeship opportunities are available through:
- Unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- Contractor associations such as the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
- Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters
- Community college or trade school placements
- Direct employer programs
Programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or state apprenticeship authorities are recognized for licensing eligibility. To find a registered apprenticeship, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship database. This listing lets you search openings by occupation and location. For electrical apprenticeships, you can use the dedicated electrician classification to view programs across the country: U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Listings – Electrician.
Understand Licensing Requirements
Because licensure is state‑based in the U.S., requirements are also different:
- Experience Hours: Commonly, you need between 8,000 and 10,000 supervised work hours before you can sit for the exam.
- Classroom Hours: 1,000 hours of related classroom instruction are also required.
- Age and Education: Most states require students to be at least 18 years old and also have a high school diploma or GED.
- Documentation: When you apply to take your exam, you must have all documents ready to submit records of apprenticeship hours.
Because every state has different rules, before committing to your journey, check your local requirements. In Texas, you have to complete at least 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training and pass a journeyman exam to be licensed. In New York City, the license is managed at the local level, so it can be different in each county. Those seeking an electrician license there have to complete a much higher amount of supervised work, around 10,500 hours over roughly 7.5 years.
3. Prepare and Pass the Journeyman Exam
The next step is the licensing exam. It tests the knowledge you acquired during your years as an apprentice, but also how you would work in a real-life work environment. But no matter where you take your exam, there are a few things that you must know perfectly:
- Electrical theory and calculations
- National and state electrical codes
- Safety regulations
- Practical scenarios electricians face on the job
Exams are different, but expect 70 – 120 multiple‑choice questions, and may be open‑book or closed‑book. You can find lots of exam prep materials and practice tests online, and WECA materials help you get familiar with what you need to know.
Once you complete all requirements and pass the exam, you will get your journeyman electrician license. Now you can work independently, pull your own permits, and supervise apprentices on your own.
4. Opportunities, Career, and Salary
The number of electrician jobs is expected to grow by almost 9% through 2032, slightly faster than the average for other jobs. Demand for electrical work will always be available. If not for older buildings, then new technologies like electric vehicles and solar power will create many opportunities
Salary
As with any other job, opportunities for higher salaries depend on many things. For example, working in a city pays better, especially in a metropolis, and if you work for a union. So does specializing in a more niche area, and having more years of experience.
The biggest wages are in California, New York, Washington, and Hawaii, because of higher living costs and strong demand for electrical work. See this to find out more about the electrician salary in California.
For apprentices, annual earnings are between $30,000 and $50,000. Apprentices earn while they train, which helps with the costs of training programs. Then, as a journeyman, you will make between $50,000 and $80,000 per year.
Master electricians are the most experienced on the job. With more training and experience, they earn between $80,000 and $110,000 or more annually. This salary makes sense when you take into consideration the amount of responsibilities they have, like project planning, design, and overseeing teams of journeymen and apprentices.
Career Advancement Beyond Journeyman
Training doesn’t have to end after you earn your journeyman license. There are other ways to grow your career and earn more.
Master Electrician
After working for some years with your journeyman license, usually around two years or more, you could qualify to become a master electrician. You must document your experience and pass more exams. As a master electrician, you will have more responsibilities, like supervising teams and designing electrical systems, but also a higher salary.
Electrical Contractor
If you are someone who prefers to lead rather than work under supervision, becoming a contractor is a good alternative. You need a contractor’s license if you want to run your own business. Requirements vary, but you usually need a master electrician license, proof of business registration and insurance, and sometimes passing a business and law exam.
Specialty Certifications
Electricians can also increase their possibilities with certifications in specialized areas. You can become an industrial electrician, low voltage and communications systems electrician, and even an electrician who deals with EV charger installation. These certifications can make you more competitive in the job market and lead to higher pay.
Tips for Success
With a little organization and consistency, besides your hard work, it’s not hard to achieve success in the electrical trade. You need to pay attention to details that are easy to overlook, but over the long run, this will pay off.
Keep Detailed Records
One of the most important habits to develop early is to keep all your accurate records. Throughout your apprenticeship years, you should carefully track your work hours, training, and any papers signed by supervising electricians. Licensing boards rely on this information. You don’’t want some incomplete records to delay your application.
Choose an Accredited Path
It is just as important to choose a training path that is officially recognized. Registered apprenticeship programs approved by the state or the U.S. Department of Labor help you make sure that your work and your training hours will count toward licensure. Before committing, take some time to confirm it on the government websites.
Use Exam Prep Tools
When it comes to the exam, don’t wing it. The journeyman test leans hard on code knowledge, and the National Electrical Code isn’t something you learn by accident. Use exam prep tools, like codebooks and practice tests, whatever helps it stick.
Networking
It also helps to know people. This trade still runs on relationships more than most admit. Groups like IEC, NECA, or even smaller local trade associations can open doors to job leads, advice, continuing education, and sometimes just someone willing to answer a question you didn’t know how to ask yet.
Stay Current
Electrical codes and standards evolve, so don’t get complacent. What was acceptable five years ago might earn you a violation today. As an electrician, this is a way to protect your reputation and your livelihood. This isn’t the kind of career where you learn the basics and keep your knowledge untouched for decades. You need to be open to learning at all times and not be afraid to admit when things aren’t as they used to be.
Final Thoughts
It’s a good thing that there’s no fast track to becoming a certified electrician. This whole long process, filled with apprenticeship hours, exams, and rules, exists to make sure the work is done safely and correctly. Learning how to become a certified electrician takes patience and consistent effort.
It’s not important to just pass the exam and then forget about your training. You need to understand how electrical systems behave in the real world and how to fix problems at a whim, without creating new ones. Opportunities never stop for people who keep practicing and working hard. Some do specialized work, others advance to master status or start their own businesses. But if you take the process seriously, certification means a long, fulfilling career.
