If you ask ten electricians how long does it take to become an electrician, you’ll get eleven different answers. It seems too overwhelming at the beginning, especially if you are new to technical work: many school choices, apprenticeships, licenses, and lots of math and wires. The journey isn’t easy, and it depends on where you live and the level of certification you pursue. Let’s see what influences how long it takes to become an electrician, from training to actually working as a journeyman.
The Journey to Becoming an Electrician
Finish your high school education
The first step for most people begins with a high school diploma or GED. That’s a basic requirement for nearly all apprenticeships or trade school programs. Focus on subjects such as algebra or physics while it’s still possible, as they matter a lot and are used regularly by electricians. Before committing, you’ll also need to understand what being an electrician actually requires on a day-to-day level. Being a quick thinker, liking to solve problems, and having an eye for technical reading are all part of it, and the overview from this article will showcase if this is a good fit for you or not.
Trade school
From here, aspiring electricians will have to choose between two entry points: trade school or direct apprenticeship. Trade school offers a more formal education style, with classroom-based instructions and lab work. The programs can last from six months to two years, and it’s not always required, but it can make beginners feel more prepared for electrician work.
Typical cost range:
- Basic certificate program: $1000 – $5000 (often community college)
- Standard community school tuition: $5000 – $15000
- More comprehensive programs: $10,000 – $20,000
- Additional expenses: tools, books, uniforms, and exam fees.
Apprenticeships programs
If you decide to skip trade school and apply directly to an apprenticeship, this will combine paid training with the required classroom instructions. This is the choice you take when you also want to earn money while you study, but it usually requires a longer commitment.
Apprenticeship programs are coordinated through unions, contractor associations, or government trainer providers. For those researching available opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor has a centralized directory of registered apprenticeship programs. You can use the Apprenticeship.gov career seeker portal to search what are the approved electrical apprenticeships in your state, by location, industry, or occupation.
The main requirements are that:
- You will need to be at least 18 years old
- You have a high school diploma or GED
- You pass a basic aptitude test
This early decision will play a big role in how long it takes to become an electrician, but there is no choice that’s better. It all depends on your needs and what you feel will match your preferred style of learning.
Steps to becoming a certified electrician
If you are wondering how long does it take to become a certified electrician, your specific state might change the answer. In many areas, certification is tied directly to licensing and legal authorization to work independently.
The general steps are consistent:
- Complete a high school diploma or GED
- Enroll in a trade school or apprenticeship program
- Complete required classroom instructions
- Accumulate supervised on-the-job training hours
This means 8000 hours of supervised work, typically spread over four to five years. This is done under licensed electricians and they attend scheduled classes.
- Pass a licensing or certification exam
Some states allow trade school hours to count towards the license requirements, which can reduce the time. It also helps if you have prior experience, such as military electrical work or related construction experience. Because certification standards vary, you will have to confirm weather certified electrician or a licensed electrician means the same thing in your location.
Time Required to Become a Licensed Electrician
Everyone wishes there were a simple number to answer this question. But the timeline of how long it takes to be a licensed electrician depends on each state and on your personal journey. Though it stays pretty consistent, a combination of these three:
- Apprenticeship: Four-five years that cover around 8,000 hours of on-the-job training that gets supervised.
- Classroom hours: States require 144-200 hours per year during apprenticeship, focused on theory, safety, and code.
- Exam preparation and licensing: To be as prepared as possible, remember to start preparing a few months before the journeyman exam, then to schedule it, and process paperwork.
So by adding them up, aspiring electricians reach licensed journeyman status in 5-7 years, depending if they attend trade school beforehand, or if they also work full-time during school. The U.S. Bureau of Statistics can help you with more information on statistics in your specific state.
Specialization can also delay or influence the timeline. As a residential electrician, it’s possible to meet requirements slightly faster than commercial or industrial electricians. If you add getting a master electrician licensure on top of that, you will need 1-3 more years of experience and an additional exam.
Training to Become a Journeyman Electrician
Your first big professional milestone in your career is the journey to becoming a licensed journeyman. This status is what you should strive for, because it’s what allows you to work independently without always having direct supervision, as long as you follow code and safety guidelines.
Training is a long and complex process, but it rightly involves three big parts:
On-the-job experience
The most important part of your training. Apprentices gain experience performing real electrical work, at first by doing simple tasks, and, as experience grows, taking on more responsibilities. All is done under supervision, with a very big focus on safety and proper procedures.
Classroom instructions
Whether you start trade school or an apprenticeship, learning the theory is a big part of your journey to becoming a good journeyman. Without it, the hands-on practice won’t mean anything. The work you do is very precise, which is why most programs require several hundred hours of classroom learning, usually around 500 to 1000 hours over a four or five-year time period. There are programs available that offer more concentrated classroom instruction, allowing you to complete the required hours of lab training and classroom work in a shorter timeframe, typically between 6 and 12 months.
For preparation, you can visit Industry-recognized frameworks, such as those made by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
Licensing Exam
After the 4 to 5 years spent training, you are eligible to apply to take your electrician license exam. Once you are deemed eligible, teh actual timeline to take the exam is pretty short. The licensing boards allow candidates to take the exam within a few weeks to a few months, depending on processing times. The exam takes from 3 to 5 hours and includes questions from classroom theory, like electrical systems, safety, calculations, and procedures on the jobsite.
If you do not pass the first time, you can retake your exam after a waiting period, anywhere from 30 to 90 days, depending on your state.
Final thoughts
There is no fixed path as to how long it takes to become an electrician. It is a journey that you start on your own, and it depends on your capabilities, needs, and resources. You can expect anything from 4 to 7 years for a journeyman license, with a few additional years if you are also planning to get a master-level certification. It’s not a fast process; that’s why you need to be prepared and know how much of a commitment it is, both physical and psychological, but one that will offer great rewards. The time invested is what will allow you to work independently and build a reliable career that will be needed for decades to come.
