Becoming a electrician in California is a great idea if you enjoy warm weather, lots of sports teams, and lots of available work! If you’re interested in becoming an electrician in California you’ll need to follow a slightly different path than you would have to in other states. In California, electrician training is run through and regulated by the State of California Department of Industrial Regulations. How does this affect how to become an electrician in California? We’ll tell you!
Step 1 – Registering as an Electrician Trainee
The first step to answering how to become an electrician in California is to register with the State. Unlike some states, in California before you begin an apprenticeship or a training program you’ll need to register with the State of California Department of Industrial Regulations as an “Electrician Trainee”. In order to register as an ET you’ll first need to pick a school or college where they offer a State-approved electrician apprenticeship program. After you’ve chosen your school you will need to register with the State as an Electrician Trainee. Once you’ve registered as a trainee with the state you will be allowed to attend your chosen school. It’s important to renew your application tot he Electrician Trainee program every year or it will lapse.
Step 2 – Electrician Trainee Apprenticeship
In order to qualify to take the electrician certification exam you’ll need to completed an apprenticeship program that will be run through the college you chose in step 1. The average apprenticeship lasts 4 years or 8,000 hours for a general electrician. In addition to attending classes about electrical work you’ll assist other electrician performing electrical installations and repairs. Jobs that an apprentice might be called on to do include hauling equipment, running wires, installing lighting fixtures, helping create electrical plans, etc. At the end of your apprenticeship you will be qualified to write the State electrician exam which will qualify you to become an electrician in California.
Step 3 – California Electrician Exam
In order to take the final step in becoming an electrician in California you’ll need to apply to take the California State Certification Exam. In order to qualify to take the exam you need to have completed 8000 work experience hours as an apprentice electrician in California. Once you apply to take the exam you have 1 year to complete it or you will need to reapply. The exam tests your knowledge of electrician theory, electrical installation, state and federal electrical code, and safety measures. If you fail the exam you’ll have to wait 60 says and then pay a $100.00 retest fee in order to take the test again.
Step 4 – Finding Work
Now that you’re a fully fledged electrician in the State of California the final step you need to take is to find work with an electrician company. Over the course of your apprenticeship you’ll have no doubt built contacts within the industry, phone around and see if anyone is looking to take on a certified electrician. If you conducted yourself well during your training then there’s no doubt someone will be scrambling to give you a position!
If you have anymore questions about how to become an electrician in California be sure to contact the State Certification Unit at 415-703-4919
We hope that we’ve answered you’re questions about how to become an electrician in California. Good Luck!