Almost all homes and businesses have
an electrical system that power their lights, appliances and equipment and it
is an electrician’s duty to do the installing and maintaining of all electrical
circuits and wiring in these respective buildings.Electricians
work for various companies and carry out a number of tasks. The job requires
working in all conditions at any time since the electrical systems may need
maintenance at erratic times in different areas. A lot of physical work is
needed but a good knowledge and attention to detail are also critical in this
occupation. In 2012, there are about 583,500
electricians in the United States of America. Sixty one percent of which were
hired in electrical contractors and other industries in wiring installation
contractors while nine percent are self-employed. Almost all electricians work
full time but self-employed electricians have a more flexible schedule. Becoming an electrician Most electricians begin through
apprenticeship while some attend technical schools. Technical schools offer
programs related to basic electrical information, circuitry, and safety
practices. Graduates receive credit toward apprenticeship.To
enter an apprenticeship program, trainees must be at least 18 years of age. A
high school diploma or any equivalent to it is required. Completion of one year
of algebra is also needed as well as a qualifying score on an aptitude test. They
must also undergo and pass a substance abuse screening. Candidates may apply
through unions like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Apprenticeship programs usually last
from four to five years. Every year, apprentices must complete at least 600
hours of technical training. Classroom training includes blueprint reading,
electrical code requirements, electrical theory, mathematics, and safety and
first-aid practices. There are also specialized training which include
communications, elevators, fire alarm systems, and soldering. Apprentices also
receive on-the-job training with the supervision of experienced electricians. After completion of their training,
electricians may be required to take continuing education courses related to
changes to the electrical code, safety practices, and training from
manufacturers in specific products. Those who complete the apprenticeship
programs may be accepted to become journeymen and do construction and
maintenance projects and can work for construction firms, service providers, or
utility companies. Understanding the different types
of electriciansElectricians have
different expertise and specialization. They can be residential, commercial,
journeyman, or master electricians.Licence Requirements Most states in the USA require
licensed electricians. The major purpose of which is to protect the health and
safety of the general public from illegal and immoral actions. It is also the
legal way of defining a profession.Requirements
vary by state. Training electricians are required to
take an exam which would cover general knowledge, theories, and the National
Electrical Code. NEC provides practical information on how to avoid electrical
hazards and is considered as the foundation for electrical safety. The
difference in testing in different states is in state-related questions and
local rules and regulations. Some states require an exam on Business and Law
for the contractor’s license as well.Electricians must provide proof of work experience and pay a fee
to claim their license. The classification of licenses is categorized by type
of electrical work or by level of experience such as journeyman and master
electrician. There is a required number
of continuing education hours every year and a given examination every period to
maintain an electrician’s license. All licenses also are to be renewed on a
given date by the State. Automatic termination of license may be given due to
failure of renewal.Electricians must also acquire a professional certification. This
can certify an electrician’s knowledge and skills which may improve their
employment and opportunities. All certifications require a qualifying score on
a written examination and a performance evaluation.The National Electricals Contractors Association website provide a
summary of the licensing requirements of each state while listed below are
contact information of Building Departments given by the Code
Electrical website:AlabamaState of Alabama Electrical Contractor's Board
2777 Zelda Road
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 420-7232http://www.aecb.state.al.us/AlaskaDept. of Commerce & Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
(907) 465-8443ArizonaThe State Of Arizona
Registrar Of Contractors
1700 West Washington Street, Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-1525http://www.azroc.gov/ArkansasState of Arkansas Department of Labor
10421 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 682-4531http://www.labor.ar.gov/aboutUs/Pages/contactUs.aspxCaliforniaDepartment of Consumer Affairs
Contractors State Licensing Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 321-2752http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ColoradoThe State of Colorado
Colorado State Electrical Board
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-2300https://www.colorado.gov/dora/boards_programsConnecticutTheState of Connecticut
Department of Consumer Protection
Occupational Licensing Division
165 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 713-6135http://www.ct.gov/dcp/site/default.aspDelawareDivision of Professional Regulation
Cannon Building Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 744-4500http://www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/electrician/newlicense.shtmlFloridaDepartment of Business and Professional Regulation
Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board
1940 N. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 487-1395GeorgiaGeorgia Construction Industry Licensing Board
Division of Electrical Contractors
237 Coliseum Dr.
Macon, GA 31217
(478) 207-2440http://sos.ga.gov/plb/constructHawaiiTheState of Hawaii
Professional and Vocational Licensing
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-3000http://cca.hawaii.gov/IdahoDivision of Building Safety
Electrical Bureau
1090 E. Watertower St.
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 334-3950http://dbs.idaho.gov/IllinoisDepartment of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62786
(217) 785-0800https://www.idfpr.com/Renewals/defaultSSL.aspIndianaCity of Indianapolis
Licensing Division
1200 Madison Avenue, Suite 100
Indianapolis IN 46225
(317) 327-4316http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DCE/Licenses/ContractorLicenses/Pages/electrical.aspxIowaState Fire
Marshal's Office
Electrical Examining Board
215 E. 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6147http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/electrician/licensing/licensing.shtmlKansasDivision of Facilities Management
1000 S.W. Jackson Suite 500
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3011http://admin.ks.gov/offices/ofpmKentuckyElectrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfurt, KY 40601
(502) 573-2002http://dhbc.ky.gov/bce/ei/el/Pages/default.aspxLouisianaState Licensing Board for Contractors
2525 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 765-2301http://www.lslbc.state.la.us/MaineOffice of Licensing and Registration
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-8457http://www.state.me.us/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/electricians/index.htmMarylandDepartment of Licensing & Regulation
500 N. Calvert Street, Room 302
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 230-6270http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/elec/MassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Registration
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 727-9931http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/el/MichiganLicensing Division
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 241-9320http://www.michigan.gov/statelicensesearch/0,1607,7-180-24786_24811---,00.htmlMinnesotaState Board of Electricity
443 Lafayette Road N
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5026 MississippiState Board of Contractors
2679 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite C
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 354-6161http://www.msboc.us/MissouriCodes Administration Department
P.O. Box 1335
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-0293http://www.pr.mo.gov/counselors.aspMontanaMontana State Electrical Board
301 South Park, Room 430
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 841-2329http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/ele_board/board_page.aspNebraskaState Electrical Division
800 South 13th Street, Suite 100
P.O. Box 95066
Lincoln, NE 68509-5066
(402) 471-3550http://www.electrical.state.ne.us/NevadaState Contractors Board
2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 486-1100http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/New HampshireElectrical Safety & Licensing
Division of Fire Safety
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
(603) 223-4289http://www.nh.gov/jtboard/electricians.htmNew JerseyState of New Jersey
State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
P.O. Box 45006
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 504-6410http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/electric/New MexicoThe State of New Mexico
Construction Industries Division
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-4500http://www.rld.state.nm.us/New YorkNYS Department of State
Licensing Services
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201
(518) 474-4429http://www.dos.ny.gov/lcns/licensing.htmlNorth CarolinaState Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
P.O. Box 18727
Raleigh, NC 27619
(919) 733-9042http://www.ncbeec.org/North DakotaNorth Dakota State Electrical Board
1929 N. Washington Street, Suite A-1
Bismarck, ND 58507
(701) 328-9522https://www.ndseb.com/OhioOhio Construction Industry Examining Board
P.O. Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
(614) 752-7127http://www.com.ohio.gov/dico/FileNotFound.aspxOklahomaConstruction Industry Board
Electrical Division
2401 N.W. 23rd St. Suite 2F
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
(405) 521-6550http://www.ok.gov/cib/OregonConstruction Contractors Board
700 Summer St N.E. Suite 300
Salem, OR 97309
(503) 378-4621http://www.ccb.state.or.us/search/PennsylvaniaBureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
