Hiring a licensed electrician means peace of mind that your residential or commercial project, no matter how large or small, will be completed correctly the first time. Licensure means more work for better pay when you are on the job as well as greater job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of opportunities for professional electrical contractors is expected to increase 7 percent from 2010 to 2016, with an average earning rate of approximately $15 to $32 an hour, thus ensuring a promising market for prospective electricians.
In order to become licensed, an individual needs to enroll in an apprenticeship program. Participating in such a program enables individuals to gain experience in the field under the leadership of an experienced professional. Once a person completes the program, they will have the opportunity to join a trade group or union such as the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC).
There several requirements needed in order to enter an apprenticeship program. A prospective electrician must:
o Be 18 years of age or older
o Have a high school diploma or GED including a year of Algebra
o Must have proper identification and documents including social security card, birth certificate and a high school transcript
o Be physically capable of performing the duties necessary for each job
o Score high on the NJATC or the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) test
o Drug free
A typical apprenticeship program takes 4 to 5 years to complete and includes 2,000 hours of on the job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction per year. Once a person becomes a licensed electrician, they are ready to perform higher level electrician jobs. They can also continue their skills by participating in a journeyman program.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician
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