What are the Different Types of Electricians?

Recently, Klein Tools named Joey Hall the Electrician of the Year. Everyone at HomElectrical would like to congratulate Joey Hall for such a great achievement from such a respected organization in the electrical field.

This great news made us realize that most people do not realize the amount of hard work and education it takes to have a successful career as an electrician, let alone being named as the best in the business by a company that knows the business. Here is an abridged overview of some of the titles and types of electricians that are out there and hopefully this will give you some perspective on what it takes to be an electrician.

Apprentice Electrician

An apprentice electrician, also called helpers or trainees, take classes and work under the supervision of a master electrician. Most apprentice electricians attend a trade school to learn the ins-and-outs of being an electrician while learning under a Master Electrician, while some wait to complete their training after their coursework is done.

Here are the qualifications to be an apprentice electrician

• Must be at least 18 years old when applying
• GED or High School Diploma
• Either the completion of a full year of high school algebra with a minimum “C” average or one semester of college algebra.
• Must be physically able to perform regular duties of an electrician
• Valid driver’s license

Journeyman Electrician

A journeyman rank is earned when a professional has completed advanced training and has a certain set of skills (not unlike Liam Neeson’s character in Taken). Each state has different requirements for attaining a Journeyman rank, but nearly all states demand anywhere between 6,000-8,000 hours on the job. Some states even stipulate that an electrician can only complete 2,000 hours per year, so earning the title of journeyman electrician is an accomplishment of dedication and hard work.

To become a journeyman electrician, you must pass a licensing exam and complete both training and apprenticeship programs. Many electrician guilds and organizations offer paid training and educational opportunities for electricians that are hoping to gain their journeyman license. From start to finish, most electricians earn their journeyman title within three or four years.

Master Electrician

The rank of Master Electrician is respected in and outside the electrician industry because of the combination of electrical knowledge/education and extensive experience on jobsites. Being a Master Electrician means being able to handle nearly any electrical task in residential, commercial, and industrial environments as well as assigning journeymen electricians to complete certain tasks.

Here are the qualifications to be an Master Electrician

• At least 21 years old
• GED or high school diploma
• Followed all National Electrical Code requirements for completed work
• Practical hands-on experience as an electrician
• Either 5 years of professional electrician experience prior to passing the Master Electrician exam or a degree in Electrical Engineering prior to passing the exam.

When you become a Master Electrician you can apply for a electrical contractors license and own/run an electrical business. For more information on how to become an electrician, find your state’s licensing requirements for specific information.