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What does it take to become a certified electrician?

10K views 26 replies 13 participants last post by  HandyPete 
#1 ·
I had a thought come to mind that it would be cool to do small electrical jobs on the side. The stuff most electricians just don't want to be bothered with or charge a lot for while they are busy with the big jobs.

It's more or less a thought that came to mind and not something I really plan to do, but if I was to go ahead with this, what are the requirements to be able to legally do basic electrical work in others' homes such as changing plugs, switches, running wire, changing fixtures etc? Guessing I need a certain amount of hours with a certified electrician, and guessing I MUST go through some course and can't just "challenge" some test.

Obviously I'd want to read up more on electrical and also get more familiar with codes.

Out of all DIY things electrical is one thing that I've always been decent at, and I've been learning a lot here as well. When I first got into electrical (at the age of like 10) I did not know things like how AC worked, or what the difference between neutral/hot was (I just called them negative and positive lol).

I most likely wont go with this as I'm sure there's quite a lot involved and I can't just start some business called "sparky squirrel's electrical co" and legally do jobs. :p Hmm that has a ring to it though. "Sparky squirrel's electrical co: We do a shocking good job!"
 
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#2 ·
and your logo could be a squirrel inside a little hamster wheel hooked to a generator making power!!


not sure who around here is familiar with Canadian laws and requirements. If you don't get a bit on this every so often, post to it to bump it back up on the new post list. Not everybody is around daily.
 
#3 ·
Red Squrell .,

Just hang on I know one of our readers from Cananda he will chime in sooner or later he may help you with the info you need to know I know one reader in here is Joed I think he is in the same providice as you are in.

Merci,Marc
 
#4 ·
You must go through the appprenticeship program, which after you complete, you write the interprovincial red seal exam. It takes about 4 years, after which you can pretty much work anywhere in Canada. I just completed it here in BC, and am happy to report that I am now a fully ticketed Journeyman!!!!
 
#6 ·
Not to derail the thread, but out of curiosity, what's the process like for this question in regards to the US? I have educational opportunities opening up again through my employer if I can make the case that it's of value to the company. Are licenses different for residential and commercial electricians?
 
#7 ·
Not to derail the thread, but out of curiosity, what's the process like for this question in regards to the US? I have educational opportunities opening up again through my employer if I can make the case that it's of value to the company. Are licenses different for residential and commercial electricians?
There are few approved course you can take for appteranice electrician and how long? that part it will varies a little depending on which state you are in and some case the company can able pay you to go in the training to become electrician once you pass that part then you will become journeyperson after 4 years and 8000 hours you can take the master electrician license.

Yes there is different license "classifaction " between resdentail and commercal/industrail electrician plus restricted and nonrestricted as well.

some states don't have this seperateation classifaction at all but I know majorty of the states do have it and to find it more details you will have to check with your state officals for more details there is pretty wide details it will cover here.

Merci,Marc
 
#9 ·
It certainly isn't just going and passing a test then ...bingo...your an electrician. In my area if you are employed for a licensed contractor you do not need to be licensed yourself but you must be in an approved apprentice ship with that contractor to eventually get your license to do legal work on your own. It generally takes a masters license to pull your own permits here. However you can work under a homeowner permit with a residential wiremans license once you pass that test. Some just skip it and go for their masters so it doesn't become a problem when a homeowner shys from getting his own permit. You will need a certain amount of classroom hours and a certain amount of on job hours doing various aspects related to being an electrician all documented by your employer. This takes around 4 to 6 years on average. Basically you need to change jobs to achieve becoming a licensed electrician. BTW being physically fit will help....:)
 
#12 ·
Getting an "electricians" license in Georgia got harder July 01, 2008. It used to be that you could just get the license in any county in Ga. you were working in. NOW-you are required to have a State License which works in all of Ga.'s county's. There are different license levels to an "Electrical License" in Ga. now also. I believe there are three (3) different levels, Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master, with Master having high voltage and instrumentation levels. (I'll get corrected if I'm wrong on this for sure). The original plan was to serve a minimum four years as an apprentice before taking the Journeyman's test, and then "x" number of years before taking the Masters test. NOW- I have information that all I need to do is pay a school that is licensed by the State of Ga. to take classes from them, then take the State test for each level as needed. J.V. also has it close as to how it works in GA. I own/operate a business doing "Household Handyman" work with multi-county issued "Occupational Tax Certificates". This means that under State Laws I can do work in multi-trades IF the entire job does not exceed $2500 per job. This include electrical repair BUT NOT running new service. Carpentry, and plumbing are somewhat wide open as long as the job does not exceed the $2500/job. All of this makes even me wonder if it's right or not. Thanks, David
 
#17 ·
Getting an "electricians" license in Georgia got harder July 01, 2008. It used to be that you could just get the license in any county in Ga. you were working in. NOW-you are required to have a State License which works in all of Ga.'s county's.
You are thinking of the General Contractors license, which just recently went into effect.

There are two categories of electrical license in Georgia: restricted, and unrestricted. Restricted is limited to 200 A single phase.

There are four categories of low voltage contactor: general, telecommunications, alarm, and general.

To become (electrical) licensed, you need 8000 hours of documented employment under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Then the test is two parts, total of 8 hours, with at least a 70 to pass.

Low voltage guys are allowed to do some limited electrical as it pertains to their trade. For example, if the electrician runs a circuit for some IT equipment, but leaves it terminated in a junction box somewhere, the LV guy can legally install wiring from there to his own receptacle. I have yet to see this done properly...
 
#13 ·
Nice to know what it takes. Obviously no time for that now, it would have been something to do out of school if I wanted to go that route. Funny as when I was a kid I actually wanted to be an electrician, then ended up in IT. Guess if ever I get sick of IT it's a potential career path to consider.
 
#14 ·
Illusion of excitement in electrical (construction) work


The "Feel-Good" part of doing electrical work is designing and successfully executing jobs.There's very little excitement in chopping (albeit with electric hammer) brick or plaster in 90o weather. Or hanging Chandeliers and going home wondering (in bed) if the luminaire is still UP or it landed on the table or the floor (just kidding about the latter part. In 30years+, not (even) one fixture or ceiling fan that I hung up came down of its own free will). Again, the good feeling when completing a project (and getting paid) is what keeps the world going 'round. (Now more than ever):laughing::no::drink:Don't Drink and Drive!!!
 
#20 ·
Yeah that's the thing with being an electrician. Got to go in the worse places like attics that are too hot, or outside when it's too cold, or raining. I can't even spend more then 10 minutes in the attic without sweating like crazy and having to come down. I have a few jobs in mine I need to do (non electrical) and I decided to just wait till fall/winter. haha.
 
#27 ·
Anywhere in Canada there is no way around the Law. You need to have a license.

That said, I'm a licensed master electrician (industrial) and will never do work on other peoples homes, it's not worth the risk of getting sued or worse, causing someone injuries. Furthermore, the only "good" money in residential is for service changes and for those my friend, you'll need a license that the local utility recognizes.

_pete
 
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