Electrician: apprenticeship to state license
Most electricians learn the trade in a paid 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, then pass a state or local licensing test on the National Electrical Code. A technical school first is optional and usually earns credit toward the apprenticeship.
For: High school students and graduates who want a licensed construction trade, residential or commercial.
Route 1: Registered apprenticeship, then the license exam Most common
Unions and contractor associations sponsor apprenticeship programs; requirements vary by state and locality.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
The typical entry-level education BLS lists for electricians.
GED or HiSETBLS
Electricians — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Find a program
A Registered Apprenticeship
"Registered" means the program has been validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.
USDOL
What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program?U.S. Department of Labor (Apprenticeship.gov)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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4–5 years
Paid training on the job + classroom
For each year of the program, apprentices typically get 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
State or local licensing test
Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed. Questions cover the National Electrical Code and state and local electrical codes.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Certificate
Journey worker (journeyman)
After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered journey workers.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Master electrician
With experience, journey workers may advance to master electrician. The rules are state by state (see the matrix below).
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Pay while you train
- Apprentices earn a wage from day one, with a guaranteed raise as their skills grow, and finish with a nationally portable credential.
USDOL
Apprenticeship for Career SeekersU.S. Department of Labor (Apprenticeship.gov)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Keeping the license
- Electricians may have to take continuing education courses to keep their licenses.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Technical school or community college first Optional head start
For students who want classroom basics before an employer takes them on.
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Start here
High school diploma or equivalent
GED or HiSETBLS
Electricians — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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School
Technical school program
Covers circuitry, safety practices and basic electrical information. Graduates usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Optional
Or an associate degree (A.A.S.)
An associate degree normally takes at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time college work.
NCES
IPEDS GlossaryNational Center for Education Statistics- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
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Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship with school credit
Paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction, as in route 1.
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
State or local licensing test
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Licensed journey-level electrician
BLS
Electricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State licensing matrix
There is no national electrician license. These are the rules of five large states and cities, read on their own boards' pages; every other state and many cities set their own.
| State or city | What you need |
|---|---|
| Texas Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
Statewide licenses from apprentice to master. Apprentice: no experience or exam. Journeyman: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas master electrician (you may take the exam at 7,000). Master: 2 years as a journeyman and 12,000 hours. Licenses renew every year. TDLRApprentice ElectricianTexas Department of Licensing and Regulation
TDLRJourneyman ElectricianTexas Department of Licensing and Regulation
TDLRMaster ElectricianTexas Department of Licensing and Regulation
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| California Department of Industrial Relations, Electrician Certification Unit |
Anyone working as an electrician for a C-10 licensed contractor must be state-certified; registered apprentices in a state-approved program may work while training. The General Electrician exam needs 8,000 hours of work for an electrical contractor, in two or more areas of work. CA DIRWho needs to be certified to work in California as an electricianCalifornia Department of Industrial Relations (Electrician Certification Unit)
CA DIRGeneral electrician — exam applicationCalifornia Department of Industrial Relations (Electrician Certification Unit)
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| Florida Counties and cities (Fla. Stat. s. 489.5335) |
No state journeyman license: counties and cities issue it. The law requires a proctored exam (75% to pass) and a registered, state-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 hours of on-the-job training. Every Florida county and city must recognize a journeyman license issued by another. Fla. Stat.Florida Statutes s. 489.5335 — Journeyman; reciprocity; standards (electrical)The Florida Senate
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| Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
You start as an electrical trainee. The journey level (01) exam needs 8,000 hours (no more than 4,000 in specialty work) and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. Certificates renew every 3 years with 24 hours of continuing education. WA L&IElectrician — certification, training hours and renewalWashington State Department of Labor & Industries
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| New York City NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) |
City Master/Special Electrician license: 7 years of experience within the last 10 under a licensed master or special electrician, at least 2 in NYC (or 5 years after an apprenticeship registered with the NYS Department of Labor). Written exam ($585, 70% to pass) and practical exam ($530). NYC DOBObtain a Master & Special Electrician LicenseNYC Department of Buildings
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| Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes |
Electrical apprentices register with the state and must be in a board-approved apprenticeship program with related technical instruction (MCL 339.5717). Electrical contractor, fire alarm contractor and sign contractor licenses no longer need an exam. Exam: Journeyman and master exams by PSI, based on the 2023 National Electrical Code and Michigan Electrical Code rules. LARAElectrical Examination, Licensing/Registration & Application InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes
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| Ohio Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Division of Industrial Compliance |
The state licenses commercial electrical contractors (a contractor or 'master' license) who pass the PSI licensing exam. Residential contractors are regulated by local building departments, which may also require the state license. Exam: PSI licensing examination. OCILBOhio Construction Industry Licensing BoardOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance
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Where to go next
Every trade on one matrix: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and the tools of the trade.