How long does it take to become an electrician?

Becoming a licensed journeyman electrician typically takes 4–5 years. Most apprenticeship programs require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (about 4 years working full-time) plus 144 or more hours of related technical instruction per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you're a licensed electrician. The master electrician license typically requires an additional 1–2 years of journeyman experience before you can test.

Do I need a college degree to become an electrician?

No college degree is required to become an electrician. The standard path is a registered apprenticeship program, which combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Some states require a high school diploma or GED to enter an apprenticeship program, but no college education is needed. Trade school programs (6 months to 2 years) can also satisfy some states' education requirements.

How much does an electrician apprenticeship cost?

Registered apprenticeship programs (IBEW/NECA joint apprenticeships, ABC STEPS, and others) typically charge little to no tuition — you're paid while you learn. Apprentice wages start at 40–50% of journeyman scale and increase each year. Non-union or trade school programs may charge $5,000–$15,000 in tuition. Tools, books, and PPE add $500–$2,000 in startup costs regardless of path.

What is the difference between a journeyman and master electrician?

A journeyman electrician is licensed to perform electrical work under their own license but typically cannot contract directly with homeowners or businesses (though rules vary by state). A master electrician holds the highest individual license, can pull permits, supervise journeymen, and in most states run their own electrical contracting business. The master license requires additional years of journeyman experience (typically 2–4 years) and a more difficult exam covering business law, load calculations, and advanced NEC.

What is the IBEW and should I join?

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is the largest electrical workers union in North America, with about 775,000 members. IBEW joint apprenticeship programs (run jointly with NECA — the National Electrical Contractors Association) are widely considered the gold standard in electrician training. Union electricians typically earn 20–30% more than non-union electricians and receive better benefits. However, union work can be cyclical and requires joining the local union. Non-union paths through ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) are also well-regarded and offer more flexibility.

What exam do I need to pass to become a journeyman electrician?

Most states require a written exam to obtain a journeyman electrician license. The exam is typically open-book (you bring your NEC codebook) and covers NEC requirements, electrical theory, wiring methods, load calculations, motor circuits, grounding, and more. Common exam vendors include PSI Services, Pearson VUE, and Prometric. Passing scores range from 70% to 75% depending on the state. Some states (like California, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania) do not have a statewide journeyman exam — licensing is handled locally.

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How to Become an Electrician: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

April 25, 20267 min readBy GetLicenseReady Team

Electricians are among the highest-paid skilled tradespeople in the country — and the job market is growing faster than almost any other trade. The BLS projects 11% employment growth through 2033, driven by EV charging infrastructure, solar installations, data centers, and commercial construction.

The path to becoming a licensed electrician is well-defined and completely accessible without a four-year degree. Here's exactly how it works.

The Two Main Paths: Apprenticeship vs. Trade School

Before anything else, you need to choose how you'll get your required training hours. Most states require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) — about four years of full-time work — plus related classroom instruction.

Path 1: Registered Apprenticeship Program (Recommended)

A registered apprenticeship is a structured, paid training program run by an employer or industry group and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. You earn a paycheck from day one, starting at 40–50% of journeyman wages and stepping up each year.

The two major apprenticeship sponsors:

IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs)

Run jointly by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association
5-year program: 8,000 hours OJT + 900 hours classroom (roughly 144–180 hours/year)
Apprentices are IBEW union members
Wages, health insurance, and pension benefits throughout
Find your local JATC at ibew.org or electricaltraining.org

ABC STEPS (Apprenticeship Training, Educator, and Workforce Solutions)

Non-union apprenticeship through Associated Builders and Contractors
Similar OJT and classroom requirements
More common in right-to-work states
Find programs at abc.org

Path 2: Trade School + Non-Union OJT

Community colleges, vocational schools, and private trade schools offer electrician programs ranging from 6 months to 2 years. These programs can satisfy the related technical instruction requirements in many states but do not replace the OJT hours — you still need to accumulate field experience working under a licensed electrician.

Trade school tuition: typically $5,000–$15,000 depending on program length.

Bottom line: If you can get into a registered apprenticeship, take it. You get paid to learn, earn union wages and benefits, and graduate with your OJT hours already completed. Trade school is a good alternative if apprenticeship openings are limited in your area.

Step-by-Step: How to Become a Journeyman Electrician

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

Most apprenticeship programs and state licensing boards require:

High school diploma or GED
Minimum age of 17–18 (varies by state and program)
Basic math skills (algebra is used frequently in electrical work)
Drug test and background check (requirements vary)
Valid driver's license (most programs require it)

Some states require a physical examination — electricians work at heights, in confined spaces, and with heavy equipment.

Step 2: Apply to an Apprenticeship Program

Applications to IBEW JATCs typically open once or twice a year. The application process often includes:

Written aptitude test (algebra and reading comprehension)
Interview
Proof of education and ID
Ranking based on test scores and interview

Wait lists are common in high-demand metro areas — applying early and to multiple programs improves your chances.

Step 3: Complete Your Apprenticeship (4–5 Years)

A standard electrical apprenticeship runs 4–5 years and combines:

Year	OJT Hours (Approx.)	Apprentice Wage (% of Journeyman)
1st year	2,000 hrs	40–50%
2nd year	2,000 hrs	55–65%
3rd year	2,000 hrs	65–75%
4th year	2,000 hrs	75–85%
5th year (if required)	2,000 hrs	85–95%

Classroom instruction: Most programs require 144–180 hours per year of related technical instruction covering electrical theory, NEC code, blueprint reading, and safety.

Step 4: Apply for Your Journeyman License

Once you've completed the required OJT hours and classroom instruction, you can apply to your state licensing board to take the journeyman electrician exam. Requirements vary by state but typically include:

Proof of OJT hours (signed by your employer or apprenticeship program)
Proof of related instruction hours
Application fee ($50–$200 depending on state)
Background check in some states

Step 5: Pass the Journeyman Exam

Most states use a written open-book exam — you bring your NEC codebook and reference it during the test. The exam typically covers:

NEC wiring methods and installation requirements
Load calculations (NEC Article 220)
Grounding and bonding (NEC Article 250)
Motors and controllers (NEC Article 430)
Branch circuits and feeders
Services (NEC Article 230)
Overcurrent protection (NEC Article 240)
Electrical math (Ohm's Law, voltage drop, three-phase power)

Typical exam specs:

Detail	Typical Value
Number of questions	80–100
Time limit	3–4 hours
Passing score	70–75%
Format	Open-book (NEC allowed)
Vendor	PSI, Pearson VUE, or state-administered

Exam tip: Open-book does not mean easy. The exam tests whether you can navigate the NEC under time pressure, not just look things up. Practicing with real exam-style questions — timed, with NEC reference — is the most effective prep.

After Journeyman: The Master Electrician License

The master electrician is the highest individual license in most states. It allows you to:

Pull permits independently
Supervise journeymen and apprentices
Run your own electrical contracting business
Bid and sign contracts directly

Master License Requirements

Requirement	Typical Value
Journeyman experience required	2–4 years (varies by state)
Exam difficulty	More comprehensive than journeyman
Additional exam topics	Business law, advanced load calcs, service design
Fee	$100–$500

The master exam covers everything on the journeyman exam plus more advanced topics: service entrance design, feeder calculations, generator sizing, transformer selection, and in many states, business and contract law.

Electrician Specialties

Once licensed, many electricians specialize. Common specialty paths:

Residential electrician — Wiring new homes, service upgrades, panels, rough-in, trim-out. High volume, typically lower complexity than commercial.

Commercial electrician — Office buildings, retail, restaurants, schools. Conduit work, three-phase systems, load calculations, energy management.

Industrial electrician — Factories, plants, heavy manufacturing. Motors, VFDs, PLCs, high-voltage distribution. Typically the highest-paying specialty.

Low-voltage / data / AV — Structured cabling, fiber, security, automation. Often requires additional certifications (BICSI, low-voltage license).

Solar PV installer — Residential and commercial solar systems. NABCEP certification is the industry standard.

Lineman — Utility distribution and transmission. Separate licensing path, typically union (IBEW), extremely high pay.

Electrician Career Timeline

Year	Milestone
Year 0	Apply to apprenticeship / trade school
Year 1–4	Apprenticeship (paid OJT + classroom)
Year 4–5	Complete apprenticeship, apply for journeyman exam
Year 5	Pass journeyman exam — licensed journeyman electrician
Year 6–8	Accumulate journeyman experience
Year 7–9	Apply for master exam — licensed master electrician
Year 9+	Open contracting business or move into supervision/management

How Licensing Works: State by State

Electrician licensing is regulated at the state level — there is no single national license. Requirements vary significantly:

Most states require a statewide journeyman exam (typically PSI or Pearson VUE, open-book NEC)
Some states (California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio) have no statewide journeyman license — licensing is handled by cities or counties
Reciprocity — some states honor out-of-state licenses (see our reciprocity checker)
Renewal — most licenses require renewal every 1–2 years, often with continuing education hours

See the full requirements for your state:

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How Much Do Electricians Earn?

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024:

National average: approximately $68,000/year
Highest-paying state: Alaska ($86,060/year average)
Entry-level (10th percentile): approximately $40,000–$50,000
Experienced (90th percentile): $90,000–$120,000+

Union electricians typically earn 20–30% more than non-union in the same market. Master electricians and those running their own contracting businesses frequently exceed $100,000.

See salary data for your state: Electrician Salary by State →

What to Study for the Journeyman Exam

The most-tested NEC topics on journeyman exams:

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