What are the qualifications for an electrician?

Technical electrician training programs also teach basic electrical theory and concepts; wiring; circuitry; and safety. In addition to a training program, electricians are expected to complete an apprenticeship. Most apprenticeship programs take 4 years to complete and require at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of hands-on work.

Apprentices work under journeymen, putting in 40 hours a week on the job and attending night classes. Completing an electrician apprenticeship qualifies electricians to become journeymen and work on their own. Experience also allows electricians to handle construction and maintenance work.

Unions, contractors' associations and other trade groups typically sponsor apprenticeship programs. To enter a program, aspiring electricians usually need to be at least 18, have a high school diploma with one year of algebra, and receive a passing score on an aptitude test. They also must be drug-free.

Most states also require electricians to obtain a license to practice. To earn a license, electricians need a minimum amount of work experience and will have to pass an exam. It is important to research the specific requirements for that state that you plan to work in.