Electrician Classes in California (Top Schools)

Electricians seem to have a very stable occupation, so let’s learn how you can become one in California.

Incentives to Become an Electrician in California

There’s a predicted 32.5% increase in demand for electricians in the State of California, until 2024.

The average income for a Californian electrician is of $53,561 per year.

Across the country, electricians make on average $47,951 annually, which is lower than in California.

The best-paid electricians earn n California $61,033 per year, whereas across the nation the highest salary is of $54,640 per year.

Training as an Electrician

There are 4 steps you need to complete to be a qualified electrician:

• Become an apprentice
• Become a residential electrician
• Get your general electrician certificate
• Get your license as an independent electrical contractor

Becoming an Apprentice

You complete this step by enrolling in a technical school or signing up for an apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship programs are available through union and non-union organizations.

There are 2 types of certifications you can pursue, and the requirements you must meet are different for each, however on the job training and classroom technical education are needed for both.

Here are the certifications and their requirements:

• residential electrician: 4,800 hours (about 2.5 years)
• general electrician: 8,000 hours (about 4 years)

You’ll need at least 150 hours of in-class and lab education for both certificates, per year spent as an apprentice.

Technical Schools

In California, there is a wide selection of schools approved to train future electricians.

Unlike other states, in California the Registered Trainee (RT) process has been enacted, that ensures correct registration and documents for those who receive their technical training in a classroom, regardless of where they enroll.

That means that once you enroll at the desired school or program, you have to apply and pay a $25 fee towards the California Department of Industrial Relations.

You can only start your apprenticeship after you receive your electrical trainee registration number.

You’ll also have to renew your trainee registration for each year you spend as an apprentice.

You’ll need these documents:

• A filled-in renewal application
• A transcript of the classes you completed
• A document from your employer with the number of hours you worked.

Other Training Opportunities

There are specific routes you must follow based on how you learn this trade.

Vocational Technical School Training

There are schools in California that designed programs that comply with the state’s licensing requirements.

The duration of these programs is usually 2 years and you’ll also be placed in a company licensed by the state to start accumulating the needed training hours.

However, by the time you finish the classroom training, you’d have completed about half of the required field hours.

The remaining hours are usually completed in the same company and it’s not unusual for journeymen to continue working in the same firm.

Union or Non-union Training Program

This type of apprenticeship is also regulated by the state, and they must be approved by the California Apprenticeship Council (CAC).

The list of schools above includes unions and non-unions that offer training for electricians.

Become a Journeyman

A journeyman can work on any form of residential properties, and only after getting a license.

License requirements:

• Passing the state electrician exam
• Proof of working 4,800 hours under a certified electrician

You have to apply for the exam, and you also must submit your Social Security Administration Employment History Report as work history.

Be aware that the application form has various categories and you must fill out at least 2 of them.

For this, you have to know how much time you spent doing specific types of work, but there’s a maximum hour requirement for each.

The testing vendor is PSI Services and they’ll contact you with details regarding the exam if your application got approved.

This exam lasts for 3 hours, is an open book one and contains 80 questions.

The 2011 National Electric Code is your study material and these are the topics covered in the exam:

• Installation – 66%
• Determination of electrical system requirements – 23%
• Maintenance and repair – 6%
• Safety – 5%

You must renew your certification every 3 years on time or you risk having to sit through the exam again.

There are a few other requirements for certification renewal:

• 2000 hours of experience
• 32 hours of continued education (at any approved school)

Get Your General Electrician Certificate

While not mandatory, after being a journeyman you can consider becoming a general electrician.

With this license, you’ll be able to install, create, or maintain any electrical system covered by the National Electric Code.

License requirements:

• 8,000 hours experience under a certified electrician
• Pass the state electrician exam

The requirements to take the exam are the same as for becoming a journeyman.

The test itself is a bit different because it’s made of 100 questions and lasts 4 hours, but it’s still an open book.

Exam breakdown:

• Installation – 66%
• Determination of Electrical System Requirements – 22%
• Safety – 6%
• Maintenance and Repair – 6%

Just like before, you’ll need to renew the certification every 3 years and you must complete the same requirements as before.

Get Your License as an Independent Electrical Contractor

This license allows you to sell your services to the Californian public, hire other electricians and basically run a business.

It’s the Contractors State Licensing Board who issues these certifications.

You’ll have a new classification called C-10 Electrical Contractor, and these are the requirements to get it:

• At least 18 years old
• Fill out the application
• Proof of 4 years of experience as a full-time electrician (hiring someone with this experience also counts)
• Having a capital of at least $2,500 (it’ the difference between your liabilities and assets)

You can be your own employer and you must work 32 hours a week to qualify.

If your application gets approved, you must sit through a 2-part closed book exam: C-10 exam and Law and Business test.

Questions for the C-10 exam:

• Planning and estimating – 26%
• Rough wiring – 24%
• Startup, troubleshooting, and maintenance – 21%
• Safety – 18%
• Finish wiring and trim – 11%

Questions for the Law and Business exam:

• Business financial – 18%
• Employment requirements – 15%
• Contract requirements and execution – 15%
• Bonds, insurance, and liens – 13%
• Business organization – 12%
• Licensing requirements – 11%
• Safety requirements – 11%
• Public works – 5%

If you pass the exam you must pay $150 for your license and a $12,000 bond.

If you plan on hiring people, you must submit an additional $7,500 bond and proof of worker’s compensation insurance.

You have to renew your license every 3 years but not later than the last day of the month during which you received your license.

Electrician Schools by City

• Bakersfield
• Fresno
• Los Angeles
• Oakland
• Riverside
• Sacramento
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Jose