Electrician Classes in California (Top Schools)

Electricians enjoy a stable occupation in California.

Right now, it’s been predicted that there’ll be a 32.5% increase in demand for electricians here until 2024.

So it’s no wonder that young individuals like to join this growing career.

Below, you’ll learn what it takes to become a professional electrician in California.

Potential Salary

California is one of the highest-paying states for electricians in the U.S.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians have this salary information as of May 2021:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $75,870
• Hourly – $36.48

How to Become a Certified Electrician in California

The CA Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) oversees the…

• Registration of electrician trainees
• Certification of journey-level and master-level electricians
  • Residential electrician
  • Fire/life safety technician
  • Voice/data/video (VDV) technician
  • Non-residential lighting technician
  • General electrician

Becoming an Electrician Trainee

Qualification

DIR has simple state registration requirements for electrician trainees.

That is, you must have enrolled in or already completed a state- or federal-approved electrician trainee (ET) program.

State Registration Application

To apply for state registration, you must submit the following:

• Electrician trainee registration application form
• Proof of enrollment at an accredited school
• Application fee – $25

State Registration Renewal

Your state registration will only be valid for a year.

So until you become certified or leave the trade, you must apply for renewal annually.

There’ll be no renewal fee, but you do have to submit the following:

• Renewal of electrician trainee registration form
• Copies of transcripts of the classes you completed during the past year
• Name of your current employer
• Proof of the hours of experience you acquired during the past year

For more information, check out the detailed electrical trainee registration guide on DIR’s webpage.

Becoming a Journey-level and Master-level Electrician

Qualifications

DIR has the following requirements for each of the certification classes:

• Residential electrician
  • 4,800 hours of field experience
  • 480 hours of supplemental instruction
• Fire/life safety technician
  • 4,000 hours of field experience
  • 480 hours of supplemental instruction
• VDV technician
  • 4,000 hours of field experience
  • 480 hours of supplemental instruction
• Non-residential lighting technician
  • 2,000 hours of field experience
  • 180 to 240 hours of supplemental instruction
• General electrician
  • 8,000 hours of field experience
  • 720 hours of supplemental instruction

Certification Application

DIR requires that you submit the following for approval to sit for the exam and certification:

• Application for Electrician Examination and Certification form
• Proof of experience
  • Apprenticeship certificate
  • On-the-job experience, including military
  • Copy of out-of-state license
  • DAS1 form
  • Certificate of completion in the approved ET program
  • NICET Certification in Fire Alarm Systems at Level II or above (for Fire/Life Safety Exam Only)
• Social Security Administration (SSA) Employment History Report
• Application fee – $75
• Exam fee – $100 for each class

Exam Details

DIR has contracted with PSI to administer the exams.

Do note that you have one year of eligibility to test to successfully pass the required exams.

• Residential electrician – 80 questions in 3 ½ hours
• Fire/life safety technician – 50 questions in 2 ¼ hours
• VDV technician – 50 questions in 2 ¼ hours
• Non-residential lighting technician – 50 questions in 2 ¼ hours
• General electrician – 100 questions in 4 ½ hours

You must score at least 70 to pass the exam and obtain certification.

Certification Renewal

Your certification will expire after three years.

To renew, you must have…

• 2,000 hours of experience
• 32 hours of continuing education at an approved provider

Only then can you submit the renewal application form and the fee of $100.

How to Become an Independent Electrical Contractor in California

If you want to own a business, you must obtain a license from the CA Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB).

The license you’ll apply for is the Specialty C-10 Electrical Contractor License.

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• 4 years of experience as a full-time electrician (hiring someone with this experience also counts)
• Have an operating capital of at least $2,500
• Have worked for 32 hours a week as an employee

Afterward, complete the application packet and wait for CSLB’s approval for you to sit for the exam.

You will take two closed-book exams which will be administered by CSLB:

• Trade – C-10
  • Planning and estimating
  • Rough wiring
  • Finish wiring and trim
  • Startup, troubleshooting, and maintenance
  • Safety
• Law and business
  • Business Organization and Licensing
  • Business finances
  • Employment requirements
  • Insurance and liens
  • Contract requirements and execution
  • Public works
  • Safety

If you pass the exams, you must pay $200 for your license and a $12,500 bond.

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

You have to renew your license every three years.

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in California

In California, numerous schools and union and non-union sponsors offer approved ET programs to train future electricians.

Browse through the list below for the school or sponsor you’d like to consider checking out.

Electrician Schools by City

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

This page is also available in Spanish.