Journeyman Electrician: The “Journey” To Becoming One
People, whether they are home or business owners, are bound to require the services of an electrician sooner of later. This is why there will always be electrical projects available for the taking. If you want to, eventually, become a master electrician, it pays to know how you could become a journeyman electrician first.
Journeyman electricians are the ones that can install and repair different kinds of electrical systems. These are the experts that have finished academic and on-the-job trainings. This profession is physically demanding and applicants will be required to work in a residential or commercial setting.
Learning Requirements
Journeyman electricians must have finished his high school education or be able to present its GED equivalent prior to enrolling in any apprentice training program.
An apprentice must prepare to complete four years of work including traditional classroom training and fieldwork. He must be willing to work on 144 hours of academic studies and no less than 2,000 hours of electrical training.
There are a few electricians who choose to enroll in an Associate’s Degree or a certificate program before they enroll in the more rigorous apprenticeship program. Certifications are being given in many vocational schools and community colleges in the country.
Apart from electrical training, such program offer business, critical thinking and analytical skills. There are varying requirements per state and the applicants generally need to pass an examination. This exam should prove their knowledge of the NEC or National Electric Code, state electric and building codes, also electrical theory.
Sitting Through the Electrician Certificate Exam
The process of application to the electrician license assessment can be complex to the unprepared. This also entails a number of essential steps.
To begin with, you will be asked to fill out an exam application form. This form need to be notarized before submission. You will then have to fill out the study verification forms as well as on-the-job training forms. These papers will confirm that you are now qualified to apply for the examination.
Hand these records then pay the processing charge which varies per state. As soon as the application has been approved, you should receive an examination notice. There are some states that allow an open-book exam to take place. In case you are in a state that does not consent to this, then prepare to study the following –
- The National Electrical Code
- The National Fire Alarm Code
- General Laws of the state where you want to practice as an electrician.
- The state electrical codes
The Job in Detail
A journeyman electrician should have a deep understanding of basic electrical work. He must be able to work with residential or commercial wiring. He must also be comfortable in using electrical devices.
Journeyman electricians must also be capable of running conduits, reading blueprints, wiring devices, troubleshooting and quality control testing. These experts are also the ones that determine the cost as well as the type of materials needed for electrical projects. They must also ensure the accuracy of drawings and specs, be able to review plans and projects, and determine layouts. Since electrical patterns also need to be tested, it is this type of electrician that must also check on such tasks.
If you have seen journeyman electricians troubleshooting, testing and repairing emergency generators, then you have just witnessed experts at work. They can also easily work with power distribution and electrical systems to make sure that they are still in excellent condition.
As soon as you have received your journeyman electrician’s license, you must have it renewed every three years. Find out how you can enroll in continuing education courses as well.
The average salary for a journeyman electrician is now more than $50,000 annually.
