How To Become A Master Electrician

The master electrician belongs to the elite of an extraordinarily skilled trade, and a professional in this field usually owns his own contracting business or works as a supervisor. Master electricians are responsible for maintaining and installing the complex wiring and circuitry which brings power to all the electrical devices people use daily in factories, offices, or homes. Becoming a professional in this field involves a lot of studying, but it mainly requires years of experience and on-the-job training. Today’s primary growth areas for professionals in this field are in applications that involve operating and installing computer-based audio, video, and data-processing systems. We will tell you more about becoming an electrician of this level, so read this article further.

Starting With High School Courses

The education for this profession starts as early as high school. A person interested in this profession should take high-school physics, mathematics, and blueprint reading courses or work with electrical components. Computer science courses are also a big plus of knowledge for a future professional in this field because computer-based wiring and infrastructure are becoming a big part of the work an electrician must do. After high school, completing a two-year associate’s degree in electronics is recommended at a technical school or a community college. Classes used to be a part of apprenticeships before. Still, most aspiring electricians today begin with a program of mathematics courses, electrical theory (physics), electronics, and building and safety codes. Placement programs and internships are a huge advantage in the electrician training process.

The Apprenticeship

The person who wants to become a master electrician must complete an apprenticeship to become a licensed electrician. It generally requires two years to complete that program if the classroom work has been finished, and it takes four years otherwise. Apprenticeship programs are supervised and sponsored by organizations like the National Association of Contractors and the International Brotherhood of Electricians, which creates many opportunities for finding a job with a recognized electrical contractor. After completing the apprenticeship, the individual must take an exam to obtain an electrician’s license. All states of the USA require the electrician to pass a written test to be licensed successfully. There isn’t a standardized national test, so everyone should check with their apprenticeship supervisor to study and arrange to take that exam.

Becoming A Master Electrician

An ambitious and well-trained electrician shouldn’t stop after getting the license, and they should continue their education on the job to earn the electrical engineering Bachelor of Science degree. The requirements for becoming a master electrician vary between states. Still, the electrician needs either a college degree or seven years of experience to be eligible to take the master electrician exam. Some states also have requirements for a separate test for becoming a contractor. The education process doesn’t stop after obtaining the master’s license. The electrician will need constant education to keep up with the changes in building codes and the regulations of the field. This field changes fast and require awareness of those changes, but it can yield a higher salary due to higher education.