How to Become an Electrician in the US: The Full Route

What does the route actually look like?

You need a high school diploma or a GED to start. Most electricians then learn the trade through an apprenticeship that lasts four or five years. Each year you put in about 2,000 hours of paid work on real jobs, plus classroom time covering electrical theory, blueprint reading, math, the electrical code, safety and first aid. Unions, contractor associations and some individual employers sponsor these programs.

When you finish, you are a journey worker and can work on your own, as long as you meet your state or local licensing rules. Most states make you pass a test first. The exam covers the National Electrical Code along with state and local codes. After more time and further requirements, a journeyman can go on to master electrician, supervisor or project management.

Apprenticeship or trade school?

Trade school is a way into an apprenticeship. It does not replace one. Technical schools teach circuitry, safety and electrical basics, and graduates usually get credit toward an apprenticeship. You still have to log supervised field hours before any state will let you sit the journeyman exam.

A registered apprenticeship is one that has been registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency, and it leads to a credential recognized across the country. Some contractors run their own in-house training that mixes classroom and field work but is not registered. Ask before you sign on, because a registered program is easier to prove when you apply for a license and is the one that qualifies for veteran education benefits.

How the license works in two states

Each state writes its own rules. In Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician before it issues a journeyman license. You can apply to take the exam once you have 7,000 hours. Every Master Electrician who supervised you signs an experience verification form, the application fee is $30 and nonrefundable, and the license must be renewed every year.

In Washington, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) says you must hold a valid electrician certificate to do electrical construction work at all. You start as an electrical trainee. To sit the general journey level (01) exam you need 8,000 hours of experience, with no more than 4,000 of them in specialty work, plus 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. Renewal takes 24 hours of continuing education, which must include 8 hours of code update.

Veterans and career changers

Military or construction experience can shorten an apprenticeship, depending on your experience and how you test. Service members within 180 days of separation can use DoD SkillBridge to train with civilian employers, apprenticeship programs included. Helmets to Hardhats and the electrical training ALLIANCE's Veterans Electrical Entry Program help veterans move into the building trades. Some Washington programs offer veterans direct entry.

If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can collect a tax-free monthly housing allowance on top of your apprentice wages. You can also get up to $83 a month for books and supplies. The program has to be GI Bill approved, so ask your employer. Career changers without military time often start as helpers and then apply to an apprenticeship. Washington also accepts equivalent out-of-state or military experience toward its exam.

Pay

Apprentices and trainees, US (25th to 75th percentile)

$38,100–50,200

Electricians, US (25th to 75th percentile)

$51,200–86,900

Electricians, Texas

$48,300–73,600

Electricians, Washington

$69,000–125,800

Electricians, California

$61,400–106,600

Electricians, Illinois

$76,100–121,600

Electricians, Florida

$49,300–64,100

USD a year, before tax. Ranges run from the 25th to the 75th percentile. They are based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for May 2025, adjusted to 2026 with a wage index, and the state figures are modeled estimates. Pay rises with your license level, overtime, union status and the industry you work in. Refer to the Electricians salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

EducationYou need a high school diploma or equivalent. Technical school is optional, and it usually earns credit toward an apprenticeship.
Supervised hoursExpect about 2,000 paid hours a year over 4 to 5 years. Texas and Washington both require 8,000 hours for a journeyman license.
Classroom instructionApprentices take courses in theory, code, blueprints, math and safety. Washington requires 96 hours of basic classroom instruction before the 01 exam.
Licensing examMost states require you to pass a test on the National Electrical Code and state and local codes.
Background checkTexas runs a criminal history check on every applicant and reviews convictions case by case.
Physical abilityYou need color vision to identify wires, and enough strength to move components that can weigh up to 50 pounds.
Driver's licenseMany employers require one, since the work moves from site to site.

State by state

Texas	TDLR issues the journeyman license after 8,000 hours under a Texas Master Electrician. You can take the exam at 7,000 hours. The fee is $30, and you renew every year.
Washington	L&I requires a certificate for all electrical construction work. The 01 journey level exam requires 8,000 hours and 96 classroom hours, and renewal takes 24 hours of continuing education.
Oregon and Washington	Washington offers a reciprocal 01 certificate to Oregon journeymen who completed an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours and passed Oregon's exams. Oregon offers the same in return to qualifying Washington electricians.

How to get there

Before applyingFinish high school or a GEDThis is the one education requirement. Algebra and basic physics will help you on aptitude tests and in class.
Before or at entryOptional: technical schoolCourses in circuitry, safety and electrical basics can earn credit toward an apprenticeship.
Year 0Enter an apprenticeship or register as a traineeGet accepted by a union, contractor association or employer program. Some states make you register before you start, such as Washington's electrical trainee certificate.
Years 1 to 5Log hours and complete classroom trainingWork about 2,000 supervised hours a year and attend technical instruction. Keep your experience records signed and up to date.
Around 8,000 hoursPass the journeyman exam and get licensedApply to your state regulator with verified hours, pass the code exam and receive your license.
After licensingKeep the license current and move upComplete continuing education. Later you can go for master electrician, foreman or project management.

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Questions people ask

How long does it take to become an electrician?

Most people take four to five years. A typical apprenticeship has about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year. Texas and Washington both require 8,000 hours before you are licensed as a journeyman.

Can I skip the apprenticeship by going to trade school?

Generally, no. Trade school graduates usually get credit toward an apprenticeship, but states still require documented supervised field hours before you can take the journeyman exam.

Do I get paid during an apprenticeship?

Yes. The on-the-job hours are paid work. Modeled BLS-based figures put the middle half of US apprentices and trainees at roughly $38,100 to $50,200 a year.

How do veterans get into the trade?

Military electrical experience can shorten an apprenticeship. Helmets to Hardhats, the Veterans Electrical Entry Program and DoD SkillBridge all help with the move. Post-9/11 GI Bill users in an approved registered apprenticeship can get a tax-free housing allowance on top of their wages.

Is it too late to start as a career changer?

No. Apprenticeships admit adults, and many people start as an electrician's helper before they apply. If your earlier work involved construction or electrical tasks, it may count toward a shortened apprenticeship.

Does my license work in another state?

Only where the states have an agreement. Washington and Oregon, for example, have a reciprocal agreement for journey level electricians who qualified through an approved apprenticeship. Without an agreement like that, expect to apply and test again in the new state.

How do you become an electrician in the US?