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How to get a electrician license. Pressmaster. IEC Rocky Mountain

How to Become an Electrician

If you’re considering a career as an electrician, you may have a lucrative and fulfilling professional future. Working as an electrician is more than just a job; it’s a career path – and a skilled professional role that will always be in demand. 

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of U.S. electricians is projected to grow by nearly 10% between 2020 and 2030. Here in Colorado, the growth rate is dramatically higher, estimated at around 28%! For prospective electricians, the statistics are promising.

 

But before you can start working as an electrician, you’ll need to complete the necessary steps to obtain your electrician license. Because it’s considered a skilled trade position, training and experience are required, and the process can take time. However, you can often be paid a competitive wage throughout your training process, and reaching your career goals will be well worth it.

 

Is a License Required to Be an Electrician in Colorado?

Yes. Under regulations from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and state law, all CO electricians must be properly licensed. 

 

How to Become an Electrician in Colorado

Each state has its own rules and process for electrician licensure. For a Colorado electrician license, there are three basic steps:

 

  1. Complete the required technical training and classroom hours.
  2. Register and work as an electrical apprentice.
  3. Apply for and take the electrical journeyman exam to get your license. 

Let’s break down each of these steps in detail.

 

Complete the Required Technical Training and Classroom Hours

 

The first stage of getting an electrician job is completing the technical training and classroom experience needed to perform the job safely and effectively. During your classroom time, you will cover essential topics such as:

 

  • National Electrical Code (NEC)
  • Grounding and bonding
  • Methods for wiring
  • Theory
  • Calculations
  • OSHA-based safety training (10-40 hours)

To qualify for a license, you need to complete either:

  • 288 hours of classroom and lab training plus 8,000 hours as an electrician apprentice (more on that in the next section)
  • A two-year degree from technical school plus 6,000 hours as an electrician apprentice

 

Register and Work as an Electrical Apprentice.

 

As you work through your classroom training and instruction hours, you’ll also be expected to work as an electrician apprentice. You’ll work under an electrical contractor or master electrician as an apprentice. It is essentially an opportunity for you to gain on-the-job experience and build critical skills. 

 

The simplest way to find electrician apprenticeships in CO is through an educational organization like IEC Rocky Mountain. Or, if you already work with an electrical contractor, they can contact the IEC Rocky Mountain to get information about registering you as an apprentice.

 

Once you secure an apprenticeship, you must register it with the Colorado State Electrical Board

 

Apply for and Take the Electrical Journeyman Exam to Get Your License.

The final step in getting an electrician’s license in CO is applying for and passing the state exam. For a journeyman electrician license, you will take the CO Journeyman Wireman Exam. You’ll need to score a minimum of 70% correct to be given a passing score.

 

The exam is 4.5 hours long, is an open book, and has 90 multiple-choice questions. You’ll use the 2014 National Electric Code as your guide for the exam. Question topics include:

 

  • General electrical knowledge
  • Services, feeders, and branch circuits
  • Grounding/bonding
  • Overcurrent protection
  • Conductors/cables
  • Raceways/boxes
  • Special occupancies
  • Special equipment
  • Motors
  • Transformers
  • Photovoltaics
  • Electrical calculations

 

Every three years, you are required to renew your license. For CO electrical license renewal, you must complete 24 Professional Development Units (PDUs). Your PDUs must cover four key topics and are to be completed every three years:

 

  • Grounding/bonding
  • Changes to the National Electrical Code
  • Wiring methods
  • Theory/calculations

 

Types of Electrician Licenses in CO

 

Did you know that there are four different types of CO electrician licenses? Each of these licenses involves a different level of experience and specific training or areas of expertise.

 

  • Residential wireman: 4,000 hours of experience (two years) in residential electrical training, specifically including electric light work, is required.
  • Journeyman electrician: 8,000 hours of experience (four years) in electrical training, including residential/family dwellings, industrial, and commercial work.
  • Master electrician: Between 2,000 and 8,000 hours of experience, depending on education and training (more details below).
  • Independent electrical contractor: Has the proper licensing, including a master electrician license (or hiring someone with that license), and holds workers’ compensation insurance. 

 

Take Your Electrician Career Even Further

 

One of the most significant advantages of working as an electrician is the outstanding potential to further your career. While many licensed electricians opt to work as journeyman electricians for the duration of their careers, others are interested in increasing their earning potential and responsibilities. 

 

If you want to continue on the electrician career path, you can:

  • Get licensed as a master electrician. You are eligible to pursue a master electrician license in Colorado if you meet one of these three criteria:
    • You have an electrical engineering degree from an accredited college or university and 2,000 hours of experience as a registered electrical apprentice.
    • You have a community college or trade school degree in electrical construction (or a comparable field) and 8,000 hours of experience.
    • You have completed 2,000 hours of experience, including experience in planning, layout, and supervision.

 

You will take the CO Master Electrician Exam, which has 90 multiple-choice questions and is open-book. Just like a journeyman electrician license, a master electrician license must be renewed every three years. You’ll need 24 PDUs to complete the renewal process.

  • Become an independent electrical contractor. Another goal you can work towards is working as an independent contractor, which could mean owning your own business. An independent electrical contractor is in charge of planning, designing, and supervising the installation of various electrical systems. You’ll be required to have workers’ compensation insurance in Colorado and also be a master electrician or hire a master electrician for your team. This license also must be renewed every three years, with 24 PDUs required. 

 

Find CO Electrician Jobs with Assistance from the IEC Rocky Mountain 

 

Working as an electrician can be a lifelong career that provides excellent compensation, rewarding work experience, flexibility, and the ability to constantly grow, learn, and advance in your field. 

 

For individuals ready to take their first steps towards becoming a licensed electrician in CO, the IEC Rocky Mountain is the place to go. We are the largest and most respected apprentice training provider in the Northglenn, Parker, and Ft. Collins areas. We can help you find training, apprenticeship, and job opportunities throughout the state. 

 

If you’re interested in more information about getting a job as an electrician in CO, contact the IEC Rocky Mountain today.

 

 

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IECRM Self-Pay Tuition Policy

 

Self-pay students who are employed with a member company must register and pay through the member company using the IECRM Flashpoint Enrollment Portal/Process in order to qualify for member rates.

Self-pay students that are employed with a member company but that do not register and pay through the member will be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


Self-pay students who are employed with a member company and require a payment plan will not qualify for the member rate and will be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


Self-pay students who do not work for a member company will continue to be charged the non-member rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.


To maximize association/membership benefits, ALL member companies are encouraged to register and pay for all enrolled apprentices utilizing internal payment arrangements and processes between employer and employee.


We value our IECRM members and apprentice community. We encourage all apprentices to be enrolled in the four-year apprenticeship program, earning, and learning their way toward Journeyworker licensure. We encourage all members to utilize the member discount for tuition, books and applicable fees to ensure the long-term support and success of the next-generation electrician.


(Payment Plans are available, please reference the Self Pay Payment Plan Policy.)


Self-Pay Payment Plan Policy


We offer the following arrangements for students that are unable to pay in full at the time of registration.


● Self-pay students will be charged the non-member rate.
● A 50% down payment of total semester tuition, books and applicable fees are due at registration.
● Remaining balance can be divided up to 3 additional monthly payments ($10.00 processing fee applies on each installment)
● All payments that are declined will incur a $20.00 NSF fee.

 

We encourage all students who are employed with a member company to work with their employer to register and pay through the IECRM Flashpoint Enrollment Portal/Process. This will ensure the student is paying the lowest possible rate for tuition, books and applicable fees.