The basic path to becoming an electrician apprentice
An electrician apprenticeship is a paid job where you learn the trade while working under a licensed electrician. You earn money from day one, and the employer typically pays for your classroom instruction. Most apprenticeships last four to five years and combine on-the-job training with classroom hours — usually one day per week or a few weeks per year in a classroom setting.
To start, you need to find an employer willing to hire you as an apprentice, not the other way around. Unlike college, you do not submit an process to a program and then look for work. You search for open apprenticeship positions with electrical contractors, construction companies, or utility companies, then those employers enroll you in a registered apprenticeship program. The program itself is run by a training provider — often a community college or union training center — but the employer is your entry point.
The two main routes are union apprenticeships and non-union (open shop) apprenticeships. Union apprenticeships typically pay more, offer stronger benefits, and have more structured training, but they require you to join the union and may have longer wait lists. Non-union apprenticeships are often easier to enter and more flexible, but pay and benefits vary widely by employer and region.
Key Takeaways
- You must be hired by an electrical contractor or construction company first; the apprenticeship program follows the job, not the other way around.
- Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and the ability to pass a background check and drug test.
- Union apprenticeships and non-union apprenticeships differ in pay, benefits, and entry difficulty — research both options in your area.
- The Department of Labor's apprenticeship website and your state's apprenticeship office can show you registered programs and employers actively hiring.
- Classroom instruction is usually paid for by the employer, and you earn wages during both on-the-job and classroom time.
Basic requirements before you can start
Most electrical apprenticeships require you to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Some employers will accept you without a diploma if you pass an entrance exam, but this varies. You will need a valid driver's license because electricians travel to job sites, and you must be able to pass a background check and a drug screening.
Some programs require basic math and reading skills — you may take a placement test to confirm you can handle the classroom material. A few programs ask for a minimum score on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) or a similar test, though this is less common in non-union shops. Physical ability matters too: the job involves climbing, lifting, and working in tight spaces, so you need to be in reasonable health.
Check with specific employers or your state's apprenticeship office about their exact requirements, because they do vary. Some union locals have additional rules, such as residency requirements or a waiting list period before you can even interview.
How to find open apprenticeship positions
Start with the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship website at apprenticeship.gov. You can search by state, occupation, and employer to see which electrical contractors and companies are actively recruiting apprentices. This is the official registry, so programs listed there are legitimate and registered.
For union apprenticeships, contact the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local in your area — search "IBEW Local [your state]" online to find their phone number and office. They maintain a list of open positions and can tell you about the process process, which often includes a written test and an interview. Some locals have long wait lists, so explore early matters.
For non-union work, search job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Craigslist for "electrician apprentice" or "apprentice electrician" in your city. Call electrical contractors directly — many hire apprentices but do not advertise widely. Your state's Department of Labor or apprenticeship office also maintains a list of registered programs and can point you toward employers in your region who are currently hiring.
What happens during the interview and hiring process
Once you find an open position, you will interview with the employer, not with the training program. The employer is hiring you as an employee. They will ask about your work history, why you want to be an electrician, and whether you can commit to four to five years. Some employers give a practical test to check your ability to follow instructions and work with your hands.
Union apprenticeships typically include a written exam covering math and reading, followed by an interview with a panel. The test is designed to show whether you can handle classroom material, not to trick you — study basic algebra and geometry if you are nervous. Non-union employers often skip the formal test and rely on the interview and background check.
If you are hired, the employer will enroll you in a registered apprenticeship program with a training provider. You do not enroll yourself. The employer handles the paperwork with the program, and you will receive information about when classroom instruction starts. This usually happens within a few weeks of being hired.
Union versus non-union apprenticeships: what differs
Union apprenticeships, run through the IBEW and affiliated training centers, typically start at $15 to $20 per hour (rates vary by region and year) and increase regularly as you progress. You receive health insurance, a pension, and paid time off. The classroom instruction is free and often happens one day per week during work hours. The training is highly standardized, and you graduate with credentials recognized nationwide.
Non-union apprenticeships vary widely. Starting pay might be $12 to $18 per hour, and raises depend on the employer. Benefits are less consistent — some offer health insurance and paid time off, others do not. Classroom instruction may be paid for by the employer, but you might attend evening or weekend classes. The training quality and structure depend entirely on the employer and the training provider they use.
Union apprenticeships are harder to enter because of wait lists and competitive testing, but the long-term pay and job security are stronger. Non-union apprenticeships are usually faster to start, but you need to research the specific employer to understand what you will actually earn and learn. Neither path is objectively better — it depends on your location, the employers hiring, and your priorities.
What to expect during the apprenticeship itself
You will spend most of your time on job sites working alongside a licensed electrician, learning by doing. You start with basic tasks — running wire, assembling conduit, holding tools — and gradually take on more complex work as you gain skills. Your supervisor will teach you, and you are expected to ask questions and pay attention.
One day per week or several weeks per year, you attend classroom instruction at a community college or union training center. You learn electrical theory, code, safety, and math. This is not optional — it is part of your apprenticeship contract. You are paid for classroom time, and the employer covers tuition.
You will also need to log your hours. Most apprenticeships require 8,000 to 10,000 hours of on-the-job training over the four to five years. You keep a record, and your employer signs off on it. This documentation proves you have completed the apprenticeship when you are ready to test for your journeyman license.
After you finish: the journeyman exam and license
When you have completed your hours and classroom work, you take a journeyman electrician exam. This is a state or local test that proves you know the trade and the electrical code. Passing it makes you a licensed journeyman electrician, which means you can work independently and supervise apprentices yourself.
The exam is challenging — it covers years of material — but apprentices who paid attention in class and on the job usually pass. Your employer or training program will tell you when you are may be able to access to test and may offer exam preparation classes. Some states require you to work a certain number of hours before you can test, so check your state's requirements.
After you become a journeyman, you can stay with your current employer, move to another company, or eventually start your own business. Many electricians continue to union membership or stay with a non-union contractor for years. Others use the license to move into related work like electrical inspection or teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for the apprenticeship?
No. The employer pays for your classroom instruction as part of hiring you as an apprentice. You earn wages during both on-the-job and classroom time. You should never have to pay tuition or fees to start an apprenticeship.
How long does it take to become a journeyman electrician?
Most apprenticeships take four to five years. You work full-time and attend classroom instruction alongside your job. The exact length depends on the program and how quickly you accumulate your required hours.
Can I do an apprenticeship part-time while working another job?
Most registered apprenticeships require full-time work because you need to log a large number of hours and attend regular classroom instruction. Some non-union employers may offer part-time positions, but this is uncommon. Check with employers in your area about their specific requirements.
What if I do not have a high school diploma?
Some employers will hire you if you have a GED or pass an entrance exam. Others require a diploma. Contact your state's apprenticeship office or call local contractors to ask about their specific rules — they vary by employer and region.
Can I switch from a union to a non-union apprenticeship or vice versa?
Yes, though you may not receive credit for all your hours if you switch. Talk to the new program about how they handle transferred hours. Some programs accept most of your prior training, others require you to restart or repeat portions of the classroom work.