Step By Step On How To Become An Electrician In NJ?

How to Become an Electrician in NJ?

Being an electrician can be a rewarding career path. You will enjoy many employment opportunities as an electrical contractor that translate to a respectable income. Being an electrician also means considerable job security. But how does one become an electrician? This is a process that takes time. Fortunately, getting paid while you train and gain experience is possible. Here’s how to become an electrician in NJ as of December 2022. Some changes will be coming in early 2023, so please stay tuned and watch for our announcement, including those changes.

Basic Steps for How to Become an Electrician in NJ?

If you wish to be an electrician in New Jersey, you need to get an electrical contractor license or a journeyman electrician license. You can only do electrical work without these licenses if you work under a licensed electrician.

Here are the basic requirements and steps to get a license:

• Have a valid United States identification and be over the age of 18
• Possess a GED or high school diploma
• Work and train as an apprentice electrician
• Classroom instruction
• Submit an application to be a journeyman electrician
• Obtain an electrical contractor license after sitting for contractor exams

Types of Electrical Licenses in NJ

To do some electrical work in New Jersey, you are required to have a journeyman or electrical contractor’s license.

Journeyman License

As a journeyman, you can do some electrical repair work, maintenance, and installation, and you can also conduct inspections. Journeyman electricians can also supervise apprentices. To obtain this license, here are some basic steps and requirements you should consider:

• Have a high school display
• Submit a photo ID
• You should have worked for no less than 8,000 hours as an electrician
• Complete more than 576 hours of classroom instruction
• Obtain a valid electrical contractor license

To fulfill the work requirements of a journeyman electrician, you can enroll in an electrical apprentice program in New Jersey. You can also earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering. If you enroll in a degree program, you’ll need to complete at least two years of practical experience.

Electrical Contractor License

An electrical contractor can perform repair work, installations, and repairs. If you want to apply for an electrical contractor license, here are some requirements you need to know about:

• You should be over the age of 21
• Hold a high school diploma
• Have no less than five years of experience working as an electrician
• Sit for and pass the electrical contractor examination

Electrical contractor licenses in New Jersey are issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. 

Electrician Training in New Jersey

To become a qualified journeyman in NJ, you are required to put in at least 8,000 hours of practical electrical experience. You must complete half of this time five years prior to submitting your application for the license. All applicants are also required to have completed no less than 576 hours of classroom instruction to qualify. This is the most important part of becoming an electrician in NJ.

There are several institutions offering classroom and lab-based training. This means you get to learn and gain practical experience. Some of the common tasks you will handle include the installation of electrical wiring and electrical maintenance. Please note that all electrical work done during this period will be under the strict supervision of a licensed master electrician or journeyman.

Vocational School

You can get your electrician training at a trade or vocational school. These institutions offer one of the most straightforward paths to becoming an electrician and can also ensure you gain all the practical experience you need. Vocational schools of programs like the Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology. This program will enable you to satisfy the 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to apply. You’ll also gain relevant experience by completing tasks like commercial and residential systems maintenance and installation of electrical components and parts. 

Apprenticeship Programs

Another way of becoming an electrician is enrolling in an apprenticeship program, which is the path taken by most journeyman electricians. There are two primary types of apprenticeship programs in New Jersey: union and non-union. 

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association manage union apprenticeship programs.

If you want to get into a non-union program, you can submit your application to the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors program. You can also try the Associated Builders and Contractors.

Licensing

After you have completed your training, you can apply for your journeyman license. You will also need to submit an application for a Certificate of Registration. Applications for licensing require you to provide a detailed and accurate account of your training and work experience, and please include the types of tools you used during installation. Apart from your account, you will be required to provide a reference form that should be filled out by an employer or someone who supervised you directly.

Journeyman licenses are to be renewed every three years. To be eligible for renewal, you must complete at least ten hours of continued education and professional development every three years. Certificates of completion will be required each time you apply for a renewal.

If you wish to become an electrical contractor, you will need to sit for and pass the electrical contractor examination. This is the last step to becoming an electrician in NJ.

It’s crucial to hire a licensed electrician for all your electrical needs. This includes installation, repair, and inspection. As licensed electricians, we have lots of experience dealing with different problems and situations. Do you have any electrical work you need to be done? Fill out our free estimate form, and we will respond as soon as possible. We would love to hear from you!

Whether you're looking for an electrical supply or power backup installation, inspection, or service, Toth Electric has got you covered. Over and above providing these services, the company offers different financing options so you can start enjoying your electrical installations now and pay later.