Looking at electrician qualifications, they can include formal certification in different types of repair work, having a strong personal work ethic, and completing high school. Electrician certifications are usually received through regional training agencies, but not all local areas will require this form of qualification. High school is generally not required in this field of work, but there are some employers who may look favorably on job applicants who have completed high school or may even require it.
Most local regions will require those working as electricians to be certified by a region-specific exam. The certification courses and final written exam they must pass are often specific to the types of electrical repair work they will be doing. All repair work is generally subdivided into categories. These may include:
• Commercial electrical repair
• Repairs related to HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Residential electrical repair
When there are job postings, they will usually include specific electrician qualifications that specify what type of certification the electrician must have before they can apply for the job. If they are certified in residential repair, they may not be qualified to do commercial electrical work. An electrician may be certified to work in any or all of the subcategories. This will increase your chances of getting a job in one of the three areas. There are some regions that offer a general electrical repair license, but it would require a higher number of coursework hours along with a different final exam. This license would qualify an electrician to work in all available forms of electrical service. With this form of license, you only need to have one license instead of several.
An electrician may also become certified in a certain area of specialization. This can be done by joining a local business organization. You will also need to have supervised on-the-job training. Employers working with individuals involved in this type of program may require that the electrician have received formal apprentice status to satisfy their electrician qualifications. You may also be required to complete all repair work under the supervision of licensed electricians until the electrician has completed the specified number of hours of training. The number of apprenticeship hours needed to meet regional standards depends on the type of electrical repair work you are doing. You will also be required to take a written exam to receive your certifications. Personal qualifications may include legible handwriting and the ability to get along with others.