It is not uncommon for people to think only professions like medicine, law, nursing are prestigious. One would wonder where they got such an idea. Every job deserves some respect because not everyone would be able to pull it off.
Remember, becoming a professional in any field requires training and expertise. Many might consider the job of an electrician unimportant, especially if they find themselves fixing some electrical issues themselves. What they do not know is that there are many electrical-related issues that they could never handle themselves.
An electrician’s job should never be relegated because they do much more than you can ever imagine. What’s even a building without electrical connections? Lifeless right?
Choosing to become an electrician in Delaware is a brilliant choice as there is a prediction by the Delaware Department of Labor that the number of available jobs in the electrical trade would increase by 18.3% through 2024. So, you can be assured of the many opportunities you would get to advance your career.
One of the things you should take seriously after your decision to become an electrician in Delaware is becoming familiar with the State of Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners.
Some of the steps you are required to follow before you can become an electrician in Delaware are:
Table of Contents
Step 1 – Acquire the Experience and Classroom-Based Training Required to Becoming a Journeyperson.
Before you can become a licensed journeyperson or journeyman in Delaware, you ought to have completed an apprenticeship program or gained job experience for 8,000 hours, equivalent to four years, under the direct supervision of a master electrician.
You could meet these requirements in one of two ways.
You could decide to get a certificate or associate’s degree at a technical college and at the same time work as a trainee/apprentice for an electrical contractor.
Alternatively, you could choose to join a union or non-union apprenticeship program.
Although the Board does not state any classroom education requirements that must be met before acquiring a journeyman electrician license, education is essential before you can begin work as an electrician. Irrespective of the path you choose to follow, you will be trained on safety-related topics and topics on the theory and science of electrical systems.
If you choose to enroll in a technical school, you would be able to earn an electrical technician certificate or Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and start a career when there are available positions for entry-level electricians. This would present a great way to obtain classroom-based education as well as lab-based hands-on technical training. This would prepare you for your journeyman electrician license and your master electrician license in the long run.
After completing your formal program, you would still have to acquire 8,000 hours of job experience to be qualified as a journeyman electrician. Most times, technical school programs in Delaware will see you involved in field training that will secure a placement for you with a Delaware licensed electrical contractor. Ideally, this should result in full-time employment for you.
If you choose to go for an apprenticeship instead, you would have to choose between union or non-union training. If it is a union apprenticeship, you will have to contact the Local 313 IBEW Union to find out about their JATC or Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee.
Before you can be accepted into a union apprenticeship, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be nothing less than eighteen years of age.
- You must have gotten a high school diploma.
- You must be able to present your high transcript that shows you passed Algebra 1
- You must be capable of transporting yourself to the venue for lectures and job sites.
- You must be physically capable of performing all the requirements of the trade.
- You must pass a test on general knowledge.
Suppose it is a non-union apprenticeship you would rather go for. In that case, you will need to be under the employment of a local contractor that would not mind the services of an apprentice.
Step 2 – Sit for the Examination to Qualify as a Licensed Journeyman Electrician
Before you can receive your journeyperson electrician license in Delaware, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must fill the application.
- You must have at least 75% on the journeyperson electrician exam.
- It will help if you are nothing less than 20 years old.
- You must have completed an apprenticeship program or acquired over 8,000 hours of full-time experience under the supervision of a licensed master electrician.
Once the application has been filled out, you will hear from the Board whether or not to schedule your exam. Some of the topics you’re sure to come across on the examination and the percentage of each are:
- Communication Systems – 5%
- Equipment for General Use – 19%
- General Electrical Knowledge – 10%
- Special Occupancies – 10%
- Special Equipment – 5%
- Special Conditions – 5%
- Safety – 5%
- Wiring and Protection – 22%
- Wiring Methods and Materials – 19%
Step 3 – Take a Step Further by Becoming a Master Electrician.
You do not have to stop at your journeyman electrician license. You can take a step further by earning a master’s electrician license. With this license, you would be capable of supervising any electrical project, and you would also be considered more experienced than a journeyman.
The requirements for the Master Electrician license are:
You must fill out the application completely.
You must have at least 75% on the master electrician exam.
You must have acquired six years of full-time experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician or obtained four years of full-time experience as well as a two-year degree in applied electrical technology.
Once the application has been filled out, you will hear from the Board whether or not to schedule your exam. Some of the topics you’re sure to come across on the examination and the percentage of each are:
- Communication Systems – 5%
- Equipment for General Use – 19%
- General Electrical Knowledge – 10%
- Special Occupancies – 9%
- Special Equipment – 5%
- Special Conditions – 5%
- Safety – 5%
- Wiring and Protection – 23%
- Wiring Methods and Materials – 19%
Step 4 – Consider Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor
You sure do not have to stop at a master electrician. There is still room to become an Independent Electrical Contractor. This license would give you the freedom to hire master electricians and, at the same time, run a business as a local contractor. The Division of Revenue in Delaware is known to issue contractor licenses.
There are two types: residential and non-residential.
The holders of the residential license have their place of business in the state of Delaware. However, non-residential license holders have companies that are out of the state.
Either one you opt for, be sure to read all the documentation to avoid going against the rules.
License Renewal in Delaware
Apprentice License: This license has to be renewed every two years.
Journeyperson Electrician License: This license has to be renewed every two years.
Master Electrician License: This license has to be renewed every two years.
Independent Electrical Contractor License: This license has to be renewed every year.
License Reciprocity in Delaware
The requirements for electrical license reciprocity in Delaware vary from state to state depending on whether the state where you were issued a license has licensure standards similar to Delaware’s standards. Suppose you have a license in a state where the standards are far from identical to Delaware’s standards. In that case, you will be required to prove that you practiced the trade for at least five years after receiving your license.
Final Words
Irrespective of how difficult it seems, becoming an electrician in Delaware is very much possible with hard work and consistency.
References
ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to Become an Electrician in Delaware
NCCR Craft Licensing Map Delaware State Electrical Licensing Requirements
