The dream of everyone looking to pursue a career as an electrician would be to get to the highest heights possible in their profession. But even before this becomes a reality, they would have become one. This is what this article is about; how to become an electrician with a focus on the state of Missouri.
Unlike other states, licensing in Missouri is at the county or city level, not the state.
The following steps are essential in your journey to becoming a licensed electrician in Missouri:
Table of Contents
Step 1 – Obtain Classroom Education and On-Field Experience
There are quite many ways to meet licensing board requirements.
- You can decide to go through a five-year, 8,000-hour field apprenticeship, with 500-1000 hours of classroom training depending on the requirements of the licensing jurisdiction; Or
- You can obtain an associate’s degree in electrical engineering or electrical technology; Or
- You can opt for a degree in electrical engineering or electrical technology with 4,000 hours of supervised experience; Or
- You could also submit a document verifying you performed wiring work and maintenance with a licensed electrical contractor for six years.
One of the most common ways is to go through an apprenticeship program. In Missouri, you can join a union apprenticeship or a non-union one.
For union apprenticeships, you must meet the following requirements before you can start:
- You must have reached the age of eighteen as at the time of application.
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
- You must present a copy of your birth certificate that has been certified.
- You must show that you indeed completed your high school education.
- Complete one full year of algebra and geometry classes.
- You must have passed the electrical trade aptitude test
- You must be a member of the union before you can start a union apprenticeship
On the other hand, before you can become a member of the non-union apprenticeship, you must:
- Be between the ages of 16 and 18.
- Have completed your high-school education.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- You must be free of drug use, and you must have had no criminal record.
If you’d be going through a college, it has to be certified by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a multi-state accreditation authority. These courses for Engineering and Technology must be accredited by the Accreditation Board.
Other essential requirements are:
- You must possess a degree in the electrical or industrial field, and the focus has to be on electrical theory.
- The original transcript must be provided to verify your degree.
- You must also provide a means of verifying your hours of practical experience with wiring.
Since these colleges do not automatically provide an environment for a hands-on experience which is a vital requirement for anyone looking to get an electrician license in Missouri, students have to develop a plan. Some find part-time work with a non-union contractor to gain the necessary hands-on experience while still attending school. On the other hand, some wait to receive their degree and have the required expected hours for an unlicensed helper for the job.
Step 2 – Pass the Journeyman Electrician Examination to Become a Licensed Journeyman Electrician in Missouri
In most states, once a person is done with their electrician apprenticeship program or its equivalent, they immediately take the journeyman electrician examination. However, it is slightly different in Missouri. The journeyman license is skipped in most cities and counties. Instead, higher-level licenses are offered.
One of the cities in Missouri to present a journeyman license is Jefferson City. You can apply there if you want to stand out above the rest and put your qualifications on display for potential employers, even if you don’t plan to live or work nearby.
There are certain things you must do to be eligible for licensure as a journeyman electrician. They are:
- Complete a minimum of 8,000 hours as an apprentice (This should be documented on company letterhead)
- Apply for the journeyman license and pay the $105 licensing application fee
- Apply for the journeyman electrical examination and pay the $100 testing fee
- Receive a minimum score of 75% on the journeyman electrical examination
Step 3 – Becoming a Licensed Master Electrician in Missouri
As a result of the lack of a state regulatory board in Missouri, the licensing requirements for master electricians vary by city and county.
Let’s examine Kansas City.
In Kansas City, the regulating body for the electrician licenses is the City of Kansas City, City Planning & Development. It’s mandatory that you become qualified in either a Class I or Class II master electrician. As a Class I master electrician, you’re allowed to install, repair, alter, or take out ANY electrical equipment. Class II master electricians, on the other hand, are limited to working with certain types of electrical equipment and only with existing circuits spanning 10 feet or less.
Despite the variations, the prerequisites for class I and class II are generally related and entail you to:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have completed your high school education.
- Complete your application and also pay the application fee
- Submit two notarized reference letters from two different organizations that you have worked with confirming your years of experience in the electrical trade as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor
- Have had at least 70% on the appropriate exam.
Other cities or counties in Missouri would have requirements utterly different from that of Kansas. So, you’d have to work with requirements specific to your city.
Step 4 – Become Licensed as an Electrical Contractor in Missouri
You do not have to stop at a master electrician license. You can acquire an electrical contractor certificate. Like with a master electrician license, the requirements for the electrical contractor license vary from one city and county to the other.
You must possess the following qualities to become certified as an electrical contractor in Kansas City:
- To become an electrical contractor, you must be a licensed class I master electrician;
- Complete a licensing application and pay the application fee of $55;
- Provide proof of contractor liability insurance coverage (The coverage should be at a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence)
In Kansas City, becoming licensed as an electrical contractor requires you to hire an electrical supervisor or be one yourself as long as you meet the requirements.
Requirements for the electrical supervisor certificate include:
- At least 21 years of age
- A high school education or its equivalent.
- Complete a certificate application and pay the required fee for the application.
- Submit two endorsed reference letters from two different establishments authenticating that you have at least three years of experience in the electrical field as a journeyman or contractor.
- Have at least 70%) on the low-voltage electrical examination.
License Renewal in Missouri
All permits are renewed triennially, apart from those issued prior to the first license expiration date of September 30, 2020.
License Reciprocity in Missouri
State license reciprocity is accessible to any individual certified in Missouri in a county or city with related testing or education requirements. This is due to the optional nature of state licensure.
Final Words
Every day, the need for electricians keeps increasing as more homes, hospitals, offices, organizations are built. Deciding to become an electrician that attends to the needs of occupants of such buildings is commendable.
References
Missouri Division of Professional Registration Frequently Asked Questions for Electrical Contractors
ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to become an Electrician in Missouri
Housecall Pro Missouri Electrician License: Everything You Need To Know