Who needs to be certified to work in California as an electrician?
Electricians who work for a contractor with a class C-10 license.For more information visit the California Electrician certification program page.
| You can work as an electrician for a class C-10 contractor if... | General electrician | Residential electrician | Fire/life/safety technician | Voice data video technician | Non-residential lighting technician |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| You have some on-the-job experience, but not the required amount. | 8,000 hours Sign up for and pass the exam | 4,800 hours Sign up for and pass the exam | 4,000 hours Sign up for and pass the exam | 4,000 hours Sign up for and pass the exam | 2,000 hours Sign up for and pass the exam |
| You have some on-the-job experience, but not the required amount. | Some on the job experience - general electrician | Some on the job experience - residential electrician | Some on the job experience - fire/life/safety technician | Some on the job experience - voice/data/video technician | Some on the job experience - non-residential lighting technician |
| 1You are a registered apprentice participating in a state-approved apprenticeship program. | Registered apprentice - general electrician | Registered apprentice - residential electrician | Registered apprentice - fire/life/safety technician | Registered apprentice - voice/data/video technician | Registered apprentice - non-residential lighting technician |
| 2You have decided to embark on a career as an electrician and have no experience or related instruction. | No on the job experience or instruction - general electrician | No on the job experience or instruction - residential electrician | No on the job experience or instruction - fire/life/safety technician | No on the job experience or instruction - voice/data/video technician | No on the job experience or instruction - non-residential lighting technician |
1You are exempt from certification under state law, but it is often a requirement of graduation from a state-approved apprenticeship program. If you do need to take the exam to graduate, you may take it in the last year of your apprenticeship program.
When you pass the exam and complete the apprenticeship program you may work as a certified electrician for a contractor with a Class C-10 license.
2 You have decided to embark on a career as an electrician and have no experience or related instruction
- General electrician: Must Register as an electrician trainee and accumulate 8,000 hrs of on-the-job-experience and have completed 720 hours of related and supplemental instruction
- Residential Electrician: Must Register as an electrician trainee and accumulate 4,800 hrs of on-the-job-experience and have completed 480 hours of related and supplemental instruction
- Fire/life/safety Technician: Must Register as an electrician trainee and accumulate 4,800 hrs of on-the-job-experience and have completed 480 hours of related and supplemental instruction
- Voice/data/video Technician: Must Register as an electrician trainee and accumulate 4,000 hrs of on-the-job-experience and have completed 480 hours of related and supplemental instruction.
- Non-residential Lighting Technician: Must Register as an electrician trainee and accumulate 2,000 hrs of on-the-job-experience and have completed 180-240 hours of related and supplemental instruction
If you are ready to prepare to take the California Electrician Exams we have the classes and the books to prepare you!
