The Sunshine State attracts people from all over who want to take advantage of year-round sunshine and a warmer climate. The Florida housing market is booming, and this equates to a high demand for electricians. While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the field will grow 11% over the next decade, in Florida, that number is 17%.
It’s important to understand the steps involved to become an electrician in Florida because it’s slightly different from other states. In Florida, you will find certified electricians who can work state-wide and registered electricians who are restricted to working within local jurisdictions. Florida does not have a single set of electrician licensing requirements; however, the initial licensing process generally includes education, an apprenticeship, and an exam. Within this state, obtaining the correct license based on your career goals is important.
In this article, we’ll break down each step and the typical timeline to become an electrician, with tips for success along the way.
Why Become an Electrician in Florida?
The job outlook for electricians is particularly good in Florida, which is due in part to its population boom. NBC recently reported that 874 new residents call Florida home every day. With population growth comes jobs in new construction and retrofitting aging infrastructure.
The average base salary for an electrician in the state is $51,764, with a range between $32,162 and $83,312. Of course, experience, specialization, and whether you become a journeyman or master electrician contribute to how much you earn. One of the benefits of getting your electrician’s license in Florida is the opportunity to choose what license type fits your lifestyle most.
In Florida, you can become a journeyman or master electrician certified to work statewide or registered in a specific municipality. Any licensed electrician can specialize in one of six areas:
- Alarm System Contractors
- Residential Electricians
- Utilities
- Sign Electricians
- Limited Energy Electricians
- Two-Way Radio Communication Enhancement Electricians
Specialty contractors can work anywhere in the state. After six years of work experience, you can become an electrical or alarm contractor. As a contractor, your earning potential is limited by how much ambition you have to grow your business.
Overview of the Requirements to Become a Licensed Electrician in Florida
You need a license from the state to work as an electrician. The journeyman license is the first step and takes about four to five years to achieve. A journeyman electrician is licensed to work independently under the supervision of a master electrician. The general steps to getting your journeyman electrician license in Florida include:
- Complete high school or take the GED.
- Get classroom instruction.
- Gain work experience as an apprentice.
- Pass the state electrician’s exam.
Florida does not have a single set of electrical licensing requirements, making it a little challenging to navigate the process. There are two categories for licensure: certified and registered electricians. Certified electricians can work statewide, while registered electricians can only work within local jurisdictions. This makes a difference when you’re ready to take your exam. If you know you will be working throughout the state, you must become certified.
How Long it Takes to Become an Electrician in Florida: A Step-by-Step Timeline
To become a journeyman electrician takes about four to five years and requires a combination of 8,000 hours of work experience and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Transitioning from journeyman to master electrician requires four years (4,000 hours) of work experience as a journeyman electrician and 11 hours of continuing education (CE). CE units can be completed online, and 7 hours can be taken through home study courses.
Here are more details about each step along the way and the time it takes to complete each one.
Step 1: High School Diploma or GED (6 Months – 1 Year)
You must be 18 or over, have either a high school diploma or GED. If you do not already have a high school diploma, it can take between six months and a year to get your GED, depending on how much you need to study. GED preparation courses will help you pass by teaching you exactly what you need to know and test-taking strategies for success.
If you’re interested in becoming an electrician, consider taking classes in math, physics, and shop to give yourself a foundation for what you will learn during your apprenticeship.
Step 2: Vocational School or Apprenticeship Program (1.5 – 2 Years)
Technical and vocational training schools are one way to gain experience and education under one roof. Their primary benefit is simplifying the entire process. Most programs will walk you through everything you need to take and pass the exam, including classroom hours, apprenticeship, and exam prep. Their downside is tuition costs. Tuition to attend a vocational training program ranges from $3,000 to $13,000 and takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete. Most technical schools provide apprenticeship placement services and allow you to complete apprenticeship hours while attending classes. In some municipalities, additional classroom time counts toward your apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships are offered through technical schools or union or non-union electrical apprenticeship programs. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATPs) are union-based programs affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. Therefore, you will likely need to join the union to participate. There are seven JATC facilities in the state, covering Miami, Florida’s east coast, central Florida, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville. The advantage of most apprenticeships is that they’re paid—you begin making money from day one. Apprenticeships take four to five years to complete and include the required classroom instruction.
Step 3: Work Experience as an Apprentice (Up to 4 Years)
Whether you attend a vocational school or go directly into an apprenticeship program, you need to complete 8,000 hours or four years of apprenticeship training. During your apprenticeship, you will work under a master electrician to learn the technical aspects of your job as well as get qualified classroom hours. You can expect to learn the components of an electrical system, troubleshooting, installing, and maintaining electrical systems, reading blueprints, safety procedures, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes.
Only after you complete your apprenticeship can you take the exam. Finding an apprenticeship that provides a solid foundation in electrical principles will help you pass the exam, along with taking an exam preparation course.
Step 4: Pass the Electrician Licensing Exam (Preparation Time Varies)
At the end of your apprenticeship, you can apply to take the journeyman exam. Part one of the exam covers business topics. There are 50 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. Part two covers the technical and safety components of working as an electrician. There are 100 questions with a 5-hour time limit.
The business portion of the exam has questions like estimating and job bidding, contracts, insurance, contracting laws, and NEC. Part two includes questions covering basic electrical concepts, code compliance, practical application, and safety. The passing score is 75% for each part individually.
Preparing for the two-part exam is essential, especially if you don’t have experience taking timed tests. Exam prep courses will help you pass the exam. In Florida, the exam is open book. Highlighting and tabbing your study materials is the easiest way to find what you’re looking for quickly on test day.
The typical timeline for exam prep is two to three months. This gives you enough for comprehensive exam preparation, including taking numerous timed practice tests and learning valuable test-taking strategies.
Factors That Affect the Timeline to Becoming a Licensed Electrician
Things that affect how quickly you become a licensed electrician include securing your apprenticeship, meeting your work experience and education requirements, and studying for the exam.
It’s important to secure your apprenticeship position early in the process. Space is often limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Some apprenticeship programs are open to anyone 17 years or older, allowing you to get a jump start. Experience in another construction field may reduce training time. Lastly, additional classroom hours can count toward apprenticeship hours.
When it comes time to study for the exam, treat it like you would a job and set aside one to two hours a day to study. Take the practice tests simulating real testing conditions. Schedule your exam early—this gives you a hard deadline to meet.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to how fast you complete your training and pass your exam, but your personal commitment to consistently work toward your license contributes the most.
Getting Started: Steps to Enroll in an Electrician Training Program and Exam Prep Course
Apprenticeships are available through union and non-union groups and colleges and vocational programs. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATPs) are union-based programs affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. The Independent Electrical Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (IEC-FECC) is a non-union option that offers an apprenticeship program. Both of these require becoming a member.
Apprenticeship placement services are available as part of vocational training programs. It’s important to decide whether you would like to be in a union or not. Both have advantages, and just because you decide to join or not to join a union does not mean you can’t change your mind. However, changing your mind may increase the time it takes to get your license.
When you’re ready, taking an exam preparation course is probably one of the best things you can do to ensure you pass the exam. Exam preparation courses provide strategies to pass the exam. Essentially, they teach you how to take and pass the exam. Programs like Gold Coast Schools offer exams simulating actual testing conditions. This boosts your confidence and is the best way to prepare for a timed, standardized test.
Conclusion
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, offering incredible opportunities for electrical workers. However, navigating its licensing requirements takes some finesse. Generally, the steps include classroom hours, apprenticeship training, and passing the electrical exam. The most important thing is to check with the jurisdiction where you want to work to ensure you meet their requirements or get certified if you intend to work throughout the state.
When you are ready, explore the Gold Coast School’s exam prep courses to help pass your Florida electrical license exams. If you have questions, we’re happy to help. Reach out today to start in this exciting and sustainable career.