Becoming a certified electrician in Atlanta, Georgia, is more than just a job. It is a great career path. You can work for yourself, for small firms, or get hired as an electrician at major companies.
Certified electricians have job security. They can earn a decent income and work in a trade that is always in demand. The nice thing about being an electrician is that you can work in residential and commercial environments.
It is estimated that the job market for electricians nationwide will grow by around 9% by 2030. While becoming an electrician takes time, the plus side is that as you go through the process, you can earn money while gaining experience. Here are the steps you need to follow to become a certified electrician in Atlanta, Georgia.
Georgia’s Licensing Requirements for Electricians
The state of Georgia requires electricians to be licensed, and the issuing body is the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board Division of Electrical Contractors.
Unlike many states in the United States, Georgia does not offer journeymen licensing. This is advantageous because once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can legally work as a journeyman for a general contractor and will not need supervision.
As you work, you will gain experience. The experience you garner as a journeyman will put you in a better position to get your own contractor’s license.
The first step to receiving an electrician certification in Georgia is to join an apprenticeship program and get the mandatory work hours needed to sit for the journeyman license exam. You’ll need to work many hours as a journeyman electrician before you finally become a licensed and independent electrical contractor.
What Does It Mean to Join an Apprenticeship Program in Atlanta?
There are a variety of types of apprenticeship programs available in Atlanta. Once such program is conducted by the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC). To be eligible to join an IEC apprenticeship program, you will need your GED, high school diploma, or equivalent. You must be over 16 years of age and enrolled in a guidance counselor-supported work-based training program. With this apprenticeship, you will get hands-on work experience and in-class instruction.
JATC’s Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees offer union-based apprenticeship programs. Non-union programs are available with IEC in Atlanta and other parts of Georgia.
An apprenticeship will require that you dedicate 8,000 hours, or five years, of hands-on work. You must add 180 hours of classroom instruction annually before qualifying as a journeyman electrician and working under a certified, licensed electrical contractor.
Although the state of Georgia does not require it, if you complete your internship via the IEC, the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), or the ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia), you will be provided with a journeyman certificate that is recognized nationally.
What Is It Like to Work as a Journeyman Electrician in Georgia?
Working as a journeyman electrician is different than being an apprentice. As a journeyman, you have worked part way through the training process. You understand circuit breakers, transformers, and electrical wiring. You are familiar with building codes and regulations and have been trained to do work that is up to code. You can read blueprints and know whether a system has been installed correctly and in the right place.
As a journeyman, you will be able to work independently but do not have the license to be a master electrician. You typically will not be called upon to design initial electrical systems for buildings as this is work done by master electricians.
Some journeyman electricians in Atlanta prefer to work for independent contractors before getting their own contractor’s license. Before applying for an electrical contractor’s license in Atlanta, you must be at least 21.
What Is It Like to Be a Licensed Independent Electrical Contractor in Georgia?
The job requires you to have good project management skills. You will need to perform different functions to keep your business in compliance with OSHA and other government regulations. Before getting a contractor’s license, you must be 21 years of age, prove that you have four years of experience as an electrician, pass the electrical exam with a 70% or higher score, and submit three forms of reference.
As an electrical contractor, you will need to renew your license every two years and receive four hours of continued training for eight hours over two years. You can get two types of contractor licenses in Georgia: a class I and a class II license. A class I license lets you work on low-voltage installations that are single-phase and do not exceed 200 amperes. Class II licenses are for those with experience installing electrical systems of more than 200 amperes.
Details of Georgia’s Electrician Certification Exams
After you submit the appropriate paperwork and pay the exam fee, the licensing board will notify you if you can take the certification exam. The class I exam has 15 pretest questions for a total of 115. For the class II exam, you’ll need to answer 22 pretest questions for a total of 162 questions. The exams are open book, and most questions are multiple-choice. You will need to answer 70% correctly to pass.
Some topics covered include basic electrical circuits, transformers, regulations, administrative functions, laws, conditions, and internal electrical systems.
Since Georgia has reciprocity agreements with North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, your Georgia electrician license will work in some other states. Although Atlanta does not require national electrician certificates, getting them can help prove that you are proficient in various aspects of the electrical trade. This means more job opportunities and higher pay.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Atlanta?
There are a lot of benefits to pursuing a Georgia electrician certification. First and foremost, it is required by the law if you’re going to perform electrical work legally.
A license proves that an electrician has the skill and experience to do the work. It is a mandatory part of operating an electrician’s business, advertising the service, getting building permits, or obtaining commercial insurance to do electrical work.
Having the proper licensing is a protection for the electrician, the customer, and their company. An electrician certification gives an electrician an advantage in competing in the job market and can increase their earning potential.
Working With the Best Certified Electricians in Atlanta
At Arc Angel Electric, we offer comprehensive services by certified electricians for both commercial and residential buildings. We are proud of our A+ Better Business Bureau and five-star Google ratings. Our focus is our customers. We strive to exceed their expectations by paying close attention to details and providing craftsmanship.
Arc Angel Electric is an IEC member certified in commercial and residential lighting. We are focused on serving every one of our customers in an honest, dignified way. No maintenance job, remodel, or installation project is too big or too small for us.
Our services include commercial and residential electrical installation, electric car charging stations, light fixtures and ceiling fans, whole house rewiring, electrical inspections, commercial light pole maintenance, and more. We provide reliable, neat, quality workmanship guaranteed. We promote environmentally friendly systems as well as emergency repair services. See why Arc Angel Electric is sought after in Atlanta for our electrical services. Call us today to learn more.
