Becoming a master electrician typically involves several steps, including education, apprenticeship, and licensure. Here are the general steps to becoming a master electrician:
Meet the eligibility requirements: Requirements vary by state, but in general, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be physically able to perform the work.
Complete an electrician apprenticeship: Most states require that you complete an electrician apprenticeship, which typically takes four to five years to complete. Apprenticeships involve a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Maryland requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and at least 576 classroom hours.
Get licensed as a journeyman electrician: After completing your apprenticeship, you’ll need to pass an exam and get licensed as a journeyman electrician. This typically involves demonstrating a certain level of knowledge and experience in electrical work.
Gain additional experience: To become a master electrician, you’ll typically need several more years of experience working as a journeyman electrician. This can involve working on more complex projects and gaining additional skills and knowledge. Maryland requires an additional 6,000 hours and three years of additional work experience.
Apply for the master electrician license: Once you have the required experience, you can test for the master electrician license. This typically involves passing an exam that covers more advanced topics in electrical work.
In Maryland, it is necessary to obtain seven years of direct on-the-job experience totaling 14,000 hours of training and at least 576 classroom hours before sitting for the master electrician exam. To put this in perspective, it takes a Maryland Master Electrician an equivalent amount of time as someone who obtains an MBA or similar advanced degree – four years of undergraduate and three years of graduate school. However, the electrician is required to work while going to school, whereas the college route only requires school time.
CK Electric currently employs a Master Electrician, a journeyman electrician, and an apprentice. Give us a call today at 443-920-3078 to have our skilled professionals solve your electrical problems.