How to Become a Master Electrician in Texas
Becoming an electrician could be a smart career decision. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs for electricians is expected to increase steadily from 2008 to 2018. The bureau also notes that the median hourly wage of electricians was $22.32 as of May 2008. The highest paid electricians made as much as $38.18 per hour. Master electricians are licensed professionals with multiple years of experience. Much of the training electricians receive comes through hands-on experience. Licensing for master electricians in the state of Texas is handled by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
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Instructions
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Earn your high school diploma or GED. Taking classes in math and physical science can aid you in your career as an electrician, but you also need to graduate to qualify for most apprenticeships and licensing requirements.
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Take courses in electrical technology at a vocational or technical school. Although you will still take some coursework when you become an electrician's apprentice, having some of this coursework under your belt before you apply for an apprenticeship can be, not only helpful, but also advantageous for possibly gaining you a position as an apprentice. South Plains College in Levelland, Houston Community College, Odessa College and the North Plains Electrical Training Center in Grand Prairie all offer courses for would-be electricians.
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Apply for an apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience as an electrician. This is how most electricians obtain the majority of their training. Apprenticeship programs allow you to obtain training under the tutelage of a licensed master electrician. Apprenticeship program usually last about four years in length and combine both classroom training with on-the-job training. You have the opportunity to "earn while you learn" when working as an apprentice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the typical apprenticeship combines 144 hours of yearly classroom instruction with 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. The North Texas Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee offers an apprenticeship program through the North Plains Electrical Training Center.
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Apply for your license as a journeyman electrician. In the state of Texas, 8,000 hours of supervised experience is required to work as a journeyman electrician. Most of this experience can be obtained through your apprenticeship training. You must also pass the journeyman's electrician licensing examination administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
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Work for two years as a journeyman electrician. This is the minimum amount of time in Texas you must hold this license before you can apply to be a master electrician.
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Apply for a master electrician license. In the state of Texas this requires the completion of 12,000 of experience working under a master electrician. This experience requirement will have been met by completing the apprenticeship and journeyman requirements. You will need to pass the master electrician licensing examination. As of 2010, there was a $50 initial licensing application fee required by the state of Texas.
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