An applicant may apply for certification as a general electrician, residential electrician, voice data video technician, fire/life safety technician, or nonresidential lighting technician.

To obtain certification, an electrician must pass a certification exam and either complete an approved apprenticeship program or have on-the-job experience ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 hours.

Approved electrical apprenticeship programs are administered by the Western Electrical Contractors Association (nonunion), Associated Builders and Contractors (non-union), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (union).

For more information, visit www.dir.ca.gov/das/das.html.

Publication date: 08/23/2004