To be an electrician in California You need a government granted C-10 license that is granted by California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. This institution is responsible for setting the regulations for becoming an electrician everywhere in California.
Check Electrician Schools in California, CA
Electrician Training in California, CA
This requirement is obligatory for those performing any job exceeding 500 dollars no matter how much time the electrical work takes. In case You fail to comply, CA can ban from actually applying for the license for a time period of up to seven years. If You are serious about becoming an electrician in California, You should not mind going through the qualification process because it will lend creditability to Your skills in the long run.
If You are new to the electrical field You will likely start out as a trainee in California. To comply with DLSE, as a trainee, You either need to ( A ) pass California’s Electrician Certification Exam or ( B ) be currently enrolled in an approved Electrician Trainee Program and also be registered as an ET with California or ( C ) must take a part in a California or federally approved Electrical Apprenticeship Program. Once You obtain the relevant license, You are well on Your way to making a career for Yourself as an electrician in CA!
Beyond California Electrician Trainee
If You are beyond the trainee stage, You can apply for one of five different types of CALI electrician licenses which are 1) residential; 2) general electrician; 3) fire/life safety technician; 4) non-residential lighting technician and 5) voice, data and video Technician;
View California’s CSLB applications and forms here
State Reciprocity in California
California has reciprocity agreements with Utah, Arizona, and Nevada but there are some requirements. You must posses a valid and active license in good standing for the previous five years in the state that qualifies. Application for Original Contractor License as well needs to be filled out and submitted for consideration of reciprocity in California.
Electrician License in California
When You posses the California electrical license, it will require a renewal every 3 years. Bear in mind that You must have worked at least 2 000 hrs to be in good standing with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement or else You will most likely need to take the test again.
View California’s application their certification program here
Taking the California Exam
California’s Electrical Contractor examination is administered by PSI which does not charge You separately because the price is included on the application fee. The test for a general electrician license consists of 100 multiple choice questions with time limit of two and half hours. Other CA electrical licenses involve taking other tests with less questions.
NEC standards are what the test content is based upon. The exams are open book (You can freely use all available materials). To pass the exam, you must score at least 70%.
CA tests are available in Spanish since the state has a large Hispanic population. Most of the subjects on the test related to trouble shooting; system evaluation & design; rough wiring; trim and finish wiring; repair; and safety. Once the board approves Your application, You will be provided with information regarding test date and location.
If you fail the test on the first try there is a 60 day waiting period before you can retake it. You will need to submit a retest form and include $100 for the retest.
Best Cities for Electrical Work in California
If You are planning an electrician career in the state of California, You should definitely be aware of areas that can provide the most work. The population centers with the highest overall electricity consumption are Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, neverheless, several other cities all the way up the coast offer good employment opportunities as well.
Eastern California is less populated and the resident population there tends to have less disposable income for electrical projects. The CA counties with the highest per capita income are Alameda, Alpine and Amador so that is where the money is for electrical projects.
Since California generally has great weather, you will enjoy working on the go there instead of being stuck indoors all the time or working in cold and harsh weather conditions. You are likely to do better if You can speak some Spanish. Best of luck pursuing career as an electrician in the state of California!