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How to Become an Electrician in Georgia

1. What is the difference between certification and licensing?
2. What are Georgia’s Electrical License Requirements?
3. 3 Steps to Get Electrician Certification in Georgia
4. Become an Electrician in Georgia
5. How to become an Electrical Contractor in Georgia
6. What are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Georgia?
7. What Can an Electrician Earn in Georgia?
8. What You Need To Know to Own an Electrical Business

Becoming an electrician provides a range of employment opportunities and earns a great income. As an electrician you have job security.  There is always a need for skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in homes and businesses. IEC can help you get there.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 729,600 electricians nationwide and 16,590 work in Georgia and growing.  The national number is predicted to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. 

The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you can Earn While You Learn with IEC.

 

1. What is the difference between certification and licensing?

A certification is what you receive when you meet certain requirements of a program that is certified by some governing body that establishes standards.  A license is issued by a government entity, usually a state or municipality which documents that an individual has both the experience through documented on the job work knowledge and has passed a standardized test.  Many times, certification leads to licensing.

2. What are Georgia’s Electrical License Requirements?

Do I need to be licensed to be an electrician in Georgia? No
Electricians do not need to be individually licensed in Georgia. There is not a journeyman licensing phase in Georgia, however, they do work under the license of an Electrical Contractor. Electrical contractors in Georgia must obtain a license issued by the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors. After completing IEC’s apprenticeship program, you can work as a journeyman for an electrical contractor without supervision. Working as a journeyman electrician is the next step to obtain your own electrical contractor license. The state of Georgia Professional Licensing Boards is located at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31217.

3. 3 Steps to Get Electrician Certification in Georgia

1) Join IEC’s apprenticeship program to acquire the necessary work experience and education needed to sit for the electrical contractor’s exam
2) Work as an apprentice electrician to acquire a minimum of 8,000 of on-the-job-training under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor
3) Apply to the Georgia State Construction Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors to take the exam.

4. Become an Electrician in Georgia

SIGN UP FOR IEC’S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: Independent Electrical Contractors requires a high school diploma or GED, or you must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in a high school work-based training with a guidance counselor’s consent. Apprenticeship involves a combination of hands-on work experience and classroom instruction.

IEC Atlanta and Georgia Chapters is an independent, non-union apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program requires 8,000 hours (four years of experience) and 576 hours of classroom instruction, before you can work as a journeyman electrician under a licensed electrical contractor. Completing an apprenticeship through the IEC will earn a nationally recognized journeyman certificate, even though it is not required by the state of Georgia.

WORK AS A JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN: To earn experience as a journeyman electrician before you obtain your own electrical contractor license, you will work under a licensed IEC contractor. You must be at least 21 years old to apply for an electrical contractor license in the state of Georgia.

5. How to become an Electrician in Georgia

Georgia offers two types of electrical contractor licenses: Class I and Class II.

Class I: Low-voltage, single-phase electrical installations that do not exceed 200 amperes.

Class II: Must have experience working with and installing electrical systems that exceed 200 amperes.

BECOME A LICENSED INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: Being an electrical contractor involves good project management skills and performing various administrative functions, such as ensuring your business complies with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. The requirements to become an electrical contractor in Georgia include:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Complete the application
  • Provide documentation of four years of electrician experience
  • Provide 3 references
  • Pass the electrical exam with at least a 70% score


Georgia electrical contractors must renew their licenses every two years and complete four hours of continuing education each year, or a total of eight hours during the two-year period. Licensing renewal costs $75.

6. What are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrical Contractor in Georgia?

  • It is required by law in Georgia to be certified through the state to legally perform electrical work.
  • A trade license gives you credentials of your skill and experience.
  • Certified electrical contractors can legally operate a business bid government and public projects, obtain commercial insurance, request building permits, pass inspections and advertise services.
  • Licensing provides protection for your company and customers.
  • An electrical certification gives you a competitive edge in the job market.
  • Earning potential.

7. What Can an Electrician Earn in Georgia?

Annually electricians in Georgia can earn an average of $55,220 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Indeed.com states this salary increases with your experience.

  • Electrician Apprentice can earn an average of $20.50 per hour in Georgia and $4,719 overtime per year.
  • Electrician can earn an average of $25.04 per hour in Georgia and $8,063 overtime per year.

Salary ranges can vary depending on the city and number of years spent as an electrician, education, certifications, additional skills and other factors.

8. What You Need To Know to Own an Electrical Business

Management Classes
IEC Offers Management Training:

  • Estimating Skills
  • Jobsite Planning/Management
  • Prefabbing Technologies
  • Productivity Enhancing
  • Technology
  • Emerging Leadership
  • Project Management for Electrical Professionals
  • Successful Davis Bacon Strategies

To learn more visit Management classes available by request.

How Much Does It Cost for Electrician Certification in Georgia?

IEC’s tuition for members is less than $1,000 per year, plus the cost of books and other materials. There are also fees associated with taking the electrical contractor exam and obtaining your license.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician Certification in Georgia?

With IEC Atlanta and Georgia Chapters you can complete an accredited apprenticeship program earn a nationally recognized journeyman certificate in four years, which includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction.

IEC topics include:

  • Residential Wiring
  • Electrical Theory
  • Applied Math
  • OHM’s law
  • Safety/CPR/First Aid
  • Advanced Electrical Theory
  • Transformers/Generators
  • National Electrical Code (NEC)
  • Commercial and Industrial
  • Wiring
  • Electrical Motors
  • Blueprints
  • Line Logic
  • Programmable Controllers

Program Prerequisites: You must be 16 years old, have a high-school diploma or GED, possess a valid driver’s license, and show a passing algebra grade.

On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will gain an understanding of electrical standards, as well as math and scientific principles. Electricians need keen eyesight and good hand-eye coordination, as well as proper time management skills. They must demonstrate good customer service skills, work independently, maintain good physical endurance, and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.

Georgia Electrical Contractor Certification Exam Details

Georgia requires you to pass an exam to obtain an electrical contractor license. Administered through PSI, you must pay a $30 exam fee. Once you submit the appropriate paperwork and application, the licensing board will notify you within 45 days if you’re approved to take the exam.
The Class I exam contains 15 pre-test questions and 155 questions total. The Class II exam contains 22 pre-test questions and 162 questions total. Both open-book exams feature multiple-choice questions. You must score at least a 70% to pass.

The exams cover topics such as:

  • Regulations, Laws, and Administrative Functions
  • Basic Electrical Circuits
  • Electrical Controls and Devices
  • DC and DC Rotating Equipment
  • Transformers
  • Interior Electrical Systems
  • Special Equipment, Conditions, and Locations

Who Issues Electrical Contracting Licenses in Georgia?

The Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors issues electrician contractor licenses.

Does My Georgia Electrical License Work in Any Other State?

Yes. The state of Georgia has reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

National Electrician Certifications

While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates into more job opportunities and higher pay.

These include the Independent Electrical Contractors’ Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) distinction, certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among dozens of additional electrician certifications available.


Electrician Resources

You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways:

ATLANTA

19 COUNTIES

Barrow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, Clayton, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding, Walton

Rest of Georgia

CREDENTIALS

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