As you are training to become an electrician, there are various certifications that you can get to increase your scope of work, rank and even credibility to clients for the services provided. Most of these certifications are also associated with increase in rank and therefore more business and even the chance to hire and supervise other electrical contractors. Some of the certificates are earned through training, while others greatly depend on your experience exposure.
Electrician Operating License
In order to provide any services to the public as an electrician, you need to obtain and operating license from the state government. You need to follow an application process depending on your state. It typically involves filing an application form, attaching copies of your training and certificates and sending it to the relevant local government authority. This license allows you to offer electrical services to the area within your jurisdiction. You need to renew your operating license periodically.
Certification of Electrical Safety
As an electrician, you must purchase a certificate of electrical safety for all your electrical installation work. Whenever you are working on a new project, you should get this certificate, failure to which you could lose your operating license. You should arrange for an inspection by an electrical inspector after the project is complete before connecting to a working electrical supply.
Residential and Commercial Certification
A residential electrician cannot do the work of a commercial electrician without the proper certification. The scope of work is different, commercial projects are more complicated and high risk. Most electricians start of as apprentices and then climb up the ranks as they gain more experience in the field. You need to pass an exam in order to receive certification as a residential electrician. Apprentices in the commercial training learn a few more things that residential electricians such as communications, mechanical connections, lighting and security systems before taking an exam to receive certification.
Master Electrician
Becoming a master electrician is the highest rank in all the tiers of certification. Master electricians have a lot of training and experience under their belts. They go through electrical school, apprenticeship training, examination and certification in residential or commercial electrical. After all this, they still have to work under a certified master electrician for some time and obtained a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering before becoming a master electrician. Master electricians can handle a variety of projects and manage a group of other electricians.
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