Becoming an Electrician in Virginia
There’s a reason that SESCOS electricians are among the best in their field. They’ve gone through a rigorous program of training and education that has equipped them to handle any residential or commercial electrical job with skill, speed, and safety.
Training and Education
State licensing is required to legally work in Virginia as an electrician. To qualify for a license, an electrician must have 5 to 10 years of combined experience, training and education.
Most electricians start their studies in one of three ways:
- College-level coursework in electrical engineering. Some electricians begin their careers with degrees in electrical engineering. Prospective Master Electricians will acquire on-the-job training to earn their license.
- Community college or trade school training. Electrician courses are popular at community colleges and at trade and technical schools.
- Apprenticeship with an electricians’ union. This is the classic route to many professional trades. The union apprenticeship combines paid training, on-the-job experience, and classroom work.
Experience is Key
The term “journeyman electrician” applies to an electrician who has successfully passed the state licensing exam. To qualify for the state license, Virginia electricians can substitute years of experience for formal training. Those who don’t have formal training must show 10 years of on-the-job experience verified by a licensed master electrician.
Any electrician who wants the journeyman license must submit an application to the state Board of Contractors, then take the exam and earn the credential.
It’s not an easy process but it ensures that licensed electricians in Virginia are among the best-trained, most experienced and most knowledgeable tradespeople you’ll find. That’s why we take pride in all of our electricians at SESCOS. We know how hard they worked to get where they are.
Mastering Their Trade
Top electricians in Virginia are entitled to take a specialized exam that qualifies them as “Master electricians.” This is a 90-minute exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of the National Electrical Code and state regulations.
Master electricians usually have several years of experience. They’ve proven that they’re qualified to work on any type of electrical project.
Specialty Fields
Some electricians specialize their certifications to service special expertise in areas, such as:
- liquefied petroleum fitters;
- natural gas fitters;
- fire alarm installers;
- commercial and industrial electricians;
- electrical inspectors.
Top-Notch Technicians
Being an electrician isn’t for everyone. Electricians need to have critical thinking, outstanding math skills, and good hand-eye coordination. Electricians require a good measure of courage, common sense as they work with powerful and potentially dangerous conditions.
We pride ourselves on hiring only the best of this exceptional group. The next time a SESCOS electrician comes to your home or your business, you’re getting top-notch knowledge and experience.
If you need new outlets in your home or an overhaul of your industrial plant’s lighting system, call SESCOS and get the know-how and the skill your project needs.