8,000
OJT Hours Required
4-5 Years
Typical Duration
$35+/hr
Avg Journeyman Wage
150 hrs/yr
Classroom Required
5 Steps to Become an Electrician in California
Follow this roadmap to earn your California electrician certification.
Register as Electrician Trainee
Apply for your ET (Electrician Trainee) card through the DIR. Required if not in a state-approved apprenticeship program.
Enroll in Training Program
Join a JATC apprenticeship, trade school, or employer-sponsored program. 150 classroom hours required per year.
Complete OJT Hours
Work under a certified electrician to complete 8,000 hours (General) or 4,500 hours (Residential).
Track Your Hours
Document all OJT hours by work category. Use SparkShift for GPS-verified tracking accepted by the DIR.
Pass the State Exam
Take and pass the California electrician certification exam to earn your General or Residential license.
California Electrical License Requirements
General Electrician Certification
- 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a certified electrician
- 150 classroom hours of related instruction per year of experience
- Pass the California General Electrician certification exam
- Work must cover systems under the NEC (National Electrical Code)
Residential Electrician Certification
- 4,500 hours of residential electrical work experience
- Related classroom instruction required
- Pass the California Residential Electrician certification exam
- Limited to single-family and small multi-family dwellings
Electrician Trainee (ET) Card
If you are not in a state-approved apprenticeship program, you must register as an Electrician Trainee with the DIR before accumulating work hours.
Hours worked without an ET card may not count toward your certification. Apply through the DIR Electrician Certification Unit.
Apprenticeship Programs in California
California offers both union (IBEW/JATC) and non-union apprenticeship programs.
San Francisco Electrical JATC
San Francisco
ETI of Southern California
Los Angeles
San Diego Electrical Training Center
San Diego
WECA - Western Electrical Contractors Association
Statewide
ABC SoCal/NorCal Chapters
Statewide
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles
Long Beach City College
Long Beach
IBEW Locals in California
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has strong presence across California.
San Francisco
San Francisco Bay Area (Inside Wiremen)
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County (Inside/Intelligent Transportation)
Los Angeles
LA Dept. of Water & Power (Utility)
San Jose
Silicon Valley & Santa Clara County
San Diego
San Diego County
Diamond Bar
Southern California (Outside/Linemen)
Vacaville
Northern California (Utility/Outside)
Riverside
Riverside & San Bernardino Counties
Track Your California OJT Hours with SparkShift
California requires detailed documentation of your 8,000 OJT hours across multiple work categories. SparkShift makes it easy to log, verify, and export your hours for DIR certification.
GPS-Verified Clock-In
Prove you were on the jobsite with location stamps
Category Tracking
Log hours across all work categories required by DIR
Exportable Reports
Generate PDF reports for your certification application
Supervisor Sign-Off
Digital approvals from your journeyman or foreman
California Electrical Board Contact Info
Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
Electrician Certification Unit
Phone
(510) 286-3900Mailing Address
P.O. Box 511286
Los Angeles, CA 90051-7841
FAQ for California Electricians
Common questions about becoming an electrician in California.
How many hours do I need to become an electrician in California?
California requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training for a General Electrician certification, or 4,500 hours for a Residential Electrician certification. You also need 150 hours of related classroom instruction for each year of experience.
Do I need an Electrician Trainee (ET) card in California?
Yes, if you are not enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program, you must register as an Electrician Trainee with the DIR before you can accumulate work hours. Hours worked without an ET card may not count toward your license.
How much do electrician apprentices make in California?
California electrician apprentices typically earn $18-$28 per hour depending on experience level and location. First-year apprentices in union programs often start at 40-50% of journeyman wages, which increases each year.
What is the difference between General and Residential Electrician certification?
A General Electrician certification allows you to work on all electrical systems covered by the NEC statewide. A Residential Electrician certification limits you to single-family homes and small multi-family dwellings. General requires 8,000 hours; Residential requires 4,500 hours.
How do I track my OJT hours for California certification?
You must document your work hours by category (raceways, conductors, motors, etc.). SparkShift provides GPS-verified hour tracking that meets DIR requirements, with exportable reports for your certification application.
Can I transfer my electrician license to California from another state?
California does not offer direct reciprocity for out-of-state electrician licenses. You must apply for California certification, provide documentation of your experience, and pass the California state exam.