Colonna Krishna

Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 711,200 electricians nationwide and 39,760 work in New York. The national number is predicted to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, adding more than 50,00 to the ranks natinwide.

That growth rate is expected to be a whole lot higher in New York — projected at 27%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.

Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of firms in the U.S. and 100% of firms in New York had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.

The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.

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Is a state license required to be an electrician in New York? It depends.

In the state of New York, electrical licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, as there are no statewide regulations for electricians. Some municipalities issue licenses through local licensing boards.

In New York City, for example, electrical licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings, which is at 280 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, N.Y., 10007. In some parts of the state, like rural upstate New York, no license is required to perform electrical work.

GAIN THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: Some New York municipalities follow licensing procedures generally established to become a journeyman electrician, master electrician, or electrical contractor. Other municipalities, however, also set their own regulations. Check with your local licensing board for specific requirements.

In Rochester, for example, a single-phase electrician must work a minimum of 3,000 hours in the electrical trade, or two years in electrical wiring, while a master electrician must work 6,000 hours, or four years of experience in electrical wiring.

In Syracuse, master electricians need 10 years of experience, while limited electricians are required to have five years of experience.

In New York City, potential electricians must meet certain criteria, including being at least 21 years old, before they become eligible to take either the master electrician or special electrician licensing exams. You can find the criteria outlined on the Department of Buildings website, but some (not all) examples include:

APPLY FOR LICENSURE WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTION: Once you fulfill the necessary requirements within your jurisdiction, you can submit an electrical license application. In New York City, you must also complete a background investigation check to qualify as a licensed professional. The background investigation costs $500 and requires several forms of documentation including, but not limited to:

In most cities, electrician licenses are issued for one year. Some municipalities, including New York City, require eight hours of continuing education before you can renew your license each year.

OBTAIN A MASTER ELECTRICIAN OR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE: Many master electricians and electrical contractors own and operate their own businesses. Independent electrical contractors in New York City must adhere to specific insurance guidelines. For example, contractors must maintain workers’ compensation insurance and disability insurance, as well as project insurance, and $1 million in general liability insurance.

Some cities in the state of New York issue traditional licenses, such as journeyman electrician and master electrician. Other municipalities, like the city of Syracuse, issue limited electrician licenses. The city of Albany issues Class A electrician licenses. Some cities also regulate residential electricians.

New York City mandates some of the strictest electrician licensing requirements in the U.S. The New York City Department of Buildings website offers a special online tool licensees can use to learn specific requirements for their business. Generally speaking, however, NYC issues two types of electrical licenses:

There are many benefits to pursuing a New York electrician license:

The annual mean wage for electricians in New York is $81,700 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.

Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.

ServiceTitan features:

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Tuition at many community colleges in the state of New York costs about $5,000 per year, plus books and supplies. Technical colleges can be more expensive and range in price from $8,000 to $18,000 per year, depending on the school, location, and desired course of study.

License holders must also be prepared to pay the fees associated with licensure exams and applications. These costs vary by municipality.

How long it takes to obtain an electrician license in the state of New York varies, depending on the municipality. In some cities, potential electricians can earn the equivalent of a journeyman license in about four years. Other cities, such as New York City, have more strict guidelines and require a minimum of 7.5 years of experience before you can apply for licensure.

There are many community colleges, trade schools, technical and vocational schools to get the training you need to become an electrical professional in New York. They are located all over the state, including in bigger cities and smaller communities.

Some electrical schools in the state of New York:

Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary. Most programs, however, require you to be 18 years old, possess a high-school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and a passing algebra grade.

On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you'll 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 also need to have good customer service skills, be able to work independently, have good physical endurance, and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.

In the state of New York, testing details vary by municipality. Many exams are based on material from the National Electrical Code (NEC) and general electrical safety protocols.

In NYC, for instance, applicants must pass a written exam and a practical exam before obtaining an electrical license. The application fee for the written exam is $525. The application fee for the practical exam is $350.

The written exam includes multiple-choice questions based on the New York City Electrical Code, as well as the National Electrical Code (NEC). No reference materials are allowed during testing. A passing score on the written exam is at least 70%. Once you pass the written exam, you may schedule the practical exam. Results from the practical exam will be mailed to you within three or four weeks of taking the test.

In the state of New York, electrical licensing requirements vary. Some municipalities issue their own licenses through local electrical boards. In New York City, for example, electrical licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings. In some parts of the state, however, a license isn’t required to perform electrical work.

No. New York does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. However, you may check within your local jurisdiction to see if any waiver exams might be available.

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.

Sit with the legs outstretched in front of you (Staff Pose / Dandasana). Bend your right knee and place the right foot against the left inner thigh, relaxing the knee down. As you inhale, flex the left foot, press the top of the thigh down, lengthen the spine and raise your arms either side of your head.

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