What Are the Different Types of Electrician Qualifications?

Electrician qualifications can include formal certification in various types of repair work, in addition to having completed high school, and maintaining a strong personal work ethic. Electrician certifications are generally received through regional training agencies, and not all local areas require this type of qualification. Post secondary school is typically not required in this field of work, though employers may require or look favorably on applicants who have completed secondary school or similar course work.

Many local regions require that individuals working as electricians be certified by a region specific exam. The certification courses and final written exam that electricians must pass are often specific to the type of electrical repair work which they will be performing. Repair work is generally subdivided into categories which include residential electrical repair, commercial electrical repair, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) related repairs.

Job postings which include specific electrician qualifications typically specify which type of certification an employee must have prior to applying for work. An individual certified in residential repair, for example, may not be qualified to perform commercial electrical work, and should make sure they have obtained the proper license before contacting prospective employers. Some regions offer a general electrical repair license which requires a higher number of coursework hours and a different final exam that qualifies employees to perform all available types of electrical servicing without holding multiple licenses.

Electricians may also become certified in a particular area of expertise by becoming affiliated with a local trade organization and receiving supervised on the job training. Employers willing to work with individuals involved with this type of program may require that applicants have received formal apprenticeship status to satisfy their electrician qualifications. Employees may also be required to complete all repair work under the supervision of a licensed electrician until the specified number of training hours has been completed. The number of apprenticeship hours required to satisfy regional standards is usually dependent on the type of electrical repair work being performed, and also requires that students complete a final written exam to receive their certifications.

Regions which do not require formal electrician certifications may have more relaxed standards regarding electrician qualifications. Employers in such areas frequently require that applicants have completed high school, secondary school, or received their GEDs. They may also specify the exact type of work employees will be performing, and express an interest in experience in similar forms of repairs from their candidates. Personal qualifications for this type of work can include the ability to work well with others, maintaining appropriate personal attire and hygiene, and legible handwriting which may be necessary for completing building schematics by hand.