Becoming electrician

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JKinPA

Member
All,
What are the rules in regard to wiring residential homes (other than your own)in Pa, more specifically do you need a license and insurance. I also would like to know how much full time experience you need. I called a local school here and they said that I would need Wiring 1 and a NEC code review since I already have a associates in electronics and almost a bachelors in electrical engineering. He also said that the last 11 years at my current employer would count as the on the job experiece. My current job involves line voltage wiring on a daily basis but it is not really residential (pulling romex thru studs). Last question is there any money in residential wiring on a part time basis?

Short version, if you could answer these questions for me I would really appreciate it:
1. Do you need a license and insurance to wire homes other than your own in Pennsylvania?

2. Have you ever heard of commercial work experience (not that closely resembling residential wiring) counting for the work experience requirements for a license.

3. Is there any money to be made doing residential wiring on a part time basis, or is the overhead cost too much, insurance etc....

Thanks.
 

jrannis

Senior Member
JKinPA said:
All,
What are the rules in regard to wiring residential homes (other than your own)in Pa, more specifically do you need a license and insurance. I also would like to know how much full time experience you need. I called a local school here and they said that I would need Wiring 1 and a NEC code review since I already have a associates in electronics and almost a bachelors in electrical engineering. He also said that the last 11 years at my current employer would count as the on the job experiece. My current job involves line voltage wiring on a daily basis but it is not really residential (pulling romex thru studs). Last question is there any money in residential wiring on a part time basis?

Short version, if you could answer these questions for me I would really appreciate it:
1. Do you need a license and insurance to wire homes other than your own in Pennsylvania?

2. Have you ever heard of commercial work experience (not that closely resembling residential wiring) counting for the work experience requirements for a license.

3. Is there any money to be made doing residential wiring on a part time basis, or is the overhead cost too much, insurance etc....

Thanks.

I would think this year would be a good time to get into the residential housing market.
Nomally commercial experience will trump residential work experience but it depends on your local licensing board.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I believe that Pa was trying to get a law passed to require licensing for ec in the state but not sure if it passed. There are, however, local licensing that is required in different cities. Marc should chime in on this one--he da man from PA
 
Try calling your county office. They could tell you want is required to getting a electrical lic. in your area.
Yes there is money to be made. BUT WATCHOUT! With your little experience you could easily find yourself over your head and find that a job was bigger or more difficult then you thought. (Not all houses are the same)
 
ce2two electrician

ce2two electrician

For everyones information S.C.E. has (free) seminars year round freq. drive classes, AVD.plc,begineers plc classes, lighting classes, motor classes, h.v.a.c. classes,(scada) water treatment master computer classes this is relative to instrumentation ......ph#1 626 812-7537 or CTACSEMS@sce.com /the classes come with a killer lunch,pastries milk,juices,etc in the morning .........xlnt period.......been there several times ,learned a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ask questions and you shall learn ..enough said ,it's your turn..........................
 

wawireguy

Senior Member
Honestly there isn't as much money in wiring new homes. You are usually working for a general contractor who is concerned with one thing.. How much it costs him. There is a lot of competition. You might be able to make some money if you have the right contacts though. Starting without contacts or experience is going to be hard. If legal in your state feel free to jump and try it. I'd look at hiring someone who knows how do to do the work though if you do get contracts to work on. Would help you learn the ropes.. or is that how to rope : )
 

haskindm

Senior Member
Location
Maryland
Depends on your local jurisdiction. Many jurisdictions require that your experince be under a Master Electrician. They don't care what company you worked for, they want to know who is the Master Electrician that supervised your work.
 

MadeInUSA2007

Member
Location
San Jose, CA
Answers Three

Answers Three

1. in California, a C-10 contractors license is required (for work over $500 including labor and materials), general liability insurance is not required. or instead you can be an employee of a person who has a c-10

2. yes, my mom, who supervised the installation of one, that's right, one pool (her own), got her contractor's license for pool installation because she has years and years and years of school credit (she's a flippin Clinical Laboratory Specialist!! a lab tech! not even a PH. D)
Is it right? Not really, but, I am proud of her for doing it. Could she install another pool? Probably not well. I, on the other hand, took my C-10 test after a real 4-years experience, and I feel I earned my license. And I have the confidence that goes along with it.

fyi I would recommend working along side a residential electrician if you want to learn how to wire a house

3. is there money in it? Well, next week I hope to sign a $200,000 contract for the electrical of a 14,000 sq ft home. Money can be good, but there's more money in the commercial side, these days because of the bad housing market. $2 million general liab. insurance costs me $1700/yr., but remember, it's not required (in CA), contractors license costs $75/year I think, the city business license costs $150/yr. The cost of the supplies comes from the homeowner or General Contractor. When all else fails, work for someone else.

I'd give you my email but I don't know if I'm allowed too. I'd be willing to talk you through the process of starting your own business if you're interested.
 
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iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Welcome to the forum 'MadeintheUSA'. :smile:

Dragging up threads that are 3 months old really does not work out to well as the people involved have stopped following them. :smile:
 

rexowner

Senior Member
Location
San Jose, CA
Occupation
Electrician
I'd give you my email but I don't know if I'm allowed too. I'd be willing to talk you through the process of starting your own business if you're interested.

May be a moot point after 3 months. But if you want to
get in touch with somebody 1:1, click on their name,
and send them a private message (PM).
 
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