Hello all, I am from texas and am interested in obtaining an electrical journeymans license. I have a bach's degree in electronics but missed the time frame for when that counted for anything. Now I must take test and pass. I am having a hard time on finding direction on what steps I need to take to even set up testing. Help with directions would be greatly appreciated.
Journeyman License
- Thread starter Cody K
- Start date
- Status
sundowner
Senior Member
- Location
- West Wisconsin
I have a guaranteed way of obtaining a license, it starts with a 10,000 hour apprenticeship program with associated classes.
The first part on the apprenticeship program is unloading a truck load of OCAL conduit.
Take off your Wingtips and put on some Steeltoes and get on that conduit!!
My point, however abrupt, is that there is no way to quickly get a license.
Steve
The first part on the apprenticeship program is unloading a truck load of OCAL conduit.
Take off your Wingtips and put on some Steeltoes and get on that conduit!!
My point, however abrupt, is that there is no way to quickly get a license.
Steve
Maybe I should elaborate. I spent 5 years as a Instrument/Electrical technician for a chemical company (did not require license). I have paid my dues running conduit and bending tubing. The past year I have been I/E foreman (over 6 technicians) for natural gas treating company.
It is important for me to get proper licensing because of the type of work we do for customers. That is why I am just now looking into testing. Before at chemical company it was never an issue.
It is important for me to get proper licensing because of the type of work we do for customers. That is why I am just now looking into testing. Before at chemical company it was never an issue.
stray spark
Member
Cody K said:
I know I am new here but not to the trade of electrician. It is all I have done for almost 20 years. With that said IMHO being a technician is totally different from being an electrician. I get the impression that with this liscense you would be running a crew, or at least be on your own for this gas co. Anybody can be taught to bend conduit. Not everyone can be taught to be a good electrician. It takes time, schooling, and hands on experience with the direct supervision of a good electrician. In all my years I never fail to learn something every day. When you quit learning it is time to find a new field to work in because that is when things will go wrong fast. IMHO. I am not trying to flame anyone for wanting to be an electrician, but it takes time.:smile:
ibew441dc
Senior Member
journeyman license
journeyman license
I can't wait for the day that all electricians in the USA must be licensed or certified.
I am still suprised at the fact that many companies such as chemical and gas would not require certification or licensing of some sort.
Most electrician exams that I am aware of focus on the NEC. I would recommend becoming familiar with the NEC that your state has adopted.
Good Luck!
Ibew441dc
journeyman license
I can't wait for the day that all electricians in the USA must be licensed or certified.
I am still suprised at the fact that many companies such as chemical and gas would not require certification or licensing of some sort.
Most electrician exams that I am aware of focus on the NEC. I would recommend becoming familiar with the NEC that your state has adopted.
Good Luck!
Ibew441dc
sundowner
Senior Member
- Location
- West Wisconsin
License ??
License ??
Cody, I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I have also run a crew of dozens of E/I techs, This only taught me to fill out purch. reqs the right way,
get to meetings on time and verify prints for the A/E. I hold J-cards for Electrician, Instrument mechanic, and also a State of WI Master Electrician.
Each one was a CS to get, but I did the time, did the books, did the all night study groups, did the family juggle. ---THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT. If you think people skills and the ability to run a group of six techs installing SLDC's, orifice plates, and transmitters, makes you elidgable for a license,
Dude yer trippin'.
The only thing I can come up with in your situation is to call your local IBEW hall and ask about their training classes. Explain your needs, They may have an answer for you to get you on the right track.
I have to agree with IBEW441, Electrical work nationwide needs to be done with a licensed person.
One thought that comes to mind at closing here is that if you are required to get your license, who is requiring you to get it, your employer ?, perhaps the Boss can direct you on a path??
Good luck Cody, Hang in there, and remember you'll learn a lot more with your ears than your mouth. :>) :>)
Steve
License ??
Cody, I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I have also run a crew of dozens of E/I techs, This only taught me to fill out purch. reqs the right way,
get to meetings on time and verify prints for the A/E. I hold J-cards for Electrician, Instrument mechanic, and also a State of WI Master Electrician.
Each one was a CS to get, but I did the time, did the books, did the all night study groups, did the family juggle. ---THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT. If you think people skills and the ability to run a group of six techs installing SLDC's, orifice plates, and transmitters, makes you elidgable for a license,
Dude yer trippin'.
The only thing I can come up with in your situation is to call your local IBEW hall and ask about their training classes. Explain your needs, They may have an answer for you to get you on the right track.
I have to agree with IBEW441, Electrical work nationwide needs to be done with a licensed person.
One thought that comes to mind at closing here is that if you are required to get your license, who is requiring you to get it, your employer ?, perhaps the Boss can direct you on a path??
Good luck Cody, Hang in there, and remember you'll learn a lot more with your ears than your mouth. :>) :>)
Steve
Suggestion
Suggestion
I don't know where in Texas you live but if it is around the Houston area go to San Jacinto College in Deer Park or Lee College in Baytown. They both have very good NEC classes (if you go this spring it will be approximately 2 nights a week for 16 weeks) plus they both usually offer a 2 weekend review class for the journeyman and master electrician test.
I've been out of school almost 15 years but will return to college this spring to enhance my electrical skills. To stay in this business you have to run just to stay still. Keep learning and try to be the best you can be because if not, your competition will have your job.
If anyone has the time read Thomas Friedman's "The World Is Flat."
Suggestion
I don't know where in Texas you live but if it is around the Houston area go to San Jacinto College in Deer Park or Lee College in Baytown. They both have very good NEC classes (if you go this spring it will be approximately 2 nights a week for 16 weeks) plus they both usually offer a 2 weekend review class for the journeyman and master electrician test.
I've been out of school almost 15 years but will return to college this spring to enhance my electrical skills. To stay in this business you have to run just to stay still. Keep learning and try to be the best you can be because if not, your competition will have your job.
If anyone has the time read Thomas Friedman's "The World Is Flat."
Most of you, thank's for your comments. Especially Celtic. I am sending required paperwork to state of texas and waiting on further requirements if needed. I appreciate the simple direction, that's all I needed to get started.
Once I get approved by them I have to pass the test (must know NEC code, and electrical theory/calculations)
Sundowner, thanks for your negative comments. I guess the cold weather up there makes some of you angry; or maybe it was me mentioning my degree (i.e. "take off your wingtips"). I've done plenty of mid night callouts troubleshooting mcc's and other electrical problems. Get the chip off your shoulder buddy, you'll live longer!!:wink:
Once I get approved by them I have to pass the test (must know NEC code, and electrical theory/calculations)
Sundowner, thanks for your negative comments. I guess the cold weather up there makes some of you angry; or maybe it was me mentioning my degree (i.e. "take off your wingtips"). I've done plenty of mid night callouts troubleshooting mcc's and other electrical problems. Get the chip off your shoulder buddy, you'll live longer!!:wink:
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
ibew441dc said:
I hope you don't mind waiting an eternity, because that's how long it will take before that will be accomplished. In order for that to take place, many laws would have to be changed, and this would be especially difficult in "home rule" states like New York with licensing (or none at all) done at the local level.
Licensing is no guarantee that you will get quality work. It sure helps, but it's still very imperfect. All of the New England states have very strict rules about apprenticeship, licensing, continuing education, and inspections, yet you would be amazed at how much hack work still gets done and passed by inspectors around here. I am not against licensing at all. I just don't put a lot of value on it from what I've observed in the industry.
sundowner
Senior Member
- Location
- West Wisconsin
License ??
License ??
Sorry Cody, I'll apoligize here publicly on the forum... My comments were rather "switchblade" , Sorry Dude. I have been running into this issue frequently lately and have started to be kind of irritated by it. I did'nt mean to ding your experience, or your work, or you. :-(
Stay the course on trying to get the ticket, It will open more doors than you can believe. Good luck
Steve
License ??
Sorry Cody, I'll apoligize here publicly on the forum... My comments were rather "switchblade" , Sorry Dude. I have been running into this issue frequently lately and have started to be kind of irritated by it. I did'nt mean to ding your experience, or your work, or you. :-(
Stay the course on trying to get the ticket, It will open more doors than you can believe. Good luck
Steve
RampyElectric
Member
- Location
- Liberty SC
Hey man these guys are right. I pulled home runs under houses.....for 2 years before I even got to cut in outlets or switches. Then I spent two years learning to wire up the rest of the house, then I got called up to go to iraq. When I came back, I went back to work learning to do more commercial stuff, and carrying the tools of a master service electrician. I just took my masters exam.....being able to pass a test really is all about finding the most obscure of code references quickly.There are some calculations as well, but not so much any more, at least not with the Thom/Pro test. But dont ever be misled, there is no substitute for experience and some guys with no card at all can blow the doors off of us that do. But to answer your question on how to pass quickly.....Mike Holt....studying it everyday and being willing to get your eyes knocked out here in the forum when you ask questions that arouse some good natured hazing. If you hit mike's course full force....I think you might pull it off in 3-4 months. And hey after all this.....I have no idea what OCAL conduit is.... Oh boy, will these guys be roastin me....
sundowner
Senior Member
- Location
- West Wisconsin
Rampy,
First of all THANKS for going to Iraq, THANKS for protecting my freedom,This Democracy, and the capitolism in which I work, My hat is off. I salute You !!!! So do my wife and kids !!
I used to have a friend there.
P.S. Ocal conduit is the plastic coated ridgid metallic stuff, maybe you know it as "RobRoy" , ran miles of it in the paper/Kraft mills of Central WI.
S
First of all THANKS for going to Iraq, THANKS for protecting my freedom,This Democracy, and the capitolism in which I work, My hat is off. I salute You !!!! So do my wife and kids !!
I used to have a friend there.
P.S. Ocal conduit is the plastic coated ridgid metallic stuff, maybe you know it as "RobRoy" , ran miles of it in the paper/Kraft mills of Central WI.
S
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