When do you consider yourself an electrician?

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According to news reports ... They are going to Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and every ware West of the Mississippi river.
 
I never called myself an electrician until I passed my JW. I was an apprentice electrician up until that point.

As long as I was an active on the DORA website then I was an apprentice and now Journeyman Electrician.

My personal thoughts or whether or not I was any good is beside the point.
 
Sea Nile said:
This is an honest question, not trying to make a point, or rub anyone the wrong way.

Of the different stages, this is how I break it down...

1. Electrician's helper - typically a young person who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, or someone who just wants a paycheck and not interested in learning.

2. Basic Installer - Someone who has been a helper long enough to work independently and possibly be in charge of helpers. Usually has a chip on their shoulder. Invests in their own tools.

3. Apprentice - someone who wants to learn how to be an electrician and doesn't have the "I'm God's gift to electricity" attitude. They study, ask questions, and invest in their own tools and books. Sometimes bumps heads with basic installers about doing things the right way.

4. Senior installer - very productive, fast, and knows how to make the company money and pass inspections. But doesn't understand theory or why they do what they do.

5. Unlicensed journeyman - very experienced, knows how to troubleshoot, people listed above (1-4) asks him how to do things. Has a good relationship with inspectors and can talk intelligently about all aspects of the job. But for whatever reason, hasn't or can't become licensed.

6. Licenced journeyman and above are self explanatory.

And of course almost everyone listed above will call themselves an electrician.

The reason I bring up this question, is i've always considered myself an apprentice.
I'll never accept the title of helper or installer. I plan on going from apprentice to unlicensed journeyman. But it amazes me how many people I meet who consider themselves electricians and I know much more than they do.

So at what point do I drop the apprentice label and just identify as an electrician?
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This is a great and thoughtful way to categorize it! I would say for me it was #4. I worked for a few years as “I do electrical work” but didn’t call myself an electrician until I was able to do everything a client could ask for. I do residential so when I was able to bug in the service I called myself an electrician.
 
Sea Nile said:
I hope you have a great weekend too, and I don't think you're being snarky at all.
I only mentioned electronics and networking so not sure that helps a whole lot in this field.
Since you mentioned it, I love theory. If you understand theory, then you can make sense of why the code tells you what not to do, and what you have to do.
You can identify an unsafe situation or install even if you can't remember exactly what the code says if you understand the physics of how electricity works.
I used to think I knew, but now I realize I don't know diddly squat.
But I also realized that no one else does either.
I've watched Mike Holt's Electrical Fundamentals DVD 3 or 4 times and the Grounding and Bonding DVD twice so now I can at least contribute to the conversation somewhat intelligently but I don't have experience.
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I can remember the what much better once I understand the why.
 
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