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 trades in the construction industry to install and service their homes and businesses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 17,640 work in Arizona. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 adding more than 50,000 to the ranks. That growth rate is expected to be much higher in Arizona — projected at a whopping 35%, 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, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 60% of firms in the U.S. and 79% of firms in Arizona 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 it required to be a licensed contractor to operate as an electrician in Arizona? Yes.
Arizona does not offer an official journeyman license as do most states. Instead, Arizona issues contractor licenses. Arizona has several electrical contractor licenses, depending upon the type of work the electrician does: Residential (R-11), Commercial (C-11), or Electrical (K-11). The Arizona Registrar of Contractors classifies a “journeyman electrician” based on proven work experience. Arizona does not require a license or permit to become an electrical apprentice.
OBTAIN NECESSARY TRAINING: To apply for an Arizona electrician license, you must have 8,000 hours of hands-on training and 900 hours of classroom work. You can accomplish this by enrolling in a technical school and a union/non-union apprenticeship.
GAIN POST-APPRENTICESHIP EXPERIENCE: Arizona does not have statewide requirements after completion of an apprenticeship. However, it is recommended you earn journeyman certification through a national program, even though the state of Arizona does not license journeymen specifically. Some specialty areas for additional years of experience may include commercial contractor and industrial installation, photovoltaics, and solar power or HVAC electric.
APPLY FOR CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM: The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues contractors licenses, with three options for electricians. Those options are Residential (R-11), Commercial (C-11), or Electrical—a combination of residential and electric (K-11). You must register to take two exams before you can obtain a license: a business management exam and trade exam.
TAKE LICENSING CONTRACTOR EXAM: The business management exam contains 80 questions that must be completed within 180 minutes. A passing score is 70%. The trade exam contains 110 questions that must be completed within 240 minutes. A passing score is 70%.
OBTAIN YOUR ELECTRICIAN LICENSE: After passing your exams, you must pay licensing fees to get your electrician license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The cost for a residential license is $720, while a commercial license is $580. Licenses must be renewed every two years. The state of Arizona does not require continuing education for electricians, although some specific counties might.
PROOF OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR INSURANCE: Electricians in Arizona must hold electrical contractors’ insurance, which includes liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. Other insurance options to include for added protection include Errors and Omissions insurance, which protects against negligent claims filed against you or those that suggest you failed to perform a promised service. Commercial property insurance can protect your business building and its contents.
There are three different types of electrician licensing in Arizona:
Residential (R-11): A residential electrician licensee can install and repair electrical systems in residential properties only.
Commercial (C-11): The Arizona Registrar of Contractors states C-11 electricians can perform “installation, alteration, and repair of any wiring, related electrical material and equipment used in the generating, transmitting, or utilization of electrical energy less than 600 volts, including all overhead electrical wiring on public right-of-ways for signs and street decorations, and all underground electrical distribution systems of less than 600 volts serving private properties” as well as “installation, alteration, and repair on other than public right-of-ways of all outside, overhead, and underground electrical construction, and all wiring in or on any building of less than 600 volts.”
Electrical (K-11): K-11 electricians can do both residential electric work and commercial electric work associated with R-11 and C-11 licenses.
There are many benefits to pursuing Arizona electrician licensing:
The annual mean wage for electricians in Arizona is $59,420 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.
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The cost of an electrician license in Arizona varies based on the level of licensing.
Applicants for the Residential (R-11) and Commercial (C-11) electrical licenses can participate in the National Association of State Licensing Agency Electrical Examination Program. Through that program, the cost to take the business management and trade exams totals $116.
A Residential (R-11) electrician licensing fee is $720.
A Commercial (C-11) electrician licensing fee is $580.
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