What is a residential electrician?

A residential electrician or home electrician is a tradesperson who handles the repair and installation of electrical systems in residential buildings. Their job could include new wiring and lighting installations, panel changes, surge protection, and more.

What does a residential electrician do?

A residential electrician is responsible for installing, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the electrical systems in residential buildings. Depending on their position and expertise, a residential electrician may also be responsible for overseeing teams of workers and assisting with planning electrical projects.

How to become a residential electrician?

Becoming a residential electrician typically involves undergoing skill training and gaining necessary certifications. However, the specific residential electrician requirements may vary for each state. Please check the required educational hours and hands-on training necessary to become a licensed residential electrician in your state.

How much does a residential electrician make a year?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average residential electrician's salary in the U.S. is $59,752. There can be opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

How long does it take to become a residential electrician?

The duration of becoming a residential electrician varies based on the unique requirements of each state or county. Please check with your state or county about the necessary licensing and educational hours.

What is the required training and license?

The typical process of becoming a residential electrician starts with a skill training course, after which candidates need to get hands-on training by working as an apprentice. Each state or country has different requirements for certification, licenses, and educational hours to become a residential electrician. Please check with your state or county about all the necessary requirements for becoming a licensed residential electrician.

What is the difference between a residential electrician and an electrical technician?

A residential electrician works on the installation, repair, and maintenance of wiring and electrical systems in residential buildings. On the other hand, an electrical technician works on the electrical systems in machinery, equipment, and other mechanical devices, typically in manufacturing environments.

Would you be ready for an apprenticeship after the program?

Yes, this residential electrician training course prepares candidates with the fundamental skills and knowledge to start work as an apprentice. This course covers electrical theory, wiring and installation, safety procedures, and the use of common hardware, materials, and building plans. Before registering for the course, we recommend that candidates review the state or local requirements for becoming an apprentice.

Is this course equivalent to an apprenticeship?

No, this course is not equivalent to an apprenticeship. However, it prepares candidates to become electrical apprentices. Each state has specific requirements for electrical apprenticeships. Please check with your state or local government about all the necessary requirements for becoming an electrician's apprentice.

Is it all online, or is there hands-on labs and training?

This is a 100% online residential electrician course, which means there is no hands-on training in a lab setting. However, students will be able to access simulations to test their skills and get similar training as a hands-on course.

What career paths can I take after completing this course?

After completing the course, students can apply for electrical apprentice opportunities. Upon completing the necessary work hour requirements, they can proceed to become a journeyman and then a master electrician.

What are soft skills and what are the top soft skills for residential electricians?

Soft skills are the character traits, professional attitudes, and interpersonal skills that are transferrable across different professions. These may include communication skills, time management, problem-solving, and creative thinking to name a few.

According to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), 97% of employers surveyed believed soft skills were either equally or more important than hard skills. Out of the 46% of new employees that fail within 18 months, 89% were because they lacked essential soft skills such as professionalism and the ability to get along with others.

The top soft skills for residential electricians are troubleshooting, teamwork/collaboration, physical abilities, communication skills, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

What soft skills does this course focus on?

This course will provide students with key soft skills related to troubleshooting, teamwork and collaboration, communication skills, problem-solving, and organizational skills. It will also cover 10 lessons on customer service.

What is the 25% tools discount for students?

When starting a career as a residential electrician, you need to make a substantial investment in tools. To help ease the financial burden, students are eligible for a 25% discount on tools from Ideal Industries through local distributors. Please contact your Student Advisor or Instructor for more details on the discount.

Does this course prepare me for a certification?

No.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the Residential Electrician course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This residential electrician course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.