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Attending a four-year program at a college or university to earn a degree can be expensive and time-consuming. If you’re like many young adults who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives, you might be interested in skilled trades that allow you to earn money even as you train for a career.

When you become an electrician, you’ll enjoy opportunities to advance in a stable profession and potentially even become your own boss, all while providing valuable and in-demand services to residents and businesses within your community. How can you get started?

Before you can legally operate as an electrician, you’ll have to obtain a license from the Iowa Electrical Licensing and Inspection Board. What can you do with such a license, and what are the requirements to obtain one?

Electrical Licenses in Iowa

If you want to work as an electrician in Iowa, you’ll first need a journeyman electrical license. This will permit you to perform activities related to designing, installing, and repairing a range of systems, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronic systems. You may only do so under the supervision of a master electrician.

With a master electrician license, you may perform all the same tasks, along with planning projects and supervising journeyman electricians. You must also familiarize yourself with the rules and laws applicable to such projects.

Requirements for Journeyman and Master Electrical Licenses

There are a couple of different pathways to eligibility when you want to obtain a journeyman electrical license. You could complete a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program consisting of four years, or 8,000 hours, of work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician, along with 576 hours of classroom instruction.

Another option is to complete a post-secondary program at a community college that includes 2,000 hours of instruction paired with 6,000 hours of work experience. Once you have obtained a journeyman electrical license and worked for a minimum of one year, you may apply for a master electrician license.

In certain circumstances, electricians employed before 2008 may not be required to complete educational requirements. However, any electrical professional looking to obtain a license must pass a state trade exam.

What Is Included in Trade Exams?

The Journeyman Electrician Exam is an open-book test composed of 80 questions on topics like:

• General electrical knowledge
• Wiring methods and materials
• Special occupancies
• Wiring and protection
• Special conditions
• Equipment for general use
• Special equipment

You will have three hours to complete the exam, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of questions (56) to pass. 

The Master Electrician Exam consists of 100 questions covering the same topics, as well as communication systems. This open-book test is four hours long, and you must answer at least 70 questions correctly to pass.

Which Exam Prep Program Is Best?

Working professionals will appreciate a state-approved exam prep program designed for convenience and self-paced learning, with 24/7 online access to course materials from nearly any device.

Are you interested in obtaining your journeyman or master electrician license in Iowa? Contact RocketCert now to find out how to get started.