How to Become a Licensed Electrician in California in 2026 — Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before you can even apply for the exam, you need to meet California's basic eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN, and be physically capable of performing electrical work. You also need to enroll in or complete a state-approved electrical apprenticeship program. California has two main paths: union apprenticeships through the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and non-union programs through the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) or WECA (Western Electrical Contractors Association).

Step 2: Complete Your Apprenticeship (8,000 Hours)

The California apprenticeship is 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus a minimum of 150 hours of classroom instruction per year (typically 600-750 total classroom hours over 4 years). The apprenticeship covers every aspect of electrical work: residential wiring, commercial and industrial systems, motor controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), fire alarm systems, and photovoltaic (solar) installation. You will be paid during your apprenticeship — starting wages are typically $18-22/hour, increasing annually as you progress. Union apprentices through IBEW usually have higher wages and better benefits than non-union programs.

Step 3: Apply for the Journeyman Exam

Once you have completed (or nearly completed) your 8,000 hours, you can apply for the California Electrical Certification Exam through the DIR. The application requires: completed application form, proof of work hours (signed by your supervising C-10 contractor), proof of apprenticeship completion or enrollment, government-issued photo ID, and a $175 application fee ($100 exam fee + $75 certification fee). Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks. Once approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from PSI. You have one year from the ATT date to schedule and take the exam.

Step 4: Pass the California Journeyman Exam

The California journeyman electrician exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, 4-hour time limit, open-book (you may bring the NEC codebook into the exam). Passing score is 70% (70 out of 100 questions correct). The exam covers electrical theory (15-20% of questions), NEC code and calculations (25-30%), wiring methods and materials (15-20%), motors and transformers (10-15%), grounding and bonding (10-15%), California-specific requirements including Title 24 energy code and Cal/OSHA safety (5-10%), and load calculations (5-10%).

Step 5: Get Your C-10 Contractor License (Optional but Recommended)

After working as a certified journeyman for at least 2 years, you can apply for the C-10 Electrical Contractor license. This allows you to run your own electrical business, bid on jobs, pull permits, and hire other electricians. The C-10 exam covers business and law in addition to electrical knowledge. Requirements: 4 years of journeyman-level experience (your apprenticeship years count toward this), pass the C-10 exam (electrical trade + business/law sections), obtain a $15,000 contractor's bond, and provide proof of workers' compensation insurance. C-10 holders can earn $150,000-250,000+ per year running their own electrical business.