Master Electrician

An electrician’s quest to attain master electrician certification is a long and expensive process. Few people have any real appreciation for what it is that electricians do, or the extensive training and hands-on experience that a licensed electrician brings to the job. Electricians undertake a multi-year apprenticeship before they can become licensed journeyman electricians, and then have several years beyond that to become a licensed master electrician.

An electrician must be licensed by the state in which they work. Florida follows the National Electrical Code ( NFPA 70) and it recognizes three categories of electrician: apprentice, journeyman and master electrician.

St. Lucie and Martin County require a license to work, as do some municipalities. In St. Lucie County licensing is required in both Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. In Martin County licensing is required in Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound.

The Apprentice Electrician.

The lowly apprentice electrician is a beginner or trainee who works under direct supervision of a master electrician. An apprentice must work from three to six years under direct supervision of a master electrician, and pass a written test to attain journeyman status.  During that period the apprentice typically takes courses such as electrical theory for direct and alternating current, use of meters and electrical tools, lighting system installation, repairing transformers and generators, and job-site management.  Additionally, the apprentice learn about safety guidelines and procedures, and the use of protective clothing such as insulated gloves. He then get state certification, which generally mandates work experience and passing an exam.  Only then can he legally work by himself without direct supervision.

The Journeyman Electrician.

A journeyman is licensed to work by himself, without direct supervision. He can installing wiring, outlets and fixtures; and do service work and troubleshooting. A journeyman cannot pull permits, but must work under permits issued to a master electrician. A journeyman follows a master electrician’s plans and directions. A journeyman’s duties may vary; Some do mostly residential work, while others mainly commercial or industrial installations. Journeyman training combines hands-on work with education on basic electricity. In all cases, he/she must also have some classroom education on the National Electrical Code and basic electricity in a technical school or program affiliated with the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Council. After all these requirements are meet, he can take apply for Master Electrician certification.

The Master Electrician.

A master electrician has typically from three to six years working as a journeyman and also has to be educated in the fundamentals of electricity, building codes, project management and safety regulations. A journeyman can take classes for master certification at an educational institution or through an industry training program and must pass a test to be licensed as a master electrician.

Goodiel Electric, LLC.

For a Great Deal, call Goodiel Electric.

Based in Jensen Beach, Goodiel Electric offers a range of electrical installation services to Martin and St. Lucie County and to its Treasure Coast communities.

Glenn Goodiel, the owner of Goodiel Electric,  is a state-licensed master electrician, holding a Florida unlimited electrical contractor certification and license. He has extensive experience in residential and commercial construction.