How Long is Trade School for an Electrician? The Comprehensive Guide - CET

In an age of exorbitant college costs and a difficult job market for many college graduates, more and more people have been considering trade schools. Among the various available trade school programs, the program to become an electrician is one of the most popular. One of the reasons for that is the profession has a very strong outlook over the next decade. There’s an expected 8% increase which is much faster than average, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, electricians enjoy higher than average median salaries and valuable opportunities for self-employment.

Being an electrician is a great job if you can get it and a trade school program is one of the ways to enter the industry. But how long is trade school for an electrician?

Time Required for Electrician Trade School Programs

Unlike a two or four-year college degree, many trade school programs can be completed in less than two years and the electrician trade school program is no exception. That means you’ll spend less time in the classroom and be able to start working on your electrical career sooner.

At CET, our Electrician (Residential and General) program can be completed in as few as 8 to 9 months. You will be prepared to succeed in your new career as an electrician or electrician’s helper before even a year goes by. That’s quite the opportunity.

Over those 8-9 months at CET, you’ll complete 900 hours of training with an emphasis on commercial and specialty systems, among other topics. You won’t have to spend all that time in the classroom being lectured, though. The experienced instructors at CET utilize multiple methods of instruction including hands-on shop and lab projects. Through those activities, you’ll be able to apply the material and pick up practical skills you’ll apply once you’re on the job.

It will be time well spent, guaranteed.

Finding an Electrician Trade School or Apprenticeship

Now, you may be wondering, “is there an electrician trade school or apprenticeship near me?” If you live near San Jose or Soledad, the answer is yes! CET offers our comprehensive Electrician (Residential & General) job training program at our campuses in both of those cities.

Enrollment at CET is open, too, which means you don’t have to wait for any specific semester to start your program. You can start when you’re ready.

Cost of Attending an Electrician Trade School Program

Once you answer the question, “should I go to trade school for electrician work?” and find the right school and program for you, it’s time to think about the associated cost. As mentioned earlier, trade school programs are faster and thus cheaper than college degrees. There are still tuition costs to consider, though.

Electrician trade school programs cost different amounts depending on which school the student is attending and other factors. Use this tuition page to get an idea of what attending the electrician program at CET would cost you.

Don’t forget that there is financial aid available to electrician trade school students so that can make attending more affordable for students with financial constraints. In the end, the cost of the electrician program is an investment you make in your future as a successful electrician.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Electrician

Is being an electrician hard on your body?

Compared to other trades, being an electrician isn’t overly hard on your body. Some electricians may experience discomfort in their backs or knees after being in the business for a while. This is because being an electrician often requires bending and kneeling to gain access to electrical wires. Wearing knee pads on the job may mitigate some of these potential stresses on an electrician’s body.

How to become a certified electrician?

Every state will have different rules and regulations for becoming certified or licensed as an electrician. CET is an approved training school in California so after completing the electrician program at CET, you’ll be eligible to register with the California DSLE and gain an electrical trainee card. This is part of the process of becoming certified and you’ll also need to take a license examination. 

Should I go to a trade school or pursue an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an alternate path for becoming an electrician. It can be more difficult to be accepted into an apprenticeship program but if you are less interested in learning alongside experienced instructors and peers, this may be a good option for you. The right choice will simply depend on each person’s individual preferences.