If you are interested in becoming an electrician, the first step is an apprenticeship. However, you don’t have to start working as an apprentice right away. You have the option to complete your education at OBC and earn a certificate. There are many benefits to earning a certificate with OBC. In addition to shortening the time you have to complete as an apprentice from 4 years to 3 before you are eligible for licensure, there are many other important reasons to pursue certification.

The Benefits of an Electrical Certification: Why It Matters for Your Career

Here are some reasons why getting certified as an electrician matters and how it can impact your career.

Get A Well-Rounded Education

One of the most important reasons to get certification at OBC is to get a well-rounded education. Starting as an apprentice may pigeonhole you into learning only one aspect of electricity. Maybe you only work on residential electrical wiring and never learn about industrial wiring. It may even take you the full four years of apprenticeship to learn what area of the trade you want to specialize in. By completing the Electrician program at OBC, you get to learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of the trade. You will also get plenty of training hours under the strict supervision of industry-experienced instructors. That way, you can make mistakes and learn from them without any catastrophes.

Certification Builds Trust and Credibility

Hiring managers and clients want proof you can do the work safely and correctly. Certification shows you’ve completed training, understand local codes, and know how to handle wiring, panels, and power systems. At OBC, students also have the opportunity to earn NCCER certifications as part of their training, giving them a valuable credential before entering the workforce.

Earn More with Certification

Certified electricians usually earn more than non-certified ones. That’s because certified workers are seen as skilled and reliable. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for electricians was $62,350 in 2024. But certified apprentices can make more. Certification places you in a higher pay bracket, with increased opportunities for raises and better job offers.

More Job Opportunities

Electricians are in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% increase in demand through 2034. However, without certification, many of these jobs may be challenging to obtain.

Large employers, such as utility companies, manufacturers, union shops, and school districts, require proof of training. Even temp agencies that place electricians on short-term jobs look for certification.

Certification Helps You Specialize

Once you’re certified, you can move into high-paying specialties. That includes:

• Industrial electricians – Work in factories with high-voltage equipment
• Maintenance electricians – Keep systems running in hospitals, schools, or airports
• Solar electricians – Install and maintain solar energy systems
• HVAC control technicians – Combine electrical work with heating and cooling systems

Each specialty has its own certifications or training add-ons. Having your core electrician certification makes it easier to specialize in a specific area.

Starting Your Own Business

Operating an electrical business legally requires a license. In most states, you must first become a journeyman electrician and then progress to become a master electrician or an electrical contractor. Once you have that, you can start your own company, take on apprentices, or bid for large projects.

Work Safer and Avoid Mistakes

Electricity is dangerous, and mistakes can lead to severe injury. Certification programs teach the National Electrical Code (NEC), safety procedures, and how to troubleshoot problems without cutting corners. By getting certified, you learn how to do things the right way and avoid costly or dangerous errors.

Learn More Than Just Wiring

Certification programs don’t just teach wires and outlets. You’ll also learn:

• Blueprint reading
• Math for measuring loads
• Local and state code requirements
• Workplace communication and teamwork
• How to use tools like multimeters and conduit benders

Programs like the one at OBC also include hands-on labs and simulated job site training. This prepares you to work effectively after graduation.

It’s a Path to Apprenticeships and Union Jobs

Unions like the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) often require certification or expect students to be enrolled in a program. Getting certified helps you gain entry into union halls and secure opportunities with licensed contractors, offering long-term career options. Certification connects you to the networks that lead to better careers.

How to Get Certified

Here is a step-by-step guide to earning your electrical certification:

Step 1: Get Your High School Diploma or GED

Basic math and reading skills are essential for any trade school or apprenticeship program.

Step 2: Enroll in a Trade School Program

OBC offers hands-on training, small class sizes, and experienced instructors. Our electrical program covers the basics of safety, circuits, tools, and state codes.

Step 3: Apply for an Apprenticeship

You will need to complete 3 years of work experience and graduate from a certification program to sit for the Journeyman license. Most states require between 4,000 and 8,000 hours of supervised work to qualify for the journeyman electrician exam.

Step 4: Take and Pass the State Exam

This test covers NEC codes, safety rules, and hands-on skills. Once you pass, you’re officially certified.

Step 5: Keep Your Certification Current

You’ll need to renew it every few years and may have to complete continuing education to stay up to date with new NEC code changes.

Want to Learn More?

The Electrical Applications Diploma program at OBC is geared toward the hands-on training that you need to step right into the workforce as a junior electrician. Students learn theory in the classroom and then apply those skills in a lab setting, including the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuits, instrumentation, programmable logic controllers, and more. 

Contact us to learn more about our Electrical Applications program today.