The law is in effect for General Journeyman since January 1, 2006! Working without having taken, and passed the test after January 1, 2006 is considered a violation of the regulations laid out in 3099 of the Labor Code. Due to an extension offered by the DAS, those who filed paperwork before that date, had until January 1, 2007 to take and pass the test. The law is in effect for Residential Journeyman since January 1, 2007! Working without having taken, and passed the test after January 1, 2007 is considered a violation of the regulations laid out in 3099 of the Labor Code. Those who hold a Residential Journeyman card working on Commercial Property is considered a violation of the regulations laid out in 3099 of the Labor Code. If you have filed for, and received a testing date please continue on this page. If you have not, please continue by following this link. "I may have missed the boat..." Taking the Electricians Certification Test: (Follow the hyperlinks below.) Why take the Test Step #1 Learn about the test. Step #2 Apply for the test. Step #3 Study for the test. Step #4 Schedule the test. Step #5 Practice for the test. Step #6 Taking the test. Keep Walking! What happens after the test. Why take the Test  | If this site and Industry Organizations are working to defeat this regulation, why should the Certification test be taken now? |
Answer: Timing and consequences Before applying make sure that your Employer either has a plan of action for your Company, or not. Find out more about their plan, and fully understand how it works, if they have one, before you jump right in to the steps below. If they don't have one, or doing it on your own, go ahead and get started! Back to Top 
Step #1 | The most important step is to become familiar with law itself and prepare accordingly. Read the FAQ's links below. |
Our FAQ's, DAS FAQ's | The DIR / DAS has a phone number for additional recorded information about The Electricians Certification Program. (415)703-4917 or (415)703-4919 |
Or, http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/Electricaltrade.htm Back to Top
Step #2 | Apply as soon as possible. The DAS has a total of 90 days to inform you if you are even eligible, ( In their eyes. ) to sit for the test. |
Download the Application ( File is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. )  Files in Adobe Acrobat PDF format are viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer, you should download the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe's web site at www.adobe.com, download instructions are available on the Adobe web site. Once you have downloaded and installed the Acrobat Reader you can view PDF documents in your web browser if it supports plug-ins or, if it does not support plug-ins, you can save the file(s) to your hard drive and view them by opening them in Acrobat Reader.
| I suggest only applying for the "General Journeyman" test, as the rest of them are nearly useless. And, if you have a "Residential" certification after 2005, you won't be able to gain any more experience necessary to take the General test. Just go for the "General"....... If you have 8000 hours, within the "maximums" allowed in each section, then go for it. |
3000 Residential Installation, + 3000 Commercial Installation, + 1000 Industrial Installation 1000 Voice Data and Video Installation, + ( All the rest... ) = over 8000 hours!
| After downloading the application, you can type directly to it on your computer. ( The information regarding your Name and Address, should exactly match your Drivers License, as this will be used for Identification on your Test day. ) Save the document to a drive. Print it. Sign it in ink. Then enclose your check and application in an envelope, and mail it to the address on the application. Then wait! And deal with Step #3, etc. |
( Remember to fill out these forms completely, and accurately as you can. Applications have been returned due to incomplete information, and silly things like unsigned checks, etc. ) Back to Top
Step #3
| Study for the test like your livelihood depended on it. It does! Most of the official government sites say the test is based on the '99 NEC. It is suggested that persons not used to vague legalistic reading, obtain the pricey Handbook. After all, there's nothing like knowing what it is all supposed to mean. And it might also be a good idea to dig out that "Ugly's" you thought you had under the seat of your truck. Formulas are few and hard to find in the NEC, and you will need to re-memorize them. |
Study Materials review What is on the test, what is not? Back to Top
Step #4 | It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are scheduled to take the test. Simply "applying" does not mean you are automatically scheduled for a test date. It is important to follow up on this. If accepted to sit for the test, you will be given a phone number to call, and hopefully a booklet like this. It might be a good idea to read it now. |
Electrical Certification Candidate Information Bulletin Back to Top
Step #5 | Practice taking the test. It costs $100 to re-take the test, after a 6 month wait. Not being prepared the first time is guaranteed to make you prepared the second time. Have another Electrician quiz you. And there are many practice and study guides available. See Study Materials review. This one is free, and designed to accompany your 2002 Code book. And, is used as a promotion for Mike Holt's books, but still a good exercise. As the questions are good examples, of the type of test questions you'll have. |
On-line Quiz ( Some typical Code Questions ) ( But beware they are based on 2002 NEC, and I think Mike Holt is trying to sell Flat Conductor Cable these days. A lot of the questions have been about it lately. But still a good exercise, and free. ) Back to Top
Step #6
| Make sure you show up for your test appointment, on time. There are only a handful of testing sites in the whole State of California. Your test location may be a considerable distance from you, and hard to find at the last minute. Missing your appointment may make it unlikely that you will be able to get another appointment in time. And cost you $100! It is suggested you also practice getting there before your test date. |
Test locations | Show up early with your schedule clear for that day. Shut off your phone, ( you can't bring it in with you anyway ) and remain focused. If you have prepared yourself, there is nothing to worry about. Talk to someone who has already taken the test. If you don't know anyone else who has, find someone with a Contractors License, a similar undertaking. Your given lots of time, up to 4 hours for 100 multiple choice questions, with an open code book, and non-programmable calculator. It is given on a computer, and there will be someone to make sure you know how to use it. |
The Authors review of the Test Demo of test method Back to Top
Keep walking! | If you pass, you'll find out right after the test. If not, you'll have 20 days to appeal the denial. Remember your certification must be renewed every 3 years. 2000 hours work in the Trade, and currently 32 hours continuing Trade related education are required, in order to maintain your certification. Guidelines for this are not yet available. Don't be caught off guard, or 3 years from now, you'll be doing this again. | | Want to see what you'll get for all of this..... your new Certification Card! Smile nice.... |
You'll get one of these for your wallet!  | Please see Maintain My Certification. You will need to know more about how to maintaining the "license to work" that you have. | | And by all means, do not give anyone the slightest impression that you are "certified" if you are not. Technically, working after January 1, 2007 as an Electrician, and not being "certified" could be grounds for what they are calling misrepresentation or fraud. Get caught at this and you could be barred from taking the test for five years! |
Back to Top |
