Hi Splunk1 :

With your background you should have no trouble learning the trade. You must be sure you want to do this type of work. You will need to do a lot of hands on work in order to really pick up the trade. You will have to work for all kinds or people some good and some bad. Knowing the books are a great especially when it comes time to interface systems with eachother. Your background will do you well. Going into your own business is a big responcibility and a very big liability if something goes wrong. You REALLY need to know your stuff. Like Trumpy Say's "Electricians are not built in a day" Get hooked up with an electrical contractor or your local IBEW hall to see if there taking in apprentices and learn all you can. I can't stress this enough, Learn the trade well. I would be honored to answer any questions you may have. Good Luck!!

Joe