I've been reading this thread with interest. This whole topic is very interesting to me as it shows the differences in requirements for electricians and electrical work in different areas, and also the attitudes of electricians in regards to their trade. I feel I am very different from most of the guys I work with, but more similar to those people here and on other "electrical" forums, because of outlook and attitude. I am genuinely interested in electricity, how it works, and how to become a better electrician. Most of the guys I work with wouldn't dream of looking at a code book or trade magazine in off hours. I read 2 or 3 forums regularly(this one, Mike Holt's, and the IAEI's) and also a number of reference books, just because I'm interested. I like to gain knowledge and hopefully put it to use in the field, whether it's theory or practical--installing equipment, troubleshooting, whatever.

I started as an electrician 10 years ago, in my late 20s. I went through a non-union apprenticeship, with classes and recorded OJT, for 4 years. I never got any card or anything, but I learned a lot of basic stuff. Last year I had an opportunity to join the IBEW here in PA. I went in as a 4th year apprentice, and was able to complete the 4th year in only a short time by doubling up on homework, tests, class hours, etc. Then I went through 5th year and just finished last month. So now I'm officially a Journeyman Wireman.

Part of our class included taking a master electrician exam in our city. Our class spent extra hours each week in special classes for exam prep, which included theory, NEC and calculations. As we neared the date for the exam, we found out that our applications had been sent in too late and we couldn't take the test as planned. So instead we took a different "master's exam" in a nearby rural town. This was a much easier and shorter test than the original one, which may have been a Block test, I'm not sure. Anyways, I got a 96, and if I had paid all the applicable fees and had proof of insurance, I would hold a license and be able to contract for electrical work on my own. But I'm not interested in that, I was just taking the test because "it was there" and I had studied hard for it. I already work for a large commercial contractor, my intention isn't to have my own business. I don't need the license to work as an electrician in PA, and as a union Journeyman I'm making decent money.

This fall I'm going to take the city Masters test, again not because I want to be a contractor, or that I need the certification, but because the union said they'd pay for it and I think it's a good opportunity. Maybe I can use it in the future. I was all studied up for it this spring, so I think with a little review I can get back in shape for it pretty easily.

I'm trying to remember what my point was originally in writing this post-I was commenting on people's various backgrounds, the various local requirements, how people look at all this. Like the guy who said that the Houston license carries a lot of respect. And the guy who's taking classes but might not need the certification after all. Personally, I just like all this stuff. I'm interested in being the best electrician I can be. To suggest to my co-workers that they learn how to find something in the NEC, or to even to mention that I was looking up something myself-both bring responses of confusion and incredulity. "Why would you do that?" "Do you get overtime for that?" The idea that anyone would read this kind of stuff on the internet-I've never even brought that up! Why look up stuff about electrical, when you could be looking up porn? But anyways, I'm encouraged when I see forums like this, to remind me that there are still people out there that share this interest, that have high standards, that believe in a so-called "lifetime of learning" (we learned that in our classes-most people scoffed at that one!) and want to help others understand things as well.

To get back to the license thing, because there were some PA folks on this thread-I think that in PA there is NO state licensing, only by municipality-township, borough, city, whatever. A contractor must either be licensed or employ a licensed master electrician. Other electricians employed by that contractor work under that license as well, and don't have to hold their own licenses. In most places, a "Journeyman's" license from your town doesn't do much for you. Of course all contractors are different, but I think that with non-union shops a journeyman license holder will not necessarily get much more pay by virtue of having that certificate. A union Journeyman is guaranteed a certain minimum pay rate depending on their local's contract, and it is usually much higher than what the nonunion electricians will get. So from that perspective, it would seem that becoming a union journeyman is a good opportunity-that the certification has some concrete results.

Please excuse my rambling, I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with other electricians who could be interested any exchange of ideas.