I had background in machine and control panel wiring with completion of electronics classes when I decided to study for the exam. I studied approx. 200 hours with a few long phone calls to a friendly electrical engineer/inspector.
I was already in my own repair/remodeling business with three children. I couldn't consider the pay cut for apprenticeship. Anyway, I got a 93 on the test and got a line of credit at the local supplier. I asked to walk through the stock to see what was available. This was before the big hardware warehouses.
I was probably a couple years into the new business before I contracted an addition with conduit through wood frame. This is something an apprentice would learn in the first year. An apprentice taught me about the multipliers for bending offsets. I learned a lot from this forum and continue learning every day.
If you need some help, e-mail me anytime.
Dave
