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How to become an electrician

Electricians install, test, maintain and repair electrical systems — wiring, lighting, power, controls and safety systems — in homes, businesses and industrial sites.

You could work for an electrical contractor, a maintenance team, a housing provider or, in time, for yourself.

The recognised route is a Level 3 qualification gained through an apprenticeship. Short courses on their own do not make you a qualified electrician.

  • Apprenticeship route
  • Earn while learning
  • Short courses alone do not qualify you

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Installation and maintenance electrician apprenticeship (Level 3)

    For those who want the full industry route — homes, commercial and industrial work — with a wage and training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements
    • The National Careers Service says advanced apprenticeships usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English and maths
    • Apprenticeships are open to all ages

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an installation and maintenance electrician apprenticeship
    2. Work alongside qualified electricians and train off the job for at least 20% of your hours
    3. Build your Level 3 technical knowledge and on-site evidence
    4. Pass the end-point assessment, which for electrical apprentices is the AM2S practical assessment
    5. Apply for your ECS gold card as a qualified electrician
    Estimated duration
    About 54 months (4½ years)
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists this Level 3 standard at a typical 54 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £23,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Domestic electrician apprenticeship (Level 3)

    For those who want to focus on electrical work in people's homes, with a wage and training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements
    • The National Careers Service says advanced apprenticeships usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English and maths
    • Apprenticeships are open to all ages

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a domestic electrician apprenticeship
    2. Work in homes alongside qualified electricians, with off-the-job training
    3. Build your Level 3 knowledge and on-site evidence
    4. Pass the end-point assessment
    5. Work as a domestic electrician; a business doing notifiable home work needs a way to meet Part P
    Estimated duration
    About 36 months (3 years)
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists the Domestic electrician Level 3 standard at a typical 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £19,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CCareer change

    Already doing electrical work: Experienced Worker Assessment

    For people who have worked as electricians for several years without a full Level 3 industry qualification. It is not a route for complete beginners.

    Starting requirements

    • The National Careers Service describes two routes: one needs at least 3 years' experience and the other 5 years
    • You gather evidence from your own on-site work
    • An ECS Experienced Worker card (valid 18 months, not renewable) is available while you complete the assessment, if you hold a recognised Level 3 technical certificate

    Pathway outline

    1. Check you have enough relevant experience for one of the two routes
    2. Register with a training provider for the Experienced Worker Assessment
    3. Fill any gaps and build a portfolio of on-site evidence
    4. Pass NET's AM2E practical assessment
    5. Apply for your ECS gold card
    Estimated duration
    At least 3 to 5 years' experience first; assessment time varies
    How we estimate this

    The National Careers Service says one route needs at least 3 years' experience and the other 5. No official typical length is published for the assessment itself.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £1,235Plus: Set by each training provider; no official price is publishedPaid up front by you: At least £1,235Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    You keep working while you are assessed.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Can a short course make me a qualified electrician?

Not on its own. The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme says stand-alone courses such as wiring regulations or 'Part P' courses do not qualify you as an electrician. New entrants need a Level 3 qualification gained through an apprenticeship, with assessed on-site work.

Am I too old for an electrical apprenticeship?

No. The National Careers Service says apprenticeships are open to all ages, and in England employers can get apprenticeship funding for learners of all ages. If you are 25 or over, a smaller employer pays a 5% share of the training cost; you pay nothing.

I already do electrical work but have no Level 3. What can I do?

You could look at the Experienced Worker Assessment. The National Careers Service describes two routes, needing at least 3 or 5 years' experience, ending with NET's AM2E practical assessment.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

Compare routes side by side