The document provides information about the Electrician Trainee Program run by ABC NorCal. It details that to legally work as an electrician in California, one must be certified, an apprentice, or a registered electrician trainee enrolled in an approved program. The program outlines the steps to enroll, including enrolling with ABC NorCal and registering with the state, renewing registration annually. It answers common questions about the differences between trainees and apprentices, specifics of California law, expected timelines for enrollment confirmation and receiving a trainee card from the state, and penalties for working without registration.

1. Electrician Trainee Program
FAQ
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

2. What is an Electrician Trainee?
• By law, to work as an electrician in California, you must be:
• Certified by having taken and passed the state certification exam
• Or, an apprentice in a state-approved program approved by the Division of
Apprenticeship Standards (DAS)
• Or, an electrician trainee actively enrolled in a school approved by the State of
California Electrician Certification Unit and the DAS
• An electrician trainee is someone who does not qualify to take the state
certification exam because of a lack of work experience or related instruction, but
who is actively enrolled in an approved school and legally registered with the state
to perform electrical work for a C-10 contractor.
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

3. Electrician Trainee vs. Electrical Apprentice: What are the
differences?
Electrical Apprentice
• An individual registered in a state-
approved electrical apprenticeship
training program
• Typically work on public works projects
(apprentice and journeyperson are the
only classes of pay on a public works
project)
• Contractors doing public works are
required by law to employ apprentices at
a ratio of one apprentice hour worked for
every five journeyperson hours worked
• Wages are determined by the state
(aka. prevailing wage)
Electrician Trainee
• A state-registered electrician who
is not yet a certified journeyperson
(either needs more experience,
more training or both)
• Typically work on private projects
• Must be paid the journeyman
prevailing wage rate on public
works projects
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

4. What are the specifics according to California law?
• As of January 1, 2007, all electricians (general, residential, non-residential, fire/life safety or
voice-data-video technicians) working for a Class C-10 contractor and making electrical
connections more than 100 volt-ampers must be certified by the State of California, an
apprentice registered in a state-approved electrical apprenticeship program or a state-
registered electrician trainee enrolled in a state-approved electrician trainee program.
• ABC NorCal’s Electrician Trainee program (school #154) is state-approved.
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

5. How do I enroll in ABC NorCal’s Electrician Trainee Program and
become state-registered?
STEP 1: ENROLL WITH ABC NORCAL
• Select a course that you will be able to complete within six months.
• Complete and submit the ABC Northern California Chapter Electrician Trainee (ET) Program
Enrollment and Initial Class Sign-up Form, with the required fees.
• We will send you an enrollment confirmation letter. Keep a copy of this letter with you as
proof that you are enrolled in a state-approved ET program.
• Complete your selected training program course within 3 months of enrollment and sign up
for and complete a course every 3 months thereafter.
• Order your textbooks (please refer to our website).
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

6. STEP 2: REGISTER WITH THE STATE
• Download and complete the state registration form. Our “school number” is 154.
• Staple a copy of the ABC NorCal enrollment confirmation letter to your completed state
registration from and mail both to the address below. Be sure to include the state’s $25
registration fee (check or money order).
• When your packet is processed, the state will send you a letter confirming your state-
registered Electrician Trainee status. This letter will also include your tracking or “T-number.”
How do I enroll in ABC NorCal’s Electrician Trainee Program and
become state-registered?
continued
Questions concerning your state-registration status or the process? Contact:
Electrician Certification Unit
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 703-4919
Fax: (415) 703-5243
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

7. • The State of California requires you to renew your electrician trainee registration annually
until you have the required work experience hours and have applied for and passed the
State Electrical Certification Exam.
• The annual renewal does NOT require a fee.
• Don’t know when your state registration expires? Visit the state DAS website to look up
your expiration date via your T-number. If you do not know your T-number, scroll down on
the same page for instructions on how to retrieve your T-number.
How often must I renew my electrician trainee state
registration?
Questions concerning your state-registration status or the process? Contact:
Electrician Certification Unit
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 703-4919
Fax: (415) 703-5243
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

8. • Download the state Application for Renewal of Registration of Electrical Trainee form
• You will need the following information to accompany your state renewal application:
• Copies of transcripts or documents showing approved schooling completed during the
prior year.
• ABC NorCal Electrical Trainees: Contact us at 925.960.8506 for this documentation. If you
have not completed approved curriculum classwork within the past three months, visit the
Electrician Training program course catalog and sign up for a class today.
• The name of your current employer in the electrical industry
• The amount of on-the-job experience acquired during the prior year
• The state DAS will confirm your renewal application or inform you via mail if it is deficient
within 90 days of receipt.
• You must complete and return the state Electrical Trainee renewal form before your
anniversary (i.e.. the expiration date on your state Electrician Trainee card) in order to remain
legal to work.
How do I renew my state registration?
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild
Questions concerning your state-registration status or the process? Contact:
Electrician Certification Unit
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 703-4919
Fax: (415) 703-5243

9. Once we have received your completed form and payment, it typically takes 48
business hours to process your info and send you a confirmation letter.
If you are enrolling in a class that starts sooner, we will do our best to expedite your
paperwork.
When can I expect to receive my enrollment
confirmation from ABC NorCal?
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

10. It typically takes 1-3 weeks.
How long will it take to get my trainee card from the
state?
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild

11. Per state law and the California Code of Regulations:
“Anyone who displays a certificate, or otherwise claims to be certified, who is not
certified, will be prohibited from taking the certification test for 5 years.”
“An employer who violates the 1 to 1 ratio of one certified electrician supervising one
electrician trainee may be barred from employing electrician trainees in the future.”
What is the penalty for working without a state electrical
trainee registration?
Questions about the ABC NorCal Electrician Trainee Program? Contact katherina@abcnorcal.org
abcnorcal.org |4577 Las Positas Road, Unit C, Livermore, CA 94551 | (p) 925.474.1300 | #lovewhatyoudo, #lovewhatyoubuild