How to become an electrician
Facts checked
To become an electrician, you need a Level 3 electrical qualification gained while working, the 18th Edition wiring regulations and an AM2 practical assessment. An apprenticeship usually covers all three in about 4 years, with a wage while you train.
Without an apprenticeship, you can start at college, then train at work. If you already work in the trade, the experienced worker route assesses your skills. Apprenticeships are open to all ages, so you can become an electrician as an adult too.
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Get an apprenticeship
The electrical industry prefers new electricians to learn the trade as apprentices. You work for an electrical company and study for a Level 3 qualification. You earn while you learn, and your training is free.
It typically takes about 4 years and ends with a practical assessment called the AM2S. You finish fully qualified.
Apprenticeships are open to all ages. Employers usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths.
Start at college
College courses teach you the theory and the practical skills, from beginner level up.
They can help you get an apprenticeship or a trainee job. You still need training at work to become fully qualified.
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If you work as an electrician without a Level 3, the experienced worker route assesses the skills you have. You need 5 years as an electrician, or 3 if you only work in people's homes, and a Level 2 electrical qualification.
With experience and qualifications from a related career, such as building services, you may be able to apply for jobs directly.
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Check what you can get freeElectrician qualifications
| Qualification | Level | How you take it | What it gets you | On JobYay | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation and maintenance electrician apprenticeship | 3 | Working for an electrical company, with college training, for about 4 years | Fully qualified after the AM2S, ready to apply for the gold card | 1 vacancy | Nothing for the training |
| Domestic electrician apprenticeship | 3 | Employed and trained for work in people's homes, about 3 years | The AM2D at the end, then work as a domestic electrician | None open | Nothing for the training |
| Level 1 Diploma in Electrical Installation | 1 | Usually one year at college | A beginner's start, leading on to Level 2 | 99 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Level 2 Diploma or Technical Certificate in Electrical Installation | 2 | Around a year at college, some part time or evenings | Installation basics, and a step nearer an apprenticeship or trainee job | 179 courses for adults | Check what you can get free |
| Level 3 Diploma or Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation | 3 | At college once you have a Level 2, mostly within a year | Level 3 theory, but not qualified until training at work and the AM2 | 118 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification | 3 | After 5 years in the trade and a Level 2, up to 18 months of assessment and training | The AM2E, which opens the way to the gold card | 3 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations (BS 7671, the 18th Edition) | 3 | About 3 days, for people training or already qualified | The current wiring regulations, needed for the gold card | 33 courses | Check what you can get free |
| AM2 assessment | None | About 16 hours of practical tasks, in person at an assessment centre | Fully qualified once you pass | 13 courses | £885 at the recommended price, unless it's part of your apprenticeship |
| Award in Inspection and Testing | 3 | About a week, for qualified electricians | Testing and certifying installations | 31 courses | Check what you can get free |
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Become fully qualified
Every way to qualify ends with an AM2 practical assessment. Then you can apply for the ECS gold card that employers want to see.
You also need the 18th Edition wiring regulations. Apprentices usually cover them in their Level 3.
Add to your skills once qualified
You could test installations, or fit EV chargers, solar panels and home batteries.
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Check what you can get freeWhere this can take you
With experience, you could supervise a site, or price jobs and manage contracts. You could move into electrical design, or teach apprentices at a college. You might also become self-employed and set up your own electrical business.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to become an electrician?
It usually takes about 4 years to become a qualified electrician from scratch.
That's how long the apprenticeship takes, or about 3 years for the domestic electrician apprenticeship. Starting at college takes about as long, because your training at work comes after the courses.
With 5 years in the trade, or 3 as a domestic electrician, you have 18 months to finish the experienced worker route.
Is there a fast track electrician course?
There's no fast track to becoming a qualified electrician, as you need work experience and the AM2. Some private providers teach the theory in a few weeks or months, but that's only part of it.
Before you pay for a fast track course, find out where it leads.
Can you retrain as an electrician as an adult?
Yes, and in England there's funding for an employer to train an electrician apprentice at any age.
College alone won't qualify you, because you need an employer for the training at work. Starting at college can help you find one, and you may be able to study free.
Can you do an electrician course in the evenings or part time?
Yes, there are electrical installation courses at Level 2 and Level 3 that run in the evenings or part time. They cover the college stage, and the training at work with an employer follows.
Can you do an online electrician course?
Only in part, because the hands-on side of the job has to be learnt in person. That means time working in the trade, and the AM2 at an assessment centre.
On the electrical installation courses listed here, you learn in classrooms and workshops, and only a few have some online study.
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Can you still do an NVQ Level 3 in electrical installation?
No, the Level 3 NVQ in electrical installation stopped taking new learners on 31 October 2026. If you registered on it before then, you have until the end of 2029 to finish.
Its replacement from City and Guilds is the Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification, which apprentices take. The Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification is still open to electricians working without a Level 3.
How do you become a domestic electrician?
You can train through the domestic electrician apprenticeship, a Level 3 of about 3 years, working in people's homes.
Short Part P or domestic installer courses won't make you an electrician, and they're only open after 2 years in the industry. If you've done electrical work in homes for years but have no Level 3, there's a domestic experienced worker qualification.
What is a gold card electrician?
Gold card electricians hold the ECS gold card, the industry's proof they're qualified to work unsupervised.
Besides being fully qualified, you need a current ECS health, safety and environmental assessment to apply. The experienced worker route leads to the card for people with years in the trade but no Level 3.
How much does it cost to become an electrician?
On an electrician apprenticeship, the training costs you nothing and you earn a wage.
Many college courses are free if you qualify, and the others list their price on their own page.
If you're paying for yourself, the AM2 has a recommended price of £885. Most providers also charge for the wiring regulations course and the experienced worker route.
Are there free electrician courses for adults?
Yes, adults who qualify can do many electrical installation courses free. Whether you qualify comes down to your age, your income and where you live.
Whatever your age, you pay nothing to train as an electrician apprentice.
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