Becoming an electrician in Ontario is no easy task.
Just completing your apprenticeship program takes 5 years. During this time aspiring electricians can not work on their own, but must have all of their work overseen by a Master Electrician. Once they have completed their apprenticeship hours, aspiring electricians are eligible to take their Certificate of Qualification exam. This exam is issued by Skilled Trades Ontario, formally the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), which allows them to work as an electrician for a company. If they would then like to start their own business, however, they must work for 3 more years at minimum and then pass an exam to become a Master Electrician. That means that at minimum it takes 5 years to start working as a licensed electrician, and 8 years if you would like to start a business.
From apprenticeship to the Certificate of Qualification exam:
- In-class training: Electricians typically begin their journey by enrolling in a college program approved by the Skilled Trades Ontario, who set the standards for skilled trades and regulate the electrical profession in the province. They attend classroom instruction to learn the theoretical aspects of the trade, such as electrical code requirements, safety procedures, blueprint reading, and more. This classroom training consists of approximately 900 to 1,800 hours, spread over several years.
- Apprenticeship: The classroom training is complimented by an apprenticeship program. In Ontario, aspiring electricians must enrol in a government-approved apprenticeship program, overseen by a Master Electrician, which provides them with on-the-job training and from 7,200 to 8,000 hours of practical experience. During this time apprentices gain practical skills and experience by performing various electrical tasks related to commercial installations. It takes 5 years to complete an apprenticeship program.
- Safety Training: Electricians must also undergo specific safety training to ensure they can work safely and adhere to electrical codes and regulations. This includes understanding electrical hazards, proper handling of equipment, and compliance with safety procedures.
- Certification: After completing an apprenticeship, individuals must pass a certification exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification (CoQ), issued by Skilled Trades Ontario. After passing this exam, individuals officially become electricians and can be employed to work for an electrical company.
- Electrical Code: Electricians in Ontario must have a thorough understanding of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), which outlines the standards and guidelines for electrical installations and equipment. Staying up to date with the latest versions of the code is essential for ensuring compliance and safety. This is tested regularly during inspections once an electrician passes the CoQ and starts working on their own.
Master Electricians
If an electrician would like to become a contractor or start their own business, they must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) of Ontario as a Master Electrician. The ESA is responsible for enforcing electrical safety regulations and licensing electrical contractors in the province.
Checking Your Electricians Credentials
When considering an electrician for your next project, we recommend as a first step that you go to the ESA site and search for the contractor or company name to make sure they are licensed. This will confirm that they have gone through all of the aforementioned steps.
Check if your Contractor is a Licensed here
Never hire a company or contractor who does not have an ESA license. Electrical work can be very dangerous, and the cost savings from an illegal job are never worth the future risk of fines, fire, electrocution or worse.
If you've chosen an electrician who is licensed with the ESA, next thing to ensure is that they have all of the below:
- liability insurance;
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage;
- Understand that they must arrange for an electrical notification to ESA for a permit, and an inspection after the job is done;
Pricing an Electrical Job
Based on their years of experience, licensing level, and additional certifications, hourly rates will vary for the electrician you hire. Home guide has a great resource that breaks down the prices you should expect to see from your electrician in Canada. We recommend reviewing this resource the next time you receive a quote from your electrician.
We hope that this resource helps you to find a qualified electrician for your next job, such as the Kulic Ltd team!
