As a layperson, you might need help in choosing the right electrician to take care of your electrical needs in Toronto. However, there are a number of factors that you should consider to choose the right electrician. To ensure that your electrical issue is fixed professionally, one of the most important aspects that you need to consider is whether the electrician is licensed or certified. But what’s the difference between licensed and certified electricians? Which one should you pick? Are both one and the same thing?
Here, here is a quick guide to help you differentiate between the two and who you should hire.
Who Is A Licensed Technician?
Licensing is the beginning stage for most electricians. You obtain a license after completing some classwork, an apprenticeship, adequate experience and a good score on the Canadian Electrical Contractor’s Association’s s licensing exam. There are a few instances where an electrician is given a license for having worked under a master technician for many years. The license gives you a green light to do your job with minimum or no supervision. Some of the common licenses among electricians include:
- Journeyman License
- Apprentice License
- Master Electrician License
Who is a certified electrician?
Certification goes beyond licensing. It is what really shows that you are dead serious about your profession as an electrician. Certified electricians from many parts of the world have professional qualifications and certifications from certain bodies. Such certifications show that the electrician has an even higher level of performance, professional level, and quality.
On average, an electrician must have completed one or the following before being certified:
- An electrical apprenticeship program
- An electrical construction technology course
- Masters or journeyman technician
- BSC in electrical engineering
- PE in electrical engineering
- 4,000 hours as an electrical supervisor
- 2,000 hours as an electrician
Certification doesn’t come easy as an electrician but it pays off in the end. Some of the common certifications for electricians include the NFPA Certification and ICC Certification.
Which One Should You Hire?
From the detailed explanation of both electrical licensing and certification, it is clear that certification is the winner here. A licensed electrician is one who has obtained permission to perform electrical work. Basically, all the individual has done is fulfill the laws of the land, perhaps with a little experience.
On the other hand, a certified electrician has been given the credentials to show that the individual has the professional knowledge to carry out electrical projects without supervision.
The main difference between licensing and certification is in the pre-requisite requirements. The former seems to pay more attention to experience than the former. You cannot be allowed to sit for the certification exams if you fall short of the expectations of the certifying body.
So, would you rather go for the guy who only passed the licensing exam but is yet to gain tremendous experience or go for the one with solid knowledge, experience, and adequate training? That’s for you to decide.
