How to Become an Electrician in the UK

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 27, 2021 References

Electricians are super important—they’re the folks that keep the lights on, after all. Believe it or not, there’s actually a shortage of electricians in many parts of the UK, so it’s a great time to get started if you’ve been thinking of becoming an electrician.^{[1]
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Research source} It’s also not as difficult as you may think. With dedicated time and study, you can become a qualified electrician in as little as 2 years. To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions that people have about what it takes to become an electrician in the UK.

Question 1

Question 1 of 5:
What are the qualifications to be an electrician in the UK?

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You can start as an apprentice and earn your qualifications. An apprenticeship is the traditional and most popular way of becoming a fully qualified electrician. Find an electrical company that sponsors apprentices and work alongside a fully licensed electrician while you study a Level 3 and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) course. You’ll get the job experience while you learn the ins and outs of being an electrician in the classroom as well. You can then take an exam to become a fully qualified electrician in your own right.^{[2]
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- Working full-time and taking courses can be difficult and time-consuming, but it’s the fastest way to become a fully qualified electrician.
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Another option is to pursue a diploma or technical certificate. You don’t have to work as an apprentice to become an electrician. You can study to earn your Level 2 Diploma and then your Level 3 Diploma at a college or training center. You can also study to earn a technical diploma at a training center. You won’t need to work as an apprentice while you study and you’ll be able to join an electrical company or become a self-employed electrician once you earn your diploma or certificate.^{[3]
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- This is a great option if you aren’t able to get an apprenticeship but you still want to get started on your journey to become an electrician.
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You can also take a domestic install course. An installation electrician can work on a variety of jobs on homes and businesses, including fitting power systems, fire protection, and security and data network systems.^{[4]
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Research source} By taking a domestic installer course, you can become qualified to complete residential jobs like rewiring a home or installing light fixtures and get to work sooner.^{[5]
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- You aren’t considered a fully qualified electrician after completing a domestic install course.
- A domestic install course takes about a month to complete. It’s a great starting point if you don’t have any electrical experience but you want to get started on a career as an electrician.
- You can also train as an electrician by joining the Army or Royal Air Force.

Question 2

Question 2 of 5:
How long does it take to become an electrician in the UK?

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It depends on what route you decide to take. Electricians can work on a variety of projects in homes, businesses, and different industries. A domestic install course takes just over a month to complete, but it can take years of study to earn a Level 3 Diploma. Because of the knowledge and experience you need to have in order to work as a licensed electrician, it can take between 2 and 4 years to become a fully qualified electrician.^{[6]
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- For instance, someone who attends a trade school to study to become an electrician will be qualified sooner than someone who takes a part-time college training course.

Question 3

Question 3 of 5:
Do electricians get paid well in the UK?

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Electricians in the UK earn between £18,000-£42,000 a year. Your annual income will be a little lower when you’re just starting out. But over time, as you gain experience (and potentially move up in a company), you’ll earn more.^{[7]
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- Electricians generally work between 30-40 hours a week as well.

Question 4

Question 4 of 5:
Are electricians in demand in the UK?

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Yes! In fact, there’s a shortage of electricians in more than half of the UK. It actually may be super easy for you to get a job at an electrical company or find work as a self-employed electrician in the UK. If you’re looking for an industry with job security in the UK, being an electrician may fit the bill for you!^{[8]
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Question 5

Question 5 of 5:
Can you become an electrician at 40?

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It’s never too late to start a career as an electrician. While some people go straight into studying to become an electrician as soon as they graduate school, there are plenty of folks who get started later in life. Whether you’re thinking of making a career change or you’re looking to earn some additional income, you can get started as an electrician whenever you like!^{[9]
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