To choose the best electrical continuing education courses, select a seminar which offers license renewal upon completion of the course and offers teaching materials that are compatible with the trainee's learning style. Courses may be completed online or in person through a classroom setting. Each local region typically sets different credit hour requirements for individuals to renew their license, and applicants should check with their local occupational regulatory board before registering for any courses.
In the US, electricians are required to renew their license regularly in the state in which they work. This can be accomplished through training courses at local community colleges, training centers, or online. Each state may set a different number of course hours be completed for renewal, and can require that the license be renewed more or less frequently than other states. For example, electricians must renew their license every two years in the state of Virginia, while individuals working in the state of Texas must complete electrical continuing education courses annually.
Electricians may wish to choose electrical continuing education courses through a training center which offers both license renewal and state notification. This means that once an individual has completed the requisite number of course hours, the training center or online course renews his or her license and sends him or her a certificate of completion. Registration of that renewal can then be sent automatically to the state occupational board where that individual works.
Electrical continuing education courses typically charge one fee for the course and one fee to renew the license. Some courses only ask that individuals pay after they pass the course hours for which they have registered. This guarantees that students do not spend additional money for credit hours which they have not received.
Electricians who work in more than one state, or who are considering moving to another region, should consider registering for courses which translate to other states' license renewal requirements. Online courses offer credit hours that can be used in multiple states where the requirements are similar. Applicants can electronically select the states for which they wish to become licensed, and receive credits in those various states, while only paying for and taking one electrical continuing education course. This type of cross-state licensing can sometimes be higher in cost than only registering in one state.
Individuals who need more intensive training may wish to select a course which teaches on multiple learning levels. These types of courses offer online training, home DVD lectures, telephone customer support, and test preparation. This type of in-depth seminar tends to be more expensive than a course which only provides reading material and the final written examination, and may ask for payment for materials up front rather than at the end of the examination process. Individuals who are new to the industry and may be taking the licensing exam for the first time may find this type of course beneficial, while contractors and electrical engineers who have been working in the field for several decades may not need such specialized material.
