FAQ

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Find the answers you need about Electrical Technology Program!

About the Program

How do I enroll in the Electrical Technology Program?

Review the steps under “Requirements” on Electrical Technology Program page.

When do classes start?

Visit LBCC Academic Calendar

How long does it take to complete the program?

Depending on the number of units you take and whether you are a full-time or part-time student, completing a certificate program can take as little as one semester and completing an associate degree program can take about 2 – 5 years.

Make a 30-minute appointment with an academic counselor to receive services in educational plans, transcript evaluation, and career planning.

Who are the Career & Technical Education (CTE) counselors?

MEET LBCC COUNSELORS

Please visit the Counseling Office for Academic Counseling, Career Exploration, Educational Planning, College Transfer, Student Resources, and many others to help you achieve your educational goals.

What classes do I need to take?

See Curriculum Guide for required courses and Course Sequence of Electrical Technology degrees and certificates.

Are any of the Electrical classes transferable to CSU?

No.

I have completed Electrical courses/certificates at another college. Why do I need to take more here at LBCC?

Schedule a meeting with one of our full-time instructors. Bring an unofficial copy of your transcripts. They will assess your completed courses and verify you have completed the state’s requirements for hours completed. 

How to transfer & look up comparable course listings?

To help determine if courses taken at other schools are comparable to Long Beach City College courses, please visit LBCC Transfer Evaluation System (TES).

For more information, please visit LBCC Transfer Center.

Are there any other classes that I can take while waiting for the start of the Electrical program classes?

You can take General Education classes, OSHA (Elect 253), and Electrical courses without prerequisites.

  • Sign up for Electrical Orientation to receive information about Electrical program classes.
  • You can visit the Counseling Office for Academic Counseling, Career Exploration, Educational Planning, College Transfer, Student Resources, and many others to help you achieve your educational goals.
  • You can also contact Scott Fraser at sfraser@lbcc.edu and Suzanne Engelhardt at sengelhardt@lbcc.edu for program information. 

What math do I need to take?

ELECT 202 and/or ELECT 225

If I have taken Algebra and Trigonometry at another school, do I still need to take the required Math classes?

Bring your unofficial transcripts to the Electrical Orientation for review.

Why do I need Math?

Electricians use math in many ways in their career. They use math to help design and test electrical equipment. They use math to calculate amp and volt requirements for electrical projects and installations. 

I work days. Do you have night classes?

Our curriculum is offered days, nights, weekends, and some online classes as well.

What if my work schedule change? Will I have the drop out?

No. Most of our classes are offered both day and night. Talk to your instructor. She will make sure you have the proper paperwork to switch classes. 

I have completed your program. I notice you have new certificates. Do I need to repeat any classes?

No classes have to be repeated if they were passed with a grade of C or better. Please see “Course Offerings” on Electrical Technology Program page

I need to take continuing education units (CEUS). Do you have CEU courses? 

Yes. Talk to one of the Electrical Instructors about pre-requisite waiver forms.

Do you offer low, medium, and high Voltage classes?

Due to varying industry definitions of voltages please consult the curriculum guide or speak to one of our electrical faculty members for specific applications. 

Does Long Beach City College differentiate their courses by Voltage?

We differentiate by application. Please consult the curriculum guide or speak to one of our electrical faculty members for specific applications. 

Does LBCC offer online classes?

Yes. Some of our electrical classes are available online. Please visit LBCC Class Schedule.

Do you offer NETA classes? 

Yes.

How much does the program cost?

Please visit Financial Aid for tuition cost and Federal Work Study information.

I’m on Financial Aid, are there any opportunities in the Electrical program for federal work-study while attending school?

Please visit Electrical Technology Program Resources for student support and work study opportunities – Federal Work Study (FWS).

How do I receive my degree or certificate after I finish the coursework?

You will need to complete an application for your degree or certificate and submit that application to the LBCC Admissions & Records office. Visit Admissions & Records for more details.

Electrical Technology Orientation

If I need to speak with someone in person, to whom do I call or email to schedule an appointment?  

  • You can contact Scott Fraser at sfraser@lbcc.edu and Suzanne Engelhardt at sengelhardt@lbcc.edu.
  • You can also visit the Counseling Office for Academic Counseling, Career Exploration, Educational Planning, College Transfer, Student Resources, and many others to help you achieve your educational goals.

Do I have to attend the Electrical Orientation? 

Yes. Enroll today. 

Sign up for Electrical Orientation

If I have attended the Electrical Orientation, do I have to attend a second time? 

No. This is a onetime event.

Why do I have to attend the Electrical Orientation? 

The Electrical Orientation is a program requisite. It is in place to ensure the safety and health awareness of LBCC electrical students.

It is also an opportunity for you to meet our faculty and ask questions.

Classes have already started and I have not attended the Electrical Orientation. What are my options? 

Immediately sign up for ELECT 202 and ELECT 253, which will get you started. Then sign up for and attend an Electrical Orientation. If you need to make adjustments, we can do it at the orientation.

Electrician Trainee

Are you an Electrician Trainee approved school? 

We were the first school to be approved in the state of California and we offer the complete General Electrician Curriculum. We are listed as approved school #101.

What is an Electrician Trainee?

If a person wants to perform electrical work for a C-10 electrical contractor and does not yet qualify to take the certification exam because of lack of work experience or related instruction, can do so legally by registering as an electrician trainee.

Please visit State of California Department of Industrial Relations about Electrician Trainee for more information.

Who needs an Electrician Trainee card? 

If a person wants to perform electrical work for a C-10 electrical contractor and does not yet qualify to take the certification exam because of lack of work experience or related instruction, can do so legally by registering as an electrician trainee.

Please visit State of California Department of Industrial Relations about Electrician Trainee for more information.

When can I apply for my Electrician Trainee card (ET card)? 

Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

How do I become an Electrician Trainee (Trainee)? 

Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

My ET card expired. How do I renew it? 

Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

How often do I need to renew my ET card? 

The ET card expires annually. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Can I take the California General Electrician Exam as a Electrician Trainee? 

Yes, once you receive your Certificate of Achievement you are eligible to apply for and take the California general electrician exam. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

What is the difference between a Contractor, Electrician, and a Trainee?

  • Contractor is an employer. 
  • Electrician and Trainees are employees; both have to be certified as such. 
  • An electrical contractor is an employer that is licensed to do electrical work.
  • A California state certified electrician is certified to install electrical work.
  • An electrician trainee is registered at the DSLE and is enrolled in an approved electrical program. 
  • An electrician trainee may work under the supervision of a California state certified Electrician.

Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Is LBCC Electrical Technology an Apprenticeship program? 

No. Read more information about Apprenticeship Programs.

Is LBCC an Electrician Trainee program. 

Yes. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

General Electrician

I applied at a local union. What classes should I take to help me in the interview process?

See course offerings for the Certificate of Achievement, Electrical Apprenticeship Preparation on Electrical Technology Program

What is a General Electrician?

Please visit Electrical Certification FAQs for more information.

How many hours of electrical work is needed to take the General Electrician exam?

The test may be taken any time after completing the Electrical Technology Certificate of Achievement, but 8000 hours of documented electrical work experience is required to receive certification. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Do my class hours count toward my General Electrician on the job hours? 

No. Only approved and documented electrical work.

What if I do not have the hours to take the General Electrician Exam? 

The test may be taken any time after completing the Electrical Technology Certificate of Achievement, but 8000 hours of documented electrical work experience is required to receive certification. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Can a Electrician Trainee take the General Electrician Exam? 

The test may be taken any time after completing the Electrical Technology Certificate of Achievement, but 8000 hours of documented electrical work experience is required to receive certification. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Can I sit for the General Electrician’s exam after I get my certificate and/or degree? 

The test may be taken any time after completing the Electrical Technology Certificate of Achievement, but 8000 hours of documented electrical work experience is required to receive certification. Please visit Electrician Trainee for more information.

Why do you call it the General Electrician Exam and not the Journeyman Exam or license? 

According to Wikipedia, a journeyman is a skilled worker who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship qualification in a building trade or craft. Journeymen are considered competent and authorized to work in that field as a fully qualified employee. 

The title General Electrician exam is the state requirement for California state electrician certification. 

License refers to state contractor’s license. An Electrical Contractor (C-10) employs State certified electricians and trainees.

What is the purpose of the OSHA card? will it help me get a job?  

Yes. OSHA training is becoming mandatory in more states and industries every day.