How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Puerto Rico

If you are interested in pursuing a career as an electrician in Puerto Rico, you’ve come to the right place. 

To become an electrician in PR, you’ll need to meet all the territory’s requirements and complete an application for licensure with the PR Department of State. There are three titles available: Electrician Apprentice (Certificate), Electrician’s Helper (License), and Expert Electrician (License). 

See below for the requirements and application process for each. 

Do You Need an Electrical License in Puerto Rico?

Electricians of all levels must be licensed or certified in Puerto Rico by the Departamento de Estato del Gobierno de Puerto Rico. 

The exceptions to this rule are if you are working under a licensed electrician, are a licensed engineer, or are an employee of the Electric Power Authority while working on Authority properties. 

General Requirements for Electricians

While each license varies in its requirements, to apply for any of them you must:

  • Have finished four years of high school and/or trade school (apprenticeship) 
    • Your coursework must include electrical instruction
  • Be a legal citizen or resident of Puerto Rico
  • Have a negative criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales)
  • Have a negative certificate of debt from the Administration for Child Support
    • If you have debt, you’ll need to coordinate and accept a payment plan and submit proof of this to the Board to complete your application  
  • Show a medical certificate (certificacion medica) proving you are both physically and mentally fit to work as an electrician
  • Complete the right application
  • Pay a fee
  • Take and pass an exam (helpers and expert electricians only)
  • Upload a sworn statement of residency
    • Include a 2” x 2” photo

Becoming an Apprentice Electrician in Puerto Rico

In addition to the requirements above, apprentice electricians will need:

  • Be 16 years or older
  • To have completed high school or passed the apprenticeship course for electrician experts. This course must be given by the Department of Education or a private program that is accredited by the Council of Higher Education 
  • To have worked as an apprentice for 1 year
  • A Certified Expert Electrician Certification to prove they have an expert supervisor
  • To pay $30

Create an account at the bottom of this page to start your application.

Becoming an Electrician Helper in PR

In addition to the requirements above, you’ll need to complete the following if you want to become an electrician’s helper in Puerto Rico. 

  • Pass the Expert Electrician Assistant exam 
    • Submit a copy of the original exam results – exam results are only valid for 90 days
  • Submit a copy of your high school transcript/degree
    • Your transcript should show 500+ hours of studies in general electricity, as well as renewable energy. These courses could be from high school, vocational school, or a higher education institution.
  • Pay a $30 fee

Create an account at the bottom of this page to start your application.

Becoming an Expert Electrician in PR

The top license for electricians in PR is the Expert Electrician License. To apply, you will need to:

  • Work as an electrician’s assistant for at least one year
  • Pass the Expert Electrician exam (theoretical and practical parts)
    • Submit the two-part approval once you pass – this expires within 2 years
  • Complete ONE of these educational requirements:
    • Have a diploma or graduation certificate from an approved school covering general electricity and renewable energy courses (with 1000 hours of study and practice in the field)
    • Be a graduated engineer (with 1000 hours of study and practice in the field)
  • Upload a breakdown of the above hours if completed after 1993
  • Be 18+

Create an account and access the application here.

 

You can also access this article in Spanish.

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