To become a registered apprentice, you find a program in your trade and state, meet the basic eligibility requirements (typically a high school diploma or GED and a minimum age of 18), apply directly through the sponsoring union or contractor association, and if accepted, begin paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. The process is competitive but accessible. Apprenticeship.gov lists every registered program in the country by trade and location.
What a registered apprenticeship actually is
A registered apprenticeship is a formal training program recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. It combines paid on-the-job training with related technical instruction, ends with a nationally recognized credential, and in most trades leads directly to a journeyman license.
The key distinction from trade school is that you earn wages throughout. You are an employee from day one, not a student. There is no tuition. The classroom instruction component is typically covered by the sponsoring union or employer association. The GAO reports that registered apprenticeship programs enrolled about 940,000 people in fiscal year 2024, with employers citing a 90 percent retention rate of apprentices upon program completion.
Who sponsors apprenticeship programs
Most apprenticeship programs are sponsored by one of three types of organizations: joint labor-management committees (typically a union and contractor association working together), individual employers, or employer associations. In the construction trades, joint programs run by unions are the dominant model and generally offer the most structured training and strongest wage progression.
For electricians, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers runs joint apprenticeship programs nationwide through local IBEW chapters. Plumbers and pipefitters have the United Association. Ironworkers have their own joint apprenticeship program through the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. Each trade has its own sponsoring organization, and each local program sets its own application calendar.
The basic eligibility requirements
Requirements vary by trade and program, but most registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum age of 18 (some programs accept 17-year-olds with parental consent), and the physical ability to perform the work. Some trades require a valid driver's license. Some require passing a drug test before acceptance.
Math requirements matter more than most applicants expect. Electrical apprenticeships often require a passing score on an algebra and reading comprehension exam. HVAC and pipefitting programs may require demonstrated comfort with basic mechanical concepts. Preparing for the aptitude test before applying is worth the time.
How to find a program
The most direct path is through the apprenticeship finder on Apprenticeship.gov, which lets you search by occupation and state. For construction trades specifically, going directly to the local union hall is often faster and more informative. Union apprenticeship coordinators can tell you when the next application window opens, what the test covers, and what the current waitlist looks like.
State workforce agencies are another resource. Many states run pre-apprenticeship programs designed to help candidates qualify and prepare for competitive joint apprenticeship applications. These are worth knowing about, particularly for anyone who needs to brush up on math or get relevant hands-on exposure before applying.
The application process
Most joint apprenticeship programs accept applications during a defined window, often once or twice per year. You submit an application, provide documentation (diploma, ID, transcripts if required), and may be asked to pay a small application fee. Competitive programs then administer an aptitude test. Candidates who pass are ranked and placed on an eligibility list, from which program slots are filled as they open.
The timeline between application and acceptance varies significantly. In high-demand programs in major metro areas, the wait from eligibility list placement to program start can run six months to over a year. Applying early and to multiple programs in your target trade is a practical strategy.
What the training period looks like
Apprenticeship length depends on the trade. Electrical apprenticeships run five years. Plumbing and pipefitting are typically four to five years. HVAC apprenticeships generally run three to five years depending on the program. Carpentry programs range from three to four years.
During that period, you work full-time under the supervision of a journeyman, logging required hours on the job while attending classroom instruction in the evenings or on designated days. The classroom component covers trade theory, safety, code requirements, and the technical knowledge needed to pass licensing exams. Apprentice wages start at roughly 40 to 50 percent of journeyman scale and step up at each level of the program.
What you earn as an apprentice
Starting wages vary by trade, region, and whether the program is union or non-union. A first-year electrical apprentice in a union program in a major metro area might start around $22 to $26 per hour. By the fourth or fifth year, that figure is typically above $35 per hour and climbing toward journeyman scale.
Union programs also include benefits — health insurance, pension contributions, and paid time off that many first-year non-trades workers don't see for years. The total compensation picture during apprenticeship frequently exceeds what an entry-level college graduate earns, without the debt.
The honest downsides
Apprenticeship programs are competitive, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Some programs have waitlists that stretch well over a year. The work is physically demanding from day one. Journeymen mentors vary widely in how much they invest in teaching versus simply directing labor. Early apprenticeship years can feel more like grunt work than career training, and that experience depends heavily on which foreman you get assigned to.
Licensing requirements after completing an apprenticeship add another layer. Most trades require passing a state journeyman exam to work independently, and those exams require dedicated preparation. The credential is worth it, but the path to it is not effortless.
- Do you need experience to apply for an apprenticeship?
- No prior trade experience is required for most registered apprenticeship programs. A high school diploma or GED, minimum age of 18, and the ability to pass an aptitude test are the typical baseline requirements. Pre-apprenticeship programs exist specifically to help candidates without prior exposure prepare for competitive applications.
- How long does an apprenticeship take?
- Three to five years depending on the trade. Electrical apprenticeships are typically five years. HVAC runs three to five years. Carpentry and plumbing are generally four to five years. You work and earn wages throughout the full period.
- Is a union apprenticeship better than a non-union apprenticeship?
- Union joint apprenticeship programs generally offer higher wages, better structured training, and stronger benefits packages. Non-union programs may have shorter waitlists and more flexible entry. The right choice depends on your trade, region, and the specific programs available to you.
- Can you become an apprentice without going through a union?
- Yes. Many non-union employer-sponsored programs are registered with the Department of Labor and lead to the same journeyman credential. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters sponsor non-union programs across multiple trades. The training quality and wage progression vary more widely than in union programs.
- What happens after you complete an apprenticeship?
- You become a journeyman in your trade, eligible to work independently at full journeyman scale. Most trades require passing a state licensing exam to practice without direct supervision. After additional years of experience, you can pursue a master's license, which allows you to pull permits and run your own contracting business.