Becoming a professional electrician can be a well-paying career choice, with journeyman electricians earning up to $18 an hour and master electricians earning more than $30 an hour. In Arkansas, the first step to becoming a professional electrician is to train as an electrical apprentice. Although, a license is not required to train as an apprentice, you must meet other requirements to work as an electrical apprentice in the state of Arkansas.

Fill out an application with the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners for registration as an electrical apprentice. The board can be contacted through the Arkansas Department of Labor website or at:

Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners Arkansas Department of Labor 10421 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72205-2190 501-682-4549

Provide proof of enrollment and attendance at a school or training course for electrical apprenticeships. The course must be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Formal electrical apprenticeship programs typically begin in the fall, last four years and have specific requirements for acceptance. For example, the apprenticeship program at Arkansas State University requires that students applying for the program be employed by a master or journeyman electrician and receive 2,000 hours of on-the-job training a year.

Pay the registration fee. As of January 2011, the registration fee is $10. If approved as a registered electrical apprentice, the registration certificate will be valid for one year. It will expire on the last day of the month -- one year from the date it was issued. It may be renewed for a $10 fee and proof of continued enrollment in an approved training program.