What Assessment Questions To Ask New Apprentice Electricians
2
min read
Seth Brown
Table of Contents
The electrical industry needs 60,000 new electricians by 2029. For electrical contractors seeing an increased need to fill open positions, having the right hiring strategies to maximize the quality of apprentice electricians you bring onto your team is pivotal. Apprentices typically earn $18-$20 per hour, making proper assessment important when investing in candidates who can grow with your business.
At Buildforce, we've successfully placed hundreds of apprentice electricians with contractors nationwide. This experience has taught us the fundamental technical skills that highlight all-star apprentices from those who need additional remedial instruction.
Here are the exact assessment questions we use to evaluate technical competency before sending new hires to job sites.
Core Assessment Areas
Code & Safety Knowledge
Questions covering NEC requirements, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance that prevent accidents and code violations.
Installation & Wiring Skills
Practical knowledge about conduit work, wire terminations, and installation methods used daily on job sites.
Electrical Theory Basics
Fundamental concepts including Ohm's Law, motor controls, and switching circuits that form the foundation of electrical work.
The Assessment Questions
What Good Answers Look Like
0-10v Dimming Wire Colors
Purple and gray wires control most 0-10v dimming systems. Incorrect wiring prevents the proper dimming function and requires troubleshooting callbacks.
Conduit Support Spacing
Most overhead installations require conduit spacing every 10 feet in accordance with NEC regulations. Inadequate support causes sagging conduit and inspection failures.
AFCI/GFCI White Wire Connections
For combination AFCI/GFCI breakers, the white wire connects to the neutral bar in the panel, not the breaker's neutral pigtail. Improper connections cause nuisance tripping.
High Leg Systems
Delta systems have a "high leg" that measures 208V to ground instead of 120V. Misunderstanding this can damage equipment or cause injury.
Maximum Conduit Bends
NEC allows 360-degree total bends between pull points. Excessive bends make wire pulling difficult and damage wire insulation.
Three-Phase Motor Rotation
Swap any two motor leads to reverse rotation direction. Incorrect rotation can damage connected equipment.
How to Use These Questions
Scoring Guidelines
- Minimum passing score: 70% (11 out of 15 questions)
- Safety-related questions should be weighted more heavily
- Consider partial credit for answers that show understanding but lack specifics
Shared Neutrals on Multi-Wire Branch Circuits
You can share neutrals on multi-wire branch circuits with opposite phases and common trip breakers. Incorrect application overloads the neutral and creates fire risks.
MC Cable Support Requirements
MC cable needs support every 6 feet and within 12 inches of terminations per NEC 330.30. Poor support causes cable damage and code violations.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Cannot identify basic PPE requirements
- Unfamiliar with NEC support requirements
- Confusion about high-voltage systems
- Poor understanding of motor controls
Follow-Up Questions
When apprentices struggle with answers, ask them to explain their reasoning. This reveals whether they have partial knowledge that can be built upon or fundamental gaps that need extensive training.
These assessment questions help identify apprentices with the foundational knowledge needed for immediate productivity and safe work practices. Apprentices who can answer 12–15 questions correctly typically require less supervision and adapt faster to jobsite requirements.
The electrical industry's future depends on developing qualified apprentices today. Using structured assessment processes helps contractors build stronger teams while reducing the risks and costs associated with hiring mistakes.
FAQs
What should I ask an apprentice electrician in an interview?
Ask technical questions about NEC code requirements, safety protocols, and basic electrical theory. Focus on conduit support spacing, wire identification, and motor control fundamentals that they'll use daily.
How do you test an electrician's knowledge?
Use specific technical questions about installation methods, code compliance, and safety procedures. A passing score of 70% on fundamental concepts indicates readiness for supervised work.
What basic electrical knowledge should an apprentice have?
Apprentices should understand Ohm's Law, proper PPE requirements, conduit bending limits, and wire color coding. They need working knowledge of NEC support requirements and basic motor controls.
How many questions should be on an electrician assessment test?
A 10-15 question assessment covers core competencies without overwhelming new apprentices. Include questions on safety, code requirements, installation methods, and electrical theory.
What are red flags when hiring apprentice electricians?
Poor understanding of safety requirements, inability to identify basic tools, and confusion about high-voltage systems indicate candidates who need extensive remedial training before job site work.
Need skilled apprentice electricians for your next project?
Connect with pre-qualified, ready-to-work apprentice electricians through Buildforce and keep your jobs on schedule.