Core hand tools and basics you are very likely to carry personally.
Printable list →Electrical Apprentice Starter Center
Start the trade with a plan.
You do not need to buy everything, memorize the Code, or have your whole career figured out on day one. Start with the requirements where you live, the tools your shop expects, the safety training that matters, and a study system you can actually use.
Your path
Work through these in order.
Each step answers a different question a new apprentice actually has.
01Know what your first day looks like
What to bring, how to show up prepared, what not to pretend you know, and how to start learning from the crew.
First-day guide → 02Know your state requirementsRegistration, experience, classroom hours, supervision, exams, licensing, and the authority that actually controls your path.
Find your state → 03Build your tool kit in stagesBuy the daily hand tools first. Ask what the shop supplies before spending heavily on power tools, meters, or specialty equipment.
Build your kit → 04Add useful safety credentialsSee where OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E training, CPR/AED, and specialty credentials fit—and what can wait.
Explore credentials → 05Learn how to navigate the NECUse the Code as a reference system instead of trying to memorize an entire book.
Study navigation → 06Prepare with Apprentice ProStructured practice, calculations, timed and memory modes, weak-area review, flashcards, and exam-readiness tools.
Explore Apprentice Pro →Printable bundleWant the whole first-year system in one download?
See the Starter Pack →The Electrical Apprentice Starter Pack combines the tool list, first-day checklist, 90-day roadmap, progress log, NEC study plan, calculation practice, certification roadmap, and career tracker.
Next stepAlready working as an apprentice?
Move into the first-week guide, pay/raise planning, journeyman path, and exam preparation without starting over.
Career and field-use notice.
Requirements, employer expectations, permitted work, tools, PPE, and training vary by jurisdiction, employer, jobsite, and scope of work. Verify official licensing rules, manufacturer instructions, employer policies, and site-specific safety requirements before acting.
Keep learningWant a guided online study path?
Explore how foundational study, electrical math, NEC lookups and exam-style practice fit with supervised apprenticeship and required classroom learning.