How to Get an Apprenticeship: Find Paid Programs and Apply
How to get an apprenticeship in the US: find paid registered programs, choose union or non-union, pass the aptitude test and stand out when you apply.
In this article 11 sections
- Registered apprenticeships are paid jobs approved by the Department of Labor or a state agency, with scheduled raises and a nationally recognized credential.
- Search the Apprenticeship Finder, then contact local union training centers and contractor associations directly, because many openings never reach job boards.
- Union programs use application windows, aptitude tests, interviews and ranked lists, while non-union routes often start with getting hired by a contractor.
- The electrical aptitude test covers algebra and reading comprehension, so a few weeks of focused study can lift your ranking.
- For most people who can get in, an apprenticeship beats trade school because you earn while you learn and finish with a job.
Here is how to get an apprenticeship: pick a trade, find a registered program through Apprenticeship.gov, a union training center or a contractor association, meet the basic requirements, apply during the open window, then pass any aptitude test and interview. Most registered apprenticeships are paid jobs from day one, with raises as your skills grow.
If you are still choosing a field, start with our list of the highest paying jobs without a degree. This guide covers the next step: where paid programs post openings, union versus non-union routes, the aptitude test, and pay while you train.
Quick start: how to get an apprenticeship in 7 steps
These steps work for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians and most other registered programs in the United States.
- Pick one or two trades. Aim where your interest and your local job market overlap. If you are unsure, a few free career quizzes can narrow the list.
- Search the Apprenticeship Finder. Enter your trade and ZIP code to see open apprenticeship jobs and the sponsors near you.
- Find your local training centers. Look up the union training center for your trade and the non-union contractor programs in your area.
- Check the requirements. Construction programs commonly ask that you be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, and show a passing grade in algebra.
- Get your documents ready. Order transcripts now, since they can take weeks and some programs won't schedule your test without them.
- Apply when the window opens. Some programs take applications year-round; others open for only a few weeks a year.
- Prepare for the test and interview. Brush up on algebra and reading, then practice explaining why you want the trade and how you prove you show up.
What is a registered apprenticeship, and why does "registered" matter?
A registered apprenticeship is a training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship or a State Apprenticeship Agency. You are hired into a real job, learn on the job from an experienced worker (called a journeyworker), take related classroom instruction, and earn a nationally recognized certificate of completion when you finish.
Registration comes with rules that protect you. Under the federal standards in 29 CFR 29.5, a registered program must have a written wage schedule that rises as you gain skills, and its starting age cannot be lower than 16. The rules recommend at least 144 hours of classroom instruction per year, and programs typically last one to six years depending on the occupation.
Plenty of employers call any trainee job an "apprenticeship." Those jobs may still teach you a lot, but they may not come with a set wage ladder or a portable credential. Before you accept an offer, ask one direct question: is this program registered with the Department of Labor or our state apprenticeship agency?
The payoff can be significant. According to a GAO summary of Labor Department data, people who completed a registered apprenticeship earned an average of about $80,000 a year in fiscal year 2023, more than the average for associate's degree holders.
Where to find paid apprenticeships
No single site lists every opening, so check each source below for your trade and area.
| Where to look | What you find there | How you apply |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Finder | Open apprenticeship jobs and registered sponsors nationwide | Click through to the employer's or sponsor's application |
| Union training centers | Union programs in electrical, plumbing and pipefitting, carpentry, ironwork, sheet metal and more | Apply to the local training center during its application window |
| Contractor associations | Non-union programs run through groups such as Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) | Often get hired by a member contractor first, then enroll |
| Large employers | In-house programs at utilities, manufacturers, hospitals and tech companies | Apply through the company's careers page |
| American Job Centers and community colleges | Local program lists, pre-apprenticeship classes and sometimes funding help | Visit or call your nearest center or college workforce office |
Start with the Apprenticeship Finder
The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder on Apprenticeship.gov lets you search open apprenticeship jobs by keyword and location. Results carry tags that show whether the employer is a registered partner or the job matches a registered occupation, a quick legitimacy check. If nothing open shows up near you, use the site's Partner Finder to see which sponsors operate locally, then contact them about their next intake.
Go straight to local training centers
Many union programs never appear on job boards and announce openings on their own websites, social pages or at the union hall. Search for your trade plus "apprenticeship" plus your city or county (for example, electrical apprenticeship Phoenix), find the training center's page, and sign up for any interest list or email alerts it offers.
Use pre-apprenticeship if you are not ready yet
If you are missing algebra, a driver's license or basic job-site skills, a pre-apprenticeship program can close the gap. These short programs, often run by community colleges and building trades councils, cover math, safety basics and tool use. Some partner with local apprenticeship programs, so finishing one can strengthen your application.
Union vs non-union apprenticeship: which route fits you?
Both routes can be registered, paid and lead to the same state license. The difference is who runs the program, how you get in and how your pay and benefits are set.
| Factor | Union apprenticeship | Non-union apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | A joint committee of the union and union contractors | An employer or a contractor association |
| How you get in | Application window, aptitude test, interview, then a ranked list | Usually hired by a contractor first, then enrolled; some use tests too |
| Pay | Set by the union contract, with scheduled raises | Set by the employer, following the program's wage schedule |
| Benefits | Health and retirement benefits are commonly part of the package | Varies by employer |
| Training costs | Often low; ask about books, fees and dues | Varies; some employers cover tuition, some share costs |
| Work placement | Dispatched to union contractors as jobs open | You stay with your employer or move between member companies |
A union apprenticeship suits you if you want a clear, structured path and can handle a competitive application. You will pay union dues once you are in, and you may wait on a ranked list before a contractor picks you up. In return, your pay steps and benefits are spelled out in writing.
A non-union apprenticeship often gets you working sooner, because you can apply directly to contractors year-round. The tradeoff is more variation: pay, benefits and training quality depend heavily on the company. Ask to see the written wage schedule and the classroom plan before you sign anything.
The practical move is to apply to both if your area has both, since two applications in motion cut your wait. If you are still weighing trades, compare how long training takes by trade before you commit to a multi-year program.
How to apply for an apprenticeship, step by step
1. Gather your documents early
Pull this paperwork together before the window opens so a missing transcript does not cost you a cycle.
- High school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Official transcripts showing a passing grade in algebra (many electrical programs require one full year)
- Government-issued photo ID, and often a valid driver's license
- Proof of age, such as a birth certificate
- DD-214 if you are a veteran (some programs waive the test or offer direct entry for recent veterans)
- Application fee, if the program charges one
2. Catch the application window
Call or email the training center and ask three things: when the next application period opens, whether they keep an interest list, and which test they use. Missing a once-a-year window can push your start back by a full year.
3. Write a short, specific statement
Some applications ask why you want the trade. Keep it short and back it with proof that you are reliable. If a letter is requested, our guide shows how to write a short cover letter that sounds like you. Here is a simple version you can adapt:
I want to become an electrician because I like work I can see and test at the end of the day. For the past two years I have worked warehouse shifts starting at 6 a.m. without a missed day, and I finished an algebra refresher at my community college this spring to prepare for your aptitude test.
4. Prepare for the interview
After the test, many programs hold a panel interview with the apprenticeship committee. Expect questions about reliability, safety, teamwork and why you chose this trade. Review these common interview questions and answers, then prepare two short stories: one about showing up when it was hard, and one about learning a hands-on skill.
Dress neatly and arrive early. The committee is judging whether you will show up on time for years, so every sign of dependability counts.
5. Understand the ranked list
Union programs usually rank applicants by combining the test score, the interview score and sometimes points for related education or experience. Top-ranked applicants are placed first as contractors request apprentices. If you rank lower, stay in touch, keep building skills, and ask when you can retest to raise your score.
How to pass the apprenticeship aptitude test
Many trades use an aptitude test to measure basic math and reading, not trade knowledge. The electrical test is a good example because its format is published. According to the Electrical Training Alliance application guide, the test battery has two parts:
| Section | Questions | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Functions | 33 | 46 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 | 51 minutes |
The same guide tells applicants to bring photo ID, plan on about three hours at the test center, and wait 90 days before retaking the test. It also notes that you do not need previous electrical knowledge to apply.
Many programs report scores on a 1 to 9 scale (called a stanine) and set a minimum score to move forward. Higher scores also improve your ranking, so aim well above the minimum. Other trades use their own tests, and some add mechanical reasoning or spatial questions, so ask the training center which test it uses and whether it offers a sample.
A 4-week study plan
- Week 1: Take a free sample test without studying to find your weak spots. Review order of operations, fractions and solving simple equations.
- Week 2: Practice linear equations, slope, exponents and word problems for 30 to 45 minutes a day. Free Khan Academy algebra lessons cover all of this.
- Week 3: Do timed reading drills. Read a short technical passage, answer the questions, then work out why you missed any.
- Week 4: Take full timed practice tests, then rest the day before. Arrive early with your ID.
How much do apprentices get paid while training?
Registered programs pay you from day one and must raise your wage on a set schedule as you progress. Pay is usually set as a percentage of the journeyworker rate (the full wage for a fully trained worker) and steps up every six months or every year.
This example uses a hypothetical $40 per hour journeyworker rate to keep the math simple; it is not a real program's wage sheet.
| Stage | Percent of journeyworker rate | Hourly pay (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 50% | $20.00 |
| Year 2 | 60% | $24.00 |
| Year 3 | 70% | $28.00 |
| Year 4 | 80% | $32.00 |
| Journeyworker | 100% | $40.00 |
Real ladders vary by trade, region and program, so ask every program for its written wage schedule and benefits sheet. For what the trades pay once you finish, see our breakdown of blue collar jobs that pay well.
What you might pay
Registered apprenticeships are built to avoid student debt, and classroom instruction is often covered or low cost. Still, budget for possible application fees, books, a starter set of hand tools, work boots and, in union programs, dues. Ask for a full cost list before you accept a spot.
Career changers should also plan for the first-year pay step. If you are switching careers at 40, build a few months of savings before you start so the early wage steps do not push you to quit.
Extra money for veterans
If you qualify for the GI Bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs can pay monthly benefits while you train in an approved apprenticeship, on top of your wages. Post-9/11 GI Bill users can also receive a housing allowance and money for books and supplies. Use the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool to confirm the program is approved before you start.
Apprenticeship vs trade school: which is better?
Trade school teaches skills in a classroom before you have a job. An apprenticeship hires you first and teaches you on the job. For most people who can get accepted, an apprenticeship is the better deal, but trade school still has a place.
| Factor | Apprenticeship | Trade school |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Little or no tuition; you earn wages | You pay tuition, often with loans or grants |
| Pay during training | Yes, with scheduled raises | Usually no, unless you work on the side |
| Length | About 1 to 6 years, depending on the trade | Often several months to 2 years |
| Credential | Nationally recognized certificate (registered programs) | Diploma or certificate from the school |
| Job at the end | You are already employed | You still need to find a job |
| Getting in | Competitive, with tests and interviews | Usually open enrollment |
Trade school makes sense when you cannot get into an apprenticeship yet, want to try a trade first, or need a short program such as welding or commercial driving. Registered programs can grant credit for previous training or experience, so ask whether your coursework could shorten your apprenticeship.
If you want a faster credential than a multi-year program, compare certifications that pay without a degree before you enroll anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit to get an apprenticeship?
Do you have to pay for an apprenticeship?
How long does it take to get into a union apprenticeship?
Can you get an apprenticeship with no experience?
Are there apprenticeships outside the construction trades?
Does an apprenticeship count toward a college degree?
The bottom line
Getting an apprenticeship comes down to timing and preparation more than luck. Pick a trade, confirm the program is registered, apply to both union and non-union sponsors if your area has them, and treat the aptitude test like a real exam. The reward is a paid job from day one, scheduled raises and a credential employers across the country recognize.
Your next step: open the Apprenticeship Finder today, search your trade and ZIP code, and call two local training centers to ask when their next application window opens.
Sources
Facts checked as of October 20, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Labor: Apprenticeship Job Finder apprenticeship.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor: Registered Apprenticeship Program apprenticeship.gov
- eCFR: 29 CFR 29.5 Standards of apprenticeship ecfr.gov
- eCFR: 29 CFR 30.3 Equal opportunity standards applicable to all sponsors ecfr.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor: Making Registered Apprenticeship Work for the Public Workforce System dol.gov
- Electrical Training Alliance: The Application Process electricaltrainingalliance.org
- U.S. GAO: How Apprenticeship Programs Could Help Fill In-Demand Jobs gao.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: On-the-job training and apprenticeships va.gov
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