Being an electrician requires some special training before starting the job. Up and conning electricians generally work alongside a trained professional for about 4 years or as long as it takes for them to learn the trade. They can go through apprenticeship programs sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Electrical Contractors Association, or the Independent Electrical Contractors. These programs take 4 years to complete and have field time as well as classroom time. After all of this training, the last step is to get licensed. Every location will have a test that they must pass in order to be an electrician. Some risks that come with the job are being fatally electrocuted, burned from arc flash, inhaling poison gas or inhaling during an arc flash causing burns to the lungs, fire, and falling from heights, just to name a few.