Qualifications
You must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. to be accepted into a vocational/technical school. There are also training academies that teach prospective electricians. Most programs take four to five years to complete. During that time, apprentices will learn both construction and maintenance work.
When you first start your apprenticeship, you'll learn how to set anchors, attach conduits, install conduits, connect wiring, and test outlets. Eventually, you'll start drawing diagrams for electrical systems. Please keep your system diagrams and Disney doodles separate. A lawsuit from Bob Iger is the last thing you need.
States have their own requirements for electricians (source). For example, the state of California requires a 4,800-hour apprenticeship. During your apprenticeship, you must spend a set amount of time learning about fire safety, conduit installation, finish work, troubleshooting, stock room and material handling, voice data and video installation, and residential wiring.
Once you finish your apprenticeship, you must get a license. Local agencies state their requirements on their license application. Furthermore, electricians who go into work for themselves must get up to $500,000 in liability insurance for working on residential jobs. You'll need to find yourself a good insurance agent. We hear that Mayhem guy just had some room open up in his book.