How to Become an Elevator Mechanic: Complete 2026 Guide
Updated May 22, 2025
Have you decided to pursue a career path in the elevator industry? Elevator mechanics are entrusted with a lot of responsibility, ensuring that millions of people make it safely to their floors every day.
To become an elevator mechanic, you must:
- Complete a 4-year apprenticeship with the National Elevator Industry Education Program (NEIEP).
- Pass the EIAT (Elevator Industry Aptitude Test), which requires focused preparation and practice.
See the free EIAT Practice Test
-Or scroll down for the information required to become an elevator mechanic-
This article explores the steps required to become an elevator mechanic, outlines the day‑to‑day responsibilities of the role, and examines the process you need to go through to become a licensed professional. Let's get started.
4 Steps for Landing an Elevator Mechanic Apprenticeship in 2025
Becoming an Elevator Mechanic Step #1 – Preliminary Conditions
The NEIEP Apprenticeship Standards require applicants for an elevator apprenticeship to meet the following qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a high‑school diploma or GED.
- Be authorized to work in the U.S.
- Provide these documents:
- Proof of diploma or GED test scores
- DD‑214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for veterans
- Pass a drug screening.
Note: The drug screening and document verification occur after you’re matched with an employer but before your first day of apprenticeship.
1. Fundamental Mechanical Skills
The most frequently cited technical requirement is a mastery of basic tools and measurements. Mechanics often do not have the time to teach these basics on the job.
- Tape Measure and Fractions: You must be able to read a tape measure quickly and accurately, specifically understanding fractions like 3/8" and 5/16".
- Tool Identification: Know the names and functions of standard tools, including wrenches, sockets, pliers, bandsaws, Sawzalls, drills, and impacts.
- Basic Proficiency: Be comfortable with tasks like cutting a straight line, drilling through metal, and using a socket wrench correctly.
2. Specialized Technical Knowledge
If you want to stand out during the recruitment process, pursuing specific technical training can significantly improve your ranking.
- Electrical Theory: Understanding basic electrical theory and how to read schematics or prints is highly valued, as it is considered "the long money" in the trade.
- Welding: While not used daily by every mechanic, welding certifications can almost guarantee a shot at a job, particularly in new construction and modernization.
- Math: A strong grasp of math is a significant plus for apprentices.
- Diagnostic Tools: Learning how to use a multimeter to check voltages, capacitors, and fuses is a practical skill you can practice before getting hired.
Becoming an Elevator Mechanic Step #2 – Apply to an Apprenticeship
To begin your journey with NEIEP and become , follow these steps:
- Visit NEIEP’s Career Page.
Browse current and upcoming local contractor recruitments for elevator mechanic apprenticeships. - Submit your application.
You’ll be redirected to iCIMS (Applicant Tracking System, ATS) to enter your information. - Provide your details and credentials.
Personal information (name, address, contact)
High school diploma or GED equivalent - Receive your EIAT appointment.
If your application is complete, NEIEP will schedule your Elevator Industry Aptitude Test and notify you of the date and time.
- Frequently check the NEIEP career page for new recruitment opportunities, as positions open regularly.
- Submit your apprenticeship application as soon as it opens. Popular locations like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles often have a set limit on applicants, and applications close quickly once this limit is reached.
- Gather all necessary documents and information beforehand. Ensure all documents are in English and submitted in .doc, .pdf, or .jpeg formats only.
- Prepare your resume ahead of time to streamline the application process. You can upload this resume directly to the application portal, allowing for quick autofill of your information.
Your resume should ideally include: - Personal information (required)
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (required)
- Professional licenses, registrations, and certifications
- Educational details, such as your high school diploma
- Up to three professional references (at least one former supervisor)
- Employment history
Becoming an Elevator Mechanic Step #3 – Complete the EIAT Test
If you have passed the initial application stage, you will be contacted via email through the iCIMS system by your Local Area Coordinator inviting you to take the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT).
The EIAT assesses specific knowledge areas that indicate your potential to acquire the mechanical skills necessary for elevator technicians.
The EIAT test covers 3 sections:
- Basic Numeracy (Math)
- Verbal Reasoning
- Mechanical Aptitude
In addition, a Tool Assessment will follow the EIAT, in which you will be required to identify common working tools, as well as show basic measurement reading skills.
To pass the EIAT, you will need to get a minimum score of 70 points. However, it is recommended to score as high as you can, as applicants are divided into tiers based on their test performance, and candidates with higher EIAT scores will have precedence.
Prepare for the EIAT and Your Interviews
Passing the EIAT test is just the first step. To truly secure your apprenticeship, you need to excel in the interview process too.
Our JobTestPrep pack helps you master mechanical, reading, and math skills for the test, as well as sharpen your interview performance.
Get ready for all aspects of the apprenticeship evaluation process and give yourself the best chance of success!"
Take the free EIAT Practice Test to begin!
See What People Say About Our Prep Pack
Becoming an Elevator Mechanic Step #4 – Pass an Interview
If you have passed the 70% score threshold on your Elevator Aptitude Test, you will be scheduled for an interview.
The interview will take 15-20 minutes and will be conducted by two interviewers – one from your prospective employer and one from the IUEC.
As per NEIEP standards, all candidates are asked the exact same questions.
Read more: NEIEP Interview Questions.
After the interview, the most immediate result is that you are assigned a score and a corresponding rank on a hiring list. This list is then used by the local union to place applicants with companies as they are needed.
Here is a detailed look at the usual progression following the interview:
- The Waiting Period
The length of time you spend waiting for "the call" depends entirely on your rank and the local workload. While some high-ranking applicants or those using specialized programs like Helmets to Hardhats might get a call within a week, others—even those ranked in the top 100—may wait anywhere from 15 months to over two years.
Because there is typically no "second call" if you decline, applicants are advised to have a bag packed and be ready to start immediately when their number is called.
- Pre-Employment Requirements
When your number finally comes up on the list, the hiring process usually involves a few final hurdles:
Physical and Drug Testing: You will receive a call to schedule a physical exam and a drug test to ensure you are fit for the rigors of the trade.
Immediate Start: Once cleared, you may be asked to start work very quickly, sometimes as soon as the following Monday.
Day 1
On your first day as an elevator mechanic apprentice, you should arrive prepared to be a "sponge," meaning you should listen and observe far more than you talk. Your primary goal is to take initiative and show that you are eager to learn and work hard.
What Does an Elevator Apprentice Do?
As an apprentice in the elevator trade, you will generally be placed into one of four primary departments: New Installation, Modernization, Repair, or Service. While you may have a preference for where you start, apprentices rarely get a choice in their initial placement; the union or company will assign you based on their current needs.
The different job types you may encounter include:
1. New Installation (NI) / Construction
This is where the majority of new apprentices begin their careers.
- The Work: You will be responsible for installing brand-new elevator systems in buildings under construction.
- The Environment: This work is always performed with a crew, and larger sites may have dozens of people working together, which can create a fun atmosphere.
- Learning Value: It provides a good foundation for learning how systems are built from the ground up, though some find the work becomes repetitive over time.
2. Modernization (Mod)
Modernization is often considered an excellent place to gain a wide range of knowledge.
- The Work: This involves removing old equipment and replacing it with new, shiny components.
- The Environment: Like New Installation, this is always done with a crew.
- Learning Value: Because every job tends to be different, it offers a broad "general knowledge" of various equipment types.
3. Repair
The repair department is often attached to the service department.
- The Work: This role focuses on fixing mechanical issues and performing safety testing.
- The Environment: This work is generally performed with a crew.
- Career Path: Many helpers who start in repair eventually move into the service department once they become licensed mechanics.
4. Service
Service is generally reserved for more experienced workers, and it is rare for new apprentices (helpers) to be placed here.
- The Work: This involves maintaining and servicing units and troubleshooting breakdowns. It requires a high aptitude for reading prints and problem-solving.
- The Environment: Service work is generally performed solo. A service mechanic may be responsible for a single building or a route of over a hundred units.
- The Role: This position is more customer-oriented and requires a high degree of self-motivation.
- Probation and Progress: You will start as a probationary apprentice. In a union environment, the probationary period is 12 months, though you typically receive your first pay increase after 6 months.
- The Goal of Versatility: While you may find yourself in one department for your entire apprenticeship, the ultimate goal is to become well-rounded. Some mechanics suggest it is best to learn how to build the units (New Installation) before learning how to fix them.
- Safety and Discipline: Regardless of the department, the work is physically taxing and carries extreme hazards. You must have the discipline to follow safety programs and instructions exactly as they are told without taking shortcuts.
The NEIEP Apprenticeship Training
During the NEIEP apprenticeship program, you will go through 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning (OJL) and 576 hours of Related Instruction (additional theoretical and practical courses).
How Much Do Elevator Apprentices Make?
The IUEC defines a progressively increasing pay scale for apprentices as follows:
- Probationary Apprentice (0-6 months) – 50% of an elevator mechanic's salary.
- First-Year Apprentice (7-12 months) – 55% of an elevator mechanic's salary rate.
- Second-Year Apprentice (1-2 years) – 65% of a mechanic’s rate + fringe benefits.
- Third-Year Apprentice (2-3 years) – 70% of a mechanic’s rate + fringe benefits.
- Fourth-Year Apprentice (3-4 years) – 80% of a mechanic’s rate + fringe benefits.
Note that mechanic rates vary between states. To find your estimated salary during the apprenticeship, get a free Elevator Apprentice Salary by State PDF.
When Do I Get Fringe Benefits?
As an elevator apprentice, you will begin getting the fringe benefits covered in the collective bargaining agreement upon completion of the first 2,000 hours of the apprenticeship (usually 1 year). Hours of the probationary period are included in this calculation.
Daily Realities and Workplace Culture
FAQs
The highest-paid elevator mechanics are typically elevator supervisors. According to ZipRecruiter, salaries for this position range from $84,500 to $110,000 per year.
Elevator technicians install, maintain, and repair elevator components such as doors, cables, motors, and control systems. They diagnose and troubleshoot operational issues and perform routine and scheduled maintenance on elevators and other vertical transportation systems.
Lift mechanics design, install, maintain, service, and repair electric and hydraulic passenger and freight lifts, escalators, moving walkways, and related equipment.
Most elevator mechanics start by completing apprenticeships to gain hands-on trade skills. You can apply for apprenticeships through unions, contractors, or industry associations like the National Elevator Industry Educational Program.
The Certified Elevator Technician (CET) credential from the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) is widely recognized. CET-certified professionals assemble, install, repair, and maintain electric and hydraulic elevators, escalators, freight elevators, passenger elevators, and dumbwaiters.
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) represents the most skilled elevator constructors worldwide. Members specialize in assembling, installing, and replacing elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways, and more.
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