Virginia Electrician License: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Licensed
Everything you need to know about the Virginia electrician license: requirements, exam format, fees, and how to prepare
Note: Our practice questions are based on NEC 2023. The exam format details below are specific to Virginia.
NEC Edition Notice: Virginia currently tests on NEC 2020. Questions on this platform are based on NEC 2023. Some provisions added in 2023 (like expanded GFCI/AFCI requirements) may not appear on your exam. Heads up: a state's building code can adopt a different NEC edition than the one its licensing exam tests on, so if this page mentions both, the exam edition shown here is the one that matters for test prep. Always confirm the current exam edition with the Virginia licensing board before your exam date.
Quick Answer
For the Virginia electrician license exam, expect 70 questions with a limit of 210 minutes, 70% to pass, open book, aligned to NEC 2020. The exam is delivered by PSI and the fee is $100. Virginia electricians earn about $55,890 per year ($26.87 per hour), per the BLS.
Last verified: March 26, 2026 • Sources: Virginia Licensing Board, PSI Testing Portal
Exam Format
Journeyman Electrician
- Vendor:PSI
- Questions:70
- Time Limit:210 minutes (3 hours)
- Passing Score:70%
- Exam Fee:$100
- Format:Open-book (NEC reference allowed)
What's Covered on the Exam
- Grounding & Bonding (NEC Article 250)
- Wiring Methods (Conduit, Cable, Raceways)
- Load Calculations (Article 220)
- Motors & Controllers (Article 430)
- Box Fill & Conduit Fill
- Overcurrent Protection (Article 240)
- Special Occupancies (Hazardous Locations)
- Services & Feeders (Article 230)
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Virginia Electrician License Overview
Virginia licenses electricians through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and its Board for Contractors. Virginia issues both Class A and Class B contractor licenses with no separate statewide journeyman card for most electricians. Northern Virginia is one of the most active data center markets in the world, the NoVA corridor has more data center capacity than anywhere else on the planet, and the Hampton Roads military hub, Richmond commercial market, and Shenandoah Valley industrial sector all contribute to steady demand for licensed electricians.
Virginia Electrician License Types
Class A Contractor License
Unrestricted contractor license for projects over $120,000. Required for large commercial and industrial electrical work.
Requirements: Qualifying party must pass the trade exam and demonstrate 4+ years of experience with at least 2 in supervision. Must meet insurance and financial requirements.
Class B Contractor License
Contractor license for projects between $10,000 and $120,000.
Requirements: Similar experience requirements to Class A but with a lower project-value cap.
Class C Contractor (Exemption)
No license required for projects under $10,000 for the same customer in a 12-month period.
Requirements: N/A
Experience & Education Requirements
Journeyman Requirements
Virginia does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Working electricians operate as employees under licensed contractors without individual state licensure in most cases.
Master Requirements
Virginia's Class A Contractor license effectively requires master-level expertise. The qualifying party must demonstrate 4 years of experience with supervisory responsibility and pass a trade exam.
Apprenticeship Programs
Virginia has IBEW apprenticeship programs in Northern Virginia (IBEW Local 26), Richmond (IBEW Local 666), Hampton Roads (IBEW Local 80), and Roanoke (IBEW Local 197). ABC of Virginia also operates registered programs.
License Reciprocity
Virginia DPOR participates in reciprocity arrangements with some neighboring states. Contact DPOR at dpor.virginia.gov to confirm current eligibility and documentation requirements.
License Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
2 years (biennial) for contractor licenses
Continuing Education
Verify current CE requirements at dpor.virginia.gov
Renewal Fee
Approximately $105–$175 biennial renewal for contractor licenses (verify current amounts at dpor.virginia.gov)
Important Notes
Virginia contractor licenses require active insurance and bonding as conditions of renewal. The qualifying party's continued association with the licensed business must be maintained.
VirginiaElectrician Salary & Job Outlook
Average Salary
$55,890/year
$26.87/hr
Salary Range
Entry-level: $36,120 (10th percentile)
Experienced: $79,460 (90th percentile)
Virginia employs approximately 22,000 electricians. Northern Virginia's data center construction is unlike anywhere else in the world, Ashburn, Loudoun County, and Prince William County collectively host more data center square footage than the next several markets combined. This alone creates extraordinary demand for electricians in the NoVA region.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
How to Register for Your Exam
- Confirm Your Eligibility: Check with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for current requirements (work experience, education, etc.)
- Submit Your Application: Apply through the state licensing board
- Schedule Your Exam: Once approved, register with PSI at https://candidate.psiexams.com/
- Prepare: Use GetLicenseReady to practice with Virginia-aligned questions
- Pass Your Exam: Show up confident and ready on exam day
Official Resources
Virginia Electrician License FAQ
Does Virginia have a statewide journeyman electrician license?
No. Virginia licenses electrical contractors (Class A and Class B) through DPOR, but does not issue a statewide journeyman license for individual electricians. Working electricians operate under the contractor's license.
What makes Northern Virginia special for electricians?
Northern Virginia hosts the highest concentration of data centers in the world. Dominion Energy's Northern Virginia load growth consistently outpaces projections due to data center electrical demand. Electricians in the NoVA market are in exceptional demand and command premium wages.
How much do electricians make in Virginia?
The statewide average is about $55,890/year. Northern Virginia electricians earn significantly more, experienced commercial electricians in the data center corridor regularly earn $80,000–$110,000+, with IBEW Local 26 wage scales among the highest in the mid-Atlantic.
Is the Virginia electrical contractor exam open book?
Yes. Virginia contractor trade exams are open book and administered by PSI.
Can I transfer a Maryland or North Carolina contractor license to Virginia?
Virginia DPOR participates in limited reciprocity with some neighboring states. Contact DPOR to confirm whether your existing license qualifies for endorsement.
Common Questions About the Virginia Electrician License
How much does the Virginia electrician license exam cost?
The Virginia electrician exam fee is $100, paid to PSI when you register.
Who administers the Virginia electrician license exam?
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees electrician licensing in Virginia, and the exam is delivered by PSI.
How much do electricians make in Virginia?
Virginia electricians earn about $55,890 per year ($26.87 per hour). Entry level pay is around $36,120 (10th percentile) and experienced electricians earn up to $79,460 (90th percentile). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
How long does it take to become a licensed electrician in Virginia?
Virginia does not issue a statewide journeyman license. Working electricians operate as employees under licensed contractors without individual state licensure in most cases.
Does Virginia have electrician license reciprocity?
Virginia DPOR participates in reciprocity arrangements with some neighboring states. Contact DPOR at dpor.virginia.gov to confirm current eligibility and documentation requirements.
Compare Exam Requirements
See how Virginia's electrician exam compares to nearby states:
Exam Prep Guides
Virginia Electrician License: Requirements & Exam Guide
Virginia DPOR journeyman and master license requirements, PSI exam, and renewal.
What to Expect on the Electrician License Test
Exam format, NEC topics covered, passing scores, and how to prepare.
How to Pass the Electrician Exam on Your First Try
The 10 most-tested NEC topics and a proven 8-week study plan.
NEC Code Study Guides
Deep-dive guides on the NEC articles tested most on the Virginia exam.
NEC Article 110, Electrical Installations
Working space clearances (Table 110.26), temperature ratings (110.14), interrupting ratings, and workmanlike execution.
NEC Article 210, Branch Circuits
GFCI, AFCI, circuit ratings, outlet spacing, and the continuous load rule.
NEC Article 220, Load Calculations
Step-by-step residential standard and optional methods with worked examples.
NEC Article 230, Services
Overhead clearances, 6-disconnect rule, minimum 100A service, and disconnect location.
NEC Table 310.16, Wire Sizing & Ampacity
Temperature columns, correction factors, adjustment factors, and NEC 240.4(D).
NEC Article 430, Motors
Conductor sizing, SCGF protection at 250%, overload protection, and disconnect rules.
NEC Article 240, Overcurrent Protection
Standard breaker ratings, 240.4(D) small conductors, and the 10-foot and 25-foot tap rules.
NEC Article 250, Grounding & Bonding
Grounding electrode system, bonding jumpers, and equipment grounding conductors.
NEC 314.16, Box Fill Calculations
Five volume categories, cubic-inch table, and exam-style worked examples.
NEC Chapter 9, Conduit Fill
Tables C1–C12, 40% fill rule, and how to size conduit for mixed wire bundles.
Electrician Exam Math: Complete Formula Guide
Ohm's Law, power wheel, voltage drop, three-phase power, and transformer calculations with worked examples.
NEC Article 300, Wiring Methods
Physical protection, burial depths, 6-inch free conductor rule, boxes at splices, and plenum wiring.
NEC Articles 404 & 406, Switches & Receptacles
15A vs 20A receptacle rules, tamper-resistant requirements, wet/damp location covers, and snap switch grounding.
NEC Article 334, NM Cable (Romex)
Permitted uses, 4½-foot support intervals, 12-inch box rule, 1.25-inch edge clearance, and where Romex is prohibited.
NEC 2023 vs NEC 2020, Key Changes
What changed between editions: new AFCI/GFCI locations, EV charging rules, and 2023-specific exam prep notes.
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