How to Get an Electrical License in Virginia

Becoming an electrician in Virginia takes some legwork, but it’s worth the effort. The demand for electricians is expected to grow at 11% in the next 10 years, which is almost double that of other construction trades.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia has one of the highest employment levels with 22,150 employed electricians and an average annual salary between $64,360 and $69,100.

Virginia requires a combination of experience and education to get licensed. The quickest timeframe to become a licensed journeyman electrician is five years. The process generally includes an apprenticeship or work experience under a licensed master electrician, vocational training, and passing the state’s electrical exam.

Types of Virginia Electrical Licenses

Virginia issues journeyman and master electrician licenses. Before being eligible for a master electrician license, you must work as a licensed journeyman electrician. Journeyman electricians work under the supervision of a master electrician. Only master electricians can work independently, own their own electrical businesses, and hire electricians to work under them.

The path begins with an apprenticeship or work experience and education.

Steps to Obtain an Electrician License in Virginia

Virginia has education, work experience, and exam requirements to becoming licensed. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old and disclose whether you’ve been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense. Decisions regarding a criminal background are made on a case-by-case basis.

Here are the steps necessary to get your license.

Step 1: Education Requirements

You are only required to complete vocational training from an approved provider before applying to take the exam for your journeyman electrician license. Additional classroom hours are not required for the master electrician license. How many classroom hours you need depends on how much work experience you have or plan to get.

There are some exceptions. Once you have ten years of verified experience, you are exempt from the education requirement. If you’re licensed as a journeyman or master electrician in another state, you may apply for reciprocity in Virginia. Virginia has reciprocity licensing and examination agreements with Alabama, Washington D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

If you are not exempt from the education requirements, you must meet one of the following:

• Four years of work experience and 240 hours of vocational training
• Five years of work experience and 160 hours of vocational training
• Six years of experience and 80 hours of vocational training
• Seven years of work experience and 40 hours of vocational training
• Obtain a two-year associates degree or certificate in the trade from an accredited community college and obtain two years of practical experience in the field
• Graduate with a bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion from a four-year accredited college or university in electrical engineering and complete one year of work experience

One year of work experience is equivalent to 2,000 hours. So, four years of experience is the same as 8,000 hours. If you work part-time, it will take longer to reach the required hours.

Step 2: Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the right experience. They are offered through technical schools or union or non-union electrical apprenticeship programs. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union has several chapters throughout the state. Non-union options include training and education through chapters of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) or the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) groups.

Apprenticeship programs often combine classroom instruction and hands-on experience needed to meet state requirements. During your apprenticeship, you will learn the components of an electrical system, troubleshooting, installing, and maintaining electrical systems, as well as the National Electric Code (NEC) and state and local building regulations.

Step 3: Gain Work Experience

Virginia does not require an apprenticeship. However, you must have documented work experience under a licensed master electrician before you can apply to take the journeyman electrician licensing exam. You will be required to describe in detail your job responsibilities and whether you worked part-time, full-time, or seasonally.

Working in the field gives you the best idea of what a career as an electrician will be like. However, unlike apprenticeship programs, your experience may not be as broad, so make sure you’re getting enough experience so that you can pass your exam. Working for more than one master electrician or in different niches will give you more experience.

Virginia electrician exam prep courses are also another tool to help you pass the exam—even if you decide to do an apprenticeship program.

Before you can apply to take the master electrician licensing exam, you will need one year of work experience as a licensed journeyman electrician.

Step 4: Take and Pass the Exam

Before taking the exam, you must apply for your license with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Once your application is approved, you can schedule an exam with the testing center.

The journeyman exam has 70 questions. To pass, you need to answer 49 correctly. The time limit is 210 minutes. The master electrician exam is 90 questions with a passing score of 63 correct responses and a 270-minute time limit. The exams cover the same topics, but you will need to have a deeper understanding and more knowledge to pass the master electrician licensing exam.

Both exams cover the following topics:

• Standards of practice and conduct
• Procedural questions
• Components of electrical systems
• Tools and special equipment
• General electrical knowledge
• Fire detection and alarm systems
• National and state electrical codes

The exam is open book; however, only specific reference materials are permitted inside the testing center. References can be highlighted, underlined, and indexed prior to the exam, but writing is not permitted in any of the materials. All materials must be bound.

Studying for the exam is one of the most important aspects of becoming a licensed electrician. Fortunately, test preparation centers and resources are available to help you pass your exam on the first try.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Licenses are valid for two years. Before you can renew, you must complete three hours of continuing education (CE) from an approved CE provider. You’re required to complete CE courses relevant to your license. If you hold more than one license, you will need to take the appropriate CE for each license.

It is important to complete your CE units before your license expires. Virginia has a 30-day grace period before charging a late fee. Once the late fee is charged, it cannot be reversed.

FAQs

What are the benefits of an apprenticeship program?

Apprenticeship programs are designed to give you the experience and classroom hours required in the shortest amount of time. Most apprenticeships are paid, so you begin earning money right away. Finally, most apprenticeships have minimal costs compared to vocational or trade schools.

Can I use experience from another state to qualify to take the journeyman or master electrician licensing exam?

Work experience and apprenticeship programs from other states can be counted toward the experience requirement for both license types. If you complete an apprenticeship in another state, you will need to submit official documentation from the other state’s regulatory agency verifying the apprenticeship program is registered with the state. All experience—in any state—needs to be documented and verified.

What is the quickest method to become a licensed journeyman electrician?

The quickest way to become licensed is to complete 240 hours of classroom education from a vocational or trade school and four years or 8,000 hours of work experience.

Conclusion

While it takes some time to get licensed as an electrician in Virginia, it can be a rewarding and lucrative career with a lot of room for growth. The fastest way to become licensed is to complete an apprenticeship program through a vocational school, union, or non-union organization that meets the educational and experience requirements of the state.

When you are ready, explore the Contractor Training Center’s Virginia journeyman and master electrician exam prep courses to help pass your Virginia journeyman or master electrician licensing exam.

We’re happy to help, so reach out today to get started in this exciting and sustainable career!