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Virginia Journeyman & Master Electrician License & Exam Guide

Journeyman and master electrician license and test requirements in Virginia — what the state requires, who gives the exam, which NEC edition it is written on, the fees, and how to sign up. Free — no account needed.

Virginia

Statewide license
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) - Board for Contractors (Tradesman program)
Testing provider: PSI804-367-8511 (DPOR Licensing Section)
📕 Exam code book: 2020 NEC (per DPOR/PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; exams based on the 2020 edition only since May 1, 2025)
💵 Exam: $100 (journeyman) / $125 (master) paid to PSI  ·  License/app: $130 application/license fee (journeyman and master)
📋 Exam format: Journeyman (PSI): 70 questions, 3.5 hours, open book, 70% (49 of 70) to pass. Master (PSI): 90 questions, 4.5 hours, open book, 70% (63 of 90) to pass.

Journeyman

Journeyman electrician is a Tradesman license: typically 4 years (8,000 hours) of practical experience plus 240 hours of formal vocational training, or equivalent education/experience pathways. Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician exam (70 questions, 3.5 hours, 70% / 49 correct to pass).

Master

Requires at least 1 year of practical experience as a Virginia-licensed Journeyman Electrician. Pass the PSI Master Electrician exam (90 questions, 4.5 hours, 70% / 63 correct to pass).

🔄 Reciprocity: Board-approved electrical license/exam reciprocity: District of Columbia (journeyman & master), Kentucky (journeyman & master), West Virginia (journeyman & master); master-only recognition via Maryland Master, Alabama Electrical Contractor, North Carolina Unlimited/Intermediate, and Ohio Master. Applicants submit out-of-state verification. link
Note: Statewide Tradesman licensing through DPOR's Board for Contractors; exams administered by PSI under contract to DPOR. Continuing education required at renewal. Contractor (business) licensing is separate from the individual tradesman license.

Studying for the Virginia exam?

Kevin's Electrical Prep Course is built by a licensed master electrician, instructor and electrical inspector: 630+ practice questions with every math problem worked out step by step, timed practice exams, video lessons and drive-along audio. Both code books included — NEC 2023 and NEC 2026. Note: Virginia currently tests on the NEC 2020. This course teaches the 2023 and 2026 editions, so use it for the code that does not change between editions — theory, math, and how to read the book — and check Virginia's own amendments for the rest. $200 for 6 months, and a pass guarantee.

See the course & take 15 free sample questions → Get 6-month access — $200

Virginia Electrician License & Exam — Common Questions

Who gives the Virginia electrician license exam?

Virginia uses PSI as its testing provider. Licensing is handled by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) - Board for Contractors (Tradesman program).

Which NEC code book is the Virginia electrician exam written on?

2020 NEC (per DPOR/PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; exams based on the 2020 edition only since May 1, 2025)

How many questions are on the Virginia electrician exam, and what score do you need to pass?

Journeyman (PSI): 70 questions, 3.5 hours, open book, 70% (49 of 70) to pass. Master (PSI): 90 questions, 4.5 hours, open book, 70% (63 of 90) to pass.

How much does the Virginia electrician license and exam cost?

$100 (journeyman) / $125 (master) paid to PSI · License/app: $130 application/license fee (journeyman and master)

How many hours of experience do you need for a Virginia journeyman electrician license?

Journeyman electrician is a Tradesman license: typically 4 years (8,000 hours) of practical experience plus 240 hours of formal vocational training, or equivalent education/experience pathways. Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician exam (70 questions, 3.5 hours, 70% / 49 correct to pass).

What are the requirements for a Virginia master electrician license?

Requires at least 1 year of practical experience as a Virginia-licensed Journeyman Electrician. Pass the PSI Master Electrician exam (90 questions, 4.5 hours, 70% / 63 correct to pass).

What is the difference between a journeyman and a master electrician license in Virginia?

Journeyman: Journeyman electrician is a Tradesman license: typically 4 years (8,000 hours) of practical experience plus 240 hours of formal vocational training, or equivalent education/experience pathways. Pass the PSI Journeyman Electrician exam (70 questions, 3.5 hours, 70% / 49 correct to pass). Master: Requires at least 1 year of practical experience as a Virginia-licensed Journeyman Electrician. Pass the PSI Master Electrician exam (90 questions, 4.5 hours, 70% / 63 correct to pass).

Does Virginia have electrician license reciprocity with other states?

Board-approved electrical license/exam reciprocity: District of Columbia (journeyman & master), Kentucky (journeyman & master), West Virginia (journeyman & master); master-only recognition via Maryland Master, Alabama Electrical Contractor, North Carolina Unlimited/Intermediate, and Ohio Master. Applicants submit out-of-state verification. link

Anything else worth knowing about the Virginia electrician license?

Statewide Tradesman licensing through DPOR's Board for Contractors; exams administered by PSI under contract to DPOR. Continuing education required at renewal. Contractor (business) licensing is separate from the individual tradesman license.

Check it straight from Virginia

Everything above is kept current, but Virginia can change a fee, a form or an exam provider at any time — and the state's own site is always the live answer. Before you register, click through and confirm:

These open Virginia's official pages in a new tab. Nothing on this site replaces what your state board publishes.

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