Electrician Exam Prep / Virginia
Electrician Exam — VA
Journeyman Electrician Exam in Virginia
Everything you need to know about getting your journeyman electrician license in Virginia — licensing body, exam details, NEC edition, and study tips.
Exam Details
- Licensing Body
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
- Exam Provider
- PSI Exams
- Code Edition
- 2023 NEC
- Passing Score
- 70%
- Question Count
- 80
- Exam Fee
- $65
- Experience Required
- 4 years
Note: Requirements change — always verify current details with Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) before applying.
How Virginia Compares Nationally
- Virginia's $65 exam fee is right in line with the national median.
- It's on the 2023 NEC — the most current code cycle in use across the states.
Virginia Electrician License — What to Know
Virginia adopted the 2023 NEC. Statewide Journeyman Electrician license required.
What the 2023 NEC Covers
The 2023 NEC is the foundation of the Virginia electrician exam. Key articles you must know cold: Article 100 (Definitions), Article 210 (Branch Circuits), Article 220 (Load Calculations), Article 230 (Services), Article 240 (Overcurrent Protection), Article 250 (Grounding & Bonding), Article 310 (Conductors for General Wiring), and Chapter 9 (Tables). Calculation questions based on these articles typically make up 30–40% of the exam.
How to Prepare for the Virginia Exam
Most successful candidates spend 60–100 hours studying over 4–8 weeks. Tab your NEC by article number so you can find answers in seconds, not minutes. Focus on voltage drop calculations (NEC 210.19 informational note), conductor ampacity tables (Table 310.12), and demand factor applications (Article 220). VoltExam pairs web-based NEC practice with a built-in voltage drop calculator — the same type of tool you'll use on the job.
How to Get Your Electrician License in Virginia
- 1
Meet experience requirements
Most states require 4 years (8,000 hours) of documented apprenticeship or on-the-job experience under a licensed electrician before you can sit the journeyman exam. Keep detailed records of your hours and employer contacts.
- 2
Complete an approved apprenticeship or training program
Many states require completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program (JATC or similar). The apprenticeship typically runs 4–5 years and includes both on-the-job training and classroom instruction in the NEC and electrical theory.
- 3
Pass the journeyman electrician exam
The exam is administered by PSI Exams and covers the 2023 NEC. It is 80 questions with a 70% passing score. The exam fee is $65. Most exams are open-book (NEC codebook allowed).
- 4
Apply for your journeyman license
Submit your application to Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) with proof of experience, exam results, and any required documentation. Processing times vary by state.
- 5
Maintain your license and advance to Master
Journeyman licenses typically renew every 1–3 years. After additional years of experience (usually 2+ as a journeyman), you can sit the master electrician exam and take on contractor work independently.
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Practice for the Virginia electrician exam
Use this licensing guide to understand the requirements, then drill NEC practice in your browser with explanations and calculator tools. Web access and native app purchases are separate.
Virginia Electrician Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my journeyman electrician license in Virginia?
In Virginia, the journeyman electrician license is issued by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The exam is administered by PSI Exams and uses the 2023 NEC. You need 4 years of experience, and the exam fee is $65. You must score 70% to pass. Virginia adopted the 2023 NEC. Statewide Journeyman Electrician license required.
What NEC edition is used on the Virginia electrician exam?
The Virginia journeyman electrician exam is based on the 2023 NEC. The exam is administered by PSI Exams with 80 questions. A score of 70% is required to pass.
What is the best app to study for the Virginia electrician exam?
VoltExam offers Virginia journeyman electrician exam prep on the web with NEC practice questions, explanations, state guidance, and a built-in voltage drop calculator. Native iOS and Android apps are available separately for offline mobile study.
How much does the Virginia journeyman electrician exam cost?
The Virginia journeyman electrician exam costs $65 and is administered by PSI Exams. You need 4 years of qualifying work experience to be eligible to sit for the exam.