Overview
Virginia's electrical licensing program is administered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) through the Board for Contractors, Tradesmen, and Design Professionals. To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Virginia, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, a classroom component, and pass the state examination. Virginia uses a single comprehensive work category, so all qualifying electrical hours count equally toward your total.
What makes Virginia unique is its tiered classroom requirement, which decreases as your total years of experience increase. The baseline requirement is 240 hours of related classroom instruction for applicants with four years of experience — the lowest classroom requirement among the states in this group. If you have five years of experience, only 160 classroom hours are required. At six years, the requirement drops to 80 hours, and at seven or more years, just 40 hours are needed. This sliding scale rewards experienced electricians and provides flexibility for those who have been in the trade longer.
Virginia also boasts the lowest continuing education requirement in this group — just 3 CE hours per triennial renewal cycle. The state has a reciprocity agreement with North Carolina, which can simplify licensing for electricians who work across the border. However, Virginia requires paper submissions for applications, and if your license lapses for more than one year, you must reapply from scratch rather than simply renewing late.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Virginia requires 8,000 hours across 1 category. Plus 240 hours of classroom instruction.
General Electrical Work
All types of electrical installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work performed under appropriate supervision. Virginia uses a single comprehensive category — all qualifying electrical work counts equally toward the 8,000-hour total. No subcategory breakdowns, caps, or minimums apply.
Application Process
- 1
Begin accumulating on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician in Virginia. You may work as an apprentice or helper while building hours.
- 2
Complete the required classroom instruction based on your years of experience: 240 hours for 4 years, 160 hours for 5 years, 80 hours for 6 years, or 40 hours for 7+ years of experience.
- 3
Complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in electrical work.
- 4
Obtain experience verification letters from each employer documenting your dates of employment, total hours, and description of work performed.
- 5
Complete the DPOR Tradesman License application form. Virginia requires paper submissions — digital applications are not accepted.
- 6
Submit your application along with experience verification letters, proof of classroom instruction, and the application fee to DPOR.
- 7
Once DPOR approves your application, schedule and take the Virginia Journeyman Electrician examination.
- 8
Upon passing the exam, pay the license fee and receive your Virginia Journeyman Electrician License. The license is valid for three years.
Important Rules & Gotchas
Paper-only application: Virginia does not accept digital submissions for tradesman license applications. Plan for mailing time and keep copies of everything you submit.
Tiered classroom requirement can be confusing: The required classroom hours depend on your total years of experience, not just your hours. Make sure you understand which tier applies to you before planning your classroom schedule.
Lapse beyond one year requires re-application: If your license expires and you do not renew within one year, you cannot simply pay a late fee. You must reapply from scratch, including potentially re-examining. Set renewal reminders well in advance.
Apprenticeship completers may be exam-exempt: If you completed a registered apprenticeship program, you may qualify for an exemption from the journeyman exam. Verify with DPOR whether your specific program qualifies before assuming you need to take the exam.
Reciprocity with NC has conditions: While Virginia and North Carolina have a reciprocity agreement, specific conditions apply. Contact DPOR for current reciprocity terms before assuming your NC license will transfer seamlessly.
Low CE requirement can be a trap: With only 3 CE hours required per three-year cycle, it is easy to forget about CE entirely and then scramble at renewal time. Complete your CE early in the cycle.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Virginia's classroom requirement is tiered based on years of experience, making it the most flexible in this group. The baseline requirement for applicants with four years of experience is 240 hours — the lowest standard classroom requirement among these states.
The tiered structure is as follows: 4 years of experience requires 240 classroom hours, 5 years requires 160 hours, 6 years requires 80 hours, and 7 or more years requires just 40 hours. The years of experience are measured from the start of your electrical career, not from when you began tracking hours.
Classroom instruction must cover the National Electrical Code (current edition), electrical theory and calculations, electrical safety practices, and Virginia-specific electrical regulations. Courses must be from a provider approved by DPOR.
If you completed a registered apprenticeship program that included classroom instruction, those hours count toward Virginia's classroom requirement. Many apprenticeship programs exceed even the 240-hour baseline, so you may already be covered.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Virginia Journeyman Electrician licenses must be renewed every three years (triennial). The renewal fee is $90.
You must complete just 3 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each three-year renewal cycle — the lowest CE requirement among the states in this group.
CE courses must be from a provider approved by DPOR. Topics typically cover NEC updates and Virginia-specific code changes.
Renewal can be initiated through DPOR, though the process involves paper submissions. Plan ahead and do not wait until the last minute.
Critical: If your license lapses for more than one year, you cannot renew late. You must submit a new application, meet all current requirements, and potentially re-examine. This makes timely renewal essential in Virginia.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Track your years of experience alongside your hours. Virginia's tiered classroom requirement means the longer you have been in the trade, the fewer classroom hours you need. Knowing your exact start date helps you plan efficiently.
If you are close to a tier boundary (e.g., approaching 5 years of experience), it may be worth waiting to apply until you cross into the lower classroom requirement tier. The difference between 240 and 160 hours is significant.
Maintain employer verification letters as you go. Virginia requires paper submissions, so having physical copies organized and ready streamlines the application process.
If you completed a registered apprenticeship, keep your completion certificate accessible. Apprenticeship completers may be exempt from the exam, which saves significant time and preparation effort.
Set renewal reminders starting one year before expiration. Virginia's one-year lapse rule is unforgiving — if you miss the window, you start over. Given the low CE requirement (3 hours), completing CE early and renewing promptly is straightforward.
Use WireHours to maintain a comprehensive record of your hours and experience timeline. The app tracks both your cumulative hours and your years of experience, helping you determine which classroom tier applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classroom hours does Virginia require for an electrician license?
It depends on your years of experience. Four years of experience requires 240 classroom hours, five years requires 160, six years requires 80, and seven or more years requires only 40. This tiered system is unique to Virginia and rewards longer tenure in the trade.
Does Virginia have reciprocity with other states?
Yes. Virginia has a reciprocity agreement with North Carolina. Specific conditions apply, so contact DPOR for current terms. Virginia also participates in limited reciprocity discussions with other states, but NC is the primary agreement.
What happens if my Virginia electrician license expires?
You have up to one year to renew a lapsed license with applicable late fees. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must reapply from scratch, meet all current requirements, and potentially re-examine. Do not let your license lapse.
Can I skip the Virginia journeyman exam if I completed an apprenticeship?
Possibly. Virginia offers an exam exemption for applicants who completed a registered apprenticeship program. Not all programs qualify, so verify with DPOR whether your specific apprenticeship makes you eligible for the exemption.
Built for Virginia's Requirements
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