Electrician Classes in Virginia (Top Schools)

According to Virginia Workforce Connection, electrician jobs will see an 11.3% increase until 2024.

So if you want to pursue an electrical career, now’s your chance to do so.

Here’s how you can become an electrician in Virginia.

Potential Salary

Virginia electricians have the following salary information as of May 2021 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $58,560
• Hourly – $28.15

How to Become an Electrician in Virginia

The VA Board of Contractors oversees the licensing regulations of electricians.

They’ll issue two types of licenses:

• Journeyman electrician
• Master electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Journeyman Electrician

• 4 years of practical experience and 240 hours of formal trade education
• 5 years of practical experience and 160 hours of formal trade education
• 6 years of practical experience and 80 hours of formal trade education
• 7+ years of practical experience and 40 hours of formal trade education
• Completed a 2-year associate’s degree or certification program related to the electrical trade at an accredited trade school and 2 years of practical electrical experience
• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree or certification in a related engineering program from an accredited college and 1 year of practical electrical experience
• 10 years of verifiable practical experience
• Out-of-state licensed journeyman or master electrician in good standing

Master Electrician

• 1 year of practical experience as a licensed VA journeyman
• 10 years of verifiable practical experience
• Out-of-state licensed journeyman or master electrician in good standing

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following;

• Completed application form
• License fee – $130
• Application fee – $95
• A copy of your government-issued ID
• Proof of meeting the experience and education requirements
  • Official transcripts or certificate of completion
  • Individual experience verification form
  • For out-of-state
    • A copy of your valid journeyman or master license
    • Certification of licensure or letter of good standing from your state’s Board

Exam Details

The Board has contracted with PSI to help administer the licensure exams.

Here are some important details that you should know about:

• Exam fee
  • Journeyman – $100
  • Master – $125
• Exam type – open book with only authorized reference materials allowed
  • NEC
  • American Electricians’ Handbook
• Exam content
  • Journeyman – 70 items in 210 minutes
  • Master – 90 items in 270 minutes
  • Coverage – same topics for both exams
    • Standards of practice
    • Standards of conduct
    • Renewal and reinstatement
    • Definitions
    • Qualification for licensure
    • Revocation of licensure
    • General electrical knowledge
    • Requirements for electrical installations
    • Electrical-electronic fundamentals
    • Services, feeders, and branch circuits
    • Service and feeder requirements
    • Grounding and bonding
    • Conductors and cables
    • Raceways and boxes
    • Special occupancies
    • Special equipment
    • Electrical signs and outline lighting
    • Motors and controls
    • Utilization equipment
    • Lighting
• Passing score – 70%

License Renewal

Your license will only be valid for two years.

To renew, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application form
• Renewal fee – $90
• Proof of completing 3 hours of approved continuing education courses

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Virginia

As an aspiring electrician, you must possess the competencies the electrical industry is looking for.

That’s why you can either go to a trade school or sponsored apprenticeship program to obtain trade education and training.

Trade School

Enrolling in a trade school ensures you’ll have the fundamental knowledge and skills about the electrical trade.

Some of the topics you’ll learn are as follows:

• Electrical basics and tools
• Electrical panels
• Conduit work
• Grounding and wiring
• Wiring protection devices
• Electrical boxes, receptacles, and switches
• Wiring a residence
• Installing lighting, ceiling fans, and appliances
• Commercial wiring and installation
• Circuits and systems

Some schools offer apprenticeship programs in their curricula; others won’t.

If they don’t, they’ll usually assist you with finding on-the-job training with local employers upon graduation.

Apprenticeship Program

Unions (through JATCs) and non-unions (private employers) will sponsor apprenticeship programs.

Through them, you’ll directly get real-world experience of the ins and outs of the trade, as well as relevant classroom instruction.

These sponsors will usually require the following qualifications for those interested to apprentice with them:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Has a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Passing grade in high school algebra
• Valid driver’s license
• Pass the general aptitude test and physical exam

The table below lists some of the schools and associations offering electrical training programs in Virginia.

Electrician Schools by City

• Richmond

This page is also available in Spanish.