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In Virginia, there are many work opportunities for electricians.
If you are a state resident and would like to know more, check out the licensing info below.
Article Table of Contents
Become an Apprentice
You will need at least 8,000 hours of experience and 240 hours of classroom education to become a journeyman.
For this, you can enroll in one of the available programs.
Trade schools
To attend a technical college program, you need:
- To be 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma/GED
- A passing grade in math and science class
You will study the next subjects:
- 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 & Installation
- Circuits & Systems
You can pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology that will provide adequate training.
You can also get job placement opportunities with your school to meet the practical experience criteria, or search for your own.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Virginia Community College | 1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 |
| Virginia Community College | 3506 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502 |
| Virginia Community College | 1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 |
| Virginia Community College | 1008 S Main St, Danville, VA 24541 |
Another requirement is registering your apprenticeship with the Virginia Department of Labor.
Union apprenticeships
You can also meet the training criteria by joining a Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee.
To do this, you should register with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
You can also enroll in a non-union apprenticeship offered by the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc (ABC) or Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC).
Become a Journeyman
After you finish your training program, you can apply for a journeyman license.
The test has 70 questions, lasts for 210 minutes, and requires a $100 fee.
You need to get a score of 49 to pass the exam.
The exam features the following topics:
- Standards of Practice
- Standards of Conduct
- Renewal and Reinstatement
- Definitions
- Qualification for Licensure
- Revocation of Licensure
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Requirements for Electrical Installations
- Fire detection and alarm systems
Become a Master Electrician
You can become a master electrician if you worked as a journeyman for a year, or have an experience of 10 years.
The exam has a duration of 270 minutes, during which you will answer 90 questions.
To pass, you need to get a 63% score.
This exam includes these subjects:
- 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 and Equipment
- Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting
- Motors and Controls
- Utilization Equipment
- Lighting
- General Low Voltage Requirements
- Communication Systems
Salary
In Virginia, electricians earn on average a bit more than the national median salary for this trade.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $46,501 |
| Norfolk | $45,801 |
| Chesapeake | $45,743 |
| Arlington | $53,832 |
| Richmond | $48,750 |
| Newport News | $45,567 |
| Alexandria | $53,832 |
| Hampton | $45,567 |
| Roanoke | $44,924 |
| Portsmouth | $45,801 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 240 | $56,260 | $27.05 | $69,360 | $37,350 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 740 | $62,540 | $30.07 | $98,070 | $37,670 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 340 | $56,570 | $27.2 | $79,860 | $38,260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 370 | $56,100 | $26.97 | $81,810 | $33,930 |
| Richmond, VA | 3,430 | $58,880 | $28.31 | $80,800 | $37,250 |
| Roanoke, VA | 820 | $54,070 | $26 | $71,120 | $37,530 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 170 | $56,400 | $27.12 | $79,740 | $37,570 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 4,880 | $58,930 | $28.33 | $77,730 | $37,500 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 150 | $60,580 | $29.12 | $83,200 | $36,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing the License
Getting your journeyman license renewed requires 3 additional class hours, and you must renew it every 2 years, and the renewal fee is $90.
Once at 2 years, you will have to renew your master electrician license and take some extra classes.
The master electrician license can also be renewed online.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State