Try five free Virginia electrical practice questions with answers and 2020 NEC references. These 2020 NEC questions practice trade topics for Virginia’s journeyman and master electrician exams. Virginia’s licensing rules and the safety reference need separate study. Work with your code book open, record your answers, then open the explanations below.
Start with the Virginia exam guide for the official bulletin, approved books, exam format and registration steps.
Approved to test? JCR's Virginia packages are built on the 2020 NEC that PSI grades code questions on. Each one costs $495 and gives you 100 video lessons, JCR's 152-page workbook, a mock exam bank of 500+ questions and permanent tabs for your code book.
Which Virginia exam are you preparing for?
| Quick facts | Virginia electrician exams |
|---|---|
| Test company | PSI, at a test center or online with a remote proctor |
| Master Electrician | 90 questions, 270 minutes, 63 to pass, $125 |
| Journeyman Electrician | 70 questions, 210 minutes, 49 to pass, $100 |
| References | 2020 NEC, NFPA 70E and Virginia's tradesman regulations |
| Before you book | Approval from DPOR, Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (the state licensing agency). You apply with the Tradesman Exam & License Application ($171.75), sent with your education and experience records. |
Study the Virginia regulations and NFPA 70E reference in PSI’s bulletin as well. Choose the Journeyman or Master course for your approved exam.
Virginia electrical practice test: 5 questions
Use 15 minutes as a practice target. This is a short NEC lookup drill, not a full-length exam or a prediction of your score. Questions are selected from JCR’s practice bank and may also appear in other JCR state guides.
Question 1: Services
Overhead 120/240-volt service conductors cross a residential driveway. What is the minimum clearance above final grade?
- 10 feet
- 12 feet
- 15 feet
- 18 feet
Question 2: Grounding
A branch circuit is protected by a 60-amp breaker. What is the smallest copper equipment grounding conductor allowed for it?
- 12 AWG
- 10 AWG
- 8 AWG
- 6 AWG
Question 3: Motors
A 10 hp, 230-volt, single-phase motor runs in continuous duty. What is the minimum ampacity for its branch-circuit conductors?
- 50 amps
- 57.5 amps
- 62.5 amps
- 68.75 amps
Question 4: Luminaires
A homeowner wants a chain-hung pendant above a bathtub. The code bans it within 3 feet horizontally of the tub. How high above the tub rim does that zone reach?
- 6 feet
- 7 feet
- 8 feet
- 10 feet
Question 5: Conduit fill
Five individual conductors are installed in a complete conduit run longer than 24 inches. No special fill allowance applies. What is the most of the conduit's cross-section they may fill?
- 31 percent
- 40 percent
- 53 percent
- 60 percent
Answer key with 2020 NEC sections
Finish all five before opening the answers. Give yourself one point for each correct choice, then look up every missed section.
Show the answer to question 1Hide the answer to question 1
1. B, 12 feet (NEC 230.24(B)(2))
Overhead service conductors need 12 feet over residential property and driveways when the voltage is 300 volts or less to ground. A 120/240-volt service is 120 volts to ground. Over public streets, alleys and parking areas with truck traffic, it's 18 feet.
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2. B, 10 AWG (NEC Table 250.122)
Table 250.122 sizes the equipment grounding conductor by the overcurrent device ahead of it. For a 60-amp device, the minimum is 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum. See more Table 250.122 examples.
Show the answer to question 3Hide the answer to question 3
3. C, 62.5 amps (NEC Table 430.248 and 430.22)
Use the table current, not the nameplate. Table 430.248 lists 50 amps for a 10 hp, 230-volt single-phase motor. Section 430.22 requires 125% of that: 50 × 1.25 = 62.5 amps. The 57.5-amp choice is the table value for a 200-volt motor.
Show the answer to question 4Hide the answer to question 4
4. C, 8 feet (NEC 410.10(D)(1))
The zone runs 3 feet out horizontally and 8 feet up from the top of the tub rim or shower threshold. It includes the space right over the tub. Cord-connected luminaires, chain-hung or pendant luminaires, lighting track and paddle fans can't be in it.
Show the answer to question 5Hide the answer to question 5
5. B, 40 percent (NEC Chapter 9, Table 1)
Over 2 conductors may fill 40% of the conduit. One conductor may fill 53%, and two may fill 31%. See a full conduit fill example.
How to study after this practice test
- Log the lookup. Write down the article, section or table you used and how long it took to find.
- Work the calculation again. Keep the units and intermediate steps so you can find an arithmetic error.
- Use your exam’s edition. A newer installation code is not automatically the edition used for your license test.
- Cover the full outline. Study the Virginia regulations and NFPA 70E reference in PSI’s bulletin as well. Choose the Journeyman or Master course for your approved exam.
Virginia electrical practice test FAQ
Are these actual licensing exam questions?
No. These are JCR practice questions selected to help you study NEC rules. They are not supplied or endorsed by the exam vendor or licensing board.
Does getting all five right mean I am ready?
Five questions are too small a sample to judge readiness. Use a full practice exam, review the official content outline and practice every required subject.
Which NEC edition does this practice test use?
This set uses the 2020 NEC. These 2020 NEC questions practice trade topics for Virginia’s journeyman and master electrician exams. Virginia’s licensing rules and the safety reference need separate study.
Keep practicing for your Virginia exam
Use the course links above for the exam and edition you are taking. Review the complete Virginia exam guide before you order.
Try JCR’s free NEC practice app. Check the edition shown in the app before using its questions for your exam.
More Virginia guides
Sources and answer references
- PSI Virginia Individual License and Certification bulletin (July 23, 2026)
- DPOR: Tradesmen
- DPOR Tradesman Exam & License Application
- Virginia Individual License and Certification Regulations
- 18VAC50-30-39: Exam qualifications
- DPOR Contractor License Application
- NFPA 70, 2020 edition: see the section citations in each answer.
- JCR maryland electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
- JCR new mexico electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
- JCR washington electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
Reviewed October 22, 2026. NEC answers and section references checked against the stated edition in NFPA LiNK. Exam information follows the linked official bulletins. Questions are selected from JCR’s shared practice bank, with clarifications where needed.