The Virginia master electrician exam is 90 questions in 270 minutes, and you need 63 right (70%) to pass. The journeyman exam is 70 questions in 210 minutes, with 49 needed. Both are open book on the 2020 NEC, given by PSI once the state approves your application under its experience rule (18VAC50-30-39).
| 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. |
Who can take each exam?
DPOR's Virginia Board for Contractors must approve your application before PSI will book you.
- Master: a journeyman electrician license held at least 1 year, or 9 years in the electrical trade (18VAC50-30-39).
- Journeyman: 1 to 8 years of experience, depending on schooling. A completed state-approved apprenticeship skips the exam.
Apply with the Tradesman Exam & License Application. See every qualifying route in JCR's Virginia electrical license guide.
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.
What's on the PSI master and journeyman electrician exams?
The PSI Virginia tradesman bulletin (July 23, 2026) lists 24 topics. Both exams start with 10 questions on Virginia's rules. The rest test the trade (80 master, 60 journeyman).
| Topic | Master | Journeyman |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia licensing rules | 10 | 10 |
| Services and feeders | 8 | 5 |
| Grounding and bonding | 8 | 6 |
| Motors and controls | 8 | 5 |
| Branch circuits | 7 | 4 |
| Conductors and cables | 7 | 7 |
| Raceways and boxes | 7 | 7 |
| Utilization equipment | 5 | 4 |
| Electrical-electronic fundamentals | 5 | 1 to 3 |
| Safety | 4 | 4 |
| General electrical knowledge, special occupancies | 4 each | 1 to 3 each |
| Installation requirements, special equipment, signs, lighting, low voltage, communications, fire alarm | 1 to 3 each | 1 to 3 each |
What can you bring into the exam?
Bring your own copies of these three:
- The 2020 NEC, the only edition code questions are graded on
- NFPA 70E, the electrical safety standard (PSI's bulletin links to the 2024 edition)
- Virginia's Individual License and Certification Regulations, printed and bound
Book rules:
- Highlight, underline, index and add permanent tabs before exam day. A book with any writing in it won't be allowed.
- Printouts must be spiral-bound, hole-punched in a binder, or stapled in the left-hand corner.
- No study guides, sample exams or loose papers.
- A word-to-word translation dictionary (no pictures or definitions) is allowed.
- Handheld calculators are on PSI's prohibited list.
Scheduling, fees and retakes
- Book online or by phone, at a test center or with remote proctoring.
- Fees: $125 for master, $100 for journeyman. They're non-refundable and good for 1 year from payment.
- Cancel at least 2 days ahead to keep your fee. A Monday exam must be canceled by Saturday.
- Scores show on screen and arrive by email. A fail includes a weak-area report.
- Retakes: not the same day. If seats are open, you may retest within 2 business days.
Testing online
- Launch within 30 minutes of your booked time. More than 15 minutes late forfeits the fee.
- No breaks and no scratch paper (test centers give you an LCD writing tablet).
- Military ID isn't accepted for remote testing.
Virginia electrical exam prep: how to pass
- Study the rules. They're 1 in 7 journeyman questions. Tab standards of practice, conduct and renewal.
- Pace at 3 minutes a question on either exam.
- Expect extra questions. PSI may add 1 to 10 unscored trial questions, and they use your time.
- Plan 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night, ending with timed practice tests.
For a common calculation, try JCR's Table 430.52 motor breaker example.
Class A and B contractor exams
To contract electrical work, your business needs a Board for Contractors license with the Electrical (ELE) specialty. Its Qualified Individual must hold a Master Electrician license, and every class needs an approved pre-license course.
- Class A: a Designated Employee passes PSI's General, Virginia and Advanced business exams.
- Class B: the General and Virginia exams.
- Class C: no business exam.
Licensed in North Carolina or another partner state? Check Virginia reciprocity before you pay for an exam.
Virginia master electrician exam FAQ
Is the Virginia master electrician exam open book?
Yes. You can bring the 2020 NEC, NFPA 70E and Virginia's tradesman regulations. They can be highlighted, indexed and permanently tabbed, but not written in.
What NEC edition is on the Virginia journeyman electrician license test?
The 2020 NEC, for both journeyman and master. Code questions are graded on that edition only, even if you bring a newer book.
Can I take the Virginia electrician exam online?
Yes, with PSI's remote proctoring. Your computer must pass PSI's compatibility check, and breaks aren't allowed.
Do I need a journeyman license before the master exam?
Not always. You qualify with a journeyman license held for 1 year, or with 9 years in the trade.
How soon can I retake the PSI master electrician exam?
Not the same day. PSI says you may be able to retest within two business days, depending on open seats.
Prepare for the 2020 NEC on the master exam
JCR's Virginia Master Electrician Exam Prep follows the 2020 NEC used on the PSI exam. For $495 you get video lessons, digital practice exams and the JCR workbook.
Videos and practice exams open at checkout, and the workbook ships the same business day. Taking the 70-question test? Use the Virginia Journeyman course.
Get the Virginia Master course — $495
Want a baseline first? Try 25 free NEC practice questions.
More Virginia guides
Sources JCR checked
- 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
JCR checked these exam details against PSI's Virginia bulletin and DPOR's forms and regulations on October 14, 2026. Confirm with DPOR before you apply if your experience doesn't fit a listed route.