How to get an electrician license in Virginia
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses electrical contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). The Virginia DPOR regulant list: Class A Contractor (list 2701) lists 7,098 active electrical business records as of October 5, 2026.
Who licenses electrical work in Virginia
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search electrical licenses |
| When a license is needed | A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). source |
| License types | Electrical Contractor classification (ELE) on a Class A, B or C contractor license, Journeyman Electrician tradesman license, Master Electrician tradesman license |
How to get licensed
- Apply to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as an Electrical Contractor classification (ELE) on a Class A, B or C contractor license or Journeyman Electrician tradesman license or Master Electrician tradesman license.
- The firm's qualified individual must hold a Virginia master electrician tradesman license, earned by passing the PSI journeyman and master exams after Board pre-approval. source
- Experience: 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience). source
- Post a no bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source
- Pay the class C initial license fee, with application: $235. source
- Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade. source
Electrical requirements in Virginia
| Exam | The firm's qualified individual must hold a Virginia master electrician tradesman license, earned by passing the PSI journeyman and master exams after Board pre-approval. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience). source |
| Bond | No bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source |
| Insurance | No state liability insurance minimum found in the Class A, B or C entry requirements (18VAC50-22-40, 50 and 60); localities may set their own. |
| Renewal | Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade. source |
| Reciprocity | Electrical license or exam reciprocity with Alabama, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio, on the terms of each agreement. source |
| Fees |
|
Hiring an electrical contractor?
See every official lookup in Virginia, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need an electrician license in Virginia?
- Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses electrical contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000).
- How do I check an electrician license in Virginia?
- The Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) keeps the record for electrical contractors in Virginia. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does an electrician license cost in Virginia?
- $235 (Class C initial license fee, with application). $150 (Original tradesman license fee (journeyman or master), by examination). $160 (Tradesman license renewal fee). $100 (Journeyman tradesman exam fee paid to PSI). $125 (Master tradesman exam fee paid to PSI). $380 (Class B initial license fee, with application). $400 (Class A initial license fee, with application). $25 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each initial license application). $220 (Class C renewal fee). $260 (Class B renewal fee). $270 (Class A renewal fee). $30 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each contractor license renewal). $7.25 (DPOR technology fee per year added to certain fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030). $40 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, one portion). $72 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, two portion). $85 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, three portions or a qualified individual specialty exam).
- How much experience do you need for an electrician license in Virginia?
- 1 years (Master tradesman (needed to qualify the firm): at least one year holding a journeyman license, or nine years of practical experience).
- How often does an electrician license renew in Virginia?
- Contractor firm license renews every two years; the individual tradesman license (journeyman or master) expires every three years and needs three hours of continuing education per trade.
Other trades in Virginia
- General contractor license in Virginia
- Plumbing license in Virginia
- HVAC license in Virginia
- Roofing license in Virginia
- All Virginia trades
Electrical license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors
- https://dporweb.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup/Search
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1129/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section61/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section39/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section60/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section120/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/Tradesman/Tradesmen%20reciprocal%20agreements.pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter30/section90/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section140/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/RegulantLists
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.