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Key Facts: VA Electrician Exam

70%

Passing Score (49 of 70)

PSI Bulletin

70

Questions

PSI Bulletin

210 min

Time Limit (3.5 hrs)

PSI Bulletin

NEC 2020

Code Edition

VA DPOR

Virginia's Journeyman Electrician exam is a 70-question, 210-minute open-book test administered by PSI for the DPOR Board for Contractors, based on the NEC 2020 plus 18VAC50-30 Board regulations. A passing score is 49 of 70 (70%); the pass rate is not published. Remote online proctoring is available, and journeyman-level reciprocity is held with DC, KY, and WV.

Sample VA Electrician Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VA Electrician exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 340+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which agency administers the Journeyman Electrician license in Virginia?
A.Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
B.Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C.Virginia Board of Contractors
D.Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Explanation: The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) administers the Journeyman Electrician license through its Board for Contractors. DPOR oversees licensing for electrical trades in Virginia.
2Virginia has journeyman-level electrical examination reciprocity with which jurisdictions?
A.District of Columbia, Kentucky, and West Virginia
B.Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio
C.All states east of the Mississippi
D.No reciprocity with any state
Explanation: Virginia's current DPOR reciprocal-agreements document lists journeyman-level electrical examination reciprocity with the District of Columbia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio agreements apply at the master or electrical-contractor level, not the journeyman level.
3What NEC edition does Virginia currently base its Journeyman Electrician exam on?
A.NEC 2017
B.NEC 2020
C.NEC 2023
D.NEC 2026
Explanation: Virginia currently bases its Journeyman Electrician exam on the NEC 2020 edition. The Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors adopted the 2020 NEC for electrical installations and examinations.
4Per NEC 2020 Article 100, a device that establishes a connection between two or more conductors or between one or more conductors and a terminal is called a:
A.Fitting
B.Connector
C.Receptacle
D.Junction
Explanation: Per NEC 2020 Article 100, a connector is defined as a device that establishes a connection between two or more conductors or between one or more conductors and a terminal. This definition distinguishes connectors from fittings and other devices.
5According to NEC 2020 Article 210.12, where are AFCI protections required in dwelling units?
A.Only bedrooms
B.Kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar areas
C.All rooms including bathrooms and garages
D.Only living rooms and bedrooms
Explanation: NEC 2020 Article 210.12(A) requires AFCI protection in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms or areas in dwelling units. Bathrooms, garages, and unfinished basements are excluded.
6What is the minimum passing score required on the Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam?
A.65%
B.70%
C.75%
D.80%
Explanation: The minimum passing score for the Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam is 70%. The journeyman exam consists of 70 items with a passing score of 49 correct answers, and the master exam consists of 90 items with a passing score of 63 correct answers.
7Per NEC 2020 Article 210.8(A), GFCI protection is required for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in which of the following locations in a dwelling unit?
A.Bedrooms only
B.Bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens, laundry areas, and boathouses
C.Only bathrooms and kitchens
D.All locations within a dwelling unit
Explanation: NEC 2020 Article 210.8(A) requires GFCI protection for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in bathrooms, garages, accessory buildings, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, kitchen countertop areas, areas within 6 feet of sinks, laundry areas, and boathouses.
8According to NEC 2020 Table 310.16, what is the ampacity of a 12 AWG copper conductor with THHN insulation at 30°C ambient temperature?
A.20 amperes
B.25 amperes
C.30 amperes
D.35 amperes
Explanation: Per NEC 2020 Table 310.16, a 12 AWG copper conductor with THHN insulation (90°C column) has an ampacity of 30 amperes at 30°C ambient temperature. However, when used with 60°C terminations, the allowable ampacity is limited to 25 amperes per 110.14(C).
9Per NEC 2020 Article 250.66, what is the minimum size copper grounding electrode conductor required for a 2/0 AWG copper service-entrance conductor?
A.4 AWG
B.6 AWG
C.2 AWG
D.1/0 AWG
Explanation: Per NEC 2020 Table 250.66, for a 2/0 AWG copper service-entrance conductor, the minimum grounding electrode conductor size is 4 AWG copper. This table correlates service conductor size to the required grounding electrode conductor.
10According to NEC 2020 Article 430.52, the maximum branch circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device for a single motor using an inverse time breaker is what percentage of the motor full-load current?
A.125%
B.150%
C.200%
D.250%
Explanation: Per NEC 2020 Table 430.52, the maximum rating of a branch circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protective device for a single motor using an inverse time circuit breaker is 250% of the motor full-load current. If this value does not correspond to a standard size, the next higher standard rating may be used.

About the VA Electrician Exam

The Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors (Tradesmen Program). Based on the NEC 2020, the 70-question, 210-minute open-book exam covers the full National Electrical Code plus Virginia Board for Contractors regulations (18VAC50-30). Virginia offers journeyman-level reciprocity with DC, KY, and WV; master/contractor-level reciprocity with AL, MD, NC, and OH.

Exam sponsor: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

70 questions

Time Limit

210 minutes (3.5 hours)

Passing Score

70% (49 of 70)

Exam / Certification Fees

$100 (PSI) plus $171.75 DPOR application fee

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by DPOR or PSI. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~14%

Virginia Board Regulations (18VAC50-30)

Standards of practice (3), conduct (2), definitions (1), qualifications (1), renewal/reinstatement (2), and revocation (1) — about 10 items

~10%

General Knowledge & Fundamentals

General electrical knowledge (3), requirements for electrical installations (2), and electrical-electronic fundamentals (2)

~9%

Branch Circuits & Load Calculations

Branch circuits (4) plus dwelling and commercial Article 220 load calculations

~7%

Services & Feeders

Service entrances and feeders (5) per Articles 215 and 230

~9%

Grounding & Bonding

Grounding and bonding (6) per Article 250, including electrode systems, grounded conductors, and bonding

~10%

Conductors & Cables

Conductors and cables (7) — ampacity (310.16), temperature correction, adjustment factors, and cable types

~10%

Raceways & Boxes

Raceways and boxes (7) — raceway selection, conduit fill, and box fill per Articles 314 and 342-366

~7%

Motors, Transformers & Controls

Motors and controls (5) per Article 430 plus transformers (Article 450)

~9%

Special Occupancies, Equipment & Signs

Special occupancies (3), special equipment (2), and electrical signs and outline lighting (1)

~13%

Utilization Equipment, Lighting & Low-Voltage

Utilization equipment (4), lighting (2), general low voltage (1), communication systems (1), and fire detection and alarm (1)

~6%

Electrical Safety

Safety (4) — shock and arc-flash hazards, NFPA 70E, and safe work practices

Preparing for the VA Electrician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (49 of 70)
  • Exam length: 70 questions
  • Time limit: 210 minutes (3.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: $100 (PSI) plus $171.75 DPOR application fee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 340 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA Electrician: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master NEC 2020 Article 250 (Grounding and Bonding) — heavily tested on the Virginia exam
2Practice dwelling unit load calculations using both standard and optional methods per Article 220
3Study conductor ampacity tables (310.16) and temperature correction/adjustment factors thoroughly
4Focus on AFCI and GFCI requirements in Articles 210.8 and 210.12 including commercial applications
5Review motor circuit requirements in Article 430 including overload and branch circuit protection sizing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam and how long do I have?

The exam has 70 multiple-choice questions and a 210-minute (3.5 hour) time limit. The passing score is 49 of 70 correct (70%).

Which states have reciprocity with Virginia for the journeyman electrician license?

Virginia holds journeyman-level electrical reciprocity with the District of Columbia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Reciprocity with Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio is at the master or contractor level only, not journeyman. Virginia also offers Universal License Recognition for a valid out-of-state license held at least three years with no discipline, though the Virginia state-specific portion must still be passed.

What NEC edition is the Virginia electrician exam based on?

The Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam is based on the NEC 2020 edition (NFPA 70, 2020 Edition). Virginia incorporated the 2020 NEC through the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and has not yet adopted the 2023 NEC as of 2026.

How do I apply for and schedule the Virginia electrician exam?

Apply through the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors and pay the $171.75 application fee. After approval, schedule online at test-takers.psiexams.com/vacon or by phone at (855) 340-3910. The PSI exam fee is $100 per attempt and is non-refundable but valid for one year.

Is the Virginia electrician exam open book?

Yes. You may bring your own NEC 2020 (NFPA 70), NFPA 70E (2024 Edition), and the Virginia Board for Contractors regulations (18VAC50-30). References may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed but must contain no writing. Permanent tabs are allowed; removable tabs, loose papers, unbound references, and study guides are not permitted.

Can I retake the Virginia electrician exam if I fail?

Yes. You may retest as often as needed within your one-year eligibility period, subject to seat availability (not the same day). Each attempt requires a new $100 exam fee. Reschedule or cancel at least two days before your appointment or the fee is forfeited.

Is remote online proctoring available for the Virginia electrician exam?

Yes, PSI offers remote online proctoring as well as in-person testing at Virginia centers including Alexandria, Richmond, Roanoke, and Virginia Beach. During remote exams, breaks are not allowed and scratch paper is not permitted.