Virginia Journeyman Electrician Practice Exam
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Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 30 free questions.
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Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real PSI test format.
- 70 questions (same as real exam)
- 210 minute time limit
- 24 topic areas covered
- 411 questions in pool
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Virginia Journeyman Electrician Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 70The Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam is part code book, part Virginia rule book. You get questions on the National Electrical Code — conductors, raceways, grounding, motors, services — plus questions on the Virginia Board for Contractors regulations covering licensure, renewal, conduct and revocation. There is also safety work-practice material from NFPA 70E. The exam is open book, so the skill being tested is finding the right section fast and reading it correctly.
You have two ways to practice here. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can retake it as often as you like. The full practice exam gives you 70 questions and a clock set to 210 minutes, drawn fresh from our question bank every time you sit it — so a retake is new work, not a memory test. Run the free set to warm up, then work the full timed set with your code book in front of you, exactly the way you will sit the real thing.
Standards of Practice 3 items
These ask what the law requires of you and of the people who hire you. An awarding authority must require a bidder to submit a license or certificate number before considering a bid (Code of Virginia § 54.1-1115(A)(6)). Substantial identity of interest — including the same designated employee — supports denial or revocation (§ 54.1-1110). NEC Annex H covers permits: an annual permit holder keeps records of all work and transmits them periodically to the electrical inspector (Section 80.19(D)). Unpaid penalties delay or withhold department services (18 VAC 50-30-130(G)).
Standards of Conduct 2 items
Prohibited acts, listed by number. Failing to report in writing a license suspension or revocation by another state is a prohibited act (18 VAC 50-30-190(3)). False promises likely to influence or induce a customer are misrepresentation (18 VAC 50-30-190(7)), which is separate from negligence, misconduct and abandonment. A conviction for a felony or a qualifying misdemeanor must be reported in writing within 30 days, whatever the jurisdiction (18 VAC 50-30-190(11)). Also know that mandatory Code rules use "shall" or "shall not" (NEC 2020, Section 90.5(A)).
Renewal and Reinstatement 2 items
Straight number recall. An electrician's tradesman license expires three years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18 VAC 50-30-120 A). Renewal requires three hours of continuing education on applicable building code changes from a board-approved provider. The renewal fee is $160.00 (18 VAC 50-30-120 G). Miss the 30-day window after expiration and reinstatement costs $210.00, which includes the renewal fee. Fees are nonrefundable and are not prorated.
Definitions 1 item
Article 100 wording. A multiwire branch circuit has a grounded conductor with equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor (NEC 2020, Article 100, Definitions, Part I — Branch Circuit, Multiwire). "Externally operable" means capable of being operated without exposing the operator to contact with live parts (Part I — Externally Operable) — don't confuse it with enclosed, dead front or guarded. A continuous load is one where maximum current is expected to continue three hours or more (Part I — Continuous Load).
Qualification for Licensure 1 item
Experience tiers and scope of work. Electrical work includes observation of installed systems to detect hazards and the need for adjustment, relocation or replacement (18 VAC 50-30-10, Page 7). With 240 hours of formal vocational training you need four years of practical experience; with 160 hours you need five years (18 VAC 50-30-39(B)). Board-approved continuing education counts toward formal vocational training up to a maximum of 40 hours (18 VAC 50-30-48).
Revocation of Licensure 1 item
Same grounds, aimed at loss of licensure. Substantial identity of interest — controlling financial interest, substantially identical principals or officers, or the same designated employee — lets the Board suspend, revoke or deny renewal (§ 54.1-1110). Practicing in a classification or specialty service you are not licensed or certified for is a prohibited act (18 VAC 50-30-190(14)). The Board may revoke an inspector's authority to conduct inspections within a jurisdiction (NEC 2020, Informative Annex H, Section 80.27(D)).
General Electrical Knowledge 3 items
Definitions plus basic math. Ampacity is the maximum current a conductor can carry continuously without exceeding its temperature rating (NEC 2020, Article 100). All electrodes present at a building are bonded together into one grounding electrode system (Section 250.50). Multiwire branch circuits supply only line-to-neutral loads unless the circuit supplies only one utilization equipment or all ungrounded conductors are opened simultaneously by the branch-circuit overcurrent device (Section 210.4(C)). Expect a voltage-drop or VA-to-amperes calculation as well.
Requirements for Electrical Installations 2 items
Article 110 and 300 housekeeping rules. Leave at least 6 in. of free conductor at each outlet, junction and switch point (Section 300.14). Bored holes in joists must keep the hole edge at least 1-1/4 in. from the nearest edge of the wood member, or use a 1/16 in. steel plate (Section 300.4(A)(1)). For circuits over 100 amperes, terminations take 75°C conductors, or higher-rated conductors used at their 75°C ampacity, unless the equipment is listed and identified for a higher rating (Section 110.14(C)(1)(b)). Wooden plugs in masonry are not permitted for mounting (Section 110.13(A)).
Electrical-Electronic Fundamentals 2 items
Identification, minimum sizes and grounding theory. A grounded conductor 6 AWG or smaller is identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish or three continuous white or gray stripes (Section 200.6(A)). Minimum conductor size for general wiring to 2000 volts is 14 AWG copper (Section 310.3(A)). The earth is never an effective ground-fault current path (Section 250.4(A)(5)). Surge-protective device line and grounding conductors are not smaller than 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum (Section 242.28).
Branch Circuits 4 items
Load math and permitted uses. Expect to divide VA by voltage: a minimum-ampacity answer is the calculated amperes, while an overcurrent-device answer goes up to the next standard size. Nominal voltages used in calculations are listed in Section 220.5(A) — 480Y/277 is on the list, "277/480" is not. Edison-base fuseholders are installed only where made to accept Type S fuses by adapters (Section 240.52). Type SE cable used for interior branch circuits or feeders follows Part II of Article 334, excluding 334.80 (Section 338.10(B)(4)(a)).
Service and Feeders 5 items
Load calculations, disconnects and transfer equipment. Convert a dwelling VA load at 240 volts to amperes, then go up to the next standard overcurrent device size. The optional dwelling calculation takes 100 percent of the first 10 kVA plus 40 percent of the remainder (Section 220.82(B)). The disconnecting means for each supply to a structure is limited to six switches or six circuit breakers (Section 225.33(A)). Emergency and legally required standby transfer equipment must be automatic (NEC 2026, Section 700.6 (NEC 2023: 700.5), Section 701.6 (NEC 2023: 701.5)).
Grounding and Bonding 6 items
Six items, so know Article 250 cold. Aluminum is not permitted as a grounding electrode (NEC, Section 250.52(B)). High-impedance grounded neutral systems are permitted on 3-phase systems of 480 to 1000 volts (NEC 250.36). With parallel service-entrance conductors, the grounded conductor in each raceway is at least 1/0 AWG (NEC 250.24(C)(2)). A common grounding electrode conductor for multiple separately derived systems is at least 3/0 AWG copper or 250 kcmil aluminum (NEC 250.30(A)(6)(a)(1)). A feeder-supplied structure needs its own electrode (NEC 250.32(A)).
Conductors and Cables 7 items
Tied for the biggest block. Paralleled conductors in each phase share length, material, circular mil area, insulation type and termination method — color marking is not on that list (Section 310.10(G)(2)). Type NM is permitted in air voids of masonry block or tile walls, not in wet locations, concrete or hazardous commercial garages (Sections 334.10(A) and 334.12). Minimum size is 14 AWG copper (Section 310.3(A)); 8 AWG and larger in raceway must be stranded (Section 310.3(C)). Type MC is secured at intervals not over 6 ft (Section 330.30(B)).
Raceways and Boxes 7 items
Support, fill and box sizing. EMT may support a conduit body no larger than the largest trade size of the tubing (NEC, Section 358.12(2)). A straight pull box is at least eight times the trade size of the largest raceway for 4 AWG and larger (NEC 314.28(A)(1)). IMC allows no more than four quarter bends, 360 degrees, between pull points (NEC 342.26). Working space in front of 480-volt gear comes from Table 110.26(A)(1). Fire alarm metallic raceways are bonded at both ends (NEC 2026, Section 760.4 (NEC 2023: 760.3) & 250.96).
Special Occupancies 3 items
Classification and equipment rules. Group IIIC combustible metal dust is equivalent to Class II, Group E (NEC 506.6(A)). In a commercial garage, arcing equipment below 12 ft must be totally enclosed or built to contain sparks and hot metal (NEC 511.7(B)(1)(a)). The area inside a spray-application membrane enclosure is Class I, Division 1 (NEC 516.18). Locknut-bushing and double-locknut contacts cannot be relied on for bonding in Zone 20, 21 and 22 locations (NEC 506.25(A)).
Special Equipment 2 items
Elevators, EV charging, cranes and pools. Supply voltage for elevators, escalators, moving walks and lifts does not exceed 300 volts between conductors unless otherwise permitted (Section 620.3). EVSE branch-circuit overcurrent protection is sized at not less than 125 percent of the maximum load — 40 amperes becomes 50 (Section 625.41). Feeder and service calculations use at least 11 kVA per electrified truck parking space (Section 626.11(A)). Crane working space in the direction of access is at least 2½ ft (Section 610.57).
Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting 1 item
Neon and overhead clearances. Conduit or tubing for neon secondary wiring over 1000 volts is a minimum of metric designator 16, trade size 1/2 (Section 600.32(A)(3)). Skeleton tubing keeps at least 1/4 in. between the tubing and the nearest surface other than its support (Section 600.41(C)). Overhead spans over residential property and driveways need 15 ft where voltage exceeds 300 volts to ground (Section 225.18(3)); public streets, alleys and truck-traffic areas need 18 ft (Section 225.18(4)).
Motors and Controls 5 items
Article 430 percentages. A single continuous-duty motor takes conductors at 125 percent of full-load current (Section 430.22). Multispeed motors use the highest nameplate full-load current on the line side of the controller (Section 430.22(B)). Wye-start, delta-run conductors between controller and motor are at least 72 percent of full-load current, which is 58 percent times 1.25 (Section 430.22(C)). Feeders use 125 percent of the largest motor plus the sum of the rest (Section 430.24).
Utilization Equipment 4 items
Appliances, heat and luminaires. An in-sink waste disposer cord is not less than 18 in. and not over 36 in. (NEC, Section 422.16(B)(1)). A surface-mounted incandescent or LED luminaire with a completely enclosed source keeps 12 in. from closet storage space (NEC, Section 410.16(C)(1)). Branch circuits serving two or more outlets for fixed electric space heating are rated not over 30 amperes (NEC, Section 424.4(A)). Motor conductors again run at 125 percent (NEC, Section 430.22).
Lighting 2 items
Closets, replacements and low-voltage systems. Where no equipment grounding conductor exists at an outlet, a replacement luminaire that is GFCI protected or has no exposed conductive parts need not be connected to one (Section 410.44). Closet clearance for an enclosed-source surface luminaire is 300 mm, 12 in. (Section 410.16(C)(1)). Low-voltage lighting power supply output circuits are rated 25 amperes maximum under all load conditions (Section 411.3). Fixture wires are not smaller than 18 AWG (Section 402.6).
General Low Voltage Requirements 1 item
Article 411, 720 and 725. Low-voltage lighting systems are supplied from a maximum 20-ampere branch circuit (NEC, Section 411.7). Circuits under 50 volts need 20-ampere receptacles in kitchens, laundries and other places portable appliances are used (NEC, Section 720.7). Class 2 conductors sharing an enclosure with associated power conductors need 6 mm (0.25 in.) separation or the listed cable alternatives (NEC, Section 725.136(D)). Keep 6 ft from lightning conductors where practicable (NEC, Section 800.53).
Communication Systems 1 item
Separation and length limits. Where practicable, maintain at least 1.8 m (6 ft) between lightning conductors and communications and CATV-type coaxial cables on buildings (NEC 2020, Section 800.53). Coaxial cable attached to buildings keeps at least 100 mm (4 in.) from light, power, Class 1 or non-power-limited fire alarm conductors not in raceway or cable, unless permanently separated by a fixed nonconductor (Section 820.44(B)(1)). Unlisted outside plant cable runs no more than 15 m (50 ft) from the point of entrance (Section 805.48).
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems 1 item
Non-power-limited fire alarm circuits. The branch circuit supplying fire alarm equipment supplies no other loads, and its disconnecting means has red identification, is accessible only to qualified personnel, and is marked "FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT" (NEC, Section 760.41(B)). That circuit is not supplied through GFCI or AFCI protection. The rest of the topic covers NPLFA versus PLFA classification, overcurrent protection, circuit identification at terminal and junction points, cable support, CI cable and removal of abandoned cable.
Safety 4 items
Four items on work practices, drawn from NFPA 70E. Know lockout/tagout program requirements and employer responsibilities, how to establish and verify an electrically safe work condition, arc flash risk assessment and the arc flash boundary, PPE selection and arc flash PPE categories, shock risk assessment with the limited and restricted approach boundaries, when an energized electrical work permit is required and when it is not, and safety-related maintenance of equipment.
Sample 1 — Conductors and Cables
Question: Type NM cable is permitted for use in which of the following locations?
- A. Embedded in poured concrete slabs
- B. Commercial garages with hazardous locations
- C. Wet locations where protected by a raceway
- D. Air voids in masonry block or tile walls
Correct Answer: D
Type NM cable is permitted to be installed or fished in air voids in masonry block or tile walls. The other three options are all uses the Code prohibits: NM is not permitted in wet or damp locations, not permitted embedded in poured concrete, and not permitted in commercial garages having hazardous locations. The trap is that a "permitted use" question and a "not permitted" question look identical on the page. Read the stem twice, then read both lists — uses permitted and uses not permitted — before you answer. Citation: NEC 2020, Sections 334.10(A) and 334.12.
Sample 2 — Raceways and Boxes
Question: What is minimum working space required in front of 480V switchgear?
- A. 3 ft
- B. 3.5 ft
- C. 4 ft
- D. 5 ft
Correct Answer: A
This is a table lookup, nothing more. At 151 to 600 volts to ground under Condition 1, the minimum working-space depth is 3 ft. Find the voltage row first, then the condition column, then read across. Citation: NEC 2026, Table 110.26(A)(1).
Sample 3 — Grounding and Bonding
Question: Which of the following materials is NOT permitted for use as a grounding electrode?
- A. Metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 10 feet or more
- B. Aluminum
- C. Concrete-encased reinforcing bar
- D. A ground ring of bare copper conductor
Correct Answer: B
Aluminum is explicitly listed as a material not permitted for use as a grounding electrode. The other three are recognized electrodes — metal underground water pipe in direct earth contact for 10 ft or more, concrete-encased reinforcing bar, and a ground ring of bare copper. Grounding and Bonding is a 6-item block, so learning the permitted electrode list and the materials the Code excludes pays off directly. Watch for NOT in the stem; circle it before you look at options. Citation: NEC, Section 250.52(B).
Treat your first full attempt as a diagnostic, not a verdict. The number that matters on exam day is 49 correct answers out of 70 scored questions. Your practice percentage tells you roughly where you stand, but the topic breakdown tells you what to do Monday night.
Read the breakdown against the outline item counts. Conductors and Cables and Raceways and Boxes carry 7 items each. Grounding and Bonding carries 6. Service and Feeders and Motors and Controls carry 5 each. Branch Circuits, Utilization Equipment and Safety carry 4 each. That is a large share of the exam sitting in eight topics. Dropping half of one of those blocks costs you at least as much as missing every Definitions and Qualification for Licensure item combined. Fix the heavy blocks first.
Also look at how long each question took you. If you scored well but ran long, your problem is book navigation, not knowledge — practice locating Table 110.26(A)(1), Table 430.52, Article 250 Part III, 314.16 and 314.28, and the Virginia regulation sections for renewal, prohibited acts and experience tiers.
Retake the full set. Fresh questions on the same outline show whether the rule stuck or the answer stuck.
Right table, wrong row. Working space depth depends on both the voltage row and the condition column (Raceways and Boxes, NEC 2026, Table 110.26(A)(1)). Same story in Grounding and Bonding, where 1/0 AWG for parallel service grounded conductors (NEC 250.24(C)(2)) sits beside the common grounding electrode conductor minimum of 3/0 copper or 250 kcmil aluminum (NEC 250.30(A)(6)(a)(1)). Confirm the row heading and the column heading before you commit.
Skipping the 125 percent step. Motors and Controls hands you a full-load current and expects 125 percent for a single continuous-duty motor (NEC 2020, Section 430.22). Feeders take 125 percent of the largest motor plus the full-load currents of the rest (Section 430.24). Wye-start, delta-run conductors between controller and motor are 72 percent, not 58 (Section 430.22(C)). In Special Equipment, EVSE overcurrent protection is 125 percent of maximum load, so a 40-ampere unit needs 50 amperes (Section 625.41).
Stopping one step short on load math. When a Service and Feeders question asks for the overcurrent device, it wants a standard device size, not the calculated amperes. Divide the VA by the voltage, then move up to the next standard size. Under the optional dwelling calculation, the general load is 100 percent of the first 10 kVA plus 40 percent of the remainder (NEC 2020, Section 220.82(B)) — apply the demand factor to the whole load and you land on a wrong answer.
Answering "sounds reasonable" instead of "is listed." Aluminum feels like a workable electrode until you read that it is excluded (Grounding and Bonding, NEC, Section 250.52(B)). Paralleled conductors feel like they should match in color, but color is not one of the five required characteristics (Conductors and Cables, NEC 2020, Section 310.10(G)(2)). If an option is not in the Code list, it does not qualify, however sensible it sounds.
Treating the Virginia rules as filler. Standards of Practice, Standards of Conduct, Renewal and Reinstatement, Qualification for Licensure and Revocation of Licensure together carry 9 items. Those are recall points you can bank: three-year license term and the $160 renewal fee (18 VAC 50-30-120 A and G), $210 reinstatement after the 30-day window, 30 days to report a qualifying conviction (18 VAC 50-30-190(11)), and 240 hours of vocational training paired with four years of experience (18 VAC 50-30-39(B)).
Burning time on the first hard question. You get 210 minutes for 70 questions, which works out to about 3 minutes per question. Flag a calculation you cannot set up in thirty seconds and come back to it. Open book cuts both ways — the book is there, but only if you leave yourself time to open it.
| Questions | 70 questions |
| Time limit | 210 minutes |
| Passing score | 49 correct answers out of 70 scored questions |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $100 |
- Your score appears on screen at the end of the exam and is emailed, with a diagnostic report included for failing candidates.
- You may not rebook on the same day you tested, but may be able to retest within two business days if space is available.
Source: Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Individual License and Certification Candidate Information Bulletin, 7/23/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.