CERTIFICATION / LICENSE

WV LICENSE

  

As of January​ 1, 2022, all Electrical Examinations will be based on the 2020 NEC Code Book.

 

Due to the passage of new legislative rules, as of June 16, 2021 Apprentice Electricians no longer require licensure to perform helper level electrical work. Apprentices/Helpers must still ​be supervised by a Journeyman or Master Electrician​. ​

Electrical Licensure Testing Requirement:

  

​Applicants for the Journeyman, Master, and Specialty Electrician license must pass the WVSFMO electrical exam for the licensure level they wish to obtain.

 

Exam Qualification Requirements:

Journeyman – Must meet at least 1 of the 3 requirements below:

Must have at least 1 Year (12 months) or 2,000 hours of actual, hands-one electrical work experience. All work shall consist of above ground structural wiring in accordance with the National Electric Code.
or
Must have completed an approved US Department of Labor formal Apprenticeship program.
or
Must have completed an approved West Virginia Department of Education 1080-hour vocational course.

Master – Must have at least 2 Yeas (24 months) or 4,000 hours of actual, hands-on electrical work experience. Vocational training CANNOT be counted towards the required work experience.

Specialty – Electric Sign, HVAC, Low Voltage, Single Family Dwelling – Must have at least 2 years (24 months) or 4,000 hours of actual, hands-on electrical work experience in the SPECIALTY AREA for which the applicant will be testing. Applicants may apply 1 year (12 months) of approved educational courses toward the work experience.
 

Exam information:

All 2022 exams are open book and based solely on the 2020 National Electric Code Book.

  • The Journeyman, Master and Single-Family Dwelling electrical exams have 50 multiple choice questions​ and 5 calculations.
  • The Low Voltage electrical exam has 25 multiple choice questions.
  • ​The Electric Sign and HVAC electrical exam has 20 multiple choice questions.

Exam fees are $25.00. This fee is nonrefundable.

Seating is limited for each exam date and location. To be considered for a specific date and location, your application MUST be received by the agency at least 7 business days prior to the requested test date. ​For a list of exam dates and locations Click Here.​

Applicants may reschedule but must notify the agency NO LATER than the date of the exam. Applicants can reschedule no more than (3) three times in any calendar year.

Walk-ins are not authorized. Only those with prior authorization from the central office will be allowed to take the exam.

Applicants are authorized to bring the following items to the exam:

  • 2020 NEC Code Book
  • Book Tabs
  • Key Word Index
  • Ugly’s Reference Guide
  • Standard Calculator
  • No. 2 Pencil

Study guides, test prep courses and practice exams are not available​.

Check In begins at 8:30am. Exams begin at 9:00am. Applicants are given 4 hours to complete the exam.

Exams will be graded within 15 business days of the exam date.

Apply for a Reciprocal Electrician License

Click Here for Paper Application

Temporary Electrical Licensure:

  

​The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office offers temporary electrician licensure for the Journeyman and Master.

 

Applicants must have completed one of the following to be eligible for temporary licensure:

Completion of a US Department of Labor formal Apprenticeship program. Such proof must be in the form of a certificate of completion from this program.
or
Completion of a West Virginia Dept. of Education approved 1080-hour Vocational Program. Such proof must be in the form of a certificate of completion from this program.

Each applicant must also possess the minimum WV requirements for licensure:

Journeyman - Must have at least 1 Year (12 months) or 2,000 hours of actual, hands-one electrical work experience. All work shall consist of above ground structural wiring in accordance with the National Electric Code.
or
Master - Must have at least 2 Yeas (24 months) or 4,000 hours of actual, hands-on electrical work experience.

Renewal Information:

Applicants who pass the exam have one year from the exam date to initiate their Electrical License.

Electrician Licenses (except temporary licenses) expire on June 30th every year. Courtesy license renewal reminders will be emailed by April of every year.

License Fee – $50.00 annually.

Expired licensees may renew their license if the expiration date is within the 5-year grace period. ​Expired licensees must pay double the license fee to renew their​ license for a total of $100.00.

WVSFMO Licensure Portal Online Electrician License Renewal

Click Here