Electrician License Requirements in West Virginia
- Training hours
- 2000 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $75
- Exam
- Journeyman Electrician Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 1 year
- Issuing board
- West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. §103-5-5.6: an applicant must be 18 years of age to take any examination or be issued a license (a WV Dept. of Education vocational-program student may sit for the exam before turning 18 but cannot be issued the license until then). The rule's interstate-license-recognition provisions (§103-5-6.3.6) require that 'the person does not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the board.' [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 2000 hours of training. Per West Virginia Legislative Rule 103 CSR 5 (§103-5-4.2), a Journeyman applicant must have EITHER: (1) at least 1 year of experience as an Electrician's Assistant/Helper working under a master or journeyman electrician (recorded here as approximately 2,000 hours), OR (2) completed a U.S. DOL/Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training registered electrical apprenticeship program, OR (3) completed a WV Board of Education electrical vocational education program of at least 1,080 hours (including an on-the-job training module), passed all required WV Dept. of Education testing, and obtained an instructor affidavit of competency to sit for the exam. [1]
- 3
Journeyman Electrician Examination
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Examination. 50 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each (effective per the Fire Marshal's 2026 exam update), sourced from the National Electrical Code (as of January 1, 2026, the 2023 NFPA 70 edition); 70% passing grade required (§103-5-5.13). Tests are administered in Charleston, WV at least 4 times per year, with additional locations offered when enough applicants pre-register. The $25.00 application review fee (§103-5-2.2) is nonrefundable and separate from any testing-agent exam fee; the rule itself does not state a fixed dollar exam fee when a private testing agent is used, so fee is left null. Applicants must submit their request at least 10 working days before the next scheduled exam, and forfeit the fee if they miss the exam without 24 hours' notice. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division with the $25 application fee. [1]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division issues your Journeyman Electrician License for West Virginia.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $25 |
| License fee [1] | $50 |
| Renewal fee [1] | $50 |
| Journeyman Electrician Examination [1] | None specified |
| Late renewal penalty (within the licensure year) [1] | $50 |
| Reciprocity license application fee (temporary/one-time license) [1] | $50 |
Per 103 CSR 5: a $25.00 nonrefundable application review fee (§103-5-5.2.2) is required to sit for the exam; upon passing, the license fee is $50.00 per year (§103-5-7.2, same amount used for annual renewal). Licenses may be renewed for up to a 3-year period at the $50/year rate. A license not renewed by its expiration incurs the $50 license fee plus a $50 late penalty within the licensure year; lapses beyond 5 years require retesting.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 1 year.
All West Virginia electrician licenses expire June 30 each year (§103-5-7.1) and are renewed annually (though a licensee can pay in advance for up to a 3-year period at the same $50/year rate). Rule 103 CSR 5 does not itemize a continuing-education-hours requirement for standard renewal; it only cross-references continuing-education obligations that may apply specifically to interstate license-recognition applicants under W. Va. Code §29-33-8, not a general CE mandate found in this rule.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Per 103 CSR 5 §103-5-9, the State Fire Marshal may enter formal reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions allowing a nonresident electrician to obtain a WV license without a written exam, provided they furnish written certification of their current out-of-state license, file the reciprocity application, and pay the annual license fee ($50). Secondary sources report active bilateral reciprocity with Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, but the rule itself does not publish the current list of jurisdictions with agreements in effect — applicants should confirm with the Fire Marshal's office. A reciprocal applicant is ineligible if they previously failed the WV exam or failed to renew a prior WV license (§103-5-9.6). No interstate licensure compact covers electricians.
5 state-approved training providers in West Virginia — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $25
- $50
Frequently asked questions
How much experience does West Virginia require for a Journeyman Electrician license?
At least 1 year working as an Electrician's Assistant/Helper under a master or journeyman electrician, OR completion of a U.S. DOL registered apprenticeship program, OR a WV Board of Education electrical vocational program of at least 1,080 hours plus an instructor affidavit of competency.
How much does a West Virginia Journeyman Electrician license cost?
A $25 nonrefundable application review fee to sit for the exam, then a $50 license fee once you pass. Renewal is $50 per year (licenses expire every June 30), with a $50 late penalty if not renewed on time.
What is the minimum age for a West Virginia electrician license?
18 years old. A vocational-program student may take the exam earlier but cannot be issued the license until turning 18.
How is the Journeyman exam scored and what does it cover?
50 multiple-choice questions (2 points each) based on the National Electrical Code (2023 NFPA 70 edition as of January 1, 2026), requiring a 70% passing grade.
Does West Virginia offer reciprocity for out-of-state journeyman electricians?
Yes, through formal reciprocal agreements the State Fire Marshal enters with specific jurisdictions (reported to include Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio), allowing licensure without a written exam if you hold a current license in good standing there and pay the $50 annual license fee. Confirm current agreements directly with the Fire Marshal's office.
Sources
- [1] firemarshal.wv.gov/media/39366/download — accessed 2026-07-11