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How to become a licensed electrician in West Virginia. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $135. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
West Virginia requires state-level electrician licensing through West Virginia Division of Labor — Electrical Licensing.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the West Virginia Division of Labor - Electrical
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
Completion of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship (4 years)
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician
Experience Required
Typically 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
576
Classroom
7,424
On-the-Job
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
NEC Version
2020 NEC
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
80
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
80
Questions
300 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Retake Policy
Must wait 30 days before retaking the exam; may attempt up to 3 times before additional training is required
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Fee Registration fee for apprentice permit | |
Journeyman License Fee Paid to West Virginia Division of Labor — Electrical Licensing | |
Master License Fee Paid to West Virginia Division of Labor — Electrical Licensing | |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI | |
Renewal Fee 2 years renewal | |
Total Initial Fees Total includes journeyman license fee and exam fee (excludes apprenticeship program costs) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
16 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$50
2 years renewal fee
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
West Virginia may accept out-of-state licenses by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid journeyman or master license from another state and may need to pass the state exam.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
West Virginia administers electrical licensing through the Division of Labor with a standard 2-year renewal cycle.
West Virginia requires state-level licensing for electricians through West Virginia Division of Labor — Electrical Licensing.
Exams are based on the 2020 NEC (National Electrical Code).
16 hours of continuing education are required per renewal cycle.
Standard apprenticeship requires 8,000 hours (4 years).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in West Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#25 of 51
Cost
#3 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$48,160
25th percentile
Median
$63,850
+2% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$82,440
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,010 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+26% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$63,850
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$63,850
Master electrician license + contractor license
$80,360
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: West Virginia Division of Labor - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: West Virginia Division of Labor - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Official regulatory agency — added during electrician audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Official state agency website
Accessed 2026-03-21
West Virginia requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the West Virginia Division of Labor - Electrical.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.