Virginia master electrician exam: format, NEC edition and fee
Virginia licenses master electricians as tradesmen through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), and PSI runs the exam. These facts come from PSI's tradesman bulletin (dated 7/23/2026) and DPOR's Tradesmen page, read on 8 November 2026. Virginia sets its own rules and can change them, so confirm with DPOR and the bulletin before you book.
The exam in brief
- Exam: Master Electrician (tradesman)
- Vendor: PSI
- NEC edition: 2020. NFPA 70E is on the reference list too. NFPA lists Virginia's move to the 2023 NEC as underway, so check the bulletin for changes.
- Questions: 90
- Time: 270 minutes
- Passing score: 63 correct (70%)
- Book: open book. Highlighting, underlining and indexing done beforehand, permanent tabs only, no writing, no study guides.
- Calculator: handheld calculators are on the bulletin's prohibited list. Read the bulletin for what is provided.
- Fee: $125.
- Who can sit it: DPOR's page offers the master license by upgrade to people who already hold a valid tradesman license. Check DPOR for the experience you need.
Try one question
Question 1 of the free 10-question check on Master. No signup. Then ask Lug, the AI study assistant, why the answer is right and the others are wrong.
Grounding and Bonding
A service with 350 kcmil copper conductors has a GEC that runs only to two driven ground rods. Table 250.66 would give 2 AWG copper for these service conductors. What is the largest GEC the rods require?
Press A-D or 1-4 to choose an answer while this question is on screen.
Choose an answer to begin
What it covers
Ten of the 90 items are on Virginia's regulations for tradesmen: standards of practice and conduct, renewal, definitions, qualifications and revocation. The other 80 cover the NEC, and the heaviest areas are services and feeders, grounding and bonding, and motors and controls at 8 items each. Compared with Virginia's 70-item journeyman exam, the master adds 20 items, mostly to services and feeders, branch circuits, motors, electrical fundamentals, and grounding and bonding. Our master exam outline maps the NEC areas into the twelve areas states share.
Ask Lug before you buy AI your AI study assistant
See what's on the Master exam, test yourself with 5 quick questions, or find the plan that fits you.
The Master course
Available now · instant accessLearn the load calculations, service and feeder sizing and design rules master exams lean on, then prove it on timed 100-question practice exams.
- 12modules of lessonsEvery task on the outline
- 2timed practice exams100 questions in 240 minutes, full length at our estimate
- 292practice questionsEach one explained
- 1week-by-week study planSet to your exam date
Turn a practice answer into a study step. In untimed practice, ask Lug AI about any question you answer, follow up, then see your weakest topics and what to drill next.
Instant access. Terms and refunds · Secure checkout by Stripe · Billed by Nori Software
Every answer comes with a full explanation.
How our practice exam fits
Our master practice exam is written to the 2023 NEC, not the 2020 edition Virginia tests today, and it does not cover Virginia's regulations. Most skills carry over between editions, but section numbers can move, so practice your lookups in the 2020 book until Virginia changes editions. Our 100 questions in 240 minutes run at a tighter pace than Virginia's 90 in 270.
Take the free 10-question master electrician check. It is written to the 2023 NEC, needs no signup, explains every answer and names your weakest area.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by NFPA, PSI or Prov, or the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. NEC and National Electrical Code are registered trademarks of NFPA.
Sources
Show the list
- Tradesmen, Virginia DPOR. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
- Tradesman candidate information bulletin, PSI, dated 7/23/2026. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
- NEC enforcement maps, NFPA. Retrieved 7 Nov 2026.
Facts come from the sources listed above. If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.
Your next step
Ready to see where you stand on Master?
Free, untimed and scored by domain. No signup.
Start the free 10-question checkMaster course. Lessons, timed practice exams and a plan around your exam date. Get Master course · $149 See the plans or read the free sample lesson.Terms and refunds
Want a timed run? Try the free 25-question mini-mock. The first 5 need no email.
Prefer paper? Free printables
- Print a class quiz (free PDF). 9 practice questions with an answer key on page 2.
- Print the flashcards as cut-out cards (free PDF). The free flashcard sample, ready to cut and carry.