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Virginia Electrical License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Virginia has 3 Electrical license classes. Most renew every 3 years. Renewal fees are about $160 to $270, depending on the class. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 3 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details
Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Remind me before it expiresHow reminders work

Electrical Contractor (ELE) - Class A/B/C

ELE · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

Remind me before this expires
Renew on the official siteBoard phone: 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing education
Not required
Deadline rule
License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark.
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
Renewal must be received within 30 days after expiration to avoid reinstatement (18VAC50-22-130 A). The license is not valid during those 30 days, so no contracting may be performed.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $270
Late fee
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Renewal received after expiration requires reinstatement: Class A reinstatement fee about $550 (includes the renewal fee) plus Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-160 to -180).
Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Reinstatement allowed up to 24 months after expiration at the reinstatement fee; after 2 years a new application under current requirements is required (18VAC50-22-160/-170).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
Electrical exam agreements on DPOR's reciprocal list: North Carolina unlimited/intermediate electrical contractor to Virginia Class A or B electrical contractor plus master electrical tradesman (license and exam), Ohio law exam waiver. Out-of-state licensees may also apply under Universal License Recognition (Va. Code 54.1-219).
Notes

Firm licence; master electrical tradesman required. Fee shown is Class A ($270); B $260; C $220 (+$30 Recovery Fund). Renewal total is the class fee plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-140). From July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, certain DPOR fees also include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year (2026 House Bill 30). Contractors' license also requires a designated employee/qualified individual and a master tradesman licence for ELE/HVA/PLB/GFC specialties (54.1-1100; 18VAC50-22-61).

Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (10)

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Journeyman Electrician (tradesman)

Electrical Journeyman · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

Remind me before this expires
Renew on the official siteBoard phone: 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing education
3 hours
Show CE rules3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
Deadline rule
Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
30-day grace period after expiration to submit the renewal fee and CE; the license is still expired during that time and no trade work may be done. After 30 days the reinstatement fee applies (18VAC50-30-130).

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $160
Late fee
Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Reinstatement available up to 24 months after expiration (CE required); after 24 months new application and current entry requirements (18VAC50-30-130 D).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
Exam or license agreements on DPOR's reciprocal list: Alabama (master), District of Columbia (journeyman and master, license and exam), Kentucky (journeyman and master), Maryland (master), West Virginia (journeyman and master), North Carolina (master with Class A or B contractor) and Ohio (master). Applicants need verification of licensure from the other state. Universal License Recognition may also apply.
Notes

CE: 3 hours on code changes (NEC) per 18VAC50-30-120 C. Renewal fee is $160 per 3-year term (18VAC50-30-120 G); a $7.25 per year Technology Fee applies to certain DPOR fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. DPOR's Tradesmen page says a license must be reapplied for if the fee and CE are not submitted within one year; the regulation allows reinstatement for up to 24 months, so confirm with the Board before relying on the second year.

Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (6)

Master Electrician (tradesman)

Electrical Master · State license · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

Remind me before this expires
Renew on the official siteBoard phone: 804-367-8511 (Licensing); 804-367-2785 (Board office)
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing education
3 hours
Show CE rules3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
Deadline rule
Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
30-day grace period after expiration to submit the renewal fee and CE; the license is still expired during that time and no trade work may be done. After 30 days the reinstatement fee applies (18VAC50-30-130).

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $160
Late fee
Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)Reinstatement available up to 24 months after expiration (CE required); after 24 months new application and current entry requirements (18VAC50-30-130 D).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
Exam or license agreements on DPOR's reciprocal list: Alabama (master), District of Columbia (journeyman and master, license and exam), Kentucky (journeyman and master), Maryland (master), West Virginia (journeyman and master), North Carolina (master with Class A or B contractor) and Ohio (master). Applicants need verification of licensure from the other state. Universal License Recognition may also apply.
Notes

Master eligibility routes in 18VAC50-30-39 D (e.g., 1 yr as journeyman or 9 yrs experience). Renewal fee is $160 per 3-year term (18VAC50-30-120 G); a $7.25 per year Technology Fee applies to certain DPOR fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. DPOR's Tradesmen page says a license must be reapplied for if the fee and CE are not submitted within one year; the regulation allows reinstatement for up to 24 months, so confirm with the Board before relying on the second year.

Confidence: HighConfirmed from official rule textLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (6)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Virginia Electrical continuing education page.

How to renew

  1. 1Check your Electrical Contractor (ELE) - Class A/B/C deadline: License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark.
  2. 2Renew online at https://www.dporlicensehome.dpor.virginia.gov/datamart/vadporMainMenu.do
  3. 3Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $270, but fees change.
  4. 4If you miss the deadline: Renewal received after expiration requires reinstatement: Class A reinstatement fee about $550 (includes the renewal fee) plus Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-160 to -180).
  5. 5Check your Journeyman Electrician (tradesman) deadline: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).
  6. 6Complete 3 continuing education hours before renewing. 3 hours of CE per designation (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) on applicable building code changes, from a Board-approved provider, as condition of renewal/reinstatement (18VAC50-30-120 C). Gas/LPG/natural gas fitters: 1 hour.
  7. 7Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $160, but fees change.
  8. 8If you miss the deadline: Reinstatement fee: about $210 for tradesman license (includes renewal fee); LPG/natural gas fitter provider about $160 (18VAC50-30-130 B).
  9. 9Check your Master Electrician (tradesman) deadline: Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A).

Virginia Electrical renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Virginia electrical license expire?

Electrical Contractor (ELE) - Class A/B/C: renews every 2 years. License expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued (18VAC50-22-110). Renewal fee may be sent no earlier than 60 days before expiration; DPOR counts date received, not postmark. Journeyman Electrician (tradesman): renews every 3 years. Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A). Master Electrician (tradesman): renews every 3 years. Tradesman licenses (electrician, gas fitter, LPG fitter, natural gas fitter provider, HVAC tradesman, plumber) expire three years from the last day of the month in which issued (18VAC50-30-120 A). Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Virginia electrical license need?

Electrical Contractor (ELE) - Class A/B/C: no CE required. Journeyman Electrician (tradesman): 3 hours per renewal. Master Electrician (tradesman): 3 hours per renewal. Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Virginia electrical license?

Renewal must be received within 30 days after expiration to avoid reinstatement (18VAC50-22-130 A). The license is not valid during those 30 days, so no contracting may be performed. Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Virginia electrical license?

Electrical Contractor (ELE) - Class A/B/C: About $270. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Virginia electrical license expires?

Renewal received after expiration requires reinstatement: Class A reinstatement fee about $550 (includes the renewal fee) plus Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-160 to -180). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Virginia accept electrical licenses from other states?

Electrical exam agreements on DPOR's reciprocal list: North Carolina unlimited/intermediate electrical contractor to Virginia Class A or B electrical contractor plus master electrical tradesman (license and exam), Ohio law exam waiver. Out-of-state licensees may also apply under Universal License Recognition (Va. Code 54.1-219). Check with Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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