Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers

Special Requirements

The Tradesman Licensing Section of the Board for Contractors issues journeyman and master licenses in these trades. You must pass an exam to get any of these licenses.

JOURNEYMAN:

To qualify for a journeyman exam, you must have one of the following:

· Four years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade. Experience in excess of four years may be substituted for formal vocational training at a ratio of one year of experience for 80 hours of formal training, but not to exceed 200 hours;

· Four years of practical experience and 80 hours of vocational training for liquefied petroleum gas fitters and natural gas fitter providers except that no substitute experience will be allowed for liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas workers;

· An associate degree or a certificate of completion from at least a two-year program in a tradesman related field from an accredited community college or technical school as evidenced by a transcript from the educational institution and two years of practical experience in the trade for which licensure is desired;

· A bachelor's degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade and one year of practical experience in the trade for which licensure is desired; or

· On or after July 1, 1995, an applicant with ten years of practical experience in the trade as verified by reference letters of experience from any of the following: building officials, building inspectors, current or former employers, contractors, engineers, architects or current or past clients, attesting to the applicant’s work in the trade, may be granted permission to sit for the journeyman’s level examination without having to meet the educational requirements.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

· Must be at least 18 years of age

· Must sign an affidavit certifying that the applicant has read and understood the Virginia Tradesman Certification law and the regulations of the board

· The board may require a personal interview with the applicant

· Must be of good moral character

· Must be in good standing as a tradesman in every jurisdiction where certified

LICENSE RENEWAL:

Licenses and certification cards issued under this chapter shall expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued, as indicated on the license or certification card.

EXAM:

· Unless otherwise exempted, the applicant must pass a written examination provided by the board or a testing service acting on behalf of the board

· Applicants who have successfully completed a board - approved apprenticeship program may be exempted from examination

· Individuals who have successfully passed the Class A contractors trade examination prior to January 1, 1991 will be deemed qualified as a Master in the trade of electrician without further examination

Exams are given by:
PSI Examination Services
100 West Broadway, Ste 1100
Glendale, CA 91210
(800) 733 - 9267
http://www.psiexams.com

Virginia has a reciprocity agreement for electricians and plumbers licensed in North Carolina.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Recommended Reading for the Trade Exams Electrician’s Exam
1996 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70
American Electrician’s Handbook, 13th Edition, Croft & Summers

Required Fees:

Original tradesman license by examination	$90.00
Original tradesman license without examination	$90.00
Card exchange (exchange of locality-issued card for state-issued Virginia tradesman license)	$40.00
Tradesman license $40.00	$40.00
Duplicate Cards	-First request $30.00 -Second request $30.00 -Third request $45.00 (may result in referral for disciplinary action)
Reinstatement Fee for Tradesman License	$130.00

For More Information, Contact:

Department Of Professional And Occupational Regulations
Board Of Contractors
3600 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230-4917
Phone: 804.367.8511
TTY: 804.367.9753
Fax: 804.367.2475
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/indexie.html
Tradesmen@dpor.virginia.gov

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.