State license

West Virginia Journeyman Electrician License

Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician

Last updated: October 24, 2026

West Virginia licenses journeyman electricians at the state level. The Office of the State Fire Marshal issues the license after an exam with a 70% passing score. To apply for the exam you need 1 year as an assistant or helper electrician, or a registered apprenticeship, or an approved 1,080-hour vocational program. The application review fee is $25.00.

The facts, from the source

Who licenses: West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division (firemarshal.wv.gov)
Exam vendor: State-administered. The State Fire Marshal schedules in-person sessions. Rule 5.11.1 also allows the Fire Marshal to contract a private testing agent. (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Exam (questions/time): The journeyman exam is separate from the master and specialty exams. You file a $25 application review fee and must be authorized before you sit. 2026 sessions are held on fixed dates at Charleston, Beckley, Clarksburg, Martinsburg and Wellsburg. All exam questions are derived from the National Electrical Code. (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Passing score: 70% required (103 CSR 5 section 5.13) (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Experience required: 103 CSR 5 section 4.2: to apply for the journeyman exam you must (1) have at least 1 year of experience as an assistant or helper electrician under a master or journeyman, OR (2) have completed a USDOL/BAT registered electrical apprenticeship, OR (3) have completed a West Virginia Board of Education-approved electrical vocational program of at least 1,080 hours with passed final tests and an instructor affidavit. You must be 18 (or enrolled in an approved West Virginia vocational program). (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Fees: $25.00 nonrefundable application review fee (103-5-5.2.2). Annual renewal $50.00 per year (103-5-7.2). Licenses expire June 30. (apps.sos.wv.gov)
Reciprocity: 103-5-9: the State Fire Marshal may enter formal reciprocal agreements granting a West Virginia license without a written exam. W. Va. Code 29-3B-4(d) requires the same or equivalent classification without a written exam where the applicant shows safe, competent performance. Rule 6.3 adds a one-year-licensed endorsement path for West Virginia residents. No list of states was found. (apps.sos.wv.gov)

Confirm these with the board

Number of questions: not published in the materials we checked
Time limit: not published in the materials we checked
Open book and allowed references: not published in the materials we checked
NEC edition on the exam: the rule says questions come from the National Electrical Code and names no edition
Exam fee amount: not published in the materials we checked
Original license fee: not published in the materials we checked

West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal, Regulatory and Licensing Division ↗

Partly verified October 24, 2026: some items couldn’t be confirmed from official sources and are listed above

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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.