West Virginia Master Electrician Exam Day: What to Expect

West Virginia Master Electrician Exam Day: What to Expect

The Master Electrician exam is a paper exam written and given by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal: 50 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours, open book on the 2023 NEC, 70% to pass, $25.

Before exam day

• Apply through the State Fire Marshal's online license portal at least 10 working days before the exam date, with proof of your 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience and the $25 fee.
• Keep the written authorization you receive. You need it to be admitted; walk-ins are turned away.
• Can't attend? Tell the office at least 24 hours ahead, or the fee is forfeited.

Where you test

Sessions run in Charleston, Beckley, Clarksburg, Martinsburg and Wellsburg, 24 in all for 2027. Seats are limited, so apply early for the site you want. There is no computer-based or remote option.

What to bring

• The 2023 NEC, with tabs and a key-word index if you like
• Ugly's Electrical References
• A calculator and a No. 2 pencil

Pacing

Four hours for 50 questions is almost 5 minutes each. Spend it where a master's exam is hardest: the load and feeder calculations. Answer the quick lookups first, then work the calculations, and leave nothing blank.

After the exam

Exams are graded within 15 business days. With a passing score, pay the license fee ($50 a year) and the State Fire Marshal issues your master license. If you plan to run your own electrical business, the Contractor Licensing Board license is a separate step.

Practice first

Our West Virginia Master Electrician practice test covers the 2023 NEC with worked, cited explanations. For the content breakdown, see what is on the exam.