Virginia Statutes, Board Regulations, and Business Practices for Tradesmen
Who regulates electricians
Licensure is in Title 54.1, Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia and is administered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation through the Board for Contractors. Study 18VAC50-30 for individual tradesman licensing, including journeyman and master electrician, and the contractor licensing regulations for the business side. A contractor's license is required for construction work totaling $1,000 or more. Contractor classes are based on dollar volume: Class A covers single projects of $120,000 or more or annual totals of $750,000 or more; Class C covers single projects of $10,000 or less and annual totals of $150,000 or less; Class B falls between them.
The building code and permits
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 13VAC5-63, adopts the National Electrical Code by reference. Work requires a permit from the local building department, a rough-in inspection before concealment, and a final inspection. Question writers like to test that the enforceable edition is the one adopted by the USBC, not necessarily the newest edition published by NFPA.
Business and consumer practice
Written contracts, change orders and a clear scope protect the licensee and the customer. Virginia maintains the Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund for consumers harmed by a licensed contractor. Mechanic's lien memoranda are recorded in the circuit court clerk's office within 90 days from the last day of the month in which labor or material was last furnished for a one- or two-family dwelling, and 150 days for other structures. Call 811 (Miss Utility of Virginia) before excavating.
Traps
Believing a journeyman license lets you contract directly with the public; skipping a permit because the job looks small; missing a lien deadline; bidding outside the class of license held.
Rule of thumb
Before signing: Is the project $1,000 or more? Does the scope fit my license class? Who is the designated employee? Does it need a permit?