There are two levels of certification: Journeyman and Masters. Applicants for examination as journeyman must have four years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training (however, experience in excess of four years may be substituted for formal training at a ratio of one year of experience for 80 hours of formal training, but not to exceed 200 hours) or successful completion of a registered apprenticeship program, or a bachelor's degree in the study of engineering and one year of practical experience in the trade, or ten years of practical experience in the trade. Applicants who successfully complete the examination are issued a card and deemed certified. Applicants for certification as master must have passed the journeyman's examination and have one year experience as a certified journeyman. Requirements for licensure as a journeyman or master tradesman engaging in the trades of plumbing, plumbing gas-fitting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), HVAC gas-fitting, or electrical. Each tradesman who engages in, or offers to engage in, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work for the general public for compensation shall complete an application furnished by the Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation and shall meet or exceed the requirements set forth below prior to issuance of the license. The application shall contain the applicant's name, home address, place of employment, and business address; information on the knowledge, skills, abilities and education or training of the applicant; and an affidavit stating that the information on the application is correct. The applicant shall be required to take an oral or written examination to determine his general knowledge of the trade in which he desires licensure. If the applicant successfully completes the examination, a tradesman application shall be completed. If the application is satisfactory to the board, a tradesman license shall be issued. General qualifications for licensure. Every applicant to the Board for Contractors for licensure as a tradesman shall meet the requirements and have the qualifications provided in this section.: 1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old. 2. Unless otherwise exempted, the applicant shall meet the current educational requirements by passing all required courses prior to the time the applicant sits for the examination and applies for licensure. 3. Unless exempted, the applicant shall have passed the applicable written examination provided by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board. 4. The applicant shall meet the experience requirements as set forth. 5. In those instances where the applicant is required to take the license examination, the applicant shall follow all rules established by the board with regard to conduct at the examination. Such rules shall include any written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and any instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all rules established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at the examination shall be grounds for denial of application. 6. The applicant shall disclose his physical home address; a post office box alone is not acceptable. 7. Each non-resident applicant for a tradesman license shall file and maintain with the department an irrevocable consent for the department to serve as service agent for all actions filed in any court in this Commonwealth. In those instances where service is required, the director of the department will mail the court document to the individual at the address of record. 8. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, an affidavit certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia Tradesman law (of the Code of Virginia) and the regulations of the board. 9. The board may make further inquiries and investigations with respect to the qualifications of the applicant or require a personal interview with the applicant. Failure of an applicant to comply with a written request from the board for additional evidence or information within 60 days of receiving such notice, except in such instances where the board has determined ineligibility for a clearly specified period of time, may be sufficient and just cause for disapproving the application. 10. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall disclose a conviction, in any jurisdiction, of any misdemeanor or felony. Any plea of "nolo contendere" shall be considered a conviction for this purpose of this subdivision.
