Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Virginia - Journeyman Electrician
Virginia · PSI Services Contractor
Virginia State Portion 70 questions
Key Distinctions
Mandatory rules use 'shall' or 'shall not' and identify specifically required or prohibited actions, while permissive rules use 'shall be permitted' or 'shall not be required.'
NEC 2020, Section 90.5(A)If a single ground rod measures 25 ohms or less resistance to earth, no supplemental electrode is required; if it exceeds 25 ohms, a supplemental electrode must be added.
NEC, Section 250.53(A)(2)Elevator and dumbwaiter driving machine motors are rated intermittent duty per 620.61(B)(1), while escalator and moving walk driving machine motors are rated continuous duty per 620.61(B)(2).
NEC 2020, Section 620.61(B)(2)The service point is the demarcation where the utility's facilities end and premises wiring begins, with the utility specifying its location; premises wiring is everything on the customer's side of that point.
NEC 2020, Article 100 (Definitions, Part I — Service Point)A Class A contractor performs or manages work on a single contract or project valued at $150,000 or more (or $1 million or more in any 12-month period); lower classes handle smaller project values.
Virginia Board for Contractors, Individual License and Certification Regulations, Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100An applicant with 240 hours of formal vocational training needs 4 years of practical experience to sit for the Virginia journeyman exam, while one with no formal training needs 8 years.
Virginia Board for Contractors, Individual License and Certification Regulations, Page 11 (Part II - Entry, 18 VAC 50-30-39(B))A reinstated license is treated as if the licensee was continuously licensed without interruption (keeping them under board disciplinary authority for the entire gap period), whereas a timely renewal simply continues the license without that retroactive exposure.
Virginia Board for Contractors, Individual License and Certification Regulations, 18 VAC 50-30-140(B)The NEC explicitly prohibits using the earth as an effective ground-fault current path; an effective path must be a low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying maximum ground-fault current to facilitate overcurrent device operation.
NEC 2020, Section 250.4(A)(5)Conductors 6 AWG or smaller must be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish (or three white/gray stripes), while larger conductors have additional permitted identification methods under NEC 200.6.
NEC 2020, Section 200.6(A)Circuit breakers used as switches in 120-volt or 277-volt fluorescent lighting circuits must be listed and marked SWD or HID; standard circuit breakers without this marking are not permitted for that switching application.
NEC 240.83(D)Type SE cable used for interior branch circuits or feeders must comply with Article 334 (NM cable) installation requirements, but specifically excludes the ampacity limitation section 334.80.
NEC 2020, Section 338.10(B)(4)(a)The AHJ may waive specific NEC requirements and permit alternative methods only when assured equivalent safety objectives are achieved and technical documentation is submitted to demonstrate equivalency; otherwise standard Code requirements apply.
NEC 2020, Informative Annex H, Section 80.13(15)Key Terms
Formulas to Know
Total Load = 100% of first 10 kVA of general loads + 40% of remaining general loadsSupplemental electrode NOT required if single rod resistance ≤ 25 Ω; required if > 25 ΩIf edge of bored hole < 1-1/4 in. (32 mm) from nearest wood edge → install steel plate ≥ 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) thickDisconnects per supply ≤ 6 switches or 6 circuit breakers grouped at one locationAdditional service allowed if capacity > 2000 A at supply voltage ≤ 1000 VWith 240 hrs formal training → 4 yrs experience; With 0 formal training → 8 yrs experience