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Virginia Tradesman Continuing Education

#1 Above (At Your Pace Online) is your trusted DPOR approved continuing education provider to obtain your electrician, plumber, HVAC technician and gas fitter training. Our DPOR Provider ID is 2730000291.

Complete your continuing education to renew your Virigina tradesman license today. All of our courses can be completed At Your Pace Online to help you meet the state's requirements to maintain your license. Once you finish your class, we'll give you an official certificate of completion to save for your records, and we will report your course completion to the state for you. 

$39 TOP SELLER

VA 2020 NEC Changes

clock hour icon 3h course

After completing this course the participant will be able to apply the changes to the 2020 National Electrical Code in common wiring practice.

This course is intended for Electricians.

4.7 101 Reviews
$39

VA 2021 IMC Update Part 1

clock hour icon 3h course

This course reviews and highlights essential Code requirements of the first five chapters of the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Included in the review are specific examples of the life safety systems relating to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and exhaust systems. Changes from the previous version of the IMC are identified. This course has no prerequisites.

This course is intended for HVAC technicians. 

4.8 54 Reviews
$39

VA 2021 IPC Update

clock hour icon 3h course

This course teaches Virginia plumbers about the changes found in chapters three through six of the 2021 International Plumbing Code. Lessons cover general regulations, water heaters, fixtures, and more.

This course is intended for Plumbers.

4.5 84 Reviews
$39

VA 2021 IFGC Update

clock hour icon 1h course

This one-hour class will bring students up-to-date on key changes to the 2021 IFGC as well as better able to access and apply relevant IFGC codes and standards.

This course is intended for Gas Fitters.

4.6 44 Reviews
$39

VA 2021 IMC Update Part 2

clock hour icon 3h course

This course reviews and highlights essential code requirements of Sections 6 through 15 of the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Included in the review are specific examples relating to duct systems, combustion air systems, chimneys and vents, fireplaces and solid fuelburning equipment, boilers and water heaters, refrigeration systems, hydronic and fuel oil piping, and solar thermal systems. Changes from the previous version of the IMC are identified.

This course is intended for HVAC technicians. 

4.7 15 Reviews

CE Requirements to Renew a Virginia Tradesman License

It’s not enough to just get your Virginia tradesman license. Even after you accrue the required experience, submit your license application, and pass the exam, you still need to keep working with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to maintain your license. 

Specifically, that means renewing your license on a regular basis. Electricians, gas fitters, HVAC tradesmen, and plumbers need to renew every three years. All other tradesmen need to renew every two years

Luckily, renewing your tradesman license is pretty easy (check out our guide here). It basically just means submitting a form and paying the renewal fee. But there’s one key thing all Virginia tradesmen need to do before they can renew: take continuing education. 

So, yes, Virginia tradesmen need continuing education if they have an active license. But the number of hours you need depends entirely on the license type you have. And the DPOR website isn’t overly forthcoming about the number of hours you need.

Continuing education requirements for plumbers, HVAC workers, and electricians

State code mandates that during each renewal cycle, you need three hours of continuing education. Count yourself lucky. Some states require 30 hours or more for renewal, so a few hours isn’t so bad. 

To make your life easy, you can take your continuing education online. Here are links to DPOR-approved courses that meet the three-hour requirement and focus on your specific trade:

  • Electricians: 3 hours
  • Plumbers: 3 hours
  • HVAC technicians: 3 hours

Continuing education requirements for gas fitters

Whether you’re a liquefied petroleum gas fitter or a natural gas fitter, you’ve got it the easiest of anyone. You need just one hour of continuing education during each renewal cycle, and you can take it online.

Continuing education requirements for other tradesmen

If you have a tradesman license but you’re not in any of the above categories, it’s fairly safe to assume that you need eight hours of continuing education. That means the following license types need a full workday’s worth of continuing education:

  • Elevator mechanics
  • Accessibility mechanics
  • Water well systems providers
  • Automatic fire sprinkler inspectors

General continuing education requirements

The required hours we outlined above are true whether you have a master or journeyman license. 

Tradesmen can’t just pop into any classroom for the hours they need. The DPOR requires you to take your continuing education with a provider they approve. 

What’s more, your hours need to relate to the applicable building code. Here’s a quick list of the code your hours should hit based on your license type:

  • Electricians: National Electrical Code
  • Plumbers: International Plumbing Code
  • HVAC workers: International Mechanical Code
  • Gas fitters: International Fuel Gas Code
  • Elevator mechanics and accessibility mechanics: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
  • Water well systems providers: Unspecified
  • Automatic fire sprinkler inspectors: Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code

Assuming you choose a provider who has the DPOR’s green light and you take hours that are relevant to your trade, you shouldn’t have any trouble meeting the Virginia tradesman continuing education requirements.

 

State of Virginia Tradesman License Renewal Dealine

  • Licensees must renew their license by the last date of the issuance month, every two or three years.