TRADESMEN CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Beginning January 1, 2008, all tradesmen were required to complete continuing education courses in order to renew their license. There is no grandfather provision for the continuing education requirement. Tradesmen holding a master's or journeyman's license in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and/or gas fitting are all affected.

Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC workers are required to complete three hours of continuing education. Gas fitters are required to complete one hour. The CE requirement must be fulfilled during the term of license, which is currently two years.

Qualifying CE courses must cover code updates for the specific code that governs the tradesman. All must be approved by the Virginia Board for Contractors in order to receive credit.

• Electricians - National Electrical Code
• Plumbers - International Plumbing Code
• HVAC workers - International Mechanical Code
• Gas fitters - International Fuel Gas Code

Tradesmen that hold multiple licenses must complete continuing education for each designation. In Virginia, it is common for a plumber (or HVAC worker) to also hold a gas fitter's license. Under the law, a person holding both licenses must complete three hours of CE for plumbing (or HVAC) and one hour of CE for gas fitting.