Nuts 'n Bolts FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions Trade Licensing Careers Available

Nuts 'n Bolts

State Apprenticeship Registration
“Virginia Registered Apprentice” means the apprentice must be working for a Virginia employer in an apprenticeable occupation and is registered with the VADOLI. The “Apprentice Action Form” is evidence of state registration. Those who are not Virginia-registered apprentices are also welcome to join electricity, plumbing, surveying, opticianry, or HVAC-R classes, but they will not receive a state certificate.

Registered apprentices completing a full program, consisting of OJT and RI, receive a State Apprenticeship Certificate upon completion. This certificate is nationally recognized.

Non-registered apprentices receive a FCPS certificate of completion. Students taking only one year of a program receive an ACE certificate or letter of completion. Records are kept for several years and can be applied toward apprenticeship completion. Should you become a registered apprentice in the future, any classes taken within five years can be applied to your official apprenticeship.

Attendance Policy
An apprentice must physically attend at least 85 percent of the course hours to receive credit for the year’s related instruction. This requirement is in addition to earning a minimum of 70 percent final grade average.

Persons not meeting these standards must repeat the course or take credit-by-exam (if available). An excuse only qualifies the apprentice to participate in the make-up process.  Any excused absence must be made up to get credit for classroom hours. Unexcused absences may not be made up. Students who arrive or enroll late or leave class early will have the time docked. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their absences and to request make-up to avoid failing.

FAQs

What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a time-honored, employer’s training program combining on-the-job training (OJT) and related instruction (RI) resulting in a skilled craftsperson.

Why should I participate?
Some reasons are: graduated pay scale, higher wages in the future, greater promotion potential, less likely to be laid off, and a state certificate that distinguishes you from your peers. Many graduate apprentices become supervisors, estimators, or business owners. Typically, 50 percent of our apprenticeship instructors are alumni.

What is a Certification Card?
A wallet-size identification card certifying you as a registered apprentice with your current employer. The card is issued by your Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VADOLI) apprenticeship representative.

When do I complete my apprenticeship?
When you finish both OJT (as a Virginia Registered Apprentice) and RI.

How do I complete my apprenticeship?
By having VADOLI certify completion of OJT from your employer and completion of RI from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Adult and Community Education (ACE).

What do I receive?
Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC-R completers are pre-approved to sit for the state exam. They receive their Virginia journeyman's license exam application from VADOLI. All registered apprentices receive a nationally-recognized (transfers to other states) certificate of completion from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Only registered apprentices who complete OJT and RI earn a state apprenticeship certificate. Non-registered apprentices who successfully complete related instruction will earn a FCPS certificate of completion.

What if I become unemployed or laid off and need another job?
Stay in school, register with the Virginia Employment Commission, and call an ACE Student Services office at 703-227-2220 or 703-660-2065 for a list of recent job openings. Seek employment with a company willing to sponsor your apprenticeship training.

When do I get my application for taking the test for a license?
If you are a Virginia registered apprentice, you will receive your application at graduation or in the mail. This will happen about a month after the related instructor coordinator signs off on your class work and your employer signs off on your OJT. For a tradesman (electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC-R) or contractor’s licensing application, you need to apply for approval to sit for the exam through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) then schedule testing through PSI at 800-733-9267 or online at www.psiexams.com. For beauty services, contact visit Professional Credentialing Services.

Am I registered?
Yes, if you have signed a state document or apprenticeship agreement or have a VADOLI certification card with your current employer.

How do I get registered?
Ask your employer to call the VADOLI at 703-392-0900 (extension: 102 or 131).

How does my employer get registered/certified?
Your employer calls VADOLI to set up a program and to register a new employee into an established program. This free service usually takes less than an hour to set up for traditional trades and only 15 minutes to register a new employee.

Why do I need to keep a record of OJT?
Document your OJT for your protection should you change employers. Your records also demonstrate you have the field experience needed to become a journeyworker.

If I change employers, am I still registered?
No. Apprenticeship is a training agreement between an employer and employee. It is not transferable.

What should I do if I change employers?
Stay in school, but call VADOLI and the related instruction office, as soon as possible. You can be re-registered without loss of credit. Call for details.

If an employment change occurs, what happens and who do I tell?
If you change jobs, the registration with your previous employer is void. You must call the apprenticeship office. Your new employer must call VADOLI to register you.

What is Related Instruction (RI)?
Related instruction classes are primarily for the purpose of gaining the knowledge in your related trade area providing the foundation for continued advancement throughout your career. RI classes also enhance your understanding of work skills being performed on the job. It is not intended to teach trade skills or produce a qualified trades person from the classroom, although demonstrations and labs are often included.

What is the attendance policy?
You must attend a minimum of 85 percent of scheduled classes.

How do I get my grades?
The Apprenticeship office mails quarterly grades and accumulated hours to employers approximately every eight weeks. Employers or apprentices may request interim reports from the instructor at any time. Grades and attendance are posted on transcripts and are sent to the apprentice's home in late July.

If I am not registered, will I get credit for the class?
Yes.

If I am not registered, can I still enroll in Related Instruction?
Yes (except for cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, and directed study).

What is different about cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, and directed study?
These classes are structured specifically for apprentices. If you are not working in a salon, nail shop, or barber shop and are not registered, you need a program with other components. Call an ACE Student Services office at 703-227-2220 or 703-660-2065 for information on ACE's Trade and Industry beauty services program. A cosmetology, barbering, or nail technician apprentice may begin related instruction at any time during the year. The fees are good for one calendar year. If the related theory is not completed in one calendar year, the tuition for another year must be paid.

When will I know if I have passed?
Ask your instructor or your employer at the last class, or ask your employer 2 or 3 weeks after your last class. A grade of 70% and attendance of 85% is required to pass the course.

What if I fail?
You must retake the course or take a Credit-By-Exam (if available) and earn a passing grade of 70 percent or more.

Can I still stay in school if I switch employers?
Yes, in fact you should stay in school.

What if you need additional help with related instruction?
First talk to your instructor and other classmates. Your employer may also be able to suggest a mentor.

Who pays for my schooling?
You or your employer or a combination. It varies depending on company policy.

Who may visit our related instruction class?
People and groups interested in the apprenticeship program including employers, advisory committee members, VADOLI representatives, college students, curriculum coordinators, building coordinators, and/or related instruction coordinators.

Trade Licensing

In Virginia, trade licensing is governed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). We recommend that you visit the DPOR web site to learn more about statutes, administrative codes, and regulations pertaining to your trade. License application forms can be found on the DPOR site.

PSI Exams Online administers Commonwealth of Virginia licenses and certification examinations for electricians, plumbers, HVAC-R professionals, gasfitters, backflow prevention device workers, and elevator mechanics. Download Individual License and Certification Candidate Information Bulletin, an invaluable 15-page document free of charge from the PSI site.

Download Virginia Tradesman Licensing Exams Require Classroom Training - a fact sheet containing information on licensing exams and classroom training requirements for Virginia. (printer-friendly 20 KB)

Other trade training is available from ACE Trade and Industry programs.

NOTE: This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.