Practice tests for journeyman electrician licensing exams covering residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work.
The Journeyman Electrician exam is a state licensing test that proves you can work on electrical systems without a supervisor. Once you pass, you can pull permits, install electrical systems, and work independently on residential and commercial job sites across most of the United States.
Every state runs its own licensing program, but the format is similar everywhere: 80–100 multiple-choice questions, open book (your NEC codebook is allowed), and a passing score of 70–75%. Most states also require 4 years of documented apprenticeship work experience before you can sit for the exam.
The journeyman exam draws questions from across the National Electrical Code. These topics come up most often:
Branch circuits are the most tested topic on the journeyman exam — typically 15–20% of all questions. Know circuit ratings (15A, 20A, 30A), receptacle outlet spacing rules for dwelling units, and where GFCI and AFCI protection is required. Article 210 was significantly updated in NEC 2026.
Article 250 is one of the largest articles in the NEC and one of the most tested. Expect 10–15 questions on grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors, bonding jumpers, and sizing tables. Know Table 250.66 for grounding electrode conductor sizing — it comes up on almost every exam.
These articles cover how conductors must be installed — in conduit, in cable assemblies, underground, in wet locations, and more. Know the rules for EMT, IMC, RMC, and NM cable. Clearances, protection from physical damage, and conduit fill limits are common exam topics.
Load calculations tell you how much electrical capacity a building needs. The exam tests the standard method for dwelling units — calculating the general lighting load, small appliance circuits, laundry circuit, and large appliances to find the minimum service size.
Article 430 generates many exam questions. Know how to size motor branch circuit conductors (125% of FLA), overcurrent protection (often 250%), overload protection, and disconnecting means. Use Table 430.250 for three-phase motor full-load current values.
Most state exams include 5–10 questions on OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S — lockout/tagout, safe work distances from energized parts, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
NEC 2020, 2023, and 2026 are all in active use right now — states adopt each edition on their own timeline.
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Data as of September 2026. verified against a primary source · reported by secondary trackers · unverified — NEC adoption is an ongoing legislative process and cities/counties can differ from their state or lag behind it. This table is a study aid, not a legal reference — always confirm the current requirement with your state licensing board or local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before an exam or an installation.
NEC 2020 is the edition several state licensing boards were still testing as of 2026 — some states lag a full cycle or two behind the newest published NEC. These tests cover the same core journeyman topics using 2020-era article numbering where it differs from later editions (for example, Table 310.15(B)(16) for conductor ampacity, later renumbered to Table 310.16). If your state has moved to a newer edition, see NEC Practice Tests and NEC Code Practice Tests for 2023 and 2026 article-by-article practice.
NEC 2023 is the edition most state licensing boards have adopted as of 2026, and our largest journeyman library. These tests cover branch circuits (Article 210), grounding and bonding (Article 250), wiring methods (Articles 300–358), load calculations (Article 220), and motors (Article 430) — the topics that make up most of a real journeyman exam.
Most states have not adopted NEC 2026 yet. States typically lag 1–3 years behind the newest published NEC, so your state licensing board is very likely still testing 2020 or 2023 — check your board's website to confirm before studying this edition.
NEC 2026 is the newest published edition. These tests focus on what actually changed for the 2026 cycle — expanded GFCI scope, the new emergency disconnect rules, and arc-energy reduction requirements — mixed with core journeyman fundamentals that carry over unchanged. For deeper article-by-article 2026 practice beyond the journeyman format, see NEC Code Practice Tests and NEC Practice Tests.
Want deeper, article-by-article NEC practice beyond the journeyman exam format? These cover the same code, one article at a time:
If you just want to click and take a test, that works fine. But if you want to pass your exam on the first try, here is a better approach:
Open-book tip: The journeyman exam allows your NEC codebook. But just having the book is not enough — you need to find answers fast. Practice using the NEC index, not the table of contents. Tab your most-used articles with sticky tabs.
| State | License Body | NEC Edition | Questions | Pass Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | TDLR | NEC 2023 | 80 | 70% |
| Florida | DBPR | NEC 2023 | 100 | 75% |
| California | CSLB (C-10) | Title 24 (NEC-based) | 100 | 70% |
| Georgia | State Board | NEC 2020 | 80 | 70% |
| North Carolina | State Board | NEC 2023 | 80 | 70% |
Always confirm the current NEC edition and exam format at your state licensing board website before exam day — code adoptions change.
Most states use 80–100 questions. Texas (TDLR) uses 80 questions. Florida uses 100. The number varies by state, so check your state board website.
Yes. Most state journeyman exams are open book. You can bring your NEC codebook. Tabs and highlights are usually allowed, but sticky notes and personal annotations rules vary — check with your testing center first.
Most states require 70–75%. Some states like California set a higher bar. A score under the minimum is a failing score regardless of how close you were.
Most states allow unlimited retakes but charge a fee each time. Some require a waiting period (30–90 days) between attempts. A few states limit total attempts per year.
Yes — multiple choice, NEC-based, same topic weighting as most state exams. They are not copied from actual exams; they are written to the same subject matter outline and difficulty level.
Article 210 (branch circuits), 250 (grounding), 220 (load calculations), 310 (conductors), and 430 (motors) cover the majority of most journeyman exams. Article 100 definitions are tested in almost every exam as well.
| Article | Topic | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Definitions | Know: OCPD, feeder, branch circuit, dwelling unit, accessible |
| 210 | Branch Circuits | Most-tested article — GFCI, AFCI, circuit ratings, outlet spacing |
| 215 | Feeders | Feeder sizing and protection |
| 220 | Load Calculations | Standard dwelling unit method — minimum service size |
| 230 | Services | Service entrance location, sizing, and disconnecting means |
| 240 | Overcurrent Protection | Breaker and fuse sizing rules, location, accessibility |
| 250 | Grounding & Bonding | GEC sizing (Table 250.66), electrode system, EGC |
| 300 | Wiring Methods — General | Clearances, fill, physical protection, underground |
| 310 | Conductors | Ampacity (Table 310.12), insulation types, derate rules |
| 430 | Motors | Conductor, OCPD, overload, disconnect sizing |
Key formulas · NEC articles · Ampacity tables · Exam tips
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