Master Electrician Practice Tests

Advanced NEC code, load calculations and electrical design for Master Electrician candidates.

5 tests · 128 questions · Free · No signup · NEC 2026
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Based on NEC 2026 (NFPA 70) & official state exam content outlines.  ·  Last reviewed Jun 2026

What Is the Master Electrician Exam?

The Master Electrician exam is a higher-level state licensing test that allows you to design electrical systems, supervise journeyman electricians, pull permits, and run an electrical contracting business. Almost every state requires you to hold a journeyman license and have 2–4 years of journeyman-level work experience before you can sit for the master exam.

The exam format is similar to the journeyman exam: 80–100 multiple-choice questions, open book, 70–75% passing score. But the questions are harder — they focus on electrical system design, not just code lookups. Expect calculation-heavy questions and scenario-based problems.

What the Master Exam Covers That Journeyman Does Not

Service Entrance Design (Article 230, 240)

The master exam goes deep into service entrance design — not just where to put the meter, but how to size the service conductors, main breaker, and grounding electrode system for a complete electrical system. Know the rules for multiple service disconnects, overhead vs. underground service, and service equipment clearances.

Three-Phase Load Calculations (Article 220)

Master exams include three-phase commercial and multifamily load calculations. Know both the standard method and the optional method for dwelling units. Commercial load calculations involve demand factors for different load types — lighting, HVAC, receptacles, and special loads.

Transformer Sizing and Connections (Article 450)

Transformers appear heavily on the master exam. Know how to calculate primary and secondary current from kVA rating and voltage, how to size transformer overcurrent protection, and the difference between delta and wye connections. Know how to interpret a one-line diagram showing a transformer.

Generator and Transfer Switch Requirements (Article 445)

Standby generators, automatic transfer switches, and emergency system wiring (Articles 700–702) are master-level topics. Know when emergency systems are required, how to size a generator, and what code requires for transfer switch installation.

Special Occupancies (Articles 500–695)

Hazardous locations (Class I, II, III — Division 1 and 2), health care facilities (Article 517), and swimming pools (Article 680) are common on the master exam. These special rules often override the general requirements in Chapters 1–4.

NEC 2026 Update: Article 706 (Energy Storage Systems) is significantly expanded in NEC 2026. Residential battery systems, solar-plus-storage, and commercial energy storage all fall under this article. Master candidates should understand battery system sizing, disconnecting means, and installation requirements. Article 625 (EV Charging) is also rewritten — bidirectional V2G charging is now addressed in the code.
Service Entrance (Art. 230) Load Calc — Optional Method (Art. 220) Transformer Sizing Three-Phase Circuits Motor Branch Circuits (Art. 430) Special Occupancies (Art. 500–695)
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Wiring Methods Branch Circuits Motors
NEC 2023

Master Electrician Practice Test - Calculations & Service Design

Intermediate

This is Master Electrician Practice Test 1 — Calculations & Service Design, covering the calculation-heavy topics you will face on the master electrician licensing exam. The test has 25 multiple-choice questions on dwelling load calculations, service sizing, transformer secondary sizing, motor feeder design, parallel conductors, voltage drop, conduit fill, pull box sizing, and emerging loads such as EVSE and PV. Pass score is 70%. Every answer includes a full NEC 2023 explanation so you can trace each result back to the exact code section.

25 Q · 45 min · 70% pass
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Wiring Methods Branch Circuits Motors
NEC 2023

Master Electrician Practice Test - Code Application & Coordination

Intermediate

This is Master Electrician Practice Test 2 — Code Application & Coordination, targeting the cross-article reasoning that separates master-level electricians from journeymen. The test has 25 multiple-choice questions on hazardous locations, health care electrical systems, separately derived systems, structural bonding, ground-fault protection, PV and ESS integration, communications systems, and selective coordination. Pass score is 70%. Full NEC 2023 explanations accompany every question so you understand why each rule exists and which article governs.

25 Q · 45 min · 70% pass
Start Test
Wiring Methods Branch Circuits Motors
NEC 2023

Master Electrician Practice Test - Motors, Transformers & Industrial

Intermediate

This is Master Electrician Practice Test 3 — Motors, Transformers & Industrial, covering the motor and industrial wiring topics that make up a large portion of the master electrician licensing exam. The test has 26 multiple-choice questions on motor branch circuit sizing, overload protection, feeder calculations, transformer overcurrent protection, separately derived systems, arc welders, industrial machinery, generators, and A/C compressor equipment. Pass score is 70%. Every question includes a full NEC 2023 explanation with the specific section that governs the answer.

26 Q · 45 min · 70% pass
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Wiring Methods Branch Circuits Motors
NEC 2023

Master Electrician Practice Test - Special Occupancies & Advanced Wiring

Advanced

This is Master Electrician Practice Test 4 — Special Occupancies (Advanced), covering the specialized installation rules that apply to unique facility types on the master electrician licensing exam. The test has 26 multiple-choice questions on marinas, RV parks, agricultural buildings, mobile homes, aircraft hangars, theaters, swimming pools, carnivals, health care essential systems, and hazardous locations. Pass score is 70%. Every question includes a full NEC 2023 explanation that identifies the specific article and section governing the answer.

26 Q · 45 min · 70% pass
Start Test
Wiring Methods Branch Circuits Motors
NEC 2023

Master Electrician Practice Test - Advanced Mixed Topics

Intermediate

This is Master Electrician Practice Test 10 — Advanced Mixed Topics, the final test in our master electrician series. It pulls together the cross-article reasoning and applied calculations that appear throughout the master licensing exam. The test has 26 multiple-choice questions on conductor derating (temperature correction and bundling), parallel conductors, overhead service clearances, working space requirements, dedicated electrical space, high-leg delta identification, terminal temperature ratings, continuous loads, temporary wiring, and multi-building service rules. Pass score is 70%. Every question includes a full NEC 2023 explanation that shows the calculation or rule behind the correct answer.

26 Q · 45 min · 70% pass
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Master Exam Study Strategy

The biggest difference between journeyman and master exam prep is this: the journeyman exam tests whether you know the rules. The master exam tests whether you can apply the rules to design a system.

You need to be able to look at a panel schedule or a one-line diagram and answer: Is this correctly sized? What is missing? What NEC rule governs this design decision? Practice drawing one-line diagrams and panel schedules on paper. Do 10 load calculations per day in the week before the exam.

Top Calculation Types on the Master Exam

Dwelling Unit Load Calculation (Standard Method, Art. 220)

  1. General lighting: 3VA per sq ft
  2. Two small appliance circuits: 1,500VA each
  3. One laundry circuit: 1,500VA
  4. Apply demand factors from Table 220.42
  5. Add individual appliance loads (dryer, range, HVAC, water heater)
  6. Total ÷ voltage = minimum service amps

Transformer Sizing

kVA = (V × I) ÷ 1,000 for single-phase. kVA = (V × I × 1.732) ÷ 1,000 for three-phase. To find secondary current: I = kVA × 1,000 ÷ V (single-phase) or I = kVA × 1,000 ÷ (V × 1.732) for three-phase.

Motor Branch Circuit (Art. 430)

  • Branch circuit conductor: FLA × 125%
  • Overcurrent protection: FLA × 250% (standard inverse time breaker)
  • Overload protection: FLA × 115% (motors over 1HP, SF ≥ 1.15) or FLA × 125%
  • Disconnecting means: must be within sight of motor and controller

Common Master Exam Mistakes

  • Using the wrong calculation method. Standard vs. optional vs. existing installation — read the question carefully to know which method applies.
  • Forgetting demand factors. Not every watt of connected load counts at 100%. Table 220.42 and 220.55 apply demand factors that reduce the calculated load.
  • Sizing OCPD and conductors with the same rule. They have different sizing rules. Conductor sizing and breaker sizing are separate steps.
  • Confusing "ampacity" with "FLA." Full-load amperes (FLA) is from the motor nameplate or NEC table. Ampacity is the conductor's current-carrying capacity after derating.

Master Electrician Exam — FAQ

Do I need a journeyman license first?

Yes — in almost every state. Most states require 2–4 years of documented journeyman-level work experience. Some states accept a combination of education and experience. Check your state licensing board for exact requirements.

Is the master exam harder than the journeyman exam?

Yes. It is more calculation-heavy and requires you to understand electrical system design, not just code rules. Many people find the master exam significantly harder on the first attempt. Extra preparation time on calculations makes a big difference.

Can a master electrician pull permits?

Yes. A master license allows you to pull permits, supervise apprentices and journeymen, and operate an electrical contracting business in most states. Some states issue a separate "Electrical Contractor" license on top of the master license.

How is the master exam different from the journeyman exam?

The journeyman exam tests NEC code knowledge. The master exam tests your ability to design electrical systems using the NEC. Expect more multi-step calculation questions and scenario problems involving complete electrical systems.

Key NEC Articles for the Master Exam (Beyond Journeyman)

ArticleTopicWhy It Matters
220Load CalculationsOptional method for multifamily and commercial — demand factors
230ServicesComplete service design — sizing, location, multiple disconnects
240Overcurrent ProtectionSystem coordination — breaker sizing, series rating
445GeneratorsStandby system sizing, transfer switches
450TransformersSizing, OCPD, installation clearances
500–516Hazardous LocationsClass I/II/III, Division 1/2, equipment marking
517Health Care FacilitiesEssential electrical systems, patient care areas
700–702Emergency SystemsWhen required, wiring methods, transfer equipment
706Energy Storage SystemsBattery systems, solar+storage, major NEC 2026 expansion
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