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JOURNEYMAN NEC 2020

NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3

Free Online Journeyman Electrician Practice Test — NEC 2020 Edition 3This free 30-question practice test covers general wiring method rules, box and conduit body fill and support requirements, and the installation rules for NM, AC, MC, EMT, and PVC. All questions and explanations are based on the 2020 NEC.

TOPICS COVERED

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — completely free with no account required. All questions include detailed explanations and NEC references.

Most state Journeyman exams have 80–100 questions covering NEC code, wiring methods, branch circuits, motor controls, and load calculations.

Most states require a 70–75% passing score. This practice test uses the same 70% pass threshold so you know where you stand.

Questions are written to the 2020 NEC. Check your state licensing board to confirm which edition your state has adopted.

How to Use This Practice Test

This NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3 has 30 questions with detailed answers and NEC references. Take the full test, review every wrong answer, and look up the NEC article it references before moving on.

Tip: This is an open-book exam — tab your NEC index and Articles 210, 250, and 430 before you start.

Topics covered: Branch circuits, grounding, wiring methods, load calculations, and motors.
Passing score: 70–75% (most states). Aim for 80% on practice tests so the real exam feels easy.
Questions: 30 multiple-choice, one correct answer each

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45 min

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70%

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NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3 — Question List

Question 1: Per NEC Article 100, wiring described as "concealed" is rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of a building, and would require what to expose it?

Removal of building finish
A written permit only
Nothing — it is already visible
A licensed inspector's key

NEC Reference: NEC Article 100

Question 2: Per NEC Article 100, wiring methods described as "exposed" are described as not concealed, and are:

On or attached to the surface, or behind panels designed to allow access
Buried at least 24 inches underground
Always run inside solid concrete
Never permitted in any occupancy

NEC Reference: NEC Article 100

Question 3: Per NEC 300.15(A), a box or conduit body must generally be installed at each outlet, switch point, and junction point for which of the following wiring methods?

Raceway, cable, and similar wiring systems
Only overhead service-drop conductors
Only underground bare grounding electrode conductors
No wiring method ever requires a box

NEC Reference: NEC 300.15(A)

Question 4: In a multiwire branch circuit, per NEC 300.13(B), the continuity of the grounded (neutral) conductor must not depend on:

Device connections such as duplex receptacles
The size of the outlet box
The color of the conductor insulation
The type of staple used to secure the cable

NEC Reference: NEC 300.13(B)

Question 5: Per NEC 300.20(A), when single conductors carrying alternating current pass through a metal enclosure, all phase conductors and the neutral (if present) must generally be grouped together to avoid what problem?

Inductive heating of the surrounding ferrous metal
A drop in the water pressure of the building
Excess illumination in the room
A reduction in conductor insulation color

NEC Reference: NEC 300.20(A)

Question 6: Per NEC 300.3(B), all conductors of the same circuit, including the grounded conductor and equipment grounding conductor if present, must generally be:

Contained within the same raceway or cable
Split across separate buildings
Run through different utility poles
Installed years apart from one another

NEC Reference: NEC 300.3(B)

Question 7: Per NEC 312.6, cabinets and cutout boxes must provide adequate space for what, based on the conductor sizes involved?

Wire-bending space at the terminals
Extra paint storage
A place to store spare fuses
Nothing — spacing is never regulated

NEC Reference: NEC 312.6

Question 8: Per NEC 312.8, a cabinet or cutout box that also contains switches or overcurrent devices may additionally be used as a junction or pull box for other circuits, provided that:

The conductor fill does not exceed 40% of the wiring space
No conductors from other circuits are ever allowed
The cabinet is completely empty otherwise
It is never permitted under any condition

NEC Reference: NEC 312.8

Question 9: Per NEC 314.16(A), metal boxes must be durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with what information, used for box-fill calculations?

Its cubic-inch capacity
The installer's name
The building permit number
The paint color code

NEC Reference: NEC 314.16(A)

Question 10: Per NEC 314.20, a box installed in a wall or ceiling of combustible material, such as wood, must generally be flush with the finished surface or set back no more than:

1/4 inch
1/2 inch
1 inch
2 inches

NEC Reference: NEC 314.20

Question 11: Per NEC 314.21, walls and ceilings of combustible material must be repaired so there is no gap or open space greater than what dimension at the edge of a box or fitting?

1/8 inch
1/4 inch
1/2 inch
1 inch

NEC Reference: NEC 314.21

Question 12: Per NEC 314.23, an outlet, device, or junction box must generally be:

Supported independently of the conductors entering it
Left hanging only from the cable itself
Supported by drywall alone in every case
Not required to be supported at all

NEC Reference: NEC 314.23

Question 13: Per NEC 314.27(A), an outlet box installed at a luminaire (lighting fixture) outlet, unless listed and marked for a heavier weight, must be designed to support a fixture weighing at least:

25 pounds
50 pounds
75 pounds
100 pounds

NEC Reference: NEC 314.27(A)

Question 14: Per NEC 314.29, boxes and conduit bodies must generally be installed so that:

The wiring remains accessible without removing part of the building
They may be permanently buried in a finished wall with no access
They must be painted to match the wall
They can only be installed in unoccupied buildings

NEC Reference: NEC 314.29

Question 15: Per NEC 320.30(B), Type AC armored cable must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

3 feet
4 1/2 feet
6 feet
10 feet

NEC Reference: NEC 320.30(B)

Question 16: Per NEC 330.30(B), Type MC cable must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

4 1/2 feet
6 feet
8 feet
10 feet

NEC Reference: NEC 330.30(B)

Question 17: Per NEC 334.10, Type NM cable is generally permitted for use in which of the following occupancies?

One- and two-family dwellings
High-rise Type I fire-resistive construction, without restriction
Only underground direct burial
Only Class I hazardous locations

NEC Reference: NEC 334.10

Question 18: Per NEC 334.12, Type NM cable is generally NOT permitted to be used as which of the following?

Service-entrance cable
Interior wiring of a single-family home
Wiring within a wood-framed attic
Wiring behind drywall in a bedroom

NEC Reference: NEC 334.12

Question 19: Per NEC 348.30, flexible metal conduit (FMC) must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

4 1/2 feet
6 feet
8 feet
10 feet

NEC Reference: NEC 348.30

Question 20: Per NEC 352.10, rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit is permitted for direct burial and for use in wet or corrosive locations because it is:

Inherently corrosion-resistant
Made of steel with a special coating
Only rated for indoor dry locations
Prohibited underground in all cases

NEC Reference: NEC 352.10

Question 21: Per NEC 358.10, electrical metallic tubing (EMT) is generally permitted for use:

For both exposed and concealed work, in most occupancies
Only in single-family dwellings
Only underwater
Only inside a swimming pool shell

NEC Reference: NEC 358.10

Question 22: Per NEC 358.12, EMT is generally NOT permitted to be installed where it will be subject to:

Severe physical damage, unless protected
Normal indoor office use
A dry basement ceiling
A residential attic

NEC Reference: NEC 358.12

Question 23: A raceway passes from a heated interior space to an unheated exterior space, where it may be exposed to widely different temperatures. Per NEC 300.7(A), what must generally be provided to prevent condensation problems?

A sealing means to prevent circulation of warm, moist air
A second, redundant raceway
Nothing — this is never a concern
A larger conductor size only

NEC Reference: NEC 300.7(A)

Question 24: Per NEC Table 300.5, rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) that is direct buried generally requires a minimum cover of:

6 inches
12 inches
18 inches
24 inches

NEC Reference: NEC Table 300.5

Question 25: Per NEC 300.6, metal raceways, cable armor, boxes, and fittings that are in contact with earth or subject to severe corrosive conditions must generally be:

Suitable for the corrosive condition, or otherwise protected
Left unprotected, since corrosion is only cosmetic
Painted with any paint, regardless of type
Removed from the ground entirely, with no exceptions

NEC Reference: NEC 300.6

Question 26: Per NEC 250.148, where equipment grounding conductors from more than one circuit are present in a box, continuity of the grounding path to a device must generally not depend on:

The removal of the device
The color of the grounding conductor
The type of wire nut used
The brand of the box

NEC Reference: NEC 250.148

Question 27: A straight pull of 4 AWG or larger conductors is made through a pull box, using a 2-inch trade size raceway. Per NEC 314.28(A)(1), what is the minimum required length of the pull box in the direction of the pull?

8 inches
12 inches
16 inches
24 inches

NEC Reference: NEC 314.28(A)(1)

Question 28: A cable is laid in a notch cut into a wood stud, and the notch is less than 1 1/4 inch from the nearest edge of the stud. Per NEC 300.4(A)(2), what must generally be installed to protect the cable?

A steel plate or sleeve at least 1/16 inch thick
Nothing extra is needed
A layer of house wrap
A larger notch to relieve pressure

NEC Reference: NEC 300.4(A)(2)

Question 29: A one-family dwelling has a 125-volt, 20-ampere receptacle mounted outdoors on the exterior wall. Per the 2020 NEC, what protection does NEC 210.8(A)(3) require for this receptacle?

GFCI protection is required
No protection is required for outdoor receptacles
Only a weatherproof cover is required, with no GFCI
Only AFCI protection is required, not GFCI

NEC Reference: NEC 210.8(A)(3)

Question 30: Per NEC 358.30, electrical metallic tubing (EMT) must generally be supported at intervals not exceeding what distance, and within 3 feet of each outlet box, junction box, or termination?

5 feet
10 feet
15 feet
20 feet

NEC Reference: NEC 358.30

Key NEC References for This Test

Article	What It Covers
Art. 100	Definitions — know: feeder, branch circuit, OCPD, dwelling unit
Art. 210	Branch Circuits — GFCI/AFCI locations, circuit ratings, outlet spacing (most tested)
Art. 220	Load Calculations — dwelling unit standard method
Art. 250	Grounding & Bonding — GEC sizing, electrode system, EGC
Art. 310	Conductors — ampacity (Table 310.12), insulation, derate rules
Art. 430	Motors — conductor 125% FLA, OCPD 250% FLA, overloads, disconnects

Study Tip: Tab Articles 210, 250, and 430 in your NEC before the exam. Know the Table 310.12 ampacity values for 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 AWG copper.

NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3

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NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3

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NEC 2020 Journeyman Practice Test 3 — Question List

Question 1: Per NEC Article 100, wiring described as "concealed" is rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of a building, and would require what to expose it?

Question 2: Per NEC Article 100, wiring methods described as "exposed" are described as not concealed, and are:

Question 3: Per NEC 300.15(A), a box or conduit body must generally be installed at each outlet, switch point, and junction point for which of the following wiring methods?

Question 4: In a multiwire branch circuit, per NEC 300.13(B), the continuity of the grounded (neutral) conductor must not depend on:

Question 5: Per NEC 300.20(A), when single conductors carrying alternating current pass through a metal enclosure, all phase conductors and the neutral (if present) must generally be grouped together to avoid what problem?

Question 6: Per NEC 300.3(B), all conductors of the same circuit, including the grounded conductor and equipment grounding conductor if present, must generally be:

Question 7: Per NEC 312.6, cabinets and cutout boxes must provide adequate space for what, based on the conductor sizes involved?

Question 8: Per NEC 312.8, a cabinet or cutout box that also contains switches or overcurrent devices may additionally be used as a junction or pull box for other circuits, provided that:

Question 9: Per NEC 314.16(A), metal boxes must be durably and legibly marked by the manufacturer with what information, used for box-fill calculations?

Question 10: Per NEC 314.20, a box installed in a wall or ceiling of combustible material, such as wood, must generally be flush with the finished surface or set back no more than:

Question 11: Per NEC 314.21, walls and ceilings of combustible material must be repaired so there is no gap or open space greater than what dimension at the edge of a box or fitting?

Question 12: Per NEC 314.23, an outlet, device, or junction box must generally be:

Question 13: Per NEC 314.27(A), an outlet box installed at a luminaire (lighting fixture) outlet, unless listed and marked for a heavier weight, must be designed to support a fixture weighing at least:

Question 14: Per NEC 314.29, boxes and conduit bodies must generally be installed so that:

Question 15: Per NEC 320.30(B), Type AC armored cable must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

Question 16: Per NEC 330.30(B), Type MC cable must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

Question 17: Per NEC 334.10, Type NM cable is generally permitted for use in which of the following occupancies?

Question 18: Per NEC 334.12, Type NM cable is generally NOT permitted to be used as which of the following?

Question 19: Per NEC 348.30, flexible metal conduit (FMC) must generally be secured within 12 inches of every box or fitting, and supported at intervals not exceeding:

Question 20: Per NEC 352.10, rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conduit is permitted for direct burial and for use in wet or corrosive locations because it is:

Question 21: Per NEC 358.10, electrical metallic tubing (EMT) is generally permitted for use:

Question 22: Per NEC 358.12, EMT is generally NOT permitted to be installed where it will be subject to:

Question 23: A raceway passes from a heated interior space to an unheated exterior space, where it may be exposed to widely different temperatures. Per NEC 300.7(A), what must generally be provided to prevent condensation problems?

Question 24: Per NEC Table 300.5, rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) that is direct buried generally requires a minimum cover of:

Question 25: Per NEC 300.6, metal raceways, cable armor, boxes, and fittings that are in contact with earth or subject to severe corrosive conditions must generally be:

Question 26: Per NEC 250.148, where equipment grounding conductors from more than one circuit are present in a box, continuity of the grounding path to a device must generally not depend on:

Question 27: A straight pull of 4 AWG or larger conductors is made through a pull box, using a 2-inch trade size raceway. Per NEC 314.28(A)(1), what is the minimum required length of the pull box in the direction of the pull?

Question 28: A cable is laid in a notch cut into a wood stud, and the notch is less than 1 1/4 inch from the nearest edge of the stud. Per NEC 300.4(A)(2), what must generally be installed to protect the cable?

Question 29: A one-family dwelling has a 125-volt, 20-ampere receptacle mounted outdoors on the exterior wall. Per the 2020 NEC, what protection does NEC 210.8(A)(3) require for this receptacle?

Question 30: Per NEC 358.30, electrical metallic tubing (EMT) must generally be supported at intervals not exceeding what distance, and within 3 feet of each outlet box, junction box, or termination?

Key NEC References for This Test

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