State Licensing Practice Tests

State-specific electrician licensing exam prep for all 50 states.

1 tests · 100 questions · Free · No signup · NEC 2020 · 2023 · 2026
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Based on the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) — NEC 2020, 2023 & 2026 editions covered.  ·  Last reviewed Jun 2026
State Exams — Know Your NEC Edition Watch videoState Exams — Know Your NEC Edition
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Timed, state-style exam simulation — pick your state and take Test 1 free (1 free exam per state).
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How State Electrician Licensing Works

There is no national electrician license in the United States. Every state runs its own licensing program with its own exam, experience requirements, and fees. Some states have city or county licensing on top of the state license. Before you sit for any exam, go directly to your state electrical licensing board website to get the official requirements — they change, and these tests are no substitute for the official exam outline.

Most states offer these license levels:

  • Apprentice / Wireman: Works under a journeyman. Usually no exam, just registration.
  • Journeyman: Can work without direct supervision. In most states permits are pulled by a master electrician or licensed contractor, not a journeyman. Usually requires about 8,000 hours (4 years) of experience plus a written exam.
  • Master: Can design systems, supervise, and run a contracting business. Requires journeyman license + 2–4 years experience + harder exam.
  • Electrical Contractor: Business license to operate an electrical contracting company. Some states combine this with the master license; others issue it separately.

Which NEC Edition Does Your State Use?

States adopt NEC editions on their own schedule — most lag 1–3 years behind the current published edition. As of 2026, many states are on NEC 2023. Some are beginning to adopt NEC 2026. A few states are still on NEC 2020.

StateNEC Edition (approx. 2025–2026)Notes
TexasNEC 2023TDLR licenses electricians — check tdlr.texas.gov
FloridaNEC 2020Adopted through the Florida Building Code; the 9th edition moves to NEC 2023 on Dec 31, 2026
CaliforniaNEC 2023 (California Electrical Code)Title 24, Part 3 — the NEC with California amendments
GeorgiaNEC 2023Effective Jan 1, 2025, with Georgia amendments
North CarolinaNEC 2020The 2023 adoption has been delayed — check the NC Office of State Fire Marshal
New YorkVaries by jurisdictionNYC has its own electrical code; rest of state varies
IllinoisVaries by jurisdictionNo statewide electrical code or electrician license; cities set their own, and Chicago has its own code

These are approximate. Always verify at your state licensing board before exam day.

NEC 2026 Adoption Note: Several states are expected to adopt NEC 2026 by 2027. If your state is in the process of adopting, make sure your study materials match the current adopted edition — not the newest published edition. Check your state board website for the official adoption date.
Texas TDLR Exam Prep California C-10 License Florida EC License State NEC Amendments Local Codes Journeyman & Master Exams

To become a licensed journeyman electrician in California, candidates take an exam administered by DIR / PSI. The exam has 100 questions, 70% passing score. The exam is open-book — you can bring an NEC codebook, so knowing how to navigate it quickly matters as much as knowing the rules themselves.

Our free California full-length practice exam is built to match this format — same question count, same time limit, same passing score — so you walk in already used to the real pacing, not just the material.

Full-length California practice exams

15 timed exams sized and paced like the real California journeyman exam (100 questions, 240 minutes, 70% to pass). Test 1 is free: your score, pass/fail and your 3 weakest topics.

Take the free California Test 1 All 15 exams with Full-Length Pro
Real California exam format Reported
100Questions
70%Passing score
Open BookBook policy
DIR / PSIProvider

General Journeyman exam ~100 questions. Note: the separate C-10 Electrical Contractor exam (CSLB) is 115 questions, 3.5 hours, closed book, plus a separate 115-question closed-book Law & Business exam — different exam, do not conflate.

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Texas Electrician License — Key Facts

Texas is administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The licensing path is: Apprentice → Journeyman (85-question exam in two parts, 59 code questions and 26 calculation questions, NEC 2023, 70% on each part) → Master → Electrical Contractor. Testing is through PSI Exams at testing centers around the state. You can bring a tabbed NEC codebook and a calculator.

Texas requires 4 years as a licensed apprentice (8,000 hours documented) before sitting for the journeyman exam. Master requires 2 additional years as a licensed journeyman.

Florida Electrician License — Key Facts

Florida licenses electrical contractors at the state level through DBPR. A Certified contractor license is valid statewide, and a Registered license is valid only in the local jurisdiction that issued it. Journeyman licenses are issued by counties and cities, and each one sets its own exam and experience rules.

Florida adopts the NEC through the Florida Building Code. The current 8th edition uses NEC 2020, and the 9th edition moves to NEC 2023 on December 31, 2026.

California Electrician License — Key Facts

Electricians who work for C-10 contractors in California must be state certified by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The General Electrician certification exam has 100 questions, needs 70% to pass, and requires 8,000 hours of experience. Contractors hold the C-10 Electrical Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), which requires a law and business exam, a trade exam, and 4 years of experience. California uses the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3), which is the NEC with California-specific amendments.

Reciprocity Between States

Some states honor electrician licenses from other states through reciprocity agreements. If you move to a new state, you may be able to get a license by endorsement rather than retaking the full exam. Contact the receiving state's licensing board for current reciprocity agreements — they change.

State Licensing — FAQ

Can I work in multiple states with one license?

No, unless the states have a reciprocity agreement. You need to apply separately in each state. Some states offer a faster endorsement process for active licensees from other states, but you still need to apply and pay fees.

If I move to a new state, do I have to retake the exam?

Sometimes. Many states offer reciprocal endorsement for active licenses from other states — you submit your license and experience records instead of retaking the full exam. Check with the receiving state's licensing board.

Do I need a state license to do electrical work on my own home?

In most states, homeowners can do electrical work on their own primary residence without a license. But you usually still need a permit and inspection. Rules vary by state and municipality — confirm with your local building department.

How often must I renew my electrician license?

Most states require renewal every 1–3 years with continuing education (CE) hours. Common CE topics required: NEC code changes, workplace safety, and state law updates. NEC 2026 adoption is a common CE topic right now as states update their code editions.

What happens if I do electrical work without a license?

Working without a required license is illegal in most states. Penalties include fines, stop-work orders, and in some states criminal charges. More importantly, uninspected work can create fire and shock hazards and may make your homeowner's insurance void in the event of a claim.