Best Maryland electrician exam prep, compared
Maryland prep has to respect the state exam as it is: open book on the 2020 NEC, journeyperson and master tiers, and local registration rules after licensing. Here is how the main prep paths compare.
Last reviewed June 2026
Journeyperson
70 q
Master
90 q
To pass
70%
Code
2020 NEC
Book rule
Open book
Pass rate
about 27 percent
The options side by side
| Feature | JourneymanIQ | Mike Holt | Tom Henry | Free / YouTube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland exam facts | Strong NEC foundation | Calculation focus | Scattered | |
| Free weak-area diagnostic | ||||
| Adapts to missed topics | ||||
| Open-book speed practice | Teaches code | Paper reps | Usually missing | |
| Best use case | 30 to 60 day state prep | Longer NEC foundation | Extra calculation reps | First orientation |
| Pricing shape | $49/mo or $129/3mo | Varies by bundle | Varies by book | Free |
The Maryland trap
Maryland is open book on the 2020 NEC, but the Board minutes show roughly a 27 to 28 percent pass rate across both tiers. The issue is not whether the book is allowed. The issue is whether you can land on the right article fast enough, especially on the master exam where calculations are a large share.
What to check before you pay
- 2020 NEC: It should train the edition PSI lists for Maryland, not a newer national default.
- Tier-specific prep: It should separate journeyperson and master needs. Master is more calculation-heavy.
- Open-book flip path: It should show where each question type lives in the code book instead of only testing memory.
- State and local reality: It should explain that the state license does not erase local registrations, permits, and inspections.
Best fit by situation
JourneymanIQ
Best fit when you need Maryland-specific prep for journeyperson or master, with a diagnostic that points to the article families costing you points.
Mike Holt
Best fit for full NEC foundation. Pair it with Maryland 2020 NEC timing, tier-specific practice, and open-book flip-path drills.
Tom Henry
Best fit for extra calculation reps, especially if you are sitting for master. It is a supplement, not a Maryland rules plan.
Free resources
Best fit for reading official rules and checking eligibility. Not enough alone if you need timed codebook practice.
Where the facts come from
Start with the diagnostic
See your weakest Maryland exam areas first. Then decide what prep you actually need.