Best Michigan electrician exam prep, compared
Michigan prep has one hard rule: it must train the current LARA journeyman exam, not a generic national test. Here is how JourneymanIQ, Mike Holt, Tom Henry, and free prep fit different candidates.
Last reviewed June 2026
Exam
Journeyman
Questions
80
Time
2 hours 30 minutes
To pass
75%
Code
2023 NEC
Book rule
Factory tabs only
The options side by side
| Feature | JourneymanIQ | Mike Holt | Tom Henry | Free / YouTube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan 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 Michigan trap
Michigan needs 75%, five points higher than most states, and the live LARA page puts the exam on the 2023 NEC. Older prep that still points to 2017 NEC or 70% is training the wrong target. Open book also does not mean slow book hunting. Factory tabs and printed markings only means your lookup pattern has to be clean before test day.
What to check before you pay
- Current code edition: It should say 2023 NEC for Michigan and explain why older PSI bulletin copies can be stale.
- Journeyman-only focus: It should train the LARA journeyman exam, not blend master, contractor, and apprentice material into one pile.
- 75% target: It should make the higher Michigan pass mark part of the readiness standard.
- Open-book speed: It should practice finding the right article without handwritten notes or custom index tabs.
Best fit by situation
JourneymanIQ
Best fit when you have weeks, not a year. Start with the free Michigan diagnostic, see the weak NEC chapters, then drill the misses in priority order.
Mike Holt
Best fit when you need a full NEC foundation and have months. Strong teaching, but pair it with Michigan-specific timing and lookup practice near the exam.
Tom Henry
Best fit when calculations are the weak spot and you like paper reps. Useful supplement, but it does not replace state-specific open-book practice.
Free resources
Best fit for first orientation. Good for learning the outline and rules. Risky as the only plan if your test date is close.
Where the facts come from
Start with the diagnostic
See your weakest Michigan exam areas first. Then decide what prep you actually need.