How Many Questions Are on the Journeyman Electrician Test?
The short answer: Texas has 85 total questions, California has 100, Michigan has 80, Washington has 77, and Maryland journeyperson has 70. Maryland master has 90. The trap is that question count is only one part of the exam. Timing, pass score, NEC edition, and reference rules change how you should practice.
Last reviewed July 2026
If you are asking how many questions are on the journeyman electrician test, start with your state. The exams are not the same. A 70-question Maryland journeyperson test, a 77-question Washington 01 test, and an 85-question Texas TDLR test all demand a different practice plan.
Question count by state
| State | Exam | Questions | Time | Pass score | NEC edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | TDLR Journeyman Electrician exam | 85 (NEC Knowledge 59 + Calculations 26), two parts scored separately | 130 minutes (NEC Knowledge) + 110 minutes (Calculations), timed separately | 70% on each of two separately-scored parts | NEC 2023 |
| California | California General Electrician exam | 100 questions across four DIR domains | 4 hours 30 minutes | 70% to pass | 2023 NEC |
| Michigan | Michigan Journeyman Electrician exam | 80 questions | 2 hours 30 minutes | 75% to pass | 2023 NEC |
| Washington | Washington General Journey Level Electrician (01) exam | 77 in two sections: NEC & Theory (60) + Washington Laws & Rules (17) | 3 hours (NEC & Theory) + 1 hour (Laws & Rules) | 70% on each of two sections, scored separately | 2020 NEC (exam edition) |
| Maryland | Maryland Journeyperson + Master Electrician exams | Journeyperson 70 / Master 90 | Journeyperson 3 hours 30 minutes / Master 4 hours | 70% to pass | 2020 NEC |
Why question count alone can mislead you
Most candidates ask for the question count because they are trying to decide how hard the exam is. That is the wrong shortcut. The better question is this: how many scored sections do I need to clear, how much time do I get, and what reference rule am I walking into?
- Texas: the count is 85, but the two parts are scored separately. A strong NEC Knowledge result does not cover a weak Calculations result.
- Michigan: the count is 80, but the pass mark is 75 percent. You have less room for sloppy table choices.
- Washington: the count is 77, but it is split between NEC and Theory and Laws and Rules. You need 70 percent on each section.
- California: the count is 100, and references are provided at the test center. Practice has to train provided-reference speed, not your own tab system.
- Maryland: journeyperson is 70 questions and master is 90. Make sure your practice matches the tier.
What the question count means for practice
Use the count to set pacing, not to judge your skill. If the exam is 80 questions in 150 minutes, you cannot spend three minutes digging for every rule. If the exam has two scored sections, your practice score has to separate those sections. If the exam provides references, the drill is not "where did I put my tab?" It is "which index word gets me to the rule fast?"
That is why the first move is not buying a giant question bank. The first move is taking the free diagnostic. It shows the NEC sections and calculation patterns that are actually costing points, then you can practice with the right state format in mind.
Pick your state before you practice
Texas
TDLR Journeyman Electrician exam
85 (NEC Knowledge 59 + Calculations 26), two parts scored separately. 130 minutes (NEC Knowledge) + 110 minutes (Calculations), timed separately. 70% on each of two separately-scored parts. Open book. Bring your own soft-bound NEC 2023; highlighting, notes, and publisher tabs allowed only if added before the session.
California
California General Electrician exam
100 questions across four DIR domains. 4 hours 30 minutes. 70% to pass. References provided at the test center (2023 NEC, 2024 NFPA 70E, CAL/OSHA guide). Candidates may not bring or use their own materials.
Michigan
Michigan Journeyman Electrician exam
80 questions. 2 hours 30 minutes. 75% to pass. Open book. Bring your own bound 2023 NEC plus Michigan Part 8 rules and the state acts; factory tabs and markings only, no handwritten notes.
Washington
Washington General Journey Level Electrician (01) exam
77 in two sections: NEC & Theory (60) + Washington Laws & Rules (17). 3 hours (NEC & Theory) + 1 hour (Laws & Rules). 70% on each of two sections, scored separately. Open book. Bring your own 2020 NEC, printed RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, and Q&A books; permanent tabs and highlighting allowed, no handwritten notes.
Maryland
Maryland Journeyperson + Master Electrician exams
Journeyperson 70 / Master 90. Journeyperson 3 hours 30 minutes / Master 4 hours. 70% to pass. Open book on the 2020 NEC only, plus a silent non-programmable calculator. Permanent tabs and highlighting allowed; no study guides or handwritten notes.
Official sources
These exam facts are pulled from the same verified state knowledge graph used by JourneymanIQ state pages and AI answer files. Check your licensing board and candidate bulletin again before scheduling, because testing vendors can update forms and allowed-reference wording.
- TDLR Electrician Exam Information
- TDLR Journeyman Electrician application
- PSI / TDLR Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin
- TDLR FY2025 Electrician Exam Statistics
- DIR Electrician Certification Program
- Electrical Certification Candidate Information Bulletin
- DIR 2022 Electrical Exam Statistics
- LARA Electrical Examination, Licensing & Application Information
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (Michigan Electrical)
- Michigan Electrical Code, Part 8 Rules (2023 NEC)
- L&I Electrical Examination Information
- L&I Electrician Licensing & Requirements
- WAC 296-46B (Washington electrical code adoption)
- Maryland State Board of Electricians — License Requirements
- PSI Maryland Master & Journeyperson Candidate Bulletin
- Maryland Electricians Act (SB 762, 2021)
- COMAR 09.09.02.01 (continuing education)
Question count tells you the clock. The diagnostic tells you the repair.
Take the free diagnostic first. You will see the NEC sections and calculation patterns costing points before you buy practice.