What's on the Electrician Exam?

The electrician exam usually covers NEC lookup, calculations, wiring methods, grounding and bonding, branch circuits, feeders, services, motors, equipment, and state rules. Your state decides the count, clock, pass score, code edition, and reference rule.

Exam format by state

For the exact count and pacing breakdown, read how many questions are on the journeyman electrician test.

The NEC topic families that matter most

The draw changes by state, but the same rule families show up again and again. A useful practice plan trains these areas with article lookup, table choice, and worked calculation steps.

• Definitions and general installation rules: Article 100 and Article 110. These decide what the question is really asking before you touch a table.
• Branch circuits, feeders, and services: Articles 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230. Expect continuous loads, conductor sizing, demand factors, and service rules.
• Overcurrent protection: Article 240. This is where candidates mix up conductor ampacity, device rating, and protection rules.
• Grounding and bonding: Article 250. Know the difference between grounding electrode conductor, equipment grounding conductor, bonding jumper, and grounded conductor.
• Wiring methods and raceways: Articles 300, 310, 312, 314, and raceway articles. Ampacity, box fill, conduit fill, and support rules live here.
• Motors and HVAC: Articles 430 and 440. The exam often tests whether you know when to use FLC, FLA, 125 percent, overload protection, or short-circuit protection.
• Chapter 9 tables: conduit fill, conductor area, and raceway area. This is lookup speed plus arithmetic, not memory work.

State details that change how you study

What not to over-study first

Do not begin by rereading the whole NEC. Most candidates need a narrower repair list. Start with a diagnostic, then use the result to decide whether your first block should be calculations, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, motors, or codebook speed.

• Do not chase rare specialty articles before the core rule families are solid.
• Do not practice only untimed questions if your state exam is tight on time.
• Do not use California tab habits for California if the test center provides the references.
• Do not use one national question count as if every state has the same format.

Official sources

The state facts above come from the same verified exam knowledge graph used by JourneymanIQ state pages and AI answer files. Recheck your licensing board or candidate bulletin before scheduling.

• 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)