JourneymanIQ

Maryland master electrician exam

The Maryland master exam is 90 questions in 4 hours, open book on the 2020 NEC, 70% to pass, and calculation-heavy (calculations are 30 of the 90 questions). It needs 7 years of experience. There is currently no rule that you must hold a journeyperson license first.

90
Questions
4 hours
Time
70%
To pass
2020 NEC
Code

What separates the master exam

The master exam adds 20 questions over the journeyperson test and leans hard on calculations. Calculations are 30 of the 90, so service and feeder sizing, dwelling and commercial load, motor circuits, and conduit fill carry the day. Open book does not rescue a wrong setup. You have to know the calculation path cold and use the 2020 NEC to confirm, not to figure it out from scratch under the clock.

Eligibility

7 years of experience under a Maryland master (the Board may credit up to 3 years for formal training). There is currently no rule requiring a Journeyperson license first.

The exam format

PSI Services delivers the master exam as a single test: 90 questions in 4 hours, open book on the 2020 NEC, 70% to pass. Maryland law and rule (Business Occupations and Professions Article Title 6, section 6-304, and COMAR 09.09.01) is tested inside the single exam, not as a separate scored section. State code overrides the NEC where they conflict.

Fees

The exam fee is $65 to PSI, and the master license fee is $25.00 once you pass. You pay the exam fee again each time you sit.

If you do not pass

Wait 30 days from your most recent attempt to retest, and pay the $65 exam fee again. Your exam approval is valid for one year. On a calculation-heavy test, the score report usually points at one or two article families. Drill those, not the whole code book. The recovery plan lays out how to use the 30-day window.

Reciprocity

There is currently no Journeyperson reciprocity from other states or Washington DC. An out-of-state journeyperson moving to Maryland must pass the Maryland exam. Master-level reciprocity exists with Virginia, DC, West Virginia, and Delaware.

State license, but check the county

A Maryland state license does not replace local registration. Counties and Baltimore City can no longer issue licenses, but many still require a local registration, permits, and inspections before you can work there.

Renewal and continuing education

Every 2 years. 10 hours per 2-year renewal.

Where do your calculations stand?

Start with the free 15-minute diagnostic. It projects your score and ranks the article families costing you the most, which matters most on the master exam because calculations are 30 of the 90. Then the full platform drills your weak areas with original questions, calculators, a 30-day plan, and study guides, all on the 2020 NEC.

Take the free diagnostic →See the plans
Official sources · June 2026