Is the Maryland Electrician Exam Open Book?
Maryland is open book, but the rule is narrow: the 2020 NEC is the only reference allowed in the room, and PSI gives you an online calculator. That means your study plan should train speed in the book, not depend on study notes that cannot come in.
Last reviewed June 2026
Journeyperson
70 q
Master
90 q
Code
2020 NEC
Retake
30 days
What Maryland generally allows
Maryland's open-book rule applies to both journeyperson and master exams, but the master tier needs more calculation speed inside that same reference limit.
Allowed
- National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition. It is the only reference allowed in the room.
- Highlighting and underlining.
- Permanent tabs from Avery Swift Tabs or Redi-Tag, the two brands the bulletin names.
- PSI's online calculator, provided on screen.
Keep out of the room
- Study guides.
- Handwritten notes or added paper.
- Post-it flags, tabs with paper inserts, and tabs a proctor can peel off without tearing the page.
- Writing in the book during the exam.
The Maryland trap
Maryland is open book and still difficult. The Board's minutes report a low pass rate across tiers, and the master exam leans hard on calculations. If the 2020 NEC is allowed but you cannot find the rule quickly, the book becomes weight on the desk.
How to practice with Maryland references
Use the same 2020 NEC edition and keep the practice tier-aware. Journeyperson and master candidates should not spend the week the same way.
- Use the 2020 NEC: Practice with the edition PSI lists for Maryland.
- Drill article families: Hit branch circuits, grounding, conductors, boxes, Chapter 9, motors, and load calculations under a timer.
- Match the tier: Journeyperson needs pacing across 70 questions. Master needs heavier calculation setup across 90 questions.
- Do not rely on notes: If a note cannot come into the room, build the habit in your head and in the legal book setup.
Where the facts come from
Find out whether lookup speed is the problem
The free Maryland diagnostic shows whether your misses come from code knowledge, lookup speed, calculation setup, or tier-specific gaps.