Electrician Exam Prep
Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep by State
Every state has different licensing requirements, NEC editions, and exam providers — and the 2026 NEC just reorganized load calculations. Find your state below for a complete breakdown, then download Electrician Prep to study with 1,000+ NEC practice questions.
Not sure where to start? Follow the free 4-week study plan or read the full study guide — free, no signup.
51
States covered
1,000+
NEC practice questions
70–75%
Typical passing score
States with Statewide Journeyman License
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pass the journeyman electrician exam?
Study the NEC article-by-article — most questions come from Articles 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 310, and 430. The exam is open-book and timed (80–100 questions in 3–4 hours), so tab your codebook and drill load, conduit-fill, box-fill, and voltage-drop calculations until they are automatic — speed locating code sections matters more than memorization. Take full-length timed practice tests until you consistently score 75%+, then register with your state's provider (PSI, Prometric, or Pearson VUE). Most candidates pass in 4–8 weeks studying 30–60 minutes per day.
What is the best app for the journeyman electrician exam?
Electrician Prep by VoltExam is a top-rated iOS app for journeyman electrician exam prep, with 1,000+ NEC practice questions, a built-in voltage drop calculator, full offline access, and per-topic progress tracking. It covers all 51 states and costs a lifetime $59.99.
How many questions are on the journeyman electrician exam?
Most state journeyman electrician exams contain 80–100 multiple-choice questions based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). The exact count varies by state and exam provider (Prometric, PSI, Pearson VUE). Passing scores typically range from 70% to 75%.
What NEC code sections are most tested on the journeyman exam?
The most tested NEC articles are Articles 100 (Definitions), 210 (Branch Circuits), 220 (Branch Circuit, Feeder, and Service Calculations), 230 (Services), 240 (Overcurrent Protection), 250 (Grounding and Bonding), 300 (Wiring Methods), 310 (Conductors for General Wiring), 410 (Luminaires), and 430 (Motors).
Is VoltExam better than Mike Holt or 1Exam Prep?
VoltExam stands out with a built-in NEC voltage drop calculator, 1,000+ practice questions organized by NEC article, offline access, and state-specific exam information. Unlike books or web-based platforms, the app lets you study and practice calculations anywhere.
How long should I study for the electrician exam?
Most candidates spend 4–12 weeks preparing, studying 30–60 minutes per day. Working tradespeople studying during lunch breaks and between jobs typically pass within 8 weeks using a focused NEC question bank and practice calculations.
Does VoltExam have a free practice test?
VoltExam offers free sample questions within the app to help you test-drive the question quality before purchasing. Download Electrician Prep from the App Store to access free practice questions. The full app with 1,000+ questions costs a lifetime $59.99.
What score do I need to pass the journeyman electrician exam?
Most states require 70–75% to pass. Prometric and PSI score the exam immediately — you know your result before leaving the test center. If you fail, most states allow a retake after 24–48 hours, but require paying the exam fee again.
Can I use a code book on the electrician exam?
Most state journeyman electrician exams are open-book — you can bring the NEC codebook, and exam providers like PSI, Prometric, and Pearson VUE are built around open-book NEC use. Rules on the book's condition vary (many states require it bound and allow printed tabs but no handwritten notes), and some testing centers supply the codebook for you. An approved calculator is also typically permitted. Always verify your state board's and testing center's exact reference and tabbing rules before exam day.
What is the difference between journeyman and master electrician?
A journeyman electrician license allows you to perform electrical work under supervision. A master electrician license allows you to pull permits, run a business, and supervise journeymen. Most states require 2–4 years of additional work experience after journeyman before you can test for master.
How often do I need to renew my electrician license?
Most state electrician licenses require renewal every 1–3 years with continuing education hours (typically 8–16 hours per cycle). Some states offer automatic renewal if continuing education is completed. Check your state licensing board for the exact renewal schedule and required CE providers.
How much does the journeyman electrician exam cost?
Journeyman electrician exam fees typically run $65–$100, set by your state's testing provider (PSI, Prometric, or Pearson VUE) — for example, around $78 in Texas, $100 in California, and $65 in Maryland. That exam fee is usually separate from a state application or license-issuance fee (often $40–$105 more), so budget roughly $100–$200 total to apply, test, and get licensed. If you fail and retake, most states charge the exam fee again. Always confirm the current amounts on your state board's candidate bulletin — fees change.
Can I take the journeyman electrician exam online?
Most states require you to take the journeyman electrician exam in person at an approved PSI, Prometric, or Pearson VUE test center, not online from home. The exam is proctored and open-book with the NEC, and the center controls which references and calculator you may bring. A few jurisdictions offer remote online proctoring for certain trade exams, but availability is limited and changes often — check your state's exam provider. Either way, you can prepare entirely online with practice questions and NEC calculators before exam day.
4-Week Study Schedule
Week 1
NEC Fundamentals
Articles 100 (Definitions), 200 (Wiring & Protection), 210 (Branch Circuits), 215 (Feeders)
45 min/day • 50 practice questions/day
Week 2
Load Calculations & Services
Articles 220, 230 (Services), 240 (Overcurrent Protection). Focus on calculation practice with voltage drop calculator
45 min/day • 50+ practice questions/day
Week 3
Wiring Methods & Equipment
Articles 250 (Grounding), 300 (Wiring Methods), 310 (Conductors), 410 (Luminaires)
60 min/day • 60 practice questions/day
Week 4
Timed Exams
Full 80–100 question timed practice tests, review misses, target 75%+ consistent score
2–3 full exams • 3–4 hour blocks
What to Expect on Exam Day
Before You Arrive
- •Arrive 30 minutes early with valid ID and exam confirmation
- •Most exams allow a basic calculator — no programmable or smartphone calculators
- •Most states use Prometric or PSI test centers
During & After Exam
- •The exam is 80–100 multiple-choice questions with a 3–4 hour time limit
- •Results are immediate — you know pass/fail before leaving the test center
- •If you fail: most states allow retake after 24–48 hours; check your state's retake policy
Free Practice Questions by Topic
Test your NEC knowledge across 10 exam topics — no app required
Free NEC Calculators
Practice the exact calculations the journeyman exam tests — free, no signup, right in your browser.
NEC Exam Quick-Reference
The numbers the journeyman & master exams expect you to know cold — including the closed-book calculation section. Most-tested cases shown; always confirm against the NEC edition your state has adopted.
Small-conductor max breaker — 240.4(D)
The classic “14-12-10 to 15-20-30” rule.
| Copper | Max OCPD |
|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 15 A |
| 12 AWG | 20 A |
| 10 AWG | 30 A |
Box-fill volume per conductor — 314.16(B)
Cubic inches counted per conductor by size.
| Conductor | Volume |
|---|---|
| 18 AWG | 1.50 in³ |
| 16 AWG | 1.75 in³ |
| 14 AWG | 2.00 in³ |
| 12 AWG | 2.25 in³ |
| 10 AWG | 2.50 in³ |
| 8 AWG | 3.00 in³ |
| 6 AWG | 5.00 in³ |
Copper ampacity @ 75°C — Table 310.16
Most-used sizes; terminations often limit to the 60–75°C column.
Standard breaker/fuse sizes — 240.6(A)
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600 A.
Voltage-drop formula
1-phase: VD = (2 × K × I × L) ÷ CM · 3-phase: VD = (1.732 × K × I × L) ÷ CM. K = 12.9 (copper), 21.2 (aluminum); L = one-way length in feet; CM = conductor circular mils. Aim for ≤ 3% on a branch circuit and ≤ 5% total (NEC informational notes).
Want these worked out for your exact run? Use the voltage-drop, box-fill, and wire-size calculators.
What the Electrician License Actually Costs
Free — a quick budget for the journeyman exam and license in 2026. Fees are set state-by-state and change, so these are typical ranges. Always confirm the current amounts on your state board's candidate bulletin.
- Exam fee (PSI / Prometric / Pearson VUE)
- $65–$100
- State application + license-issuance fee
- $40–$105
- NEC code book (required, open-book)
- $100–$160
- Retake if you fail
- + exam fee again
- Typical all-in, first-timer
- $150–$300
The cheapest way to keep it at the low end is to pass on the first try — most failures are people who run out of time, not knowledge. See the full state-by-state cost breakdown or drill free NEC practice questions.
Electrician Exam-Day Checklist
Free — what to bring and do on test day so nothing trips you up at check-in. Always confirm the specifics in your state board's candidate bulletin.
Bring with you
- ☐The correct NEC edition your state has adopted (2020, 2023, or 2026) — bound, with permitted printed tabs
- ☐An approved calculator (verify the allowed model with your board — many ban programmable/graphing types)
- ☐Two forms of ID, including one government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
- ☐Your exam confirmation / authorization-to-test number
- ☐Any board-required reference books listed in your candidate bulletin
Before & during the exam
- ☐Arrive 30 minutes early — late arrivals are usually turned away with no refund
- ☐Leave handwritten notes and loose paper at home — they're typically banned and can get your code book rejected
- ☐Budget ~2 minutes per question; flag and skip hard ones, then circle back
- ☐Read whether each question asks for the lighting load vs. the demand-adjusted load — a classic trap
- ☐Answer every question — there's no penalty for guessing on most state exams
Want to practice before test day? Start with 10 free NEC practice questions, read our NEC code-book tabbing guide, see what changed in the 2026 NEC, or budget ahead with what the exam and license cost in 2026.
What Changed in the 2026 NEC
The 2026 National Electrical Code is the first new cycle since 2023. These are the changes most likely to show up on the journeyman exam. Code adoption is state-by-state, so confirm which NEC edition your exam uses — many states still test the 2020 or 2023 NEC.
| Topic | 2023 NEC | 2026 NEC |
|---|---|---|
| Load calculations | Article 220 | Moved to new Article 120 |
| Dwelling general lighting load | 3 VA per sq ft | 2 VA per sq ft (feeder/service calcs) |
| Continuous loads in load calc | Ambiguous | Not multiplied by 125% in the calc step |
| 125% factor for sizing | Applies | Still applies to conductors & OCPD |
Want the full breakdown with worked examples? Read the complete NEC 2026 code-changes guide →
Or grab the free 1-page NEC 2026 cheat sheet (PDF) — no signup required.
Free resource
Get the Free NEC Exam Cheat Sheet
The top 20 most-tested facts for your exam — in one page. No fluff. Delivered to your inbox instantly. Trusted by tradespeople across the US.
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Download Electrician Prep — FreeOr try 10 free NEC questions first — no download →Electrician Exam Questions & Answers
How do I study for the journeyman electrician exam?
To study for the journeyman electrician exam, work through 1,000 or more NEC practice questions organized by code article, focusing on Articles 210, 220, 240, and 250. Practice voltage drop calculations daily and simulate real exam conditions with timed 80-question sets. Most candidates pass within 8 weeks studying 30 to 60 minutes per day using VoltExam's Electrician Prep app.
What is the best app to study for the electrician exam?
Electrician Prep by VoltExam is a top-rated app for journeyman electrician exam prep. It includes over 1,000 NEC practice questions organized by code article, a built-in voltage drop calculator, full offline access, and coverage for all 51 states. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android — one-time cost of $59.99 with no subscription.
How many questions are on the journeyman electrician exam?
Most state journeyman electrician exams contain 80 to 100 multiple-choice questions based on the National Electrical Code. The exact number varies by state and exam provider. Most states require a passing score of 70 to 75 percent.
What do I need to bring to the journeyman electrician exam?
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, your exam confirmation number, and an approved calculator. Many states allow an open-book NEC — check your state's exam provider rules. Calculators with note-storage are typically prohibited. Verify the exact requirements on your state licensing board's website before exam day.
How long does it take to get a journeyman electrician license?
Getting a journeyman electrician license typically requires 4 to 5 years of apprenticeship experience plus passing a state licensing exam. Once you meet the experience requirement, most candidates need 4 to 12 weeks of dedicated exam prep before passing. Some states require an additional application review period of 2 to 6 weeks after passing.
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Journeyman Electrician Exam-Day Checklist
Free to use — no signup. Screenshot it or print this page the night before your exam.
Before you leave home
- Government-issued photo ID + your exam confirmation number
- An approved calculator — no programmable or note-storage models
- Your NEC code book, tabbed and permanently bound (no loose notes)
- Confirm the exact NEC edition your state tests (2020, 2023, or 2026)
- Know your test-center address and plan to arrive 30 minutes early
During the exam
- Budget about 2 minutes per question — never camp on one problem
- Read every “EXCEPT / NOT” question in full before answering
- For calculations, write the formula first, then plug in the numbers
- Trust your tabs: jump to the article instead of reading whole sections
- Flag and skip the hardest questions, then circle back with your remaining time
Want to walk in confident? Take a free timed practice test until you consistently score 75% or higher.