Electrician Exam Prep / North Carolina
Electrician Exam — NC
Journeyman Electrician Exam in North Carolina
Everything you need to know about getting your journeyman electrician license in North Carolina — licensing body, exam details, NEC edition, and study tips.
Exam Details
- Licensing Body
- NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
- Exam Provider
- PSI Exams
- Code Edition
- 2020 NEC
- Passing Score
- 70%
- Question Count
- 80
- Exam Fee
- $75
- Experience Required
- 4 years
Note: Requirements change — always verify current details with NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before applying.
How North Carolina Compares Nationally
- North Carolina's $75 exam fee runs a little above the national median of about $65.
- It still uses the 2020 NEC, a cycle or two behind the 2023 NEC some states have adopted — confirm the exact edition before you test.
North Carolina Electrician License — What to Know
Statewide journeyman (Unlimited, Intermediate, or Limited Residential) license available. NC uses the NEC with state amendments.
What the 2020 NEC Covers
The 2020 NEC is the foundation of the North Carolina electrician exam. Key articles you must know cold: Article 100 (Definitions), Article 210 (Branch Circuits), Article 220 (Load Calculations), Article 230 (Services), Article 240 (Overcurrent Protection), Article 250 (Grounding & Bonding), Article 310 (Conductors for General Wiring), and Chapter 9 (Tables). Calculation questions based on these articles typically make up 30–40% of the exam.
How to Prepare for the North Carolina Exam
Most successful candidates spend 60–100 hours studying over 4–8 weeks. Tab your NEC by article number so you can find answers in seconds, not minutes. Focus on voltage drop calculations (NEC 210.19 informational note), conductor ampacity tables (Table 310.12), and demand factor applications (Article 220). VoltExam pairs web-based NEC practice with a built-in voltage drop calculator — the same type of tool you'll use on the job.
How to Get Your Electrician License in North Carolina
- 1
Meet experience requirements
Most states require 4 years (8,000 hours) of documented apprenticeship or on-the-job experience under a licensed electrician before you can sit the journeyman exam. Keep detailed records of your hours and employer contacts.
- 2
Complete an approved apprenticeship or training program
Many states require completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program (JATC or similar). The apprenticeship typically runs 4–5 years and includes both on-the-job training and classroom instruction in the NEC and electrical theory.
- 3
Pass the journeyman electrician exam
The exam is administered by PSI Exams and covers the 2020 NEC. It is 80 questions with a 70% passing score. The exam fee is $75. Most exams are open-book (NEC codebook allowed).
- 4
Apply for your journeyman license
Submit your application to NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors with proof of experience, exam results, and any required documentation. Processing times vary by state.
- 5
Maintain your license and advance to Master
Journeyman licenses typically renew every 1–3 years. After additional years of experience (usually 2+ as a journeyman), you can sit the master electrician exam and take on contractor work independently.
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Practice for the North Carolina electrician exam
Use this licensing guide to understand the requirements, then drill NEC practice in your browser with explanations and calculator tools. Web access and native app purchases are separate.
North Carolina Electrician Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my journeyman electrician license in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the journeyman electrician license is issued by NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. The exam is administered by PSI Exams and uses the 2020 NEC. You need 4 years of experience, and the exam fee is $75. You must score 70% to pass. Statewide journeyman (Unlimited, Intermediate, or Limited Residential) license available. NC uses the NEC with state amendments.
What NEC edition is used on the North Carolina electrician exam?
The North Carolina journeyman electrician exam is based on the 2020 NEC. The exam is administered by PSI Exams with 80 questions. A score of 70% is required to pass.
What is the best app to study for the North Carolina electrician exam?
VoltExam offers North Carolina journeyman electrician exam prep on the web with NEC practice questions, explanations, state guidance, and a built-in voltage drop calculator. Native iOS and Android apps are available separately for offline mobile study.
How much does the North Carolina journeyman electrician exam cost?
The North Carolina journeyman electrician exam costs $75 and is administered by PSI Exams. You need 4 years of qualifying work experience to be eligible to sit for the exam.