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Free Practice Test

Free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test

Take our free 10-question NEC practice test — written by licensed master electricians, aligned to NEC 2023. No signup required. See your score instantly.

10 Free NEC Practice Questions

Q1. A 20A branch circuit requires a minimum conductor size of:Show answer
A) 10 AWG
B) 12 AWG ✓
C) 14 AWG
D) 8 AWG

✓ Correct Answer: 12 AWG

Per NEC Table 310.12, 12 AWG copper has an ampacity of 20A at 60°C — the minimum for a 20A circuit (NEC 210.19(A)).

Q2. The maximum overcurrent protection for 14 AWG copper conductors is:Show answer
A) 20A
B) 25A
C) 15A ✓
D) 30A

✓ Correct Answer: 15A

NEC 240.4(D)(3) limits 14 AWG copper to a maximum 15A overcurrent device, regardless of ampacity calculations.

Q3. GFCI protection is required for receptacles within how many feet of a kitchen sink?Show answer
A) 3 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 6 feet ✓
D) 8 feet

✓ Correct Answer: 6 feet

NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles within 6 feet of a kitchen sink in dwelling units.

Q4. What NEC article covers grounding and bonding?Show answer
A) Article 210
B) Article 230
C) Article 240
D) Article 250 ✓

✓ Correct Answer: Article 250

Article 250 covers all grounding and bonding requirements — the most heavily tested article on the journeyman exam.

Q5. The recommended maximum voltage drop for a branch circuit is:Show answer
A) 1%
B) 5%
C) 3% ✓
D) 10%

✓ Correct Answer: 3%

NEC 210.19(A) FPN No. 4 recommends a maximum 3% voltage drop on branch circuits, with a combined 5% maximum for feeders and branch circuits.

Q6. AFCI protection is required in which areas of a dwelling unit per the 2023 NEC?Show answer
A) Bedrooms only
B) Kitchens and living rooms
C) All 120V circuits in all rooms ✓
D) Garage only

✓ Correct Answer: All 120V circuits in all rooms

The 2023 NEC expanded AFCI requirements to virtually all 120V branch circuits throughout dwelling units, including kitchens, bathrooms, and garages.

Q7. The minimum burial depth for Type UF cable under a residential driveway is:Show answer
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches ✓

✓ Correct Answer: 24 inches

Per NEC Table 300.5, UF cable installed under a residential driveway (motor vehicle traffic) requires a minimum 24-inch burial depth.

Q8. What is the maximum number of disconnecting means permitted for a single service?Show answer
A) 2
B) 4
C) 6 ✓
D) 8

✓ Correct Answer: 6

NEC 230.71(A) permits a maximum of 6 disconnects grouped in a single location for service entrance equipment.

Q9. Which NEC article covers wiring methods in general?Show answer
A) Article 210
B) Article 300 ✓
C) Article 310
D) Article 400

✓ Correct Answer: Article 300

Article 300 covers general requirements for wiring methods and materials — required reading for the journeyman exam. Article 310 covers conductors specifically.

Q10. A general-purpose 15A, 120V receptacle outlet must be installed so that no point on the wall is more than how far from an outlet?Show answer
A) 4 feet
B) 6 feet ✓
C) 8 feet
D) 12 feet

✓ Correct Answer: 6 feet

Per NEC 210.52(A), receptacles must be spaced so that no point on a wall is more than 6 feet from an outlet — meaning outlets are required every 12 feet maximum.

What Does the Journeyman Electrician Exam Cover?

The journeyman electrician exam focuses on the National Electrical Code (NEC) and is heavily weighted toward practical applications. Key topics include: wire sizing and ampacity calculations, grounding and bonding requirements, branch circuit design and load calculations, overcurrent protection devices, conduit sizing and fill calculations, voltage drop analysis, GFCI and AFCI protection requirements, service entrance installation, and troubleshooting. Most questions require you to navigate the NEC tables — knowing where to find answers is as important as understanding the concepts. Master electricians emphasize that you must tab your NEC during study and test day preparation.

How Hard Is the Journeyman Electrician Exam?

The journeyman electrician exam has a first-time pass rate of roughly 30–40% nationally, making it one of the harder trade exams. Most states administer 80–100 questions in 4–5 hours. A passing score typically ranges from 70% to 75% depending on your state. The difficulty comes from heavy emphasis on NEC calculations, the need to work quickly under timed conditions, and the broad range of topics covered. Candidates who fail often cite time pressure and difficulty with voltage drop or conduit fill calculations.

How to Study for the Journeyman Electrician Exam

  1. 1.Tab your NEC. Mark key tables and sections before study begins — the exam allows tabbed codebooks.
  2. 2.Drill calculations daily. Voltage drop, wire sizing, and conduit fill are 30–40% of exam content.
  3. 3.Take practice tests. Full 80–100 question timed practice exams build endurance and speed.
  4. 4.Use Electrician Prep by VoltExam. 1,000+ NEC questions, offline access, and a built-in voltage drop calculator designed for exam success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best app for journeyman electrician practice questions?Show
Electrician Prep by VoltExam is the top-rated iOS app with 1,000+ NEC practice questions, a built-in voltage drop calculator, offline access, and per-topic progress tracking. It covers all 51 states and costs a one-time $17.99.
What is the passing score for the journeyman electrician exam?Show
Most state journeyman electrician exams require a passing score of 70–75%, with some states at 72% or 73%. The exact passing score varies by state. Check your state at voltexam.com/electrician-exam-prep.
How many questions are on the journeyman electrician exam?Show
Most state journeyman electrician exams contain 80–100 multiple-choice questions based on the NEC. The exact count and time limit vary by state and exam provider.

Questions reviewed by licensed master electricians with 20+ years of field and exam experience.

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