Electrician Prep

How to Study for the NEW 2-Part Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam

11 min read

How to Study for the NEW 2-Part Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam

If you are preparing for the Texas journeyman electrician exam in 2026, you are facing a different test than the one your coworkers took a few years ago. In March 2025, TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) split the exam into two separately scored portions, and the pass rate has dropped even further since the change.

This guide breaks down exactly how to structure your study plan for the new format, what to focus on, and how to avoid the mistakes that trip up most test-takers.

The New 2-Part Format: What Changed

Before March 2025, the Texas journeyman exam was a single test with mixed questions. Now it is divided into two distinct portions, each scored independently:

Part 1: NEC Knowledge

  • 59 scored questions (plus pretest questions that do not count)
  • 130 minutes to complete
  • Covers wiring methods, branch circuits, equipment, services, special occupancies, and general NEC code knowledge
  • You must score 70% or higher on this portion alone

Part 2: Calculations

  • 26 scored questions (plus pretest questions)
  • 110 minutes to complete
  • Covers conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, load calculations, voltage drop, motor circuits, and conduit fill
  • You must score 70% or higher on this portion alone

The critical change is that you cannot pass one section and fail the other. You need 70% on both. Time does not roll over between sections, so finishing Part 1 early does not give you extra minutes on Part 2.

Why the Pass Rate Is So Low

The numbers tell a tough story. In fiscal year 2024, only 2,365 of 8,490 journeyman exam attempts resulted in a pass, giving an overall pass rate of 27.86%. After the format change took effect, the numbers got worse:

  • NEC Knowledge portion: 24.46% pass rate (FY2025)
  • Calculations portion: 20.56% pass rate (FY2025)

First-time takers pass at roughly 60%, but repeat takers (who make up the majority of attempts) pass at only around 23%. The Calculations portion is the biggest hurdle, with roughly 1 in 5 attempts resulting in a pass.

These numbers are not meant to discourage you. They are meant to show you why a structured study plan matters. Most people who fail are not studying wrong topics or using bad materials. They are studying without a plan, spending too much time on areas they already know, and not enough on the areas that actually appear on the exam.

Step 1: Take a Diagnostic Assessment

Before you open a single textbook or watch a single video, take a diagnostic quiz. You need to know where you stand right now so you can focus your limited study time on the areas where you are weakest.

A good diagnostic should cover both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations sections. After completing it, you will have a clear picture of which topic areas need the most attention.

Take our free 25-question diagnostic quiz to identify your weak areas before you start studying.

Step 2: Understand What the Exam Actually Tests

The TDLR publishes a content outline that breaks down exactly what percentage of the exam covers each topic. Here is the breakdown:

NEC Knowledge Portion (59 questions)

| Topic | % of Content | Approx. Questions | |---|---|---| | Electrical Wiring Methods and Materials | 22.5% | ~13 | | Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors | 18.75% | ~11 | | Electrical Equipment and Devices | 12.5% | ~7 | | Services, Separately Derived Systems, and Remote Power Supply | 11.25% | ~7 | | Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions | 11.25% | ~7 | | General Knowledge of Electrical Circuits and Theory | 8.75% | ~5 | | Grounding and Bonding | 7.5% | ~4 | | Motor and Transformer Installations | 7.5% | ~5 |

Calculations Portion (26 questions)

| Topic | % of Content | Approx. Questions | |---|---|---| | Conductor Sizing and Overcurrent Protection | 30% | ~8 | | Load Calculations | 27% | ~7 | | Motor Calculations | 15% | ~4 | | Voltage Drop | 12% | ~3 | | Conduit and Box Fill | 10% | ~3 | | General Electrical Calculations | 6% | ~1-2 |

Use these percentages to allocate your study time. If Wiring Methods makes up 22.5% of the NEC portion, it should get roughly 22.5% of your NEC study time (adjusted based on your diagnostic results).

Step 3: Build Your Study Timeline

Most successful candidates study for 8 to 12 weeks before taking the exam. Here is a suggested timeline based on studying 10 to 15 hours per week:

Weeks 1-2: Foundation

  • Familiarize yourself with the NEC layout (chapters, articles, tables, annexes)
  • Practice navigating the codebook quickly using the table of contents and index
  • Review Article 100 (Definitions) thoroughly
  • Take practice questions on general electrical theory

Weeks 3-4: Core NEC Knowledge

  • Deep dive into Article 210 (Branch Circuits) and Article 220 (Load Calculations)
  • Study Article 310 (Conductors) and Table 310.16
  • Review Article 300 (Wiring Methods)
  • Practice finding answers in the code under timed conditions

Weeks 5-6: High-Weight Topics

  • Master Article 250 (Grounding and Bonding)
  • Study Article 430 (Motors) and Article 440 (AC and Refrigeration Equipment)
  • Review Articles 500-590 (Special Occupancies)
  • Begin timed practice tests for the NEC Knowledge section

Weeks 7-8: Calculations Deep Dive

  • Practice conductor sizing with temperature correction and adjustment factors
  • Work through dwelling unit load calculations step by step
  • Master voltage drop formulas for single-phase and three-phase circuits
  • Practice motor circuit calculations (FLC, conductor sizing, OCP sizing)

Weeks 9-10: Integration and Practice

  • Take full-length timed practice exams in both portions
  • Review every question you get wrong and find the NEC reference
  • Focus extra time on your weakest areas based on practice test results
  • Practice conduit fill and box fill calculations

Weeks 11-12: Final Review

  • Take at least two more full-length timed practice exams
  • Review the most commonly missed topics
  • Practice navigating the NEC under time pressure
  • Do not try to learn new material in the final week

Step 4: Master NEC Navigation

The Texas exam is open-book. You bring your own soft-bound 2023 NEC codebook (the exam transitions to the 2026 NEC on September 1, 2026). This means the exam is not purely a memory test. It is a speed test.

You need to find answers in the codebook quickly. Most candidates who run out of time are not slow readers. They are slow finders. Here are the navigation skills that matter most:

Tab your codebook. Use adhesive tabs to mark the articles you will reference most often: 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 430, and Chapter 9 Tables. Color-code them by category.

Learn the index. The NEC index is your best friend. Practice looking up terms and tracing them to the right article and section. Many questions can be answered in under 60 seconds if you know exactly where to look.

Know the table of contents structure. Chapters 1-4 apply generally, Chapters 5-7 modify or supplement Chapters 1-4 for specific conditions, Chapter 8 covers communications, and Chapter 9 contains the tables used for calculations.

Practice timed lookups. Set a timer and try to find specific code sections. Your goal should be to locate any article within 30 seconds.

Read our complete NEC tabbing guide for a step-by-step system.

Step 5: Study the Calculations Portion Separately

The Calculations portion has the lowest pass rate (20.56%), and it requires a different study approach than the NEC Knowledge section. You are not just looking up answers in the codebook. You need to apply formulas, work through multi-step problems, and manage your time carefully with only 110 minutes for 26 questions.

Key formulas and concepts you must know:

Conductor Sizing: How to use NEC Table 310.16, apply temperature correction factors (Table 310.15(B)(1)), and apply adjustment factors for conduit fill (Table 310.15(C)(1)).

Load Calculations: Standard calculation method for dwelling units per Article 220, including general lighting loads, small appliance circuits, laundry circuits, and demand factors.

Voltage Drop: VD = (2 x K x I x D) / CM for single-phase, and VD = (1.732 x K x I x D) / CM for three-phase. Know that 3% for branch circuits and 5% total is the recommended maximum.

Motor Calculations: How to find full-load current from NEC tables (not the nameplate), size conductors at 125% of FLC, and size overcurrent protection per Table 430.52.

Conduit Fill: NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 for fill percentages (53% for one wire, 31% for two, 40% for three or more) and Tables 4 and 5 for areas.

Use our free NEC calculators to practice these calculations with instant feedback.

Step 6: Use the Right Study Materials

There is no single resource that covers everything. The most successful candidates use a combination:

Your NEC codebook is the primary resource. You will use it on test day, so study from it. Get comfortable with its layout and language.

Practice questions are essential. You need to practice under exam conditions, including time limits and the exact format (multiple choice with four options). Aim for at least 500 practice questions before your exam date.

Video instruction helps with complex topics like load calculations and motor circuits where step-by-step visual walkthroughs make the process clearer.

Study groups or forums provide accountability and let you learn from others' questions. The Mike Holt Forum and r/electricians on Reddit are active communities where exam candidates share tips.

Step 7: Simulate Exam Day

In the final two weeks before your exam, take at least three full-length practice exams under real conditions:

  • Use only your tabbed NEC codebook (no notes, no phone)
  • Time yourself strictly: 130 minutes for 59 NEC Knowledge questions, then 110 minutes for 26 Calculations questions
  • Take a short break between portions, just like on exam day
  • Score yourself honestly and review every wrong answer

On exam day, you will take the test at a PSI testing center. Bring your soft-bound NEC codebook, a valid photo ID, and nothing else. PSI provides scratch paper and pencils. The exam fee is $78, and you can retake it after a 24-hour waiting period if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Studying everything equally. Wiring Methods and Branch Circuits alone make up over 40% of the NEC Knowledge portion. Weight your study time accordingly.

Ignoring Calculations until the last minute. With a 20.56% pass rate, this portion needs serious preparation from the start, not a last-minute cram.

Not practicing with the codebook. Reading about the NEC is different from using it under time pressure. Practice finding answers in the actual book.

Over-relying on memorization. The exam is open-book. Focus on knowing where to find things rather than memorizing every table and section number.

Skipping practice exams. Taking a full-length timed exam reveals problems that individual practice questions do not, like time management issues and fatigue.

Your Next Steps

  1. Take our free diagnostic quiz to find out where you stand right now
  2. Build your study timeline working backward from your exam date
  3. Tab your NEC codebook using our tabbing guide
  4. Start with the highest-weighted topics and your weakest areas
  5. Practice under timed conditions every week

The Texas journeyman exam is hard, but it is not random. The content is well-defined, the format is predictable, and thousands of electricians pass it every year with the right preparation. Start with a plan, study consistently, and you will be ready.

Sources:

  1. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - Electrician Exam Information
  2. TDLR - Electrician Exam Statistics, Fiscal Year 2024
  3. TDLR - Electrician Exam Statistics, Fiscal Year 2025
  4. PSI Exams - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Certification Exam
  5. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - NFPA 70: National Electrical Code