Free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test
Take the free NEC-based diagnostic — no signup to start. Instant scoring, category breakdowns, and the exact code reference behind every answer.
What's on the Journeyman Electrician Exam
Every state writes its own exam, but they all test the same two skill sets. The format below covers what you'll see almost everywhere — check your state's candidate bulletin for the exact question count and time limit.
NEC Code Knowledge
Open-book lookup speed wins
Grounding and bonding, wiring methods and materials, branch circuits, overcurrent protection, services, and special occupancies. The skill being tested is finding the right article fast.
Calculations
Where most candidates fail
Conductor sizing and ampacity, voltage drop, box and conduit fill, motor circuits, transformer protection, and dwelling load calculations.
- Typical length
- 80–100 questions
- Passing score
- 70% in most states
- Common providers
- PSI, Prov, ICC
Looking for your state's exam?
Requirements, fees, and exam formats are state-specific. Start with your state's page:
How to Study for the Journeyman Exam
The candidates who pass on the first try do three things differently:
- 1
Find your weak categories first
Don't read the NEC cover to cover. Take the free diagnostic and let the category breakdown tell you where your study time should go.
- 2
Drill calculations until they're automatic
Work through the voltage drop, box fill, and conductor sizing walkthroughs, then verify yourself with the free calculators.
- 3
Practice the code lookup, not just answers
Every question in the bank cites its NEC article, so each rep also trains the open-book lookup you'll rely on during the exam. Tab your codebook as you go — here's how to tab the NEC.
Sample Questions (From Our Real Question Bank)
Here are 3 real questions from our question bank. The free diagnostic quiz has 10 more.
1. A maintenance inspection reveals aluminum conductors terminated directly under set-screw terminals marked 'CU Only' on a circuit breaker. What is the concern?
- ANo concern — all modern breakers accept both copper and aluminum
- BAluminum expands and contracts differently than copper, and 'CU Only' terminals are not designed for aluminum — this creates a high risk of loose connections, overheating, and fire
- CThe aluminum conductors will cause the breaker to trip prematurely
- DThe concern is only cosmetic — the breaker label is incorrect
Show explanation
Per NEC 110.14(A) and the introductory text of NEC 110.14, pressure terminal connectors shall be identified for the material of the conductor and shall be properly installed and used. Terminals marked 'CU Only' are listed for copper conductors only. Aluminum has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than copper and forms a resistive oxide layer at contact surfaces; using aluminum in copper-only terminals causes progressive loosening, oxidation, overheating, and fire risk. The aluminum conductors must be replaced with copper, or the breaker replaced with one listed for aluminum conductors ('AL/CU' or 'AL7CU').
2. A commercial building experiences intermittent voltage sags that cause lights to dim momentarily. The utility supply is stable. What is a likely cause within the building's electrical system?
- AFaulty light fixtures
- BA large motor load starting on the same feeder, causing voltage drop during inrush
- CIncorrect wire color coding
- DToo many circuits in the panel
Show explanation
Intermittent voltage sags (momentary dimming) with a stable utility supply are commonly caused by large motor loads starting on the same feeder. Motor inrush current can be 6-8 times the full-load current, temporarily creating significant voltage drop on the feeder. Solutions include soft starters, VFDs, dedicated feeders for large motor loads, or upgrading conductor sizes to reduce voltage drop.
3. A 3-phase motor hums but will not start. Measuring the voltage at the motor terminals shows voltage on only two of the three phases. What is the most likely cause?
- AThe motor bearings are seized
- BA single-phasing condition — one fuse is blown or one phase of the supply is lost
- CThe motor winding insulation has failed
- DThe motor is connected in the wrong rotation
Show explanation
A 3-phase motor that hums but won't start with voltage present on only 2 of 3 phases is experiencing single-phasing — one phase of the supply is lost. Common causes include a blown fuse, a tripped single-pole breaker, a loose connection on one phase, or a utility-side loss of one phase. Running a motor on single phase will cause it to overheat and fail. The lost phase must be identified and restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this journeyman electrician practice test free?
Yes. The diagnostic practice test is completely free and requires no signup. You get instant scoring, a category-by-category breakdown, and the NEC code reference behind every answer. The full 800-question bank is available with a 7-day free trial.
How many questions are on the journeyman electrician exam?
It varies by state, but most journeyman exams run 80–100 questions with a time limit around 4 hours and a passing score of 70%. Texas (TDLR/PSI) uses two separately scored portions — 59 NEC Knowledge questions and 26 Calculations questions — and you must pass both.
Is the journeyman electrician exam open book?
In most states, yes — you can bring the NEC codebook, usually with tabs but without handwritten notes. Check your state board or candidate information bulletin: open-book rules, allowed editions, and calculator policies differ by state.
Which NEC edition should I study?
The edition your state has adopted — not necessarily the newest one. States adopt NEC editions on different schedules (some are on the 2020 NEC, many on the 2023 NEC, with 2026 adoption rolling out from late 2026). Confirm the edition in your exam bulletin before you start studying tables.
What should I study for the journeyman exam?
Two skill sets: fast NEC lookup (grounding and bonding, wiring methods, overcurrent protection, special occupancies) and calculations (conductor sizing, voltage drop, box and conduit fill, motor circuits, load calculations). Most candidates fail on the calculations side, so drill those until they are automatic.
How is this practice test different from a PDF question dump?
Every question is written in the computer-based exam style (PSI format), scored instantly, and explained with a direct NEC article reference so you learn the code lookup, not just the answer. Your results show exactly which categories to study next.
Do you have state-specific practice tests?
Yes — state pages cover exam format, fees, and licensing steps for your state, with practice questions mapped to that exam. Texas and California are live today, with more states coming.
Ready to Practice All 800 Questions?
The free diagnostic shows you where to study. A paid plan gets you there.
Monthly
$49/month
- 7-day free trial
- Full question bank
- Timed practice exams
- Progress tracking
- Detailed explanations
3-Month Pass
Best Value$99 one-time
$33/month - save 33%
- Everything in Monthly
- Best value for exam prep
- Study at your own pace
- One-time payment
6-Month Pass
$149 one-time
$25/month - save 49%
- Everything in Monthly
- Maximum savings
- Full exam prep cycle
- One-time payment
Take the Free Diagnostic
10 questions. No signup. Instant score, category breakdown, and NEC references for every answer.