TL;DR
The Journeyman Electrician License Exam exam is administered by State licensing boards via PSI Services or Prometric with a Approximately 45-65% first-attempt (varies by state) pass rate. This guide covers all 5 content domains, common failure modes, and sample questions. The exam format is 80 multiple-choice questions, open book (NEC codebook allowed) with a 4 hours time limit.
Journeyman Electrician License Exam: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know before you start studying.
Exam Facts
What the Exam Tests
Grounding & Bonding (Article 250)
~12%The most tested article on the exam. Covers grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors (sizing per Table 250.122), bonding requirements, and grounding electrode conductor sizing (Table 250.66). You must understand the difference between grounding (connection to earth) and bonding (connection to ensure electrical continuity).
Wiring Methods & Materials
~18%Articles 300-392. Covers NM cable (Romex) per Article 334, EMT per Article 358, RMC per Article 344, FMC per Article 348, conductor ampacity (Table 310.16 — the most referenced table), temperature correction and adjustment factors, and general wiring requirements.
Load Calculations
~12%Article 220. Dwelling unit calculations using the standard method (3 VA/sq ft for general lighting, 2×1500 VA for small appliance circuits, 1500 VA for laundry), demand factors from Tables 220.42/54/55, and the optional calculation method (220.82). Also commercial load calculations.
Motors & Transformers
~10%Articles 430 and 450. Motor FLC from tables (never use nameplate — always use Table 430.248 or 430.250), branch circuit conductor sizing (125% of FLC), overcurrent protection per Table 430.52, motor feeder calculations, and basic transformer calculations.
Electrical Theory & Trade Math
~15%Ohm's law (V=IR, P=VI), series/parallel circuits, three-phase power (P=√3×VL×IL×PF), voltage drop calculations, box fill per Article 314, and conduit fill using Chapter 9 tables.
Common Reasons Candidates Fail
1. Slow NEC navigation
The exam is open-book, but 4 hours for 80 questions means 3 minutes per question including code lookup. Candidates who haven't tabbed their codebook and practiced quick lookups run out of time. The #1 prep tip from every passing electrician: tab your code and practice finding sections in under 60 seconds.
2. Article 250 (Grounding & Bonding) confusion
This is universally reported as the most confusing article. The distinction between grounding electrode conductors and equipment grounding conductors, the specific sizing tables, and the bonding requirements trip up even experienced electricians. Study this article more than any other.
3. Motor calculation errors
Motor questions require multiple steps: look up FLC from the correct table (not nameplate), multiply by 125% for conductor sizing, use Table 430.52 for overcurrent protection. Each step has specific rules and exceptions. Candidates who skip a step or use the wrong table get the wrong answer.
4. Load calculation demand factor mistakes
Dwelling unit load calculations require applying demand factors from multiple tables in a specific sequence. Forgetting to apply a demand factor, or applying it to the wrong portion of the load, produces significantly wrong answers.
Practice Questions
Click "Reveal answer" to see the correct answer and explanation.
Q1.Per NEC Table 310.16, what is the ampacity of a 6 AWG THHN copper conductor at 75°C?
Q2.A dwelling unit has 2,400 sq ft of living space. Per NEC 220.12, what is the general lighting load?
Q3.Per NEC 250.122, the minimum size equipment grounding conductor for a 60-ampere circuit is:
Q4.What is the maximum number of 90° bends allowed in a single conduit run between pull points?
Practice adaptively for the Journeyman Electrician exam: Valenke drills NEC code knowledge, load calculations, grounding & bonding, and electrical theory — focusing on your weakest areas.
Start free practice →Frequently Asked Questions
▶How many questions is the journeyman electrician exam?
The journeyman electrician exam typically has 80 multiple-choice questions. You have 4 hours to complete it. It is an open-book exam — you can use the NEC codebook.
▶What is the journeyman electrician exam pass rate?
First-attempt pass rates range from 45% to 65% depending on the state. The most commonly cited reason for failure is slow NEC code navigation, not lack of knowledge.
▶What NEC articles are most tested on the journeyman exam?
Article 250 (Grounding & Bonding) is the most heavily tested. Other frequently tested articles include 210 (Branch Circuits), 220 (Load Calculations), 240 (Overcurrent Protection), 310 (Conductors/Table 310.16), 314 (Box Fill), 430 (Motors), and Chapter 9 tables (Conduit Fill).