Standard: Current 2026 Testing Standards
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The Texas Journeyman Electrician exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). As of March 2025, the exam was split into two separate parts: a 59-question NEC Knowledge section (130 minutes) and a 26-question Calculations section (110 minutes). You must pass each part with a score of 70% or higher — a failing score on one part does not affect the other, and you can retake individual parts. The exam is open book: you may bring a tabbed copy of the 2023 National Electrical Code. This is one of the hardest licensing exams in the skilled trades — only about 27% of candidates passed in 2024, before the two-part format made it even more demanding. Structured practice with NEC article lookups is the most effective preparation strategy.
Exam details
The Texas Journeyman Electrician exam is administered by PSI at testing centers across Texas. You must apply through TDLR first and receive an eligibility notification before scheduling with PSI. The exam has two separate scored sections taken in a single testing session. The NEC Knowledge section tests your ability to navigate the 2023 NEC quickly and accurately. The Calculations section tests math-based problems including conductor sizing, load calculations, overcurrent protection, and service sizing. You may bring your own tabbed 2023 NEC book — loose-leaf, spiral-bound, or ring-bound copies are not permitted. PSI provides scratch paper and pencils. A calculator is permitted for the Calculations section. Results are given at the testing center. If you fail one part, you pay the full $78 fee to retake it — there is no partial retake discount.
This link downloads a pre-generated PDF when available for this certification.
Three areas account for the most failures on the Texas Journeyman Electrician exam. First, load calculations — specifically applying the correct demand factors from NEC Tables 220.42, 220.55, and 220.56, and correctly sizing conductors for continuous loads at 125%. Candidates who try to memorize these values without understanding the underlying logic fail the Calculations section consistently. The only reliable approach is working through calculation problems with your NEC open. Second, conductor ampacity adjustments — knowing when to apply the bundling derating factor from Table 310.15(C)(1) and how to combine it with temperature correction factors catches many candidates off guard. Third, grounding and bonding — specifically the difference between the grounding electrode conductor (sized from Table 250.66) and the equipment grounding conductor (sized from Table 250.122), and the rule that the neutral-to-ground bond is made only at the service equipment, never at a subpanel.
As of March 2025, the exam has two separate parts: 59 questions in the NEC Knowledge section (130 minutes) and 26 questions in the Calculations section (110 minutes). Each part is scored and timed independently.
You need 70% or higher on each part separately. A passing score on one part does not carry over — if you fail the Calculations section but pass NEC Knowledge, you only need to retake Calculations.
Yes. The exam is open book. You may bring your own copy of the 2023 National Electrical Code, and it may be tabbed. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound, or ring-bound copies are not permitted — only the standard hardbound edition. PSI provides scratch paper and pencils. A basic calculator is also permitted.
According to TDLR data, the statewide pass rate was approximately 27% in fiscal year 2024 — before the 2025 split into two separate sections, which is widely expected to make passing even more difficult. This is one of the hardest electrician licensing exams in the country.
Apply through your TDLR online account and select the Journeyman Electrician license type. Submit your application with proof of 8,000 hours of supervised work experience and the $30 application fee. Once TDLR approves your application and sends your record to PSI, you can schedule your exam at a PSI testing center.
The exam fee is $78 per attempt. If you fail one or both parts, the retake fee is $78 per failed portion. There is no limit on retakes.
The 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). All exam questions are based on this edition. Candidates must bring their own copy of the 2023 NEC to the testing center.
One year. Texas journeyman electrician licenses must be renewed annually with TDLR. Continuing education requirements apply at renewal.
Under 16 TAC Chapter 73, a master electrician may supervise up to 4 journeyman electricians on a job site where the master is physically present.
The most effective approach is practicing NEC lookups under timed conditions. Start by tabbing your NEC book using a pre-made tab kit — this dramatically reduces lookup time on exam day. Then work through practice questions using your NEC book exactly as you will on test day. For the Calculations section, drill load calculations from Articles 220 and 430 until you can complete them without hesitation.
Topics and blueprint percentages come from our topic bank; practice sessions allocate questions using those shares when set.
Start practicing free — no account required. The first two questions in each topic are unlocked. Our 85 practice questions are built from the 2023 NEC and TDLR exam blueprint, with NEC article references in every answer explanation so you learn where to look, not just what the answer is.