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Key Facts: TX Electrician Exam

20.56%

Calculations Pass Rate (FY2025)

Texas TDLR

70% each

Passing Score

Two-part exam

85

Total Questions

59 Knowledge + 26 Calculations

$78 + $30

Exam + Application Fee

PSI / TDLR

The Texas Journeyman Electrician exam has one of the lowest pass rates in the country — in TDLR FY2025 the NEC Knowledge portion passed 24.46% of attempts (1,402 of 5,731) and the Calculations portion just 20.56% (1,301 of 6,328). As of March 11, 2025 the exam is split into two independently scored portions: NEC Knowledge (59 items, 130 minutes) and Calculations (26 items, 110 minutes), each requiring 70% to pass. Fail one portion and you retake only that portion. The exam is 85 items in 4 hours with a $78 exam fee ($108 including the one-time TDLR application). Based on the 2023 NEC through August 31, 2026.

Sample TX Electrician Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TX Electrician exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 307+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the NEC, what is the definition of a 'branch circuit'?
A.The circuit conductors between the service point and the main disconnecting means
B.The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s)
C.Any circuit that supplies power to a motor
D.The conductors between the transformer and the first overcurrent device
Explanation: Per NEC Article 100, a branch circuit is defined as the circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s). This definition is fundamental to understanding how the NEC organizes and regulates different parts of an electrical system.
2In Texas, the Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees electrician licensing. What NEC edition does Texas use for the journeyman electrician exam?
A.NEC 2017
B.NEC 2020
C.NEC 2023
D.NEC 2026
Explanation: Texas has adopted the 2023 NEC through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The PSI-administered exam was restructured in March 2025 into two parts: NEC Knowledge and Calculations, each requiring 70% to pass.
3Per NEC 210.8(A), GFCI protection is required for all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles in which of the following dwelling unit locations?
A.Living rooms
B.Bedrooms
C.Kitchens
D.Closets
Explanation: NEC 210.8(A) requires GFCI protection for 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles in dwelling unit kitchens, along with bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, and other specified locations. The 2023 NEC expanded GFCI requirements significantly.
4What is the minimum size equipment grounding conductor required for a 60-ampere circuit per NEC Table 250.122?
A.14 AWG copper
B.12 AWG copper
C.10 AWG copper
D.8 AWG copper
Explanation: Per NEC Table 250.122, a 60-ampere overcurrent device requires a minimum 10 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor. This table is based on the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit, not the conductor ampacity.
5According to NEC 250.66, what is the minimum size grounding electrode conductor for a 2/0 AWG copper service conductor?
A.8 AWG copper
B.6 AWG copper
C.4 AWG copper
D.2 AWG copper
Explanation: Per NEC Table 250.66, for service conductors sized 2/0 AWG copper (or 4/0 AWG aluminum), the minimum grounding electrode conductor is 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG aluminum. This table correlates the size of the largest service-entrance conductor with the required grounding electrode conductor.
6What is the standard voltage drop recommendation for branch circuits per NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note No. 4?
A.2%
B.3%
C.5%
D.8%
Explanation: NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note No. 4 recommends that voltage drop on branch circuits should not exceed 3%, and the total voltage drop for feeders and branch circuits combined should not exceed 5%. While these are recommendations rather than requirements, they represent good practice.
7Per NEC Table 310.16, what is the ampacity of a 6 AWG THWN-2 copper conductor at 75°C column?
A.40 amperes
B.55 amperes
C.65 amperes
D.75 amperes
Explanation: Per NEC Table 310.16, a 6 AWG copper conductor with a 75°C insulation rating (such as THWN-2 used at 75°C) has an ampacity of 65 amperes. THWN-2 is rated for 90°C but is commonly used at the 75°C column when terminated at equipment rated for 75°C.
8According to NEC 314.16(B), what is the volume allowance for each 12 AWG conductor in a box fill calculation?
A.2.00 cubic inches
B.2.25 cubic inches
C.2.50 cubic inches
D.3.00 cubic inches
Explanation: Per NEC Table 314.16(B), each 12 AWG conductor requires a volume allowance of 2.25 cubic inches in a box fill calculation. This includes equipment grounding conductors counted as one conductor, device yokes counted as two conductors, and clamps counted as one conductor.
9Per NEC 430.52, what is the maximum size dual-element time-delay fuse permitted for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection for a standard AC motor?
A.125% of motor FLC
B.150% of motor FLC
C.175% of motor FLC
D.250% of motor FLC
Explanation: Per NEC Table 430.52, the maximum rating for a dual-element time-delay fuse used for motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection is 175% of the motor's full-load current. If 175% does not correspond to a standard fuse size, the next higher standard size may be used.
10What is the minimum height above grade for service drop conductors over a residential driveway?
A.10 feet
B.12 feet
C.15 feet
D.18 feet
Explanation: Per NEC 230.24(B)(1), service drop conductors must maintain a minimum clearance of 12 feet above residential driveways and commercial areas not subject to truck traffic. This clearance ensures safe passage of vehicles beneath the conductors.

About the TX Electrician Exam

The Texas Journeyman Electrician exam is administered by PSI for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Based on the 2023 NEC, the exam was restructured in March 2025 into two parts: NEC Knowledge and Calculations. Each part requires 70% to pass independently. The exam covers electrical theory, code compliance, grounding, wiring methods, load calculations, motors, and special occupancies.

Exam sponsor: TX TDLR / PSI. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

85 questions

Time Limit

4 hours total (130 min Knowledge + 110 min Calculations)

Passing Score

70% each part

Exam / Certification Fees

$78 exam + $30 TDLR application

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~21% Calculations, ~24% NEC Knowledge (TDLR FY2025). TDLR FY2025: NEC Knowledge 24.46% (1,402 of 5,731), Calculations 20.56% (1,301 of 6,328) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

14 of 80 items

Branch Circuits and Conductors

GFCI and AFCI protection, branch circuits, branch-circuit overcurrent protection, conductors, and grounding and bonding conductors (10 Knowledge + 4 Calculations items)

12 of 80 items

Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials

Raceways and cable trays, boxes and enclosures, cabinets and panels, cables and cords, and underground wiring (10 Knowledge + 2 Calculations items)

12 of 80 items

Electrical Equipment and Devices

Receptacles and switches, luminaires, air conditioning/refrigeration/heating equipment, appliances, and workspace clearance (10 Knowledge + 2 Calculations items)

10 of 80 items

Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems

Load knowledge and load calculations, fault current, service equipment, temporary wiring, grounding and bonding, and transformers (6 Knowledge + 4 Calculations items)

9 of 80 items

Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions

Special occupancies, swimming pools and fountains, RVs/mobile homes/park trailers/marinas, data processing and communications equipment, emergency systems, and miscellaneous equipment (6 Knowledge + 3 Calculations items)

7 of 80 items

Motors and Generators

Motor branch circuits, controllers and disconnects, and generator installations (5 Knowledge + 2 Calculations items)

6 of 80 items

Electrical Feeders

Feeder load knowledge and feeder load calculations, feeder grounded conductors and feeder grounding and bonding, and feeder overcurrent protection (3 Knowledge + 3 Calculations items)

5 of 80 items

Definitions, Theory, and Plans

Code definitions, electrical theory, and plan reading on the Knowledge portion; electrical theory on the Calculations portion (3 Knowledge + 2 Calculations items)

3 of 80 items

Renewable Energy Technologies

Photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle chargers (2 Knowledge + 1 Calculations items)

2 of 80 items

Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means

Control devices and disconnecting means (1 Knowledge + 1 Calculations item)

Preparing for the TX Electrician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% each part
  • Exam length: 85 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours total (130 min Knowledge + 110 min Calculations)
  • Exam / certification fees: $78 exam + $30 TDLR application Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 307 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TX Electrician: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice both NEC code lookup AND calculations separately — Texas tests them as two distinct parts
2Master NEC Article 250 (Grounding and Bonding) — heavily tested in the Knowledge portion
3Drill dwelling unit and commercial load calculations until they are second nature for the Calculations portion
4Learn to navigate the NEC index quickly — with the Calculations portion passing just 20.56% in FY2025, speed and accuracy are critical
5Take multiple timed practice exams to build endurance and time management skills

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Texas electrician exam structured as of 2025?

As of March 11, 2025, the Texas journeyman electrician exam is split into two parts: NEC Knowledge (59 questions, 130 minutes — code lookup and navigation) and Calculations (26 questions, 110 minutes — load calculations, voltage drop, conductor sizing). Each part requires 70% to pass independently. The total exam is 85 questions in 4 hours.

Why is the Texas electrician exam pass rate so low?

TDLR's FY2025 statistics show the NEC Knowledge portion passing 24.46% of attempts (1,402 of 5,731) and the Calculations portion just 20.56% (1,301 of 6,328) — among the lowest in the nation. Common reasons include underestimating the depth of NEC navigation required, poor time management, and insufficient practice with calculations. Because each portion is scored independently at 70%, the Calculations portion is the gate that stops most candidates.

What NEC edition does Texas use?

Texas has adopted the 2023 NEC through TDLR, and a bound copy of the 2023 NEC is the permitted reference for both the Knowledge and Calculations portions. The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin states on its cover that effective September 1, 2026, the examinations will be referenced to the 2026 NEC.

How much does the Texas electrician exam cost?

The exam fee is $78 through PSI, plus a one-time $30 TDLR application fee ($108 first attempt). Additional costs include the NEC 2023 codebook ($100+) and study materials. Apply through TDLR before scheduling with PSI.

Can I take the exam before completing all 8,000 experience hours?

Yes. TDLR allows candidates who have completed 7,000 of the required 8,000 on-the-job training hours under a Texas-licensed master electrician to test early using the ELC017 experience form. The remaining 1,000 hours must be completed before the license is issued.

If I fail one portion of the Texas electrician exam, do I have to retake both?

No. TDLR's rule is that if a test taker fails a portion, only the failed portion must be retaken. A passing NEC Knowledge or Calculations result is banked and does not have to be re-sat. PSI charges a $78 retake fee whether you re-sit one portion or both, and you must still finish everything within the 12-month window that starts when TDLR receives your application.