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Exam Review

Key Facts: NM Residential Electrical Inspector Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

50 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

120 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID Residential Electrical Inspector is a 50-question PSI exam, 75% pass, 120 minutes, USD 68.88, open-book NEC 2020 and NMAC 14.10.4 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM Residential Electrical Inspector Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NM Residential Electrical Inspector exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per NEC 2020 110.26(A)(1) Condition 1, what is the minimum working-space depth in front of a 120/240-volt dwelling panelboard with exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on the other side?
A.24 inches
B.30 inches
C.36 inches
D.42 inches
Explanation: NEC 2020 Table 110.26(A)(1) Condition 1 requires 900 mm (3 ft), or 36 inches, of working space in front of equipment operating at 0 to 150 volts to ground when exposed live parts are on one side and no live or grounded parts are on the other side. A typical 120/240-volt dwelling panelboard is 120 volts to ground, so the 36-inch depth applies. Inspectors should measure from the enclosure front, not from the wall behind the panel.
2Per NEC 2020 110.26(A)(2), the width of the working space in front of a dwelling panelboard shall be the width of the equipment or which minimum, whichever is greater?
A.30 inches
B.36 inches
C.48 inches
D.24 inches
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.26(A)(2) requires the working space to be at least 762 mm (30 in.) wide or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater. The space must also permit the enclosure door or hinged panel to open at least 90 degrees. A narrow loadcenter still needs a full 30-inch-wide clear space in front.
3Per NEC 2020 110.26(A)(3), what is the minimum height of the working space in front of indoor service equipment that is less than 6½ feet tall?
A.5 feet
B.6 feet
C.6 feet 6 inches
D.8 feet
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.26(A)(3) requires the working space to extend from the grade, floor, or platform to a height of 2.0 m (6½ ft) or the height of the equipment, whichever is greater. For a typical dwelling panel shorter than 6½ feet, the clear height is 6 feet 6 inches. New Mexico adds a limited well-pump-enclosure exception, but that exception does not change the general dwelling-panel rule.
4Per NEC 2020 110.26(E)(1)(a), indoor dedicated equipment space above a panelboard extends from the floor to a height of 6 feet above the equipment or to which other limit, whichever is lower?
A.The structural ceiling
B.The bottom of any sprinkler piping
C.8 feet above the finished floor
D.The finished ceiling gypsum
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.26(E)(1)(a) dedicates the space equal to the width and depth of the equipment, from the floor to 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. Dropped ceilings, piping, and ductwork are not permitted to invade that dedicated envelope except as specifically allowed. Inspectors should distinguish dedicated equipment space from the 6½-foot working-space height in front of the panel.
5Unless the equipment is listed and marked for 75°C terminations, NEC 2020 110.14(C)(1) generally requires conductor ampacity for circuits rated 100 amperes or less to be based on which temperature column?
A.60°C
B.75°C
C.90°C
D.110°C
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.14(C)(1)(a) requires termination provisions for equipment rated 100 amperes or less, or marked for 14 AWG through 1 AWG conductors, to be used only for conductors rated 60°C unless the equipment is listed and identified for use with 75°C conductors. NM-B cable is independently limited to the 60°C ampacity by 334.80 even when the conductors inside are 90°C. Inspectors should not accept 75°C or 90°C table values at 100-ampere-or-less terminations unless the listing supports it.
6Per NEC 2020 Article 100, which statement best matches the definition of readily accessible?
A.Capable of being reached quickly without tools other than keys, climbing over or under, or removing obstacles
B.Located anywhere inside the dwelling if a portable ladder is available
C.Located in an attic if the scuttle is within 6 feet of a hallway
D.Capable of being reached only after removing a locked panel cover with tools
Explanation: NEC 2020 Article 100 defines readily accessible as capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without using tools other than keys, climbing over or under, removing obstacles, or resorting to portable ladders. Service disconnects, emergency disconnects, and overcurrent devices are frequently required to be readily accessible. An attic scuttle or a cover that requires tools fails that definition.
7Per NEC 2020 110.12(A), unused openings in boxes, raceways, and cabinets, other than those intended for the operation of equipment, shall be which of the following?
A.Left open if they are smaller than ½ inch
B.Covered with tape
C.Effectively closed
D.Filled with expanding foam
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.12(A) requires unused openings, other than those intended for the operation of equipment, to be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Listed knockout seals, blank covers, and close-up plugs are the usual means. Tape or foam is not an effective closure of an electrical enclosure.
8Per NEC 2020 110.3(B), listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with which of the following?
A.Any instructions included in the listing or labeling
B.Only the manufacturer’s marketing brochure
C.The newest NEC edition, even if that edition is not adopted
D.The inspector’s field preference
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.3(B) requires listed or labeled equipment to be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling. Those instructions become enforceable installation rules. A listing that prohibits a wet location, a particular conductor material, or a mounting orientation is a valid inspection basis.
9Per NEC 2020 110.26(D), illumination shall be provided for indoor working spaces about which of the following?
A.Service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, or motor control centers
B.Only panelboards located in bedrooms
C.Only outdoor meter sockets
D.Only services rated 400 amperes or more
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.26(D) requires illumination for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors. Additional lighting outlets are not required where the work space is already illuminated by an adjacent light source or as permitted by 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1. A dark indoor mechanical room with a panel and no lighting is a common fail.
10Per NEC 2020 110.2, conductors and equipment required or permitted by the Code shall be acceptable only if they are which of the following?
A.Approved
B.Imported
C.Field-fabricated by the installer
D.Painted to match the finish
Explanation: NEC 2020 110.2 states that conductors and equipment required or permitted by the Code shall be acceptable only if approved. Article 100 defines approved as acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. New Mexico 14.10.4.11 further ties approval to OSHA-recognized NRTL listing and labeling, field evaluation, or specified engineer certification.

About the NM Residential Electrical Inspector Exam

The New Mexico CID Residential Electrical Inspector Examination is the open-book PSI inspector exam covering NEC 2020 and the New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4, 2020) for residential electrical inspection. The official exam has 50 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (38 points), and 120 minutes allowed. PSI lists the fee at USD 68.88 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). Inspector examinations may be taken only twice during the 6-month eligibility period. This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form.

Exam sponsor: PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

50 questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

75% (38 of 50 points)

Exam / Certification Fees

USD 68.88

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%

General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements

General residential electrical inspection (7 items)

20%

Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits

Residential services, feeders, and branch circuits (10 items)

8%

Overcurrent Protection

Residential OCPD (4 items)

12%

Grounding and Bonding

Residential grounding and bonding (6 items)

14%

Conductors and Cables

Conductors and cables (7 items)

10%

Raceways and Boxes

Raceways and boxes (5 items)

4%

Special Occupancies and Special Equipment, including Pools

Pools and special equipment (2 items)

4%

Lighting and General-Use Equipment

Lighting and utilization equipment (2 items)

10%

New Mexico State Code

NMAC 14.10.4 residential amendments (5 items)

4%

Low Voltage

Residential low-voltage systems (2 items)

Preparing for the NM Residential Electrical Inspector Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (38 of 50 points)
  • Exam length: 50 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: USD 68.88 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NM Residential Electrical Inspector: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus on NEC 2020 dwelling-unit services, branch circuits, and grounding
2Review pool and low-voltage dwelling items even though they are a small share of the outline
3This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI inspector form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM Residential Electrical Inspector exam?

The official PSI examination has 50 scored questions. Passing is 75% (38 points) within 120 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).