Texas Journeyman Exam Structure: NEC Knowledge & Calculations

Two Parts, Two Scores

The Texas journeyman electrician exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It is divided into two parts that are scored separately — you must pass each one to qualify for the journeyman license:

Both parts are open book: you bring the NEC 2026 (soft-bound, manufacturer tabs permitted) and a non-programmable calculator. Multiple-choice with four answer options per question.

Part 1 — NEC Knowledge (59 Questions, 130 Minutes)

The NEC Knowledge part tests whether you can find and apply code requirements across the whole National Electrical Code. Questions are drawn from the code's main content areas:

• General requirements and code administration — Chapter 1: Article 90 (introduction), Article 100 (definitions), and Article 110 (general installation requirements).
• Wiring and protection — Chapter 2 (Articles 200–285): branch circuits, feeders, services, overcurrent protection, and grounding and bonding.
• Wiring methods and materials — Chapter 3 (Articles 300–398): conductors, boxes, conduit, cable, and raceways.
• Equipment for general use — Chapter 4 (Articles 400–490): flexible cords, switches, receptacles, motors, and appliances.
• Special occupancies and equipment — Chapters 5 and 6 (Articles 500–695): hazardous locations, health care, and special equipment.
• Special conditions and communications — Chapters 7 and 8 (Articles 700–840): emergency systems, and communications systems.
• Electrical theory and safety — basic theory, math fundamentals, and safe work practices.

With 59 questions in 130 minutes, you have just over two minutes per question. Most time is spent looking things up — so lookup speed is the skill that decides your score.

Part 2 — Calculations (26 Questions, 110 Minutes)

The Calculations part is where candidates lose the most points. It tests the applied math of the code — and because it is open book, the challenge is knowing which table or formula to use, not arithmetic:

• Dwelling and load calculations — Article 220: general lighting loads, appliance and motor loads, demand factors, and feeder sizing.
• Conductor sizing and ampacity — Article 310 and the ampacity tables: temperature ratings, termination limits, and adjustment factors.
• Voltage drop and conductor adjustments — the recommended voltage-drop limits and how derating changes conductor choice.
• Box, raceway, and conduit fill — Chapter 9 tables: conductor area, raceway area, and the 40% fill rules.
• Motors, transformers, and overcurrent protection — Articles 430, 450, and 240: motor branch-circuit sizing and transformer protection.

26 questions in 110 minutes is more than four minutes per question — enough time to work carefully if you know where to look. Candidates fail this part by rushing into arithmetic before confirming the right table and the right section.

Open Book: What You Can Bring

Because the exam is open book, what you bring matters as much as what you know. Confirm the current rules in the PSI candidate bulletin before exam day, but the standard setup is a soft-bound NEC 2026 with manufacturer tabs, plus a non-programmable calculator. Tab the chapters and flag the tables you will live in: the ampacity tables in Article 310, the load tables in Article 220, and the conduit fill tables in Chapter 9.

The 70% Passing Score

Each part requires 70% to pass. That works out to roughly 41 of 59 on NEC Knowledge and 18 of 26 on Calculations. A few extra minutes of lookup practice — or a handful of calculation reps — is often the difference between 69% and 70%.

How the Structure Changes Your Study Plan

Treat the two parts as separate exams with separate study tracks. NEC Knowledge rewards navigation drills across the chapter map; Calculations rewards table fluency and repeated practice with load, ampacity, and fill problems. See our NEC 2026 navigation guide, our open-book study techniques, and a 30-day plan that splits time between both parts.

Ready to practice? Try free NEC practice questions in the real exam format.