6 realistic open-book NEC 2026 questions for the Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota and Oregon journeyman electrician exams — with the exact code reference for every answer. Click to reveal the answer and explanation. Free practice starts with the first chapter of every exam in the app.
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These 6 sample questions represent the type of questions you will encounter on the Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota and Oregon journeyman electrician exams. In Texas, the exam is administered by PSI for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): the NEC Knowledge line (59 questions) and the Calculations line (26 questions) are scored separately. In Washington, PSI administers the two-section L&I journeyman exam: Section A NEC & Theory (60 questions, 180 minutes) and Section B Washington Codes (17 questions, 60 minutes), both open book at 70%, on the NEC 2026. In Massachusetts, the exam is administered by PSI for the Board of State Examiners of Electricians: Part I (80 questions, 180 minutes) and Part II Applied (30 questions, 60 minutes). In Colorado, PSI administers a single 90-question journeyman exam for the Colorado Electrical Board (DORA). In Minnesota, the Department of Labor and Industry administers a single 80-question Class A journeyworker exam (330 minutes), open book with the 2026 NEC provided at the exam site. In Oregon, the Building Codes Division grades a single 52-question General Journeyman exam (180 minutes, 75% to pass), open book against its approved reference list. Every state is open book, against the NEC 2026 and its state amendments. Every format tests your ability to find and apply code rules — not to memorize them.
Click the Show Answer button under each question to see the correct answer, a detailed explanation, and the code reference. Use these questions to practice your code-navigation skills — chapter map, section numbering, and the index — and to identify areas that need more study.
Journeyman Practice covers the full exam content of six states and nine exam lines (TX NEC Knowledge and Calculations, WA Section A NEC & Theory and Section B Washington Codes, MA Part I and Part II Applied, the Colorado journeyman exam, the Minnesota Class A journeyworker exam and the Oregon General Journeyman exam) — the question bank is written against the NEC 2026. Sign up for free to start with the first chapter of each exam part in your state.
Under the National Electrical Code (NEC), where must the service disconnecting means be located for a one-family dwelling?
✅ Correct Answer: B: At a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors
NEC 230.70(A)(1) requires the service disconnecting means to be installed at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors. This lets first responders and utility crews disconnect power quickly in an emergency.
Reference: NEC 230.70(A)(1)
A 12 AWG copper conductor is used for a branch circuit. Per NEC 240.4(D), what is the maximum rating of the standard overcurrent device permitted to protect it?
✅ Correct Answer: B: 20 amperes
NEC 240.4(D) limits small conductors: 14 AWG copper to 15 A, 12 AWG copper to 20 A, and 10 AWG copper to 30 A — unless the conductor ampacity and the equipment rules in 240.4(D) allow a higher rating. This is one of the most-tested lookup rules on the journeyman exam.
Reference: NEC 240.4(D)
A bathroom receptacle in a one-family dwelling is supplied at 125 volts, 15 amperes. Which protection is required by NEC 210.8?
✅ Correct Answer: B: Ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection
NEC 210.8(A)(1) requires all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in dwelling-unit bathrooms to have GFCI protection. Bathrooms are a classic high-risk wet location on every NEC exam.
Reference: NEC 210.8(A)(1)
Per NEC Table 310.16, what is the allowable ampacity of a 10 AWG THHN copper conductor using the 90°C column?
✅ Correct Answer: C: 40 amperes
Table 310.16 lists 10 AWG THHN copper at 40 A in the 90°C column. Remember that terminal temperature limits in 110.14(C) often restrict the final ampacity — this question tests pure table lookup, which is exactly what open-book exam questions reward.
Reference: NEC Table 310.16, 110.14(C)
Per NEC Table 220.12, what is the minimum general lighting load for the floor area of a 2,400 square foot single-family dwelling?
✅ Correct Answer: C: 7,200 VA
Table 220.12 assigns a unit lighting load of 3 VA per square foot for dwelling units: 2,400 sq ft × 3 VA = 7,200 VA. This feeds into the optional and standard dwelling load calculations in Article 220.
Reference: NEC Table 220.12
Four current-carrying conductors are installed together in a single raceway. Per NEC Table 310.15(C)(1), what ampacity adjustment factor applies?
✅ Correct Answer: A: 0.80
Table 310.15(C)(1) applies a 0.80 adjustment factor when 4–6 current-carrying conductors are bundled in one raceway or cable. Multiply the table ampacity by this factor — a frequent trap when a calculation question forgets to mention derating.
Reference: NEC Table 310.15(C)(1)
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Master navigation of the National Electrical Code.
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