Exam Day at PSI for the Texas Electrician Exam

Exam day goes smoothly if you know PSI’s rules before you leave home. Most problems at check-in come from the ID, the code book or something in a pocket. This guide walks through the day in order, based on the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin updated 9/15/2026.

Key facts

• Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. Late arrivals are not admitted and lose the fee.
• Bring one valid government-issued ID that matches your TDLR record.
• Bring a compliant soft-bound NEC and an allowed calculator. A bound word-to-word dictionary is optional.
• Everything else goes into secure storage, including your phone, watch, wallet, pens and jacket.
• A computer tutorial of up to 15 minutes does not count against your exam time.
• Your score appears on screen when the exam ends, and a report is printed on site.

The week before

• Check your appointment. After you pay, PSI confirms the test center, date and time. Make sure the name on your PSI account matches your ID exactly; PSI requires the first and last name to match.
• Check your ID. It must be valid and show your printed name, photo, signature or fingerprint, date of birth and expiration date. An expired Texas driver’s license is accepted only together with a valid DPS temporary permit, and the permit only together with the expired license. If you cannot provide the required ID, PSI says to call (833) 333-4741 at least 3 weeks before your appointment.
• Check your book. Soft-bound, publisher tabs only, no added paper, no spiral or ring binding, no Handbook. See open-book NEC rules and tabs.
• Check your calculator. Silent, battery-operated, non-programmable, no paper tape, no letter keyboard. Put in a fresh battery. See calculator rules.
• Need to move the date? Cancel or reschedule at least 2 days before, on the PSI website or by phone. For a Monday appointment, that means by Saturday. A voicemail or email is not an accepted cancellation.

What to bring and what to leave

Bring into the room	Leave in storage or in your car
One valid government-issued ID	Phone, smart watch, any electronic device
Your compliant soft-bound NEC	Purse, wallet, backpack, briefcase
An allowed calculator	Pens, pencils, notebooks, any paper
Optional: bound word-to-word dictionary	Food, drinks, good luck items
	Hats (unless worn for religious reasons)
	Jackets, coats, vests, cardigans, open sweaters, scarves

PSI says outerwear is not allowed in the testing room, and if you are asked to remove it you should have a shirt or blouse underneath. Dress in a layer you can test in.

Anyone who drives you cannot wait inside the center, the building or on the property. Plan for them to leave and come back. There is no smoking, eating or drinking in the center.

Arrival and check-in

1. Arrive 30 minutes early. That time is for sign-in and ID verification. Once you enter the exam area, no talking or communication with other candidates is allowed.
2. Show your ID. PSI takes a digital copy and stores it with your record.
3. Expect an inspection. You will be asked whether you have prohibited items. You may be asked to empty and turn out your pockets, lift your sleeves and pant legs, and show eyeglass frames, tie tacks or similar items.
4. Book check. If your NEC breaks the rules, PSI offers three choices: test without it, remove the homemade tabs yourself, or forfeit the fee and come back another day.
5. Storage. Anything prohibited goes into the storage provided or back to your car. PSI is not responsible for items in storage.

A prohibited item found in the exam room invalidates your results, and PSI reports it to TDLR.

At the testing station

• You confirm your name, ID number and the exam you registered for.
• A tutorial on the computer and keyboard runs first. Up to 15 minutes on it does not count as exam time, and sample questions let you practice answering and reviewing.
• One question appears at a time. The minutes remaining show at the top of the screen.
• You can go back to any question and change your answer while time remains.
• Each question has a Comments button. PSI reviews substantive comments, and says this is the only review of the exam available to candidates.
• PSI provides an electronic notepad. Do not write in your NEC.
• You may leave only for the restroom, with the proctor’s permission, and the clock keeps running.

For journeyman and master candidates, the two portions are timed separately. Unused time on the first portion does not carry over to the second.

Scores

Your score appears on screen as soon as the exam ends, and an official score report is printed at the site.

• If you pass, you get a success notice right away.
• If you do not pass, you also get a diagnostic report showing your strengths and weaknesses by area. Keep it; it is the best guide for a retake. See retaking the exam.

The English bulletin says you can print a duplicate score report from your online PSI account. The Spanish bulletin gives a different method, so if the online option does not work, contact PSI.

If something goes wrong

• Bad weather or an emergency closes the site: PSI reschedules your exam and tries to contact you. You can check by calling (833) 333-4741.
• You need an accommodation: PSI centers follow the Americans with Disabilities Act. Request accommodations through PSI’s form well ahead of your date.
• You are running late: if you will arrive after the start time, you will not be admitted. Call PSI to ask about options, but expect to lose the fee.

Where the PSI centers are

The bulletin lists test centers in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Richardson, El Paso, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston, Lubbock, McAllen, Midland, San Antonio, Tyler and Waco. Check the PSI scheduling page for current locations and open dates.

The night before

Pack your ID, NEC and calculator together. Do one short, timed set of Ohm’s law or dwelling standard load drills to warm up, not a full study session. If you are testing in Spanish, read taking the exam in Spanish for the dictionary rule. Then sleep.

TexasElectricianExam is an independent study site, not affiliated with TDLR, PSI or NFPA. Rules can change; check the current PSI bulletin before your exam.