The exam format
| Part | Questions | Scored | Time | Per question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEC knowledge | 75 | 70 | 2 h 30 min | 2.0 min |
| Calculations | 33 | 30 | 2 h 50 min | 5.2 min |
You need 70% on each part, and time left on one part does not carry over to the other. The PSI fee is $78. The exam is open book with your own soft-bound 2026 NEC, and is offered in English or Spanish at no extra cost.
What the exam covers
Scored questions per area, from the PSI content outline. Area names are paraphrased.
NEC knowledge
| Definitions, theory and plans | 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Services and separately derived systems | 11 | |
| Feeders | 4 | |
| Branch circuits and conductors | 11 | |
| Wiring methods and materials | 7 | |
| Equipment and devices | 8 | |
| Motors and generators | 7 | |
| Controls and disconnecting means | 3 | |
| Special occupancies and equipment | 8 | |
| Renewable energy and EV charging | 4 |
Calculations
| Calculations and theory | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Service load calcs, grounding and bonding, transformers | 8 | |
| Feeder load calcs and overcurrent protection | 3 | |
| Branch-circuit calcs and conductors | 4 | |
| Raceways and boxes | 2 | |
| Air conditioning and appliances | 2 | |
| Motors and generators | 6 | |
| Controls and disconnecting means | 1 | |
| RV parks, mobile homes, marinas, data rooms | 1 | |
| EV chargers and PV | 1 |
How to use this practice exam
- Start in study mode with 10 questions. Read the steps for every miss, with your NEC open to the section named.
- Drill weak topics on their calculation page until you get five in a row.
- Take the full calculations part in exam mode. The clock uses the PSI pace per question, so you learn the rhythm.
- Repeat until you score above 80% consistently. The real exam needs 70%, but nerves and book time cost points.
Calculations on this exam
Dwelling load calculations
- Fastened appliance demand load 120.53
- Dwelling optional load calculation 120.82(A)
- Dwelling standard load calculation 120.41
Commercial load calculations
- Commercial lighting load Table 120.42(A)
- Receptacle load 120.14(I)
Conductors and overcurrent
- Ampacity correction and adjustment Table 310.16
- Conductor sizing Table 310.16
- Continuous loads Article 100, Continuous Load
- Overcurrent device sizing 240.4
- Voltage drop Chapter 9, Table 8
Motors
- Motor branch-circuit conductors 430.22
- Motor feeders 430.24
- Motor full-load current 430.6(A)(1)
- Motor short-circuit protection 430.52(C)(1)
- Motor overload protection 430.32(A)(1)
Boxes and raceways
- Box fill 314.16(B)
- Conduit fill Chapter 9, Table 1
- Pull box sizing 314.28(A)(1)
Grounding and bonding
- Equipment grounding conductor sizing Table 250.122
- Grounding electrode conductor sizing Table 250.66
Transformers
- Transformer current Table 450.5(B)
- Transformer overcurrent protection Table 450.5(B)
Electrical theory
- Ohm's law and power 120.5
- Power factor and efficiency 430.6(A)(1)
- Series and parallel circuits Chapter 9, Table 8
- Three-phase power 120.5
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the Texas master electrician exam?
NEC knowledge: 75 questions (70 scored and 5 unscored pilot questions) in 2 h 30 min. Calculations: 33 questions (30 scored and 3 unscored pilot questions) in 2 h 50 min. You need 70% on each part.
How much does it cost and where do you take it?
The PSI fee is $78 for both parts, and the full fee applies to a retake even if you failed only one part. You test on computer at PSI centers in Texas, in English or Spanish at no extra cost.
Are these real exam questions?
No. Calculations are generated with new numbers every time, following the format and outline PSI publishes. No question comes from the real exam.
What is the pass rate?
In fiscal 2025, 19.1% of candidates passed the calculations part (TDLR exam statistics). It is the harder part.
Sources
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, Texas electrician exams (updated 9/15/2026)
- TDLR: Electrician exam information
- TDLR: Electrician exam statistics FY2025
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