Important New Mexico licensing distinction: New Mexico does not use the same statewide “Master Electrician” license title used by some other states. For contractor-level residential, commercial and industrial electrical work, the broad classification is EE-98. Master Electrician is used here as a familiar study term for advanced electrical contractor exam preparation.
What Is New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep?
New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep is advanced preparation for electricians pursuing contractor-level responsibility through the state's EE-98 Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring classification.
EE-98 covers electrical systems and wiring methods operating at 5,000 volts nominal or less within the scope established by New Mexico rules. It includes residential wiring and multiple electrical specialty areas.
The person who qualifies the contractor license is known as the Qualifying Party. A qualifying business entity receives the contractor license, while the Qualifying Party proves the required experience and passes the applicable examination requirements.
Official contractor classification: EE-98 Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring.
Experience: four years of qualifying experience are required for EE-98.
Exam structure: three PSI technical examination parts plus the separate Business and Law requirement.
Master Electrician wording: used as an advanced study term, not as the official New Mexico license title.
The New Mexico Master Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide provides structured practice for electrical theory, calculations, NEC navigation and EE-98-style technical topics.
New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor Licensing Path
The individual Qualifying Party and the contractor company have connected but separate licensing responsibilities.
| Stage | Current Requirement | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Experience | Four years for EE-98 | Qualifying electrical work experience within the applicable recent period |
| Experience Window | Required experience within 10 years before application | Work Experience Affidavits and employer verification |
| Qualifying Party Application | Submit to the New Mexico licensing process | Application, notarized work affidavits and required documentation |
| Preapproval | Required before PSI scheduling | Eligibility approval before attempting the examination |
| EE-98 Part 1 | Commercial and Industrial | 80 questions, 200 minutes, 75% passing |
| EE-98 Part 2 | Residential | 40 questions, 100 minutes, 75% passing |
| EE-98 Part 3 | Specialties | 50 questions, 135 minutes, 75% passing |
| Business and Law | PSI exam or approved course | Contractor licensing, finance, contracts and management |
| Company License | Separate business-entity licensing step | QP certificate, bond, tax registration and applicable business documents |
Research Authority and Verification Snapshot
Current PSI, New Mexico licensing, electrical code and 1 Exam Prep information was checked separately to keep the official EE-98 requirements clear.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| EE-98 classification | New Mexico Administrative Code | Residential, commercial and industrial electrical wiring 5,000 volts nominal or less |
| EE-98 experience | 14.6.6 NMAC | Four years |
| Current PSI bulletin | PSI | Updated April 3, 2026 |
| EE-98 combination exam | Current PSI bulletin | Three required technical parts |
| Current exam code | PSI | 2020 National Electrical Code |
| Current New Mexico Electrical Code | 14.10.4 NMAC | 2020 NEC adopted with New Mexico amendments |
| Business and Law | PSI / New Mexico RLD | 50-question exam or approved Business and Law course |
| 1 Exam Prep products | Direct 1 Exam Prep listings | 2026 NEC-based master-level study products and practice materials |
New Mexico EE-98 Master Electrician Exam Breakdown
The EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical examination is a three-part combination exam. Candidates must pass every required part. If you do not pass every part, PSI allows you to retake only the part or parts you failed.
Part 1 focuses on commercial and industrial electrical work and contains 80 questions. Part 2 focuses on residential electrical installations and contains 40 questions. Part 3 covers specialties such as low voltage, alarms, electrical signs, cathodic protection, lightning protection, telephone systems, computer systems, sound and communications.
Across all three technical parts, candidates face 170 questions. Each section has its own timer and its own 75 percent passing requirement.
Part 1: 80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points required.
Part 2: 40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points required.
Part 3: 50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points required.
Business and Law: 50 questions, 130 minutes, 38 points required if you choose the PSI exam instead of an approved course.
Classification
EE-98 Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring
Common Study Term
New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep
Licensing Authority
New Mexico RLD Construction Industries Division
Testing Provider
PSI
Part 1
Commercial and Industrial • 80 questions • 200 minutes
Part 2
Residential • 40 questions • 100 minutes
Part 3
Specialties • 50 questions • 135 minutes
Passing Score
75% on each required part
Format
Computer-based and open book
Exam NEC
National Electrical Code, 2020
New Mexico Code
2020 New Mexico Electrical Code, NMAC 14.10.4
Experience
Four years for EE-98
Eligibility
Preapproval required before PSI scheduling
Business & Law
PSI exam or approved Business and Law course
How to Study for the New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor Exam
Treat EE-98 as three connected examinations instead of one giant pile of electrical facts. Each part has its own subject mix, so your study plan should rotate through commercial, residential and specialty systems.
Part 1 deserves the most technical study time. It contains 80 questions and covers commercial and industrial electrical systems.
Do not overlook Part 2. Residential questions require fast recognition of dwelling services, feeders, branch circuits, pools and general-use equipment.
Part 3 is a different animal. Low voltage, alarms and communications dominate the specialty portion.
Study with the correct exam code. The current PSI bulletin uses the 2020 NEC. The 1 Exam Prep products linked here use the 2026 NEC for newer-code education.
Master-Level Electrical Calculations and Code Navigation
EE-98 preparation requires more than memorizing article numbers. You need to recognize the electrical system, identify the controlling rule, work the calculation and move through the approved references without getting stuck.
Simplified New Mexico EE-98 exam prep illustration for electrical calculations and system identification.
- Services: load calculations, service conductors, equipment, disconnects and grounding
- Feeders: loads, conductor ampacity, demand factors and overcurrent protection
- Grounding and Bonding: electrode systems, bonding jumpers, equipment grounding and separately derived systems
- Motors: conductors, overload protection, branch-circuit protection, controllers and disconnects
- Raceways and Boxes: raceway fill, box fill, fittings, support and installation rules
- Specialty Systems: low voltage, alarms, communications, signs and protection systems
Your New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor Licensing Roadmap
Move from qualifying experience through QP certification, PSI testing and final contractor-company licensing.
1
Build four years of qualifying electrical experience
EE-98 requires four years of experience in the classification. The experience used for the QP application must meet New Mexico's current documentation requirements.
2
Prepare your Work Experience Affidavits
Use enough affidavits to document the full required period and make sure each person verifying your experience completes the appropriate portion.
3
Apply for Qualifying Party approval
Submit the QP application and required experience documentation through the current PSI and CID process.
4
Receive preapproval to test
New Mexico requires examination approval before you can schedule the EE-98 technical examinations.
5
Pass all three EE-98 examination parts
Complete Commercial and Industrial, Residential, and Specialties with at least 75 percent on each part.
6
Satisfy Business and Law
Pass PSI's Business and Law examination or complete a currently approved Business and Law course.
7
Complete the electrical contractor company license
The qualifying business entity submits its license application, QP documentation, bond, tax registration and applicable business records.
EE-98 Part 1 Commercial and Industrial Topic Weighting
Part 1 contains 80 questions. These percentages are calculated from the current PSI question counts.
General Knowledge and Installation Requirements
13 questions • 16.3%
Services, Feeders and Branch Circuits
10 questions • 12.5%
Overcurrent Protection
5 questions • 6.3%
Grounding and Bonding
10 questions • 12.5%
Conductors and Cables
8 questions • 10%
Raceways and Boxes
8 questions • 10%
Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies and Equipment
10 questions • 12.5%
Lighting, Signs and General-Use Equipment
6 questions • 7.5%
Motors, Transformers and Generators
6 questions • 7.5%
New Mexico State Code
4 questions • 5%
New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Exam References
The current PSI bulletin uses the 2020 NEC for EE-98. Do not replace the required exam code with a newer edition unless PSI officially changes the bulletin.
| Reference | Exam Use | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2020 | EE-98 Parts 1, 2 and 3 | Current PSI-listed NEC edition |
| National Electrical Code Handbook, 2020 | Allowed alternative to the NEC where stated by PSI | Follow current PSI reference rules |
| New Mexico Electrical Code, NMAC 14.10.4 | EE-98 Parts 1 and 2 | Contains New Mexico's 2020 NEC adoption and state amendments |
| National Electrical Safety Code, 2007 | EE-98 Part 1 | Listed as an allowed Part 1 reference in the current PSI bulletin |
| NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, 2010 | EE-98 Part 3 | Important for low-voltage and alarm-system preparation |
| NASCLA Contractors Guide, Basic 14th Edition | Business and Law | Primary contractor business reference |
| 2026 NEC Study Materials | Current-code education and broader electrical study | The 1 Exam Prep products on this page use 2026 NEC material. The current PSI exam remains based on the 2020 NEC |
How to Prepare for the Open-Book New Mexico EE-98 Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Practice with the PSI-listed 2020 NEC
- Learn the New Mexico Electrical Code amendments
- Use permanent tabs in approved references
- Highlight and underline useful sections before testing
- Practice with a silent non-programmable calculator
- Complete separate timed practice for Parts 1, 2 and 3
- Study Business and Law separately from the technical exam
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Taking a 2026 NEC into the exam when PSI lists 2020
- Writing notes inside approved references
- Using temporary Post-it-style tabs
- Adding loose or attached papers to books
- Ignoring New Mexico state code questions
- Studying commercial work while ignoring specialty systems
- Assuming open book means every answer should be looked up
PSI book rule: approved references must be bound. They may be highlighted, underlined and indexed before the examination. References containing writing are not allowed. Permanent tabs are permitted, but temporary tabs are prohibited.
New Mexico Master Electrician vs EE-98 Qualifying Party
New Mexico's licensing language can look different from states that issue a credential literally called “Master Electrician.”
For broad contractor-level electrical work, New Mexico uses the EE-98 Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring classification. The individual who qualifies the contractor license holds the Qualifying Party certification for the applicable classification.
Master Electrician: a useful description for advanced electrical knowledge and contractor-level exam preparation.
EE-98: the official New Mexico electrical contractor classification for the broad residential, commercial and industrial scope defined by state rule.
Qualifying Party: the individual whose experience and examination credentials qualify the licensed business entity.
New Mexico EE-98 Examination Comparison
Each portion of the EE-98 pathway tests a different electrical skill set.
| Exam | Current Format | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| EE-98 Part 1 | 80 questions • 200 minutes • 75% | Commercial and industrial electrical systems |
| EE-98 Part 2 | 40 questions • 100 minutes • 75% | Residential electrical installations |
| EE-98 Part 3 | 50 questions • 135 minutes • 75% | Low voltage, alarms, signs, protection systems and communications |
| Business and Law | 50 questions • 130 minutes • 75% | Licensing, bidding, finance, tax, labor, project management and contracts |
| Approved Business and Law Course | Alternative to the PSI Business and Law exam | Satisfies the Business and Law requirement when completed through an approved provider |
New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor Requirements
Qualifying Experience
Four Years
- Electrical experience matching the EE-98 classification
- Experience within the required 10-year period
- Work Experience Affidavits
- Preapproval before testing
- Qualifying Party certification process
EE-98 Technical Testing
Three Required Parts
- Part 1 Commercial and Industrial
- Part 2 Residential
- Part 3 Specialties
- 75% passing on every part
- Open-book reference testing
- 2020 NEC-based code questions
Contractor Business Requirements
Complete the License Path
- Business and Law requirement
- Qualifying Party certificate
- Company license application
- License bond
- Tax registration
- Applicable entity documents
- Workers Compensation coverage where required
Six-Week New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep Plan
Study all three EE-98 parts while keeping calculations, New Mexico code and Business and Law active throughout your preparation.
Week 1
NEC Navigation and General Knowledge
- 2020 NEC structure
- New Mexico Electrical Code
- Definitions
- General installation requirements
- Baseline practice exam
Week 2
Services, Feeders and Grounding
- Service calculations
- Feeder calculations
- Branch circuits
- Grounding and bonding
- Overcurrent protection
Week 3
Conductors, Raceways and Equipment
- Conductor ampacity
- Raceway fill
- Box fill
- Special occupancies
- General-use equipment
Week 4
Motors and Residential Systems
- Motor calculations
- Transformers
- Generators
- Residential services
- Pools and dwelling equipment
Week 5
Specialties and Communications
- Low voltage
- Fire alarms
- Electrical signs
- Telephone and computer systems
- Sound and communications
Week 6
Full EE-98 Simulation
- Part 1 timed practice
- Part 2 timed practice
- Part 3 timed practice
- Business and Law review
- Final reference inspection
How Hard Is the New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam?
EE-98 is challenging because it is not a single narrow electrical test. It combines commercial and industrial electrical work, residential installations and specialty electrical systems.
Part 1 alone contains 80 questions and covers ten different subject categories. Then you still have a residential section and a specialty section that includes low voltage, alarms and communications.
The exam is open book, but that does not remove the need to study. It simply changes the job from “remember every rule” to “know enough to identify the rule and find it before the clock starts laughing at you.”
Candidates also need to satisfy Business and Law, so contractor-level preparation should cover technical electrical knowledge and the responsibilities of running or qualifying a licensed contracting business.
New Mexico EE-98 Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm exactly which EE-98 part you are scheduled to take
- Bring the current PSI-approved references
- Use the required 2020 NEC edition
- Bring valid identification
- Use only permanent tabs
- Bring a silent non-printing non-programmable calculator
- Arrive early enough for PSI check-in
Do not do this
- Bring the 2026 NEC as a substitute for the required 2020 exam code
- Bring references containing handwritten notes
- Write in books during the exam
- Use Post-it notes or temporary tabs
- Bring loose papers inside approved references
- Ignore Part 3 specialty systems
- Forget the Business and Law requirement
New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep Options
Master Electrician Study Guide
Practice-Focused Preparation
- New Mexico master-level electrical review
- 12 practice exams
- 2 full final exams
- Electrical theory
- NEC application
- Calculation practice
Study Guide + Flash Card Combo
Structured Active Recall
- New Mexico Master Electrician Study Guide
- 12 practice exams
- 2 full final exams
- Master Electrician flash cards
- Formula review
- Code-topic reinforcement
Master Electrician Ultimate Combo
Expanded Electrical Study System
- Master Electrician Study Guide
- Electrician Calculations Study Guide
- 2026 NEC with tabs
- Master Electrician flash cards
- Online Test Success Kit
- Calculation and code-navigation support
Exam-code warning: the 1 Exam Prep products above are based on the 2026 NEC for current-code education. The current New Mexico PSI EE-98 examination bulletin lists the 2020 NEC. Use the exact PSI-approved 2020 references for final exam preparation and test day.
Contractor candidates should also review the New Mexico Business and Law Online Exam Prep Course .
EE-98 Is New Mexico's Broad Electrical Contractor Classification
The New Mexico master-level contractor path combines field experience, three technical examinations and contractor business requirements.
• Official contractor classification: EE-98
• Four years of qualifying experience
• Part 1: 80 questions and 200 minutes
• Part 2: 40 questions and 100 minutes
• Part 3: 50 questions and 135 minutes
• 75% required on every technical part
• Current exam NEC: 2020
• Business and Law must also be satisfied
• The licensed business entity must be properly qualified by a certified Qualifying Party
Prepare for the actual EE-98 pathway, even when your study materials use the familiar Master Electrician name.
New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
New Mexico Master Electrician and EE-98
New Mexico uses its own contractor and journeyman classification system rather than one universal statewide Master Electrician license title. For broad residential, commercial and industrial contractor-level electrical work, the main classification is EE-98.
EE-98 covers residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems and wiring methods operating at 5,000 volts nominal or less within the scope defined by New Mexico regulations.
The current New Mexico classification rule requires four years of experience for EE-98.
A Qualifying Party is the individual certified by CID to qualify a licensed business entity for a particular contractor classification. The QP proves the required experience and satisfies the examination requirements.
EE-98 Examination
EE-98 is currently a three-part combination examination: Part 1 Commercial and Industrial, Part 2 Residential, and Part 3 Specialties.
Part 1 contains 80 questions and allows 200 minutes. Candidates need 75 percent, or 60 points, to pass.
Part 2 contains 40 questions and allows 100 minutes. Candidates need 75 percent, or 30 points, to pass.
Part 3 contains 50 questions and allows 135 minutes. Candidates need 75 percent, or 38 points, to pass.
Yes. PSI states that candidates must take and pass all required parts of the combination exam. If you fail only one or two parts, you retake the failed part or parts.
PSI administers the examinations under contract with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division.
Code Books and References
The April 2026 PSI bulletin lists the 2020 National Electrical Code for the EE-98 examinations.
New Mexico's current Electrical Code, NMAC 14.10.4, adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code with state amendments.
Yes. The current PSI bulletin lists the EE-98 examinations as open book.
Yes. Approved references may be highlighted and underlined before the examination.
Yes. PSI allows permanent tabs or indexing in approved references. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited.
No. References containing writing are not allowed, and candidates may not write in approved references during the examination.
Part 3 Specialties
Low Voltage, including Alarms, is the largest Part 3 category with 20 questions.
Yes. Telephone and Computer Systems contains 10 questions, and Sound and Communication Systems contains another 10.
Yes. The current PSI reference list includes NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, 2010 Edition, for Part 3.
Business and Law and Licensing
Yes. Contractor candidates must either pass the PSI Business and Law examination or complete a currently approved Business and Law course.
The current exam contains 50 questions, allows 130 minutes and requires 75 percent, or 38 points, to pass.
The current PSI bulletin states that candidates must test within six months of becoming eligible or reapply with the Division.
Current New Mexico guidance states that passing scores are valid for one year from the examination date.
The current 1 Exam Prep New Mexico Master Electrician products use the 2026 NEC for current-code education and newer NEC study. The present New Mexico PSI EE-98 exam still lists the 2020 NEC, so final exam preparation must follow the PSI-approved 2020 reference set.
Watch: New Mexico Master Electrician Exam Prep by 1 Exam Prep
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep New Mexico Master Electrician video for advanced electrical study, NEC preparation, code-navigation practice, calculations and contractor-level exam preparation.
New Mexico exam prep note: the matching 1 Exam Prep products and video support newer 2026 NEC study. The current New Mexico EE-98 PSI examination is based on the 2020 NEC. Use this video for strategy and advanced electrical review, but use the current PSI-approved 2020 references for final exam preparation.
New Mexico Master Electrician Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current New Mexico CID and PSI requirements together with structured 1 Exam Prep master-level electrical preparation.
New Mexico Master Study Guide + Flash Cards
New Mexico Master Electrician Study Guide
Master Study Guide + NEC Combo
Master Electrician Ultimate Combo
New Mexico Business and Law Course
New Mexico Business and Law Complete Package
Current New Mexico PSI Contractor Bulletin
PSI New Mexico Contractor Exam Portal
New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing
New Mexico Contractor Classification Rules
New Mexico Qualifying Party Rules
2020 New Mexico Electrical Code
Contact 1 Exam Prep
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