2023 Texas Journeyman Electrician Study Guide & National Electrical Code Combo with Tabs (Based on the 2023 NEC)

Texas journeyman electrician testing is all about performance under pressure: reading a question fast, understanding what it’s really asking, and locating the controlling NEC rule without burning your clock. This combo was created to help you train those exact skills with the 2023 Texas Journeyman Electrician Study Guide paired with the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023 Paperback and a tab set designed to speed up code navigation.

If you’ve been doing electrical work in the field, you already know the NEC isn’t meant to be memorized cover-to-cover. It’s a working reference—and the Texas exam expects you to use it like one. The challenge is that “open book” doesn’t mean “easy.” Open book means you must be able to:

• Find the right code section quickly (without panic-flipping pages).
• Read carefully for exceptions and conditions that change the correct answer.
• Handle calculations confidently with a steady, repeatable process.

This package supports a practical study routine. You’ll develop a codebook workflow, practice the most common question types, and build the confidence that comes from consistent reps. Whether you’re finishing your required hours, upgrading your license level, or retaking one portion and aiming to pass with a smarter strategy this time, this combo is built to keep your preparation organized, focused, and realistic.

Because Texas reformatted the Journeyman Electrician written exam into two separate portions—NEC Knowledge and Calculations—your study approach should match that structure. This combo helps you split your prep the same way: code-navigation practice for the knowledge portion and step-by-step problem solving for the calculations portion.

What You Get

• 2023 Texas Journeyman Electrician Study Guide
  A trade-focused study resource aligned to the NEC and designed to strengthen code navigation, question reading, and timed-test performance.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023 Paperback
  The NEC 2023 Edition in paperback format for study and reference use.
• NEC Tabs
  A tab set that helps you build a faster “mental map” of the NEC so you can locate key chapters and articles efficiently during study and practice.

Exam Details

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) delivers electrician licensing exams through PSI. TDLR’s exam information explains that starting March 11, 2025, the Journeyman Electrician exam changed to consist of two separate parts: a knowledge portion and a calculations portion. TDLR also states a score of 70% or better is required to pass, and candidates may retake exams as needed (with additional fees).

PSI’s Texas Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 4/20/2026) lists the Journeyman Electrician written exam in two portions with these formats and timing:

• NEC Knowledge Portion: 59 items (including 3 non-scored items), 130 minutes, 70% correct to pass.
• Calculations Portion: 26 items (including 2 non-scored items), 110 minutes, 70% correct to pass.

The bulletin also states both portions are multiple choice, you must pass each portion with a minimum score of 70%, and time from one portion does not roll over to the next.

Exam fee: PSI’s bulletin lists the Journeyman Electrician examination fee as $78 for both portions, and if you fail one portion or both portions, the retake examination fee is $78.

For planning your prep, the bulletin provides a content outline for each portion. The NEC Knowledge portion emphasizes code understanding and application across major NEC-driven areas (like services, feeders, branch circuits, wiring methods, equipment, special occupancies/conditions, and more). The Calculations portion emphasizes calculation-based topics (including load calculations, feeders and branch circuits, grounding/bonding conductors, and additional calculation-driven areas).

Open Book Test

TDLR’s electrician exam information clearly states the examination is OPEN BOOK and that you will be allowed to reference the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition. PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin confirms exams are open book and lists the permitted reference as the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition.

PSI’s bulletin also includes specific reference rules that matter for your test-day setup and your study routine:

• What’s allowed: any soft-bound edition of the NEC 2023 may be used; your NEC book may be highlighted/underlined and may contain notes prior to the exam session; NEC books may be tabbed with permanent index tabs manufactured and/or provided by the NEC book publisher.
• What’s not allowed: you may not write, highlight, underline, index, or mark the NEC during the exam session; you may not use homemade/DIY/non-NEC tabs; no additional paper (loose, taped, adhered, stapled, etc.) is allowed; loose-leaf/spiralbound/ring-bound NEC copies are not allowed; the NEC Handbook is not allowed.

That’s exactly why a code-navigation-first approach is so important. When you practice with a tabbed NEC (in a compliant way), you build speed by repetition: you learn where information lives, how the code is organized, and how to confirm an answer efficiently without second-guessing yourself. Open book becomes an advantage only when you’ve trained your process.

Licensing Steps

Journeyman licensing in Texas is managed by TDLR. While every applicant’s experience history is different, the typical path follows a clear sequence:

1. Complete qualifying on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician.
   TDLR states that to apply for a Journeyman Electrician license, you must have completed at least 7,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas. TDLR also explains that submitting at least 7,000 hours allows you to take the exam before reaching the full 8,000 hours required for licensure.
2. Collect signed experience verification.
   TDLR explains that your experience must be documented and signed by each supervising Master Electrician using an Experience Verification Form.
3. Submit your initial application by mail with the required fee.
   TDLR states you must apply by mail for the initial license application and submit a completed Journeyman Electrician License Application Form with a non-refundable $30 application fee.
4. Receive approval to test, then schedule your exam with PSI.
   TDLR explains that after your completed application has been received and verified, you’ll receive notification that you are approved to take the licensing exam, and PSI handles exam scheduling.
5. Pass both written portions: NEC Knowledge and Calculations.
   PSI’s bulletin explains the Journeyman Electrician written exam is split into two portions and requires passing each portion with a minimum score of 70%.
6. Maintain your license.
   TDLR states electrician licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually.

State Requirements

TDLR describes the Journeyman Electrician as licensed to perform electrical work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician. TDLR also states that, except for certain allowed exemptions, anyone who performs electrical work in Texas must be licensed.

From a readiness standpoint, Texas journeyman candidates usually benefit from treating their preparation as two parallel tracks:

• Licensing readiness: keeping your hours, supervisors, and verification documents organized so your application process moves smoothly.
• Exam readiness: building a repeatable method for code lookups and calculations so the exam format feels familiar.

This combo focuses on the exam readiness side while supporting the real-world NEC skills that carry into your day-to-day work.

Reference Books

• NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023 Edition
  TDLR’s exam information and PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin state the exam is open book and allows the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition as the permitted reference.

This product includes the National Electrical Code 2023 Paperback with Tabs to support the reference requirement and help you practice fast navigation while staying aligned to the exam’s open-book rules.

Test Information and Study Materials

Texas expects you to do more than recognize code language—you have to apply it. The most effective study plan trains the way the exam works: read the scenario, identify what the question is testing, locate the controlling NEC rule, and answer decisively. Because the Texas journeyman exam is split into two written portions, your prep should match that split.

1) Train for the NEC Knowledge Portion (navigation + application)

The NEC Knowledge portion is timed and built to test how well you can use the code as a reference. Strong candidates don’t “search everywhere.” They narrow down quickly:

• Pull keywords first: location, voltage, occupancy type, wiring method, equipment type, protection requirement, and any special conditions.
• Go to the right neighborhood: chapter, article, or section that controls that situation.
• Read beyond the main rule: exceptions and special conditions are often where the correct answer is decided.

With a tabbed codebook, your goal is speed to the right section, then accuracy in reading. Tabs are a tool—not a shortcut. When you practice the same lookups repeatedly, you stop wasting time and start confirming answers with confidence.

2) Build a reliable calculations workflow (for the Calculations Portion)

The Calculations portion separates the math-heavy questions so you can focus on problem-solving without bouncing between unrelated question types. The best approach is a consistent process you repeat every time:

• Write the “ask” in plain language: what does the question want—ampacity, overcurrent, conductor size, load, or another value?
• List given information: voltage, phase, conductor material assumptions, distance, load types, and any conditions.
• Choose the method: identify the correct NEC rule or calculation path that applies to the scenario.
• Check reasonableness: before you lock in the answer, make sure the result makes sense for the scenario.

Consistent practice helps reduce mistakes caused by rushing, misreading units, or skipping a key condition. When you train this workflow in a steady routine, the calculations portion becomes a place to earn points, not a place to lose time.

3) Build speed without sacrificing accuracy

Texas is timed, and the two-portion format means you need pacing for each section. Your practice sessions should include:

• Timed code lookups (not just untimed reading).
• Timed calculation reps with step-by-step checking.
• Review of missed questions by returning to the exact NEC location or calculation method and repeating it until it becomes familiar.

Speed comes from familiarity. Familiarity comes from repetition. And repetition comes from having the right tools and a plan you can actually follow.

4) Use your tabs the right way

PSI’s bulletin spells out tab rules for the NEC in the testing room, and that should shape how you study. The goal is to use tabs to reach the right area quickly, then use the NEC’s structure—headings, tables, exceptions, and cross-references—to locate the exact requirement. When your prep mirrors test-day rules, you remove surprises and build confidence with your materials.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Texas journeyman candidates prepare with structure—so your study time feels purposeful instead of random. The goal isn’t to “cram code.” The goal is to build the practical skills that support licensure readiness: code navigation, trade-focused understanding, and practice that matches real exam pressure.

• Organized study guidance that helps you focus on what to study next instead of guessing.
• Trade-focused review designed around how electricians actually apply the code in real situations.
• Practice-oriented preparation that supports timing, accuracy, and confidence-building repetition.
• Reference navigation that helps you get faster at finding answers in the NEC—especially important for Texas open-book rules.
• Confidence-building study structure that turns weak areas into repeatable improvement through consistent review.

This combo is built to support your momentum: study with a plan, practice with the same reference you’ll use, and walk into the Texas journeyman exam with a method you’ve already trained.

FAQ

Is the Texas Journeyman Electrician exam open book?

Yes. TDLR’s exam information states the examination is open book and allows candidates to reference the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition. PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin also states the exams are open book and lists the NEC 2023 as the allowed reference.

What NEC edition is Texas using for the journeyman exam?

TDLR’s exam information states you will be allowed to reference the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition. PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin also lists the National Electrical Code®, 2023 Edition as the allowed reference material.

How is the Texas Journeyman Electrician written exam structured?

PSI’s Texas Candidate Information Bulletin states the Journeyman Electrician written exam has been reformatted into two portions: NEC Knowledge and Calculations. Both portions are multiple choice, and you must pass each portion with a minimum score of 70%.

How many questions and how much time do I get on each portion?

PSI’s bulletin lists the NEC Knowledge portion as 59 items (including non-scored items) with 130 minutes, and the Calculations portion as 26 items (including non-scored items) with 110 minutes. Each portion requires 70% correct to pass.

Do I have to pass both portions?

Yes. PSI’s bulletin states you must pass each portion with a minimum score of 70%. It also notes that time does not roll over from one portion to the next.

Can I tab my NEC for the Texas exam?

PSI’s bulletin states NEC books may be tabbed with permanent index tabs manufactured and/or provided by the NEC book publisher. It also states candidates are not permitted to use homemade/DIY/non-NEC tabs, and candidates may not mark their NEC during the exam session.

How many hours do I need to apply for a Texas Journeyman Electrician license?

TDLR states that to apply for a Journeyman Electrician license, you must have completed at least 7,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas. TDLR also explains that 7,000 hours allows you to take the exam before reaching the full 8,000 hours required for licensure.

How long is a Texas journeyman license valid?

TDLR states electrician licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually.