New Mexico 2023 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide: 12 Practice Exams +2 Full Final Exams: Trusted by 50k Electricians

New Mexico 2023 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide: 12 Practice Exams +2 Full Final Exams: Trusted by 50k Electricians

New Mexico journeyman certification is where your hands-on skills meet code accuracy under pressure. In the field, you can pause, verify, and talk through a tricky installation detail. In the testing room, you have to read carefully, apply the right requirement, and keep moving—often when several answers look close.

This New Mexico 2023 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide is built for the way New Mexico’s journeyman testing is structured through PSI: a mix of code-focused questions and theory-driven questions that test whether you truly understand electrical installation requirements. You’ll get 12 practice exams plus 2 full final exams designed to help you sharpen code navigation, strengthen decision-making, and build a steady test-day pace.

Trusted by 50k electricians, this prep style focuses on what actually improves results:

• Exam-style multiple-choice practice that trains careful reading and eliminates avoidable mistakes
• Code-lookup repetition so you find the right NEC section faster and with more confidence
• Stronger pacing so tough questions don’t steal time from easier points
• Targeted review habits so every missed question turns into a measurable improvement

If you’re working full-time (or pulling overtime), the goal isn’t to study longer—it’s to study smarter. Practice exams help you identify what’s actually costing you points: missed exceptions, wrong table choices, slow navigation, or rushed reading. Once you know your patterns, you can fix them and prove the fix on the next exam set.

What You Get

• 12 Practice Exams to build accuracy, speed, and confidence across the same topics PSI outlines for New Mexico journeyman testing.
• 2 Full Final Exams for realistic simulations that train timing and stamina.
• Open-book code practice + closed-book theory readiness so you prepare for how New Mexico splits journeyman testing into code and theory.
• Practical study structure that helps you track weak areas, improve them, and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Exam Details

New Mexico journeyman certification testing is administered by PSI for the Construction Industries Division (CID). New Mexico offers multiple journeyman classifications; the most common electrician track candidates refer to as “Journeyman Electrician” is the EE-98J Journeyman Residential and Commercial Electrical pathway, which includes two written exams (Part 1 and Part 2) and a practical exam.

For EE-98J Journeyman Residential and Commercial Electrical:

• Part 1 Code Examination: 50 questions; 75% required to pass (38 points); 145 minutes allowed.
• Part 2 Theory Examination: 50 questions; 75% required to pass (38 points); 120 minutes allowed.
• Practical Examination: 100 points; 75% required to pass (75 points); 120 minutes allowed.

PSI lists exam fees per EE-98J component, and also lists a bundled combination fee for candidates taking the full exam set:

• EE-98J Part 1 Written: $68.88
• EE-98J Part 2 Written: $68.88
• Journeyman Residential and Commercial Electrical Practical: $68.88
• Exam Combination Fee: $206.64

This product is designed to help you prepare for the journeyman written testing experience (Part 1 and Part 2) with practice-first training. If you are also preparing for the practical, you can use the same discipline this guide builds—steady pacing, careful reading, and clean execution—to support hands-on refreshers that match the practical task list.

Open Book Test

New Mexico’s journeyman testing includes both code-based and theory-based testing. For the EE-98J track, Part 1 (Code) is OPEN BOOK, and Part 2 (Theory) is CLOSED BOOK. That mix changes how you should prepare.

Part 1 rewards electricians who can navigate references quickly and confirm details accurately. PSI’s open-book rules matter:

• You must bring your own bound references to the exam center.
• References may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed before testing, but any writing in reference materials is not allowed.
• No additional papers (loose or attached) may be brought in with your references.
• Permanent tabs only; temporary tabs (like Post-it notes) are not allowed and must be removed.
• A silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator is allowed.

Part 2 being closed book means you can’t rely on the code to rescue you. Your best approach is to build quick recognition and understanding: fundamentals, installation logic, and common decision patterns that show up again and again in journeyman-level questions.

How this prep helps you win in a mixed-format exam:

• For Code (Open Book): practice questions that force you to identify the right topic fast, navigate to the correct section, and confirm exceptions and table notes.
• For Theory (Closed Book): practice questions that build recognition, reinforce core concepts, and reduce second-guessing under time pressure.
• For both parts: training the habit that separates high scorers from repeat testers—reading carefully, avoiding “almost right” answers, and managing pace.

Licensing Steps

New Mexico requires candidates to be pre-approved before taking any journeyman examination. Once you become eligible, PSI and CID timelines and testing rules impact how you should plan your exam date and preparation schedule.

1. Determine your journeyman classification. New Mexico issues journeyman certificates by classification. Confirm you’re testing for the correct electrical category for the work you intend to perform (many candidates pursue EE-98J).
2. Submit your eligibility documentation for approval. Candidates must be approved before scheduling any examination.
3. Schedule and pay through PSI after approval. PSI administers scheduling through its examination portal and customer service system once you have eligibility.
4. Test within New Mexico’s eligibility window. PSI’s bulletin notes you must test within 6 months of the date of eligibility or you will need to reapply with the Division.
5. Follow PSI retest rules. PSI states you may not take the same examination more than twice within a 30-day period, and if you have two fails within a 30-day period you must wait 30 days from your first attempt before testing again.
6. Keep timing in mind for scores and fees. PSI states examination fees are valid for 1 year from receipt, and passing scores are valid for 1 year from the examination date.

This product is built to support the step you can control most: performing well on exam day. A practice-driven plan helps you avoid rushed scheduling, reduce retake risk, and keep your eligibility window working in your favor.

State Requirements

New Mexico journeyman certification is overseen by the Construction Industries Division (CID) within the Regulation and Licensing Department. CID requires pre-approval before testing, and PSI administers the exam scheduling and testing process.

Two planning realities matter for most candidates:

• Eligibility and timing are strict. Once you receive eligibility, you must test within six months or reapply.
• Exam format is split. For common electrical tracks like EE-98J, your study plan should cover both code navigation (open book) and fundamental understanding (closed book).

If you approach the process with a structured practice schedule—rather than last-minute cram sessions—you’re more likely to stay calm and consistent during both parts of the written exam.

Reference Books

For New Mexico’s EE-98J Part 1 Code examination (open book), PSI lists the following references as allowed in the examination center. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own bound references, and the exam’s reference rules apply (no writing, permanent tabs only, and no added papers).

• NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020
  The primary code reference used for code-based questions. Success depends on fast navigation, accurate interpretation, and careful use of tables, notes, and exceptions.
• The National Electrical Code Handbook (NFPA), 2020
  Listed as an alternative allowed reference alongside the NEC for the code portion. Use it only if it matches PSI’s allowed edition and format requirements.
• New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4), 2020
  New Mexico’s state electrical code material listed by PSI for the code exam. Be ready for state code questions and for situations where state requirements override general expectations.
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), 2007
  Listed by PSI as an allowed reference for the EE-98J Part 1 code examination reference list.

For the EE-98J Part 2 Theory examination, PSI states it is closed book and lists reference materials as not allowed in the examination center for that portion. Your preparation should reflect that by building recognition and understanding—not dependence on lookups.

Test Information and Study Materials

New Mexico’s EE-98J written exams are designed to test both your ability to use the code and your ability to understand the trade. PSI’s content outlines show the exam is not narrowly focused; it spans core NEC areas and real installation knowledge.

EE-98J Part 1 (Code) content outline includes:

• General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements
• Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
• Overcurrent Protection
• Grounding and Bonding
• Conductors and Cables
• Raceways and Boxes
• Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment
• Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment
• Motors, Transformers, and Generators
• New Mexico State Code
• Low Voltage

EE-98J Part 2 (Theory) content outline includes:

• General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements
• Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
• Overcurrent Protection
• Grounding and Bonding
• Conductors and Cables
• Raceways and Boxes
• Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment
• Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment
• Low Voltage, including Alarms

How to use your 12 practice exams + 2 full final exams effectively:

• Start with a diagnostic. Take Practice Exam 1 timed. Don’t stop to study mid-exam. Your goal is to find your baseline and identify patterns: slow navigation, misreads, weak topics, or pacing issues.
• Build a simple miss log. For every missed question, record the reason in one line: missed exception, wrong table note, wrong code location, rushed reading, or concept gap.
• Train code navigation on purpose. For Part 1 misses, locate the exact NEC or state code section that supports the correct answer. Repetition turns the codebook into a tool you can use quickly under pressure.
• Train recognition for closed-book theory. For Part 2 misses, focus on why the correct answer is correct without relying on lookups. Your goal is fast understanding and fewer second-guesses.
• Practice two-pass pacing. First pass: answer what you can efficiently and move past time sinks. Second pass: return to tougher items with the time you protected. This helps you avoid running out of time.
• Use the two final exams as simulations. Take them late in your prep, timed, in a quiet setting with minimal interruptions. Review carefully afterward—your biggest improvements often come from what you fix after a full simulation.

Practice exams also help eliminate the “small leaks” that drain scores: overlooking one exception, grabbing a table value without reading notes, confusing similar NEC rules, or rushing past a single keyword that changes the meaning of the question. When you practice enough, those patterns surface quickly—and you can correct them before the real test.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports electricians with a practical, trade-aligned study structure that matches how licensing exams actually feel. Instead of guessing what to study next, you use repeated practice to measure progress and improve with purpose.

• Organized study guidance: A clear routine—practice, review, improve—keeps your preparation focused and measurable.
• Trade-focused review: Questions reinforce the kind of NEC decisions and installation logic electricians use in real work, translated into exam-style wording.
• Practice-oriented preparation: 12 practice exams plus 2 full finals gives you repetition to build timing, accuracy, and confidence.
• Reference navigation support: Open-book success depends on efficient lookups and accurate confirmation—practice trains that skill naturally.
• Confidence-building structure: When you’ve practiced under timed conditions, the testing room feels familiar and your decisions stay steadier.

The goal is realistic readiness: faster navigation, cleaner decision-making, fewer avoidable mistakes, and a test-day approach you can trust across both code and theory.

FAQ Section

Is the New Mexico journeyman electrician exam open book?

New Mexico journeyman testing can include both open-book and closed-book portions depending on the classification. For the common EE-98J track, Part 1 (Code) is open book and Part 2 (Theory) is closed book.

How many questions are on the EE-98J written exams?

EE-98J Part 1 (Code) is 50 questions and EE-98J Part 2 (Theory) is 50 questions.

How much time do I get for each written exam?

EE-98J Part 1 allows 145 minutes, and EE-98J Part 2 allows 120 minutes.

What score do I need to pass?

PSI lists a 75% passing requirement for both EE-98J Part 1 and Part 2 (38 points required to pass each exam).

Do I have to bring my own code book to the test center?

For open-book portions, PSI states candidates are responsible for bringing their own bound references. Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed prior to the exam, but writing is not allowed, and only permanent tabs are permitted.

What references are allowed for the open-book code exam?

For EE-98J Part 1 (Code), PSI lists NFPA 70 NEC 2020 (or the NEC Handbook 2020), the New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4) 2020, and the National Electrical Safety Code (2007) as allowed references for that exam.

What’s the best way to use 12 practice exams and 2 final exams?

Start with one timed diagnostic exam, keep a miss log (why you missed each question), then use the remaining practice exams to target weak areas while building pacing. Save the two final exams for realistic timed simulations near the end of your prep.

How do I get faster at NEC lookups for the open-book portion?

Speed comes from repetition with intention. Each time you miss a code-based question, locate the exact supporting NEC section or table and practice finding that location again later. Over time, you’ll recognize where information lives and waste less time searching.