Texas Journeyman Electrician Book Package

Prepare for the Texas Journeyman Electrician examination with the National Electrical Code, NEC, 2026 Edition, the current code reference used for Texas electrician examinations effective September 1, 2026. This book package is designed for candidates working toward the Texas Journeyman Electrician license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and preparing for both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations portions of the examination.

The Texas Journeyman Electrician examination is administered through PSI for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The examination is divided into two separate portions: an NEC Knowledge Portion and a Calculations Portion. Candidates must pass each portion with a minimum score of 70%.

The 2026 National Electrical Code is the central technical reference for both portions. Candidates should be prepared to navigate branch circuits, feeders, services, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, conductors, boxes, raceways, equipment, motors, generators, controls, disconnecting means, special occupancies, special equipment, renewable-energy systems, and electrical calculations.

Texas adopted the 2026 NEC as the state electrical code effective September 1, 2026. Texas electrician examinations were also updated to reference the 2026 NEC beginning on that date. Studying from the correct code edition is important because article language, numbering, requirements, tables, and exceptions can change between NEC editions.

A Journeyman Electrician is licensed to perform electrical work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician. The journeyman examination is designed to measure broad electrical-code knowledge and the ability to apply NEC requirements to practical installation and calculation questions.

Strong exam preparation should combine technical understanding with efficient NEC navigation. Because the exam is open book, candidates should become familiar with where major subjects are located and how to move between articles, tables, definitions, and cross-references quickly.

Exam Details

The Texas Journeyman Electrician examination currently consists of two separately timed, multiple-choice portions.

NEC Knowledge Portion:

• Total Items: 59, including 3 non-scored items
• Time Allowed: 130 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%
• Format: Multiple choice

The NEC Knowledge Portion is divided into the following subject areas:

• Definitions, Theory, and Plans: 3 items
• Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems: 6 items
• Electrical Feeders: 3 items
• Branch Circuits and Conductors: 10 items
• Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials: 10 items
• Electrical Equipment and Devices: 10 items
• Motors and Generators: 5 items
• Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means: 1 item
• Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions: 6 items
• Renewable Energy Technologies: 2 items

Calculations Portion:

• Total Items: 26, including 2 non-scored items
• Time Allowed: 110 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%
• Format: Multiple choice

The Calculations Portion is divided into the following categories:

• Calculations and Theory: 2 items
• Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems: 4 items
• Electrical Feeders: 3 items
• Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors: 4 items
• Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials: 2 items
• Electrical Equipment and Devices: 2 items
• Motors and Generators: 2 items
• Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means: 1 item
• Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions: 3 items
• Renewable Energy Technologies: 1 item

Unless a question specifically states otherwise, conductors are treated as copper for examination purposes. Candidates should also remember that unused time from one exam portion does not transfer to the other portion.

Open Book Test

The Texas Journeyman Electrician examination is an open book test.

The approved examination reference is the National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own NEC book to the testing center.

Any soft-bound edition of the 2026 NEC may be used. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound, and ring-bound copies are not permitted in the examination room. The NEC Handbook is also not allowed as the exam reference.

The NEC may be highlighted, underlined, and contain notes made before the examination session. Permanent index tabs manufactured or provided for use with the NEC may also be used.

Candidates may not write, highlight, underline, index, or otherwise mark the NEC during the examination. Homemade tabs, non-NEC tabs, loose paper, taped-in sheets, stapled materials, or other additional paper are not permitted.

Open-book testing places a premium on navigation speed. Candidates should practice going directly to common articles instead of relying on a broad search for every question. Familiarity with Articles 100, 110, 210, 215, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 314, 430, and other frequently used areas can make the examination more manageable.

Licensing Steps

The Texas Journeyman Electrician license is administered through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Candidates must complete the applicable experience and examination requirements before the license can be issued.

1. Gain qualifying on-the-job electrical training. Experience must be obtained under the supervision required by Texas law.
2. Work under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician. Qualifying experience for the standard journeyman pathway is supervised by a licensed Master Electrician.
3. Accumulate sufficient experience for examination eligibility. Texas currently permits standard-pathway applicants to apply to take the examination after completing at least 7,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job training.
4. Complete the full experience requirement for licensure. The standard Journeyman Electrician licensing pathway requires a total of 8,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job training.
5. Obtain experience verification. Qualifying work must be documented using the applicable TDLR verification process.
6. Submit the Journeyman Electrician application. TDLR reviews applicant eligibility before examination authorization.
7. Receive examination approval. Approved candidates receive instructions for scheduling the examination through PSI.
8. Prepare using the 2026 NEC. Study both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations content outlines.
9. Take both examination portions. Complete the NEC Knowledge Portion and Calculations Portion within their separate time limits.
10. Pass both portions. A minimum score of 70% is required on each portion.
11. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Finish the experience and licensing steps required by TDLR before license issuance.

State Requirements

A Texas Journeyman Electrician is licensed to perform electrical work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician.

The standard licensing pathway requires a total of 8,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed Master Electrician. Texas currently allows applicants on the standard pathway to become eligible to take the examination after completing at least 7,000 hours, with the full experience requirement still applying before licensure is completed.

Texas also created an accelerated Journeyman Electrician Education Program pathway. Approved programs may provide qualifying credit toward the on-the-job training requirement and may affect examination eligibility for participants who satisfy the program rules.

Applicants must document qualifying experience through the forms and verification process required by TDLR. Experience should be accurately recorded and verified by the appropriate supervising Master Electrician.

Passing the examination does not by itself replace the experience requirement. Candidates must satisfy the applicable training, application, examination, and licensing requirements before receiving the Journeyman Electrician license.

Texas adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code as the state electrical code effective September 1, 2026, with a limited state exception affecting certain GFCI requirements for outdoor outlets serving HVAC equipment.

Reference Books

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2026
  The primary reference for the current Texas Journeyman Electrician examination. The NEC covers definitions, services, feeders, branch circuits, load calculations, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, conductor requirements, electrical equipment, motors, generators, special occupancies, special equipment, special conditions, renewable-energy technologies, communications systems, tables, and electrical calculations.

Exam Room Approved Books

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2026
  The 2026 National Electrical Code is the approved examination reference for the current Texas Journeyman Electrician examination. Candidates must bring an acceptable soft-bound edition that complies with PSI testing rules.

The NEC may be highlighted, underlined, and contain notes prepared before the examination. Permanent NEC index tabs may be used. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound, and ring-bound copies are prohibited, and the NEC Handbook is not permitted.

Test Information and Study Materials

Definitions, Theory, and Plans: Review Article 100 definitions, basic electrical theory, and plan-reading concepts. Candidates should understand voltage, current, resistance, power, conductor characteristics, symbols, and common electrical terminology.

Services and Service Equipment: Review Article 230 requirements for service conductors, service equipment, disconnecting means, service ratings, grounding, bonding, and temporary wiring. Service knowledge appears in both exam portions.

Separately Derived Systems: Study transformers and grounding and bonding requirements for separately derived systems, including system bonding jumpers and grounding electrode conductors.

Feeders: Review Article 215, feeder conductor sizing, grounded conductors, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, and feeder load calculations.

Branch Circuits: Branch Circuits and Conductors account for 10 NEC Knowledge items. Study Article 210, required branch circuits, circuit ratings, receptacles, GFCI protection, AFCI protection, overcurrent protection, and conductor requirements.

Load Calculations: Practice Article 220 calculations involving lighting, receptacles, appliances, dwelling units, commercial loads, ranges, dryers, motors, heating, air conditioning, demand factors, feeders, and services.

Grounding and Bonding: Article 250 is a critical study area. Review grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors, bonding jumpers, services, feeders, separately derived systems, and conductor sizing.

Wiring Methods and Materials: Approximately 10 NEC Knowledge items are devoted to this category. Study raceways, cable trays, boxes, enclosures, cabinets, panels, cables, cords, underground wiring, conductor support, and protection from physical damage.

Boxes and Enclosures: Practice box-fill calculations, conductor volume allowances, equipment grounding conductor allowances, and requirements for boxes and conduit bodies.

Raceways: Review raceway installation, conductor fill, support, bends, wet locations, underground systems, and Chapter 9 tables.

Conductors: Study Article 310 ampacity requirements, insulation types, temperature limitations, correction factors, adjustment factors, terminal limitations, and conductor sizing.

Electrical Equipment and Devices: Another 10 NEC Knowledge items cover receptacles, switches, luminaires, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, heating equipment, appliances, and workspace clearance.

Motors and Generators: Review Article 430 motor requirements, including full-load current, conductor sizing, overload protection, branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection, controllers, disconnecting means, and motor tables. Generator requirements should also be reviewed.

Control Devices and Disconnecting Means: Study equipment disconnect requirements, controller ratings, accessibility, location, grouping, and operation.

Special Occupancies: Prepare for Chapter 5 applications such as hazardous locations and other specialized occupancies.

Pools and Similar Installations: Review swimming pools, fountains, and similar electrical installations, including grounding, bonding, GFCI protection, wiring methods, and equipment locations.

RVs, Mobile Homes, Park Trailers, and Marinas: Study the special wiring and equipment requirements associated with these installations.

Data Processing and Communications Equipment: Review applicable requirements for communications and specialized electrical systems identified in the exam outline.

Emergency Systems: Become familiar with emergency and related special-condition requirements, transfer equipment, wiring, and system separation where applicable.

Renewable Energy Technologies: Review photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging equipment. These topics appear on both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations portions.

Calculation Practice: The separate Calculations Portion requires candidates to apply NEC rules numerically. Practice services, feeders, branch circuits, conductor sizing, grounding and bonding, raceways, boxes, electrical equipment, motors, and special installations.

Time Management: The NEC Knowledge Portion allows 130 minutes for 59 items, while the Calculations Portion allows 110 minutes for 26 items. Practice each type separately because unused time from one portion does not carry into the next.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Texas Journeyman Electrician candidates organize preparation around the actual two-part examination structure. Candidates can separate code-knowledge review from calculation practice while using the 2026 NEC as the central reference.

Trade-focused preparation reinforces services, feeders, branch circuits, conductor sizing, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, equipment, motors, generators, special occupancies, renewable-energy systems, and other subjects appearing in the official examination content outline.

Reference-navigation practice can help candidates become faster at locating NEC articles, tables, definitions, exceptions, and cross-references. This is particularly important on an open-book exam where excessive searching can consume valuable testing time.

Calculation practice supports the separate Calculations Portion by helping candidates apply code provisions to service loads, feeders, branch circuits, motors, conductor sizes, grounding conductors, raceways, boxes, and other numerical problems.

The goal is to connect practical field experience with organized code study, calculation skills, and efficient NEC navigation. 1 Exam Prep provides a study structure designed to build familiarity and confidence without guaranteeing a passing score or licensing outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What code edition is used for the current Texas Journeyman Electrician exam?

The current Texas electrician examinations reference the 2026 National Electrical Code.

When did Texas adopt the 2026 NEC?

Texas adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code as the state electrical code effective September 1, 2026.

Is the Texas Journeyman Electrician exam open book?

Yes. The examination is an open book test.

How many portions are on the examination?

The Texas Journeyman Electrician examination has two portions: NEC Knowledge and Calculations.

How many items are on the NEC Knowledge Portion?

The NEC Knowledge Portion contains 59 items, including 3 non-scored items.

How much time is allowed for the NEC Knowledge Portion?

Candidates receive 130 minutes for the NEC Knowledge Portion.

How many items are on the Calculations Portion?

The Calculations Portion contains 26 items, including 2 non-scored items.

How much time is allowed for the Calculations Portion?

Candidates receive 110 minutes for the Calculations Portion.

What score is required to pass?

A minimum score of 70% is required on each portion.

Can unused time from one portion be used on the other portion?

No. Time remaining after one portion does not transfer to the other portion.

Can I use the NEC Handbook?

No. The NEC Handbook is not permitted as the examination-room reference.

Can I highlight and tab my NEC?

Yes. The NEC may be highlighted and underlined before the examination and may contain permitted notes. Permanent NEC index tabs are allowed, while homemade or temporary removable tabs are prohibited.

How much experience is required for a Texas Journeyman Electrician license?

The standard pathway requires 8,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed Master Electrician.

Can I take the exam before completing all 8,000 hours?

Under the current standard pathway, applicants may become eligible to take the examination after completing at least 7,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job training, while the full licensing experience requirement still applies.

What should I focus on most during final preparation?

Focus on branch circuits, wiring methods, electrical equipment, services, grounding and bonding, feeders, conductor sizing, motors, load calculations, special occupancies, renewable-energy technologies, and fast navigation of the 2026 NEC.