Maryland Journeyperson Electrician

Maryland Journeyperson Electrician Exam Prep Guide (2026)

Passing the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam is the milestone that moves you from working under supervision to holding your own license. It's a serious test — 70 questions, a 210-minute clock, and a broad sweep of the National Electrical Code — but thousands of electricians have passed it, and you can too. This guide walks you through exactly what's on the exam, what to study, what to bring on test day, and how to build a practice routine that actually works. If you want to get a feel for the question style right now, try our free practice exam before you read another word.

Exam Overview

The Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam is administered by PSI and consists of 70 scored questions. You have 210 minutes (3.5 hours) to complete it — that's about 3 minutes per question on average, which is tighter than it sounds when you're flipping through a 1,000-page code book.

The passing score is 70%, which means you need at least 49 correct answers out of 70.

One important detail: this is an open-book exam. You may bring the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2020 edition into the testing room. It's the only reference allowed — no study guides, no loose papers, no notes written in the margins. Tabs are permitted, but they must be permanently adhesive (more on that in the FAQs below).

The exam is given at PSI testing centers throughout Maryland. You can find registration information and schedule your appointment through the official exam bulletin.

Topics Covered on the Exam

The exam is built around seven topic areas, all grounded in the NEC and core electrical theory. Here's how those 70 questions are distributed — and where you should focus your study time.

Electrical Theory — 20 Questions

This is one of the two heaviest sections. Expect questions on Ohm's Law, circuit calculations, definitions, equipment identification, troubleshooting methods, and fundamental techniques. Strong theory knowledge makes the rest of the exam easier.

Wiring and Protection — 20 Questions

The other heavyweight. This section covers NEC Articles 100 through 230 — grounding, overcurrent protection, service entrances, branch circuits, feeders, and outside wiring. Know these articles cold.

Wiring Methods and Materials — 12 Questions

NEC Articles 300 through 374. Conductor sizing, raceway types, cable assemblies, box fill calculations, and installation requirements. There's a lot of ground here, but the questions tend to be specific and code-reference-friendly.

Equipment for General Use — 6 Questions

Articles 400 through 490 cover flexible cords, luminaires, appliances, motors, transformers, and similar equipment. Motor calculations and luminaire placement rules come up often.

Special Occupancies — 4 Questions

Articles 500 through 590 address hazardous locations, manufactured homes, RV parks, temporary wiring, and similar environments. Four questions isn't a huge slice, but these topics can trip people up if they've never studied them.

Special Equipment — 2 Questions

Articles 600 through 695: signs, cranes, electric vehicle charging, solar PV, fuel cells, and fire pumps. Only two questions, so don't over-invest here relative to the bigger sections.

Special Communications — 6 Questions

Articles 700 through 830 cover emergency systems, legally required standby systems, optional standby systems, low-voltage systems, and optical fiber cables. These questions often test practical judgment as much as code recall.

Sample Exam Questions

Here are five representative questions from the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam. Read through them — they give you a real sense of the depth and style of the test. We're not going to tell you the correct answers here. Try the free practice exam and see how you do.

Question 1 — Equipment for General Use (Medium)

What is the minimum clearance between surface-mounted incandescent or LED luminaires with completely enclosed light sources and the nearest point of a clothes closet storage space when installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling?

• A) 300 mm (12 in.)
• B) 75 mm (3 in.)
• C) 150 mm (6 in.)
• D) 200 mm (8 in.)

Question 2 — Special Communications (Medium)

You are a journeyman electrician wiring emergency lighting circuits. Which type of switch arrangement is prohibited for controlling emergency lighting circuits?

• A) Single-throw switches connected in parallel
• B) 3-way and 4-way switches
• C) Automatic light-actuated devices for exterior lights
• D) Switches accessible only to authorized persons

Question 3 — Wiring and Protection (Medium)

You are installing a circuit breaker panel in a commercial building. The center of the grip of the operating handle of the highest circuit breaker, when in its highest position, shall not be more than what distance above the floor or working platform?

• A) 6 ft 7 in.
• B) 6 ft 0 in.
• C) 7 ft 0 in.
• D) 5 ft 6 in.

Question 4 — Wiring and Protection (Easy)

You are a journeyman electrician mounting electrical equipment on a masonry wall. Which of the following mounting methods is prohibited?

• A) Through-bolts with backing plates
• B) Expansion anchors rated for masonry
• C) Wooden plugs driven into holes in the masonry
• D) Concrete screws (Tapcon-type fasteners)

Question 5 — Equipment for General Use (Medium)

For a continuous-duty motor rated more than 1 hp with a marked service factor of 1.15 or greater, what is the maximum percentage of the motor nameplate full-load current rating at which a separate overload device shall be selected to trip or be rated?

• A) 115%
• B) 140%
• C) 130%
• D) 125%

Notice how Questions 1 and 5 require knowing specific NEC thresholds — the kind of detail where fast tab navigation beats memorization every time.

What Types of Questions to Expect

Our practice exam pool includes 327 questions spread across all seven topic areas. Here's a breakdown of what each section tests and how many practice questions we've built for it:

• Electrical Theory (77 practice questions): Ohm's Law calculations, series and parallel circuit analysis, identifying equipment and devices, and troubleshooting scenarios. Expect math and conceptual reasoning.
• Wiring and Protection (100 practice questions): Code lookups from Articles 100–230 covering definitions, clearances, grounding requirements, overcurrent protection sizing, service entrance rules, and branch circuit limits.
• Wiring Methods and Materials (60 practice questions): Raceway fill, conduit bending, cable assembly requirements, box fill calculations, and installation restrictions by article (300–374).
• Equipment for General Use (30 practice questions): Luminaire clearance rules, motor overload sizing, transformer installation, cord and plug requirements, and appliance ratings (Articles 400–490).
• Special Occupancies (20 practice questions): Hazardous location classifications, Division and Zone requirements, manufactured home wiring, and temporary installation rules (Articles 500–590).
• Special Equipment (10 practice questions): Sign wiring, solar PV installation requirements, EV charging equipment, and fire pump circuits (Articles 600–695).
• Special Communications (30 practice questions): Emergency system transfer requirements, legally required standby circuits, prohibited switching arrangements, and low-voltage wiring rules (Articles 700–830).

Study Materials

Since the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam is open book, your NEC is both your study tool and your exam tool. There's really only one required resource:

National Electrical Code 2020

This is the 2020 NEC — the specific edition Maryland uses for this exam. You must bring it with you on test day. Get your copy early so you have time to tab it, highlight key sections, and get comfortable with its layout before exam day.

A few tips for prepping your NEC:
- Use permanently adhesive tabs only (see FAQ section for acceptable brands)
- Highlight or underline freely — just no written notes
- Build a personal index of articles you reference most often: 210, 230, 300, 310, 430

For scheduling and official application requirements, check the state licensing website and review the details on the exam registration page.

Study Tips for Maryland Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep

Start 3–6 weeks out. That's enough time to work through the code systematically without burning out. Use the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) as your roadmap — it tells you exactly what's tested, and you should treat it as your study outline.

Prioritize by weight. Electrical Theory and Wiring and Protection together account for 40 of the 70 questions. If your time is limited, those two areas are where you'll win or lose the exam. Don't ignore Special Equipment just because it's only 2 questions — but don't spend equal time on it either.

Practice finding, not memorizing. On an open-book exam, knowing where to find the answer is often more valuable than memorizing the answer itself. Do timed drills where you locate specific code sections as fast as you can.

Set your practice bar at 80%. Aiming above the 70% cut score gives you a cushion on test day. If you're consistently hitting 80% or higher on our full practice exam across all topic areas, you're in good shape.

Manage the clock strategically. Go through all 70 questions once — answer the ones you're confident about and flag the rest. Then go back. Don't let one difficult code-lookup chew up five minutes while easy questions sit unanswered. Our practice exam has a bookmark feature that mirrors this workflow.

Take care of yourself on test day. A little pre-exam anxiety is normal. If you feel yourself getting stuck on a question, take a breath, move on, and come back. The clock keeps running, so use your time where it counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam and how long do I have?
The exam has 70 scored questions and a 210-minute (3.5-hour) time limit.

What is the passing score?
You need to answer at least 49 questions correctly to achieve the 70% passing score.

How much does it cost to take the exam?
The exam fee is $65. It's non-refundable, non-transferable, and valid for one examination only.

What experience do I need to be eligible?
You must have at least 4 years of experience regularly providing electrical services under the direction of a licensed Master Electrician or a similarly qualified government employee. The Board may grant up to 3 years of credit toward this requirement for a completed formal course of study or professional training in electrical installation.

How do I register?
Apply online through the exam registration page and upload all required documentation, including an original certification of experience. PSI typically takes up to one week to review applications. Once approved, you'll receive an email with instructions to pay and schedule your exam.

Is the exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the NEC 2020 edition — it's the only reference allowed. Study guides are not permitted. Your book may be tabbed, highlighted, or underlined, but no loose papers or written notes are allowed.

What tabs can I use in my NEC?
Only permanently adhesive tabs are acceptable — brands like Avery Swift Tabs Self-Adhesive Permanent Plastic Tabs or Redi-Tag Self-Stick Permanent Adhesive Index Tabs work. Post-It Index Flags and standard Post-It Flags are not acceptable. If the proctor can remove a tab without tearing the page, you'll be asked to remove it before testing.

What if I fail — how long do I have to wait to retake?
You must wait 30 days from your most recent exam date before retaking. You'll need to submit a new registration and pay the $65 fee again.

What ID do I need to bring?
One valid, non-expired, signature-bearing photo ID. Acceptable forms include a state-issued driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, U.S. Alien Registration Card, or Canadian government-issued ID. Your name must match exactly what you used during registration.

Is there reciprocity for out-of-state journeyperson electricians?
No. Maryland currently has no waiver or reciprocity provisions for journeypersons licensed in other states or Washington D.C. Everyone takes the Maryland exam.

Start Practicing Today

The Maryland Journeyperson Electrician credential opens doors — better pay, more autonomy, and the ability to work independently. The exam is challenging but completely achievable with the right preparation.

Start with our free practice exam to get a feel for the question style and difficulty. When you're ready for serious prep, upgrade to the full practice exam — it matches the real test's format, draws from a pool of 327 questions across all seven topic areas, and gives you a detailed score breakdown so you know exactly where to focus. Grab your NEC 2020, tab it up, and get to work. You've got this.