North Carolina Electrical Contractor - Plumbing and Heating (SP-PH) Practice Exam
Free Practice Exam
Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 20 free questions.
- 10 questions per attempt
- 30 minute time limit
- Unlimited attempts
- A new mix each time
- Instant results
Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real PSI test format.
- 40 questions (same as real exam)
- 180 minute time limit
- 9 topic areas covered
- 200 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
North Carolina Electrical Contractor - Plumbing and Heating (SP-PH) Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 40This practice exam is built around the official content outline for the North Carolina Electrical Contractor - Plumbing and Heating (SP-PH) exam: Bonding and Grounding, Overcurrent Protection, Wiring Methods and Terminations, Boxes and Fittings, Motors and Control Wiring, Load Calculations, Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting, General, Laws, Rules, Basic Business Practices, and Practical Applications.
There are two ways to practice. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can take it as many times as you like. The full practice exam gives you 40 questions on a 3 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank each time.
Bonding and Grounding 4 items
The outline lists: Systems and equipment requiring grounding and ground-fault protection; Location of connection and required interconnections; Grounded, grounding, and grounding electrode conductors; Conductor identification and color coding; Bonding jumpers; Equipment grounding conductors; Methods of grounding and bonding, equipment and conductor specifications; Low-voltage specifications.
Overcurrent Protection 5 items
The outline lists: Location in circuit; Sizing requirements; Circuit breakers; Plug and cartridge fuses; Enclosures and locations.
Wiring Methods and Terminations 8 items
The outline lists: Permitted applications and usages; Characteristics; Conduit and wireway fill; Permitted applications and usages; Characteristics; Protection from damage; Permitted usages and ampacity ratings; Characteristics.
Boxes and Fittings 2 items
The outline lists: General information; Sizing requirements.
Motors and Control Wiring 5 items
The outline lists: General information; Branch circuit and feeder ampacity; Overload protection; Short-circuit and ground-fault protection; Disconnects/controllers; Size; Type; Location.
Load Calculations 2 items
The outline lists: Branch circuits; Total computed load; Conductor ampacity requirements; Overcurrent protective device sizing; Low-voltage.
Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting 4 items
The outline lists: Air conditioners; Residential, commercial, and industrial equipment; Space heating equipment and boilers.
General 3 items
The outline lists: Definitions; Installation requirements.
Laws, Rules, Basic Business Practices, and Practical Applications 7 items
The outline lists: Electrical Contractors Licensing Law (General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 4); Board’s Rules for the Implementation of the Electrical Contractors Licensing Law (Title 21, North Carolina Administrative Code, Chapter 18B); NASCLA Contractors’ Guide to Business, Law and Project Management -North Carolina Electrical Edition; Lighting and Power Plans; Estimating and General Knowledge.
Sample 1 — Wiring Methods and Terminations
Question: According to the NEC, there shall be an airspace of at least ______ between any live metal part, including live metal parts of enclosed fuses, and the door of a cabinet or cutout box.
- A. 12.7 mm (1/2 in.)
- B. 6.35 mm (1/4 in.)
- C. 38.1 mm (1-1/2 in.)
- D. 25.4 mm (1.00 in.)
Correct Answer: D
Per NEC 312.11(A)(2), there shall be an airspace of at least 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) between any live metal part, including live metal parts of enclosed fuses, and the door.
Reference: NEC 2020 Section 312.11(A)(2)
Sample 2 — Laws, Rules, Basic Business Practices, and Practical Applications
Question: Your unlimited electrical contracting license was issued on August 15 and expires one year after that date. When are the renewal application and renewal fee due?
- A. On the expiration date
- B. By December 31 of the license year
- C. 60 days prior to the expiration date
- D. 30 days prior to the expiration date
Correct Answer: D
G.S. 87-44 provides that all licenses expire one year after the date of issuance and that renewal applications and fees are due 30 days prior to the license expiration date.
Reference: NASCLA Contractors Guide, North Carolina Electrical (14th ed.), Appendix E — 87-44 Fees; License Term
Sample 3 — Overcurrent Protection
Question: For overcurrent protection over 1000 volts nominal, what is the maximum continuous ampere rating of a fuse relative to the ampacity of the conductors it protects?
- A. 125 percent of the ampacity
- B. 150 percent of the ampacity
- C. 200 percent of the ampacity
- D. 300 percent of the ampacity
Correct Answer: D
Per NEC 240.101(A), the continuous ampere rating of a fuse shall not exceed three times (300 percent of) the ampacity of the conductors for feeders over 1000 volts nominal.
Reference: NEC 2020 Section 240.101(A)
Your first score is just a starting point. After every attempt, the results page shows how you did on each outline topic, so you can see what to work on next. Compare your score with the real exam's passing score, 70% correct, and keep at it until you pass consistently.
- Start with the questions you know. Go through the whole exam once and bookmark anything you're unsure about. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Circle back to your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep an eye on your pace. The real exam works out to about 4 minutes 30 seconds per question.
- Turn every miss into a lesson. After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference in your book and read the section.
| Questions | 40 questions |
| Time limit | 3 hours |
| Passing score | 70% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $125 |
- Results are given immediately at the test center, with a diagnostic report of strengths and weaknesses for candidates who do not pass.
- A candidate who fails must wait 3 months before retaking the same classification and must re-apply to the Board for each attempt.
Source: NCBEEC Examination Information Handbook (North Carolina Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors), July 2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.