Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor Practice Exam
Free Practice Exam
Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 30 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 PROV test format.
- 100 questions (same as real exam)
- 300 minute time limit
- 12 topic areas covered
- 621 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 100This practice exam is built around the official content outline for the Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor exam: General Electrical Knowledge, Plan Reading, Code Reading, Wiring and Protection, Wiring Methods and Materials, Equipment for General Use, Motors and Controls, Communication Systems, Special Occupancy, Special Equipment, Hazardous Locations, OSHA Safety.
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 100 questions on a 5 hours clock, with a new draw from our question bank each time.
General Electrical Knowledge 14 items
Our study plan for this topic: NEC Article 100 key definitions and terminology; NEC code arrangement, scope, and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ); Equipment approval, listing, labeling, and examination requirements (NEC Article 110); Working space and clearance requirements around electrical equipment (≤1000V and >1000V); Grounding and bonding requirements for systems, circuits, and equipment; Overcurrent protection principles and interrupting ratings; GFCI and AFCI protection requirements and applications; OSHA 1926 Subpart K electrical installation safety requirements for construction sites.
Plan Reading 2 items
Our study plan for this topic: Outlet and receptacle symbols (wall, ceiling, floor, duplex, special purpose); Switch outlet symbols (single-pole, double-pole, three-way, four-way, key-operated, weatherproof); Wiring notation conventions (home runs, number of conductors, concealed vs. exposed, underground); Transformer and motor symbols on electrical drawings; Control device symbols (push buttons, selector switches, limit switches, pilot lights); Contact and coil symbols (N.O., N.C., SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT); Miscellaneous electrical symbols (bells, buzzers, annunciators, fuses, thermocouples).
Code Reading 5 items
Our study plan for this topic: NEC structure and code arrangement (Chapters 1–9, Annexes); Mandatory vs. permissive rules and informational notes; Definitions of key electrical terms (Article 100); Equipment approval, listing, and labeling requirements; Working space and clearance requirements around electrical equipment; Enclosure type selection and environmental ratings (Table 110.28); Equipment marking and field-applied hazard labels; Conductor sizing, ampacity, and temperature limitations.
Wiring and Protection 23 items
Our study plan for this topic: Branch-circuit ratings, conductor sizing, and permissible loads; GFCI and AFCI protection requirements by location and occupancy; Grounding and bonding requirements including grounding electrode system, equipment grounding conductors, and bonding jumpers; Overcurrent protection for branch circuits, feeders, and services; Service requirements including number of services, conductor sizing, clearances, disconnecting means, and overcurrent protection; Load calculations for branch circuits, feeders, and services; Motor branch-circuit and feeder conductor sizing, overload protection, and short-circuit/ground-fault protection; Identification and use of grounded conductors, ungrounded conductors, and equipment grounding conductors.
Wiring Methods and Materials 15 items
Our study plan for this topic: Conductor ampacity tables and correction/adjustment factors (Articles 310.15, Table 310.15(B)(16)-(21)); Conductor insulation types, temperature ratings, and permitted applications by location (dry, damp, wet, sunlight, corrosive); Conductors in parallel — minimum size, installation requirements, and characteristics; Cable wiring methods — uses permitted and not permitted for Types NM/NMC/NMS, AC, MC, MI, MV, IGS, FC, FCC; Raceway wiring methods — installation requirements for RMC, IMC, EMT, FMC, LFMC, PVC, and ENT; Box and enclosure fill calculations, sizing, and installation requirements (Article 314); General wiring requirements — protection from physical damage, underground installations, securing and supporting, and fire stopping (Article 300); Grounded conductor identification — color coding, marking, and terminal identification (Article 200).
Equipment for General Use 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Motor circuit conductors, branch-circuit sizing, and feeder calculations (Article 430); Motor overload protection, short-circuit and ground-fault protection, and controller requirements; Disconnecting means for motors, generators, and transformers; Transformer overcurrent protection, installation, and transformer vaults (Article 450); Luminaire installation requirements, supports, grounding, and wiring (Article 410); Receptacles, switches, and attachment plugs — ratings, installation, and GFCI/AFCI requirements (Articles 404, 406); Flexible cords and cables — permitted uses, ampacity, and construction (Article 400); Switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards — installation, overcurrent protection, and grounding (Article 408).
Motors and Controls 10 items
Our study plan for this topic: Motor branch-circuit conductor sizing (125% FLC rule, NEC Article 430 tables vs. nameplate); Branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection ratings (Table 430.52 percentages by motor and device type); Motor overload protection requirements (trip current percentages, service factor, thermal protectors); Disconnecting means requirements for motors and controllers (type, location, ampere rating); Motor controller ratings and types (horsepower ratings, autotransformers, rheostats, combination controllers); Motor control centers (overcurrent protection, grounding, busbar arrangement, marking); Full-load current tables for DC, single-phase, and three-phase AC motors; Generator installation requirements (overcurrent protection, conductor ampacity, disconnecting means, marking).
Communication Systems 7 items
Our study plan for this topic: Communications circuit grounding and bonding methods (Article 800, primary protector bonding conductor size, electrode connections, intersystem bonding termination); Cable types and applications for communications wiring (CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, CMX, CMUC — plenum, riser, and general-purpose installations); Primary and secondary protector requirements for communications circuits (location, fuseless vs. fused types, lightning exposure); CATV/coaxial cable installation and grounding (Article 820 — overhead clearances, underground separation, outer shield grounding, bonding conductor requirements); Radio and television antenna systems (Article 810 — antenna materials, sizes, clearances, discharge units, grounding of masts and lead-in conductors); Fire alarm system circuit wiring methods (Article 760 — NPLFA and PLFA circuit types, cable types FPLP/FPLR/FPL, power source requirements, separation from other circuits); Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 remote-control and signaling circuit installation (Article 725 — power source limitations, wiring methods, separation requirements, cable types CL2/CL3/PLTC); Network-powered and premises-powered broadband communications systems (Articles 830 and 840 — power classifications, overhead and underground cable requirements, NIU grounding).
Special Occupancy 4 items
Our study plan for this topic: Classification of hazardous locations (Class I, II, and III; Division 1 and 2); Material groups for Class I (Groups A, B, C, D) and Class II (Groups E, F, G) locations; Protection techniques for hazardous locations (explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof, intrinsic safety, purged/pressurized, nonincendive, dusttight, hermetically sealed); Wiring methods and sealing requirements for Class I, II, and III locations; Equipment requirements (motors, luminaires, switches, transformers, receptacles) in classified locations; Zone classification system (Zone 0, 1, 2 and Zone 20, 21, 22) as alternative to Division system; Intrinsically safe systems installation, wiring separation, and identification (Article 504); Commercial garages area classification and electrical requirements (Article 511).
Special Equipment 4 items
Our study plan for this topic: Hazardous (classified) location classification — Class I, II, and III Divisions and Zones; Protection techniques for hazardous locations (explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof, intrinsic safety, purged and pressurized, nonincendive); Wiring methods and sealing requirements for Class I, II, and III locations; Equipment marking, temperature classification (T-codes), and material group requirements; Grounding and bonding requirements in hazardous locations; Electric signs and outline lighting — branch circuits, disconnects, wiring, and transformer requirements; Cranes, hoists, and elevators — wiring, conductor sizing, disconnecting means, and overcurrent protection; Intrinsically safe systems — installation, separation, wiring, and identification requirements.
Hazardous Locations 4 items
Our study plan for this topic: Classification of hazardous locations (Class I, II, III and Divisions 1 and 2); Material groups for Class I (Groups A, B, C, D) and Class II (Groups E, F, G) locations; Protection techniques for hazardous locations (explosionproof, dust-ignitionproof, dusttight, purged/pressurized, intrinsic safety, nonincendive, hermetically sealed); Equipment marking requirements (class, division, group, temperature class/T-codes); Wiring methods for Class I, II, and III Division 1 and 2 locations; Sealing and drainage requirements for conduit and cable systems in classified locations; Zone classification system (Zone 0, 1, 2 and Zone 20, 21, 22) as alternative to Division system; Grounding and bonding requirements in hazardous classified locations.
OSHA Safety 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Lockout/tagout procedures and establishing an electrically safe work condition; Electrical PPE selection and arc flash protection categories; Shock protection boundaries and minimum approach distances; Ground-fault circuit interrupter and assured equipment grounding conductor program requirements; Grounding and bonding requirements for electrical systems and equipment; Arc-flash hazard assessment and equipment labeling; Qualified vs. unqualified person requirements for energized work; General employer safety and health responsibilities on construction sites.
Sample 1 — Wiring and Protection
Question: A 400 A service uses 600 kcmil copper service conductors. What is the minimum size of a copper grounding electrode conductor that runs only to a concrete-encased electrode?
- A. 2 AWG
- B. 4 AWG
- C. 3/0 AWG
- D. 1/0 AWG
Correct Answer: B
Table 250.66 would require a 1/0 AWG copper grounding electrode conductor for 600 kcmil copper service conductors, but 250.66(B) says a grounding electrode conductor (or bonding jumper) that runs only to a concrete-encased electrode is not required to be larger than 4 AWG copper. So the minimum size required here is 4 AWG copper.
Reference: NEC 2017 Section 250.66(B), Table 250.66
Sample 2 — Wiring Methods and Materials
Question: What is the minimum copper service-entrance conductor size for a 200 A, 120/240-volt, single-phase service to a one-family dwelling, using THHN conductors with 75°C terminals?
- A. 2/0 AWG
- B. 3/0 AWG
- C. 250 kcmil
- D. 300 kcmil
Correct Answer: A
For a 120/240-volt, single-phase service supplying the entire load of a one-family dwelling, 310.12(A) (310.15(B)(7) in NEC 2017) permits service conductors with an ampacity of not less than 83 percent of the service rating: 200 A x 0.83 = 166 A. In the 75°C column of Table 310.16, 2/0 AWG copper is rated 175 A, so 2/0 AWG is the minimum. Without that dwelling allowance, 3/0 AWG copper (rated 200 A) would be required.
Reference: NEC 2017 Section 310.15(B)(7) and Table 310.15(B)(16)
Sample 3 — General Electrical Knowledge
Question: You are a licensed electrical contractor installing equipment on a construction site. The equipment requires natural air circulation for cooling. According to OSHA requirements, how should this equipment be installed?
- A. So that room airflow over cooling surfaces is not prevented by walls or adjacent installed equipment
- B. At least 10 feet from any wall or obstruction
- C. In any convenient location as long as the equipment is properly grounded
- D. In an enclosed room with mechanical ventilation only
Correct Answer: A
Per 29 CFR 1926.403(d)(2), electrical equipment that depends upon natural circulation of air and convection principles for cooling of exposed surfaces shall be installed so that room airflow over such surfaces is not prevented by walls or by adjacent installed equipment.
Reference: 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K, §1926.403(d)(2)
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, 73% 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 3 minutes 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 | 100 questions |
| Time limit | 5 hours |
| Passing score | 73% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $53 |
- Results are scored immediately and reported by email, showing the numerical score and pass/fail, with a diagnostic report for candidates who fail.
- Failed exams may be retaken as many times as necessary with no waiting period, at $53 per attempt.
Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin, TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.