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Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor — Practice Exam

What This Practice Exam Covers

The Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor licensing exam contains 100 questions with a 300-minute time limit and a passing score of 73% (73 correct answers). It draws from 12 topic areas spanning NEC code application, OSHA regulations, the 2021 International Building Code, and practical electrical calculations.

Two practice options are available here:

Free practice exam — 10 questions per attempt, pulled from a limited question pool. You can retake it as many times as you like to get a feel for the question style and difficulty. It costs nothing and is a solid first step before committing to full preparation.

Full practice exam (paid) — 100 questions, 300-minute timer, structured exactly like the real exam. Questions are drawn from a pool of 781+ items, so every attempt produces a different set — no two exams are identical. Topics and question distribution reflect the official exam blueprint provided by the test authority.

Start with the free exam to benchmark yourself, then use the full exam for serious, targeted preparation.

What You'll Be Tested On

General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements — 14 items

The largest single topic block. Questions cover fundamental NEC definitions (Article 100), the scope and authority of the code (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 90.5(C) and Article 90.4), conductor identification, equipment approval under NEC Handbook Section 110.3(A), working clearances, and flash hazard labeling requirements under NEC Handbook Section 110.16(A). OSHA construction safety — including qualified person definitions (29 CFR 1926, Subpart C, §1926.32(m)) and safety program requirements — appears in this block as well. Expect questions that require you to apply a specific code section to a described field scenario, not just recall a definition.

Building Code Requirements — 5 items

Focuses on the 2021 International Building Code, particularly electrical provisions in emergency systems (IBC 2021, Section 2702.1.1 through 2702.2.15), elevator requirements (IBC 2021, Sections 3002.2 through 3008.8.2), and occupancy-related electrical rules. These questions require you to know which IBC sections govern emergency and standby power, not just the NEC.

Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits — 10 items

A calculation-heavy topic. Services questions test minimum conductor sizing, number of permitted services (NEC Handbook, Section 230.2(C)(1) and 230.71(A)), service entrance clearances (Section 230.24(B)(1)), and service disconnect rules. Feeder questions involve minimum feeder ampacity calculations (NEC Handbook, Section 215.2(A)(3)), continuous-load rules, and outdoor feeder installation (NEC Handbook, Section 225.30). Branch circuit questions cover voltage limitations (NEC Handbook, Section 210.6(A)), multiwire branch circuits (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 210.4(C)), and required outlet spacing. Expect two or three multi-step load calculations.

Overcurrent Protection — 4 items

Focused and code-specific. Questions address standard ampere ratings, small conductor protection (NEC Handbook, Section 240.4(D)(1) and 240.4(D)(2)), overcurrent protection for flexible cords (Section 240.4(C)), and feeder overcurrent device sizing. Know the distinction between overcurrent protection for conductors versus equipment.

Grounding and Bonding — 10 items

One of the most detail-intensive topics. Grounding questions cover system grounding requirements (NEC Handbook, Section 250.20(A) and 250.20(B)), grounding electrode system components (Section 250.52(A)), grounding electrode conductor sizing (Section 250.66(B)), and electrode installation requirements (Section 250.53(A)(2)). Bonding questions address bonding of metal piping systems (Section 250.104(A) and 250.104(B)), service bonding jumpers (Section 250.102(C)), and bonding conductor connections (Section 250.8(A)). Know how to size both grounding and bonding conductors from tables.

Conductors and Cables — 8 items

Tests conductor material and insulation identification, allowable ampacity, temperature correction, and specific cable assembly rules. Cable type questions address AC cable (NEC Handbook, Section 320.30(B) and 320.80(A)), MC cable (Section 330.24(A)(2)), NM cable (Section 334.10(3) and 334.10(5)), and MV cable (Section 332.10). Conductor questions involve wet and high-temperature applications (NEC Handbook, Section 310.10(C) and 310.10(G)) and conductor sizing for specific loads.

Raceways and Boxes — 8 items

Covers installation rules and limitations for EMT (NEC Handbook, Section 358.12), RMC (Section 344.20(A) and 344.100), PVC conduit (Section 352.12(D) and 352.44), FMC (Section 350.10(3)), and ENT (Section 362.12(4)). Box fill calculations, box selection for damp and wet locations (NEC Handbook, Section 314.3, Exception No. 1), and minimum conductor length at boxes (NEC 300.14) are also tested.

Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment — 12 items

Second-largest topic. Hazardous location questions require knowledge of Class I, II, and III classifications and Division 1 vs. Division 2 distinctions (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 500.5(A) and 500.5(C)(1)), as well as Zone classifications (Section 506.20(F)). Special occupancy questions cover commercial garages (NEC Handbook, Table 511.3(C)), and special equipment questions address electric signs (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Sections 600.3(A) through 600.7(B)(7)). These questions often describe a location or installation and ask you to name the correct classification or wiring method.

Low Voltage, Alarms, Signaling Systems, and Communications — 7 items

Covers Chapter 8 NEC systems: communications conductors (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 800.44(A)(1) and 800.47(A)), antenna systems (Section 810.18(A)), network-powered broadband (Section 830.40(A) per NEC Handbook), and low-voltage lighting systems (NEC Handbook, Section 411.3 and 411.5(B)). Know separation and installation rules, not just definitions.

Lighting, Signs, and General Use Equipment — 6 items

Lighting fixture support and location rules (NEC Handbook, Section 410.12), sign disconnecting means (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 600.6(A)(1) and 600.6(B)), and branch circuit requirements for signs (Section 600.5(A)) are the core content here.

OSHA and NFPA 70E Safety — 6 items

Tests OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K (electrical safety on construction sites) and Subpart V (electric power transmission and distribution). Questions involve training requirements, clearance distances, protective equipment selection (29 CFR 1926, Subpart E, §1926.97, Table E-5), and housekeeping rules (29 CFR 1926, Subpart C, §1926.25(a)).

Motors, Transformers, and Generators — 10 items

Calculation-heavy. Motor questions require sizing branch circuit conductors (NEC Handbook, Section 430.22(B)), overload protection (Section 430.32(A)(1)), and short-circuit protection using Table 430.52 (NEC 2017 Tennessee, Table 430.52 and Ugly's Electrical References, Page 38). Transformer questions address installation (NEC Handbook, Section 450.21(A) and 450.21(B)) and disconnecting means (Section 450.14). Generator questions cover ampacity (Section 445.13(A)), overcurrent protection (Section 445.12(C)), and disconnecting means (Section 445.18(B)).

Worked Sample Questions

Question 1 — OSHA Retraining Requirement

You are a licensed electrical contractor managing a crew performing overhead line construction. An employee who was properly trained last year has just been assigned to a task involving safety-related work practices not normally part of his regular job duties. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.950(b)(4)(iii), what must you do?

A. Allow the employee to proceed if he has at least one year of experience
B. Provide additional training or retraining before the employee performs the task
C. Assign a qualified person to observe but no additional training is required
D. Document the employee's existing training and proceed with the work

Correct Answer: B

Per 29 CFR 1926, Subpart V, §1926.950(b)(4)(iii), an employee must receive additional training or retraining when they must use safety-related work practices that are not normally part of their regular duties. The code also notes that tasks performed less than once per year are considered to require retraining before work begins. Prior training — even from only one year ago — does not satisfy this requirement when the task itself is outside the employee's normal scope of work. Options A, C, and D all allow the worker to proceed without the required retraining, which violates this OSHA provision.

Question 2 — Class I, Division 1 Classification

Which of the following describes a Class I, Division 1 location?

A. Combustible dust normally present
B. Ignitable vapors present under normal conditions
C. Only present during maintenance
D. Mechanical damage is the primary hazard

Correct Answer: B

Per NEC 2017 Tennessee, Section 500.5(A), hazardous location classifications are based on the type and probability of the hazardous material being present. Class I covers locations where flammable gases or vapors may be present in quantities sufficient to produce ignitable mixtures. Division 1 means the hazardous condition exists under normal operating conditions — not just during failures or maintenance. Combustible dust (Option A) describes Class II, not Class I. Option C describes Division 2 conditions. Option D is not a classification basis under NEC Article 500.

Question 3 — Minimum Service Size Calculation

Single-phase dwelling calculated load: 33,600 VA. What is minimum service size at 240V?

A. 125A
B. 140A
C. 150A
D. 175A

Correct Answer: C

Divide the total load by the supply voltage: 33,600 VA ÷ 240V = 140A. However, 140A is not a standard ampere rating. Under NEC Handbook, Section 240.4(C), when the calculated ampacity does not correspond to a standard rating, you must select the next higher standard size. The standard ratings above 140A are 150A, 175A, 200A, etc. The next standard rating up from 140A is 150A, making Option C correct. Selecting 125A (Option A) would undersize the service; jumping to 175A (Option D) skips a valid standard size.

How to Read Your Score

The passing threshold is 73% — 73 correct out of 100. On the full practice exam, treat your first score as a diagnostic, not a verdict. Most candidates score lower on their first full attempt than they will on subsequent attempts once they know where to focus.

A score below 65% on your first attempt is a signal to review core calculation topics — Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits and Motors, Transformers, and Generators are the most likely culprits, since they require multi-step math under time pressure.

A score between 65% and 72% means you are close but not reliably safe. One weak topic can pull you below passing on the real exam. Use the topic-by-topic breakdown from the full practice exam to identify exactly which areas are dragging your score, then target those specifically before retesting.

A score of 80% or above across multiple attempts suggests genuine readiness — but keep running additional attempts since the 781+ question pool means each attempt tests different material.

Scoring near 73% on practice consistently is not a comfortable margin. The real exam does not allow reference materials, so aim to score at least 80% on practice before sitting for the actual test.

Where Candidates Lose Points

Calculation errors on service and motor sizing are the single biggest point drain. Candidates correctly set up the formula but forget to round up to the next standard ampere rating, or they apply the wrong voltage (line-to-line vs. line-to-neutral) in a VA division problem.

Wrong code edition or section costs points on Grounding and Bonding and Conductors and Cables. Tennessee uses the 2017 NEC — not the most recent national edition — and several section numbers differ. Studying from a different edition and not verifying the section reference is a common mistake.

Misreading hazardous location questions is frequent in the Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment block. Candidates confuse Class I vs. Class II, or Division 1 vs. Division 2, when a question describes the conditions rather than stating the class outright.

Skipping OSHA details in the OSHA and NFPA 70E Safety and General Knowledge topics costs easy points. These questions often test a specific threshold — a clearance distance, a training frequency, or a definition from 29 CFR 1926 — that candidates overlook because they focus all study time on the NEC.

Running short on time most commonly affects candidates who slow down on the Motors, Transformers, and Generators and Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits sections. With 300 minutes for 100 questions, you have 3 minutes per question — use it as a pacing benchmark.

Exam Quick Facts