Connecticut E-1 Electrical Contractor Exam Day: What to Expect at PSI

Connecticut E-1 Electrical Contractor Exam Day: What to Expect

Connecticut contractors take two PSI exams on a computer at a test center: the E-1 trade exam (100 questions in 4 hours) and Business and Law (50 questions in 2 hours). Both are open book, and both need 70%. Everything below comes from PSI's Electrical Trades candidate bulletin, updated February 2026.

Where you test

PSI's Connecticut test centers are in West Hartford and Milford. You can also test at PSI's Massachusetts sites (Auburn, Boston, Fall River and West Springfield) or at any PSI center in the country. There is no online option.

Scheduling and rescheduling

• Schedule online at PSI's Connecticut site or by phone at (855) 746-8171 once DCP has approved you. Each exam costs $59 per attempt.
• Cancel or reschedule at least two days ahead to keep the fee.
• Your eligibility lasts one year from approval, and a passed portion counts for two years. You can book the two exams on different days.

Your books

You bring your own references, and the marking rules are the same for both exams:

• Allowed: highlighting, underlining, notes in the margins and permanent tabs.
• Not allowed: sticky notes, and questions and answers written into the book. Remove them before you arrive.
• You may not write in your books during the exam.

For the trade exam, the list includes the 2020 or 2023 NEC (or either Handbook), 29 CFR 1926, Ugly's Electrical References, NFPA 72 (2013), Dunlop's Photovoltaic Systems, the 2012 National Electrical Safety Code and Convert Your Home to Solar Energy. Bring the NEC edition you studied; PSI accepts either.

For Business and Law, the only reference is the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Connecticut, 6th edition.

Bring a silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator without an alphabetic keyboard.

Pacing

You have about 2.4 minutes per question on both exams. PSI adds 1 to 10 unscored questions, and their time counts against yours, so the real pace is a little faster. Answer the quick lookups first, mark the calculations, and come back to them. PV and load calculations are the usual time sinks on the E-1.

Scoring, review and retakes

Your score shows on screen at the end. If you fail, you get a report of your weak areas and can spend 30 minutes reviewing the questions you missed. Use it: it is the most direct feedback you will get.

You cannot rebook the same day. There is no limit on attempts within your one-year eligibility, and you retake only the portion you failed.

After you pass

Send DCP the $150 license fee with your passing score reports for both exams.

Practice first

Our Connecticut E-1 practice test follows PSI's 16-area trade outline and cites the 2020 NEC section for every answer. For the content breakdown, see what is on the E-1 exam, and for eligibility and fees, the E-1 license requirements.