What's on the Montana Master Electrician Exam? NEC, Theory and Major Load Calculations
What PSI's Montana master electrician exam covers: 80 open-book questions on the National Electrical Code, general trade knowledge and theory, and major load calculations, with 75% to pass. PSI publishes no question counts, so here is a study blueprint and the Montana amendments to know.
What's on the Montana Master Electrician Exam?
PSI's Montana Master exam is 80 questions in 4 hours, open book, and you need 75% (60 correct). It is on the 2020 NEC through December 31, 2026 and the 2023 NEC from January 1, 2027.
PSI's outline
PSI lists three content areas, with no question counts:
- National Electrical Code
- General Trade Knowledge & Theory
- Major Load Calculations
State law requires at least 80 questions on the NEC and the Board's rules and laws (MCA 37-68-304). The blueprint below is ours, not PSI's: it gives load calculations a full block and weights the rest by NEC chapter.
| Area (our blueprint) | Where to look | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Major Load Calculations | Article 220 | 12 |
| Branch Circuits, Feeders, Services and Overcurrent Protection | Articles 210-242 | 10 |
| Wiring Methods and Materials | Chapter 3, Chapter 9 tables, box fill | 10 |
| General Trade Knowledge and Theory | Circuits, power, transformers, voltage drop | 10 |
| Grounding and Bonding | Article 250 | 7 |
| Motors, Motor Circuits and Controllers | Articles 430, 440 | 6 |
| General Requirements and Definitions | Articles 90, 100, 110 | 5 |
| Equipment for General Use | Chapter 4 | 5 |
| Special Occupancies | Chapter 5 | 5 |
| Special Equipment | Chapter 6 | 4 |
| Special Conditions and Communications Systems | Chapters 7 and 8 | 3 |
| Montana Amendments and Rules | ARM 24.301.401 and the permit rules | 3 |
| Total | 80 |
Major load calculations on the 2023 NEC
Expect dwelling and non-dwelling service and feeder calculations: general lighting loads, small-appliance and laundry circuits, ranges and dryers, motors and air conditioning, demand factors and the optional methods. The 2023 NEC renumbered the tables these use:
- Non-dwelling general lighting loads: Table 220.12 became Table 220.42(A).
- Lighting load demand factors: Table 220.42 became Table 220.45.
- Non-dwelling receptacle demand factors: Table 220.44 became Table 220.47.
- Electric vehicle charging: 7,200 VA or the nameplate, whichever is larger (220.57).
Montana's amendments
Montana's 2023 NEC rule (ARM 24.301.401) matters most to a master in the service and feeder rules: it allows up to six service disconnects in a single enclosure, group of enclosures, switchboard or switchgear (230.71), lets the feeder surge protector sit in the distribution board that supplies the subpanels (215.18(B)), and requires hazardous-location area classification drawings by qualified persons or firms (500.4). It also changes dwelling GFCI and AFCI rules: no GFCI for kitchen refrigerators and freezers, no AFCI requirement for kitchens, and AFCI added for unfinished basements.
How to study
- Work full load calculations by hand. A dwelling standard calculation, an optional calculation and one non-dwelling service, start to finish, until you know where each table is.
- Plan for 75%. That is 60 of 80, so you can miss only 20.
- Bring the amendments. Montana's building codes amendments are an allowed reference; tab the GFCI, AFCI and service-disconnect pages.
Our Montana Master Electrician practice test draws from these areas in the same proportions. For eligibility and fees, see the requirements.
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