NASCLA Electrical Contractor Exam: Requirements and How to Apply
How the national NASCLA Accredited Examination for Electrical Contractors works: which states accept it, NASCLA pre-approval, PSI scheduling, the 100-question exam on the 2020 or 2023 NEC, attempts, fees and transcripts.
Contents
NASCLA Electrical Contractor Exam: Requirements and How to Apply
The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Electrical Contractors is a national trade exam. The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) writes it, PSI gives it, and participating state agencies accept a passing score in place of their own electrical contractor trade exam. If you work in more than one state, it can save you from sitting a separate trade exam in each. Everything below comes from PSI's national NASCLA bulletin (pages dated November 11, 2026), NASCLA's participating-agency list and the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
What it is, and what it is not
The NASCLA exam replaces a state's trade exam only. It is not a license. You still apply to each state agency for its license, meet its experience and financial rules, and take any business and law exam it requires.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Written by | NASCLA |
| Given by | PSI |
| Scored questions | 100 (plus up to 10 unscored experimental items) |
| Time | 270 minutes |
| Passing score | 75 |
| Format | Open book, computer-based |
| Code | 2020 or 2023 NEC |
Which states accept it
NASCLA lists 19 participating agencies for its electrical exams, and each decides which NASCLA exam it accepts. Two examples we confirmed from the states' own pages:
- Arizona: the Registrar of Contractors accepts it in place of the ROC trade exam for the C-11 commercial and CR-11 dual electrical licenses.
- Tennessee: the Board for Licensing Contractors accepts it in place of the CE electrical contractor trade exam.
Other agencies on NASCLA's list include licensing boards in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Confirm with your agency which NASCLA exam it takes before you apply.
How to apply
- Apply to NASCLA at ned.nascla.org. You must be pre-approved before you can book; applications are processed within seven business days.
- Book with PSI. NASCLA sends your name to PSI, which emails you registration details. Book online or by phone at (855) 746-8177.
- Pay PSI. The Arizona ROC lists the exam fee as $116, paid to PSI. The fee is good for one year from payment.
- Test within one year of approval. You get up to three attempts in that year; if you have not passed, reapply once the year is over.
To cancel or reschedule without losing the fee, give PSI notice at least two days before the exam, online or by phone. Voicemail and email do not count.
After you pass
Your result goes to NASCLA's National Examination Database within about 72 hours. Create an account there and send your transcript to each participating agency as you apply for its license.
Experience and renewal
NASCLA sets no experience requirement for the exam itself. The state that licenses you sets the experience, insurance, bonding and renewal rules, so check those with your agency.
The outline changes on January 1, 2027
The exam stays at 100 questions, 270 minutes and 75 to pass, but the content outline is new from January 1, 2027: more NEC chapters, less theory, safety and project management. See what is on the NASCLA Electrical Contractor exam.
Practice for the exam
Our NASCLA Electrical Contractor practice test is weighted like the 2027 outline, and every question cites the 2023 NEC, OSHA, NFPA 70E or NASCLA Contractors Guide section it comes from.
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