New Mexico ER-1J Exam Day: What to Expect at PSI

New Mexico ER-1J Exam Day: What to Expect

The ER-1J written exam is given by PSI on a computer: Part 1, Code (40 questions, 90 minutes, open book) and Part 2, Theory (25 questions, 60 minutes, closed book). You need 75% on each: 30 of 40, and 19 of 25. Everything below comes from PSI's New Mexico journeyman bulletin.

Where you test

PSI's New Mexico centers are in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Santa Fe, with nearby centers in Colorado and Texas. You must test within six months of CID's approval.

Your books, part by part

• Part 1 (open book): your own bound 2020 NEC and the New Mexico Electrical Code, with highlighting and permanent tabs allowed but no handwritten notes.
• Part 2 (closed book): no books. A silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator is allowed.

Pacing

Part 1 gives you a little over 2 minutes per question, enough for a lookup if you know the index. Part 2 gives you about 2½ minutes per question with no book: answer what you know first, then return to the calculations.

Scoring and retakes

Your written score appears on screen. Each part is scored separately, and you retake only the part you failed. You may test at most twice in any 30-day period; after two failures, wait 30 days from the first attempt. Cancel at least two days ahead to keep your fee.

The practical

The ER-1J practical is scored out of 100 points, 75 to pass, over 120 minutes: a doorbell circuit, lighting, simple conduit bending and materials identification. The score report is mailed within seven business days.

Practice first

Our ER-1J practice test has a separate practice exam for each written part. For the content breakdown, see what is on the ER-1J.