Ohio Electrical Contractor Exam Day: PSI, Your References, and Pacing 4 Hours

Ohio Electrical Contractor Exam Day: What to Expect

PSI gives the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) contractor exams at its test centers, in Ohio or elsewhere in the U.S. Here is what the electrical trade exam looks like on the day.

Before you can book

You schedule only after OCILB has approved your application (the approval is good for one year) and you have completed the BCI and FBI background checks. Then create an account at PSI's Ohio contractor site or call PSI at (855) 257-1621, pay $69, and pick a test center by zip code.

To reschedule or cancel, give PSI at least 2 days' notice, online or by phone. A voicemail does not count. A no-show or late arrival forfeits the fee.

What you may bring

The exam is open book, and you bring your own references. The bulletin allows:

• NFPA 70, the 2023 National Electrical Code, and/or the 2023 NEC Handbook. Either one alone is enough, but you may bring both.
• Ugly's Electrical References, 2023 edition.
• A field reference: the Electrical Field Reference Handbook (revised for the 2008 NEC) or the IBEW-NECA Field Reference Book.

How you may prepare them:

• Highlighting, underlining and tabs are allowed, done before the exam.
• Writing in the books is not allowed.
• No loose or attached papers in the books.

Code questions are based only on the 2023 edition. A 2020 NEC is not a substitute. The Electrical Field Reference Handbook is pinned to the 2008 Code, so use it for formulas and tables and take Code answers from your 2023 NEC.

Calculator and scratch paper

PSI provides an online calculator, and it is the only calculator you may use. Leave yours at home and practice with a basic on-screen calculator beforehand. PSI also gives you one sheet of scratch paper and a pencil, which you hand back at the end.

The clock

100 scored questions plus 10 unscored pretest items in 4 hours. You will not know which items are pretest, and their time counts against your 4 hours. A tutorial of up to 15 minutes beforehand is not counted. Questions appear one per screen, and you can change answers until time runs out.

Pacing

110 questions in 240 minutes is about 2 minutes 10 seconds each.

• Know your tabs. Services, feeders and branch circuits are 16 items, and motors and transformers 24 between them. Article 220, Article 430 and Table 310.16 should open in seconds.
• Use Ugly's for formulas. It is faster than deriving a three-phase or voltage-drop formula under the clock.
• Do not let one lookup eat your time. Give your best answer, mark it mentally and move on.
• Answer every question. There is no reason to leave one blank.
• Check the clock at 2 hours: about 55 done.

Scoring

You need 70% on the 100 scored items. Your pass or fail result appears on screen immediately, and a failing report includes diagnostics.

If you do not pass

You can retake after 60 days, at $69 per attempt. The bulletin allows up to five retests in a year, and Ohio law sends you back to reapply after five failed attempts. Use the diagnostic report to focus the 60 days.

The other exam: Business & Law

To get licensed you must also pass the Contractor's Business and Law exam: 50 scored questions plus 5 pretest, 2 hours, 70% to pass, open book. You do not bring a book for this one. PSI provides the reference at the center, the NASCLA Contractor's Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, Ohio 4th edition. Our practice exam covers the electrical trade exam only.

Before you go

Sit a full-length, timed practice exam first. Our free practice test gives you a feel for the questions on the 2023 NEC, and the full exam prep has full-length practice exams weighted to the nine trade-exam areas, with every answer explained. For eligibility, fees and reciprocity, see Ohio Electrical Contractor requirements.