2026 NEC Changes for the Texas Journeyman Exam: What Older Prep Gets Wrong
Texas electrical exams moved to the 2026 NEC on September 1, 2026. Dwelling lighting is now 2 VA per square foot, load calculations moved to Article 120, and several tables were renumbered.
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2026 NEC Changes for the Texas Journeyman Exam
On September 1, 2026, Texas moved its state electrical exams — Journeyman included — to the 2026 National Electrical Code. Most books, classes and question banks on the market were written for the 2023 edition, and some of what they teach is now wrong on the exam.
These are the changes most likely to cost you points.
Load calculations moved to Article 120
Branch-circuit, feeder and service load calculations used to live in Article 220. In the 2026 NEC they are Article 120. If you tab your book, tab Article 120 — a practice question citing 220.xx is pointing you at the old edition.
Dwelling lighting load: 2 VA per square foot
The general lighting load for dwelling units dropped from 3 VA to 2 VA per square foot (120.41).
For a 2,000 ft² dwelling, that is 4,000 VA of general lighting instead of 6,000 VA. Every dwelling load calculation that starts from square footage changes, and an answer worked the old way will be one of the wrong options.
One trap in the other direction: individual mobile and manufactured homes still use 3 VA per square foot. Don't carry the new dwelling number into a mobile home question.
Optional dwelling calculation: first 8 kVA
In the optional method for a dwelling, the first 8 kVA of the general load is now taken at 100%, down from 10 kVA (120.82(B)). The remainder is still taken at 40%.
The bulletin's rule still applies: use the optional method only when the question tells you to.
EV charging load: same rule, new number
The EV charger load rule moved with the rest of the load calculations: it is now 120.57 (formerly 220.57). Each EVSE is calculated at its nameplate rating, or 7,200 VA when no nameplate rating is available.
Expect EV chargers in dwelling load questions, and keep them out of the 75% demand factor for fastened-in-place appliances — they are a separate load.
Renumbered sections and tables
Several requirements did not change in substance but moved. On an open-book exam, looking in the old place costs you minutes:
| Requirement | 2023 NEC | 2026 NEC |
|---|---|---|
| Transformer overcurrent protection | 450.3, Table 450.3(B) | 450.5, Table 450.5(B) |
| Underground installations | 300.5 | 300.7 |
| Box fill volume allowances | Table 314.16(B) | Table 314.16(B)(4) |
| Motor branch-circuit protection | Table 430.52 | Table 430.52(C)(1) |
| Feeder minimum rating and size | 215.2 | 215.4 |
In the 2026 edition, 300.5 now covers conductors in general, and 450.3 covers reconditioned equipment, so an old cross-reference lands you somewhere real but wrong.
How to study for the change
- Use a 2026 code book. The exam allows any soft-bound NEC, but questions are written to the edition Texas has adopted. Studying from a 2023 book means re-learning these numbers on exam day.
- Check your practice material's edition. If its load calculations cite Article 220 or use 3 VA per square foot for dwellings, it was written for 2023.
- Re-work the dwelling calculations. Standard and optional methods both changed, and they are worth several points on the Calculations portion.
Every question in our Texas Journeyman exam prep is written to the 2026 NEC, and every calculation is worked out from the 2026 tables. Try it with the free practice test.
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