What's on the West Virginia Journeyman Electrician Exam? The 2023 NEC, by Chapter
What the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's journeyman electrician exam covers: 50 multiple-choice questions on the 2023 NEC with calculations built in. West Virginia publishes no outline, so here is a chapter-by-chapter study blueprint.
What's on the West Virginia Journeyman Electrician Exam?
Since January 1, 2026, the State Fire Marshal's Journeyman Electrician exam is 50 multiple-choice questions, each worth 2 points, open book on the 2023 NEC. You have 4 hours and need 70% (35 questions). Calculations are no longer a separate section: they are built into the multiple choice.
There is no official outline
West Virginia's rule says only that every exam is "derived from the National Electrical Code." The State Fire Marshal does not publish how many questions come from each topic. So the blueprint below is ours, not the state's. It follows the NEC chapter weighting of West Virginia's only published electrical outline (the Contractor Licensing Board's electrical exam, also on the 2023 NEC), with grounding and bonding split out and a calculations area added.
| Area (our blueprint) | NEC | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Wiring Methods and Materials | Chapter 3 | 10 |
| Branch Circuits, Feeders, Services and Overcurrent Protection | Articles 210-242 | 8 |
| Calculations | Article 220, Chapter 9, box fill | 7 |
| General Requirements and Definitions | Articles 90, 100, 110 | 5 |
| Grounding and Bonding | Article 250 | 5 |
| Equipment for General Use | Chapter 4 | 4 |
| Motors, Motor Circuits and Controllers | Articles 430, 440 | 3 |
| Special Occupancies | Chapter 5 | 3 |
| Special Conditions and Communications Systems | Chapters 7 and 8 | 3 |
| Special Equipment | Chapter 6 | 2 |
| Total | 50 |
What changed with the 2023 NEC
Before 2026 the exam was on the 2020 NEC. If your study material is older, watch for moved rules, for example:
- Non-dwelling general lighting loads moved from Table 220.12 to Table 220.42(A), and the lighting demand factors to Table 220.45.
- Electric vehicle charging loads now count at 7,200 VA or the nameplate, whichever is larger (220.57).
- Class 1 remote-control and signaling circuits moved from Article 725 to Article 724.
How to study
- Learn the book's layout. With 50 questions in 4 hours, you have almost 5 minutes a question, so speed in finding a section matters more than memorizing it.
- Tab Chapter 3, Article 250 and the Chapter 9 tables. Wiring methods, grounding and the conduit and conductor tables answer a large share of questions.
- Practice the calculations. Expect box fill, conduit fill, ampacity with adjustment factors and basic load calculations inside the multiple choice.
Our West Virginia Journeyman Electrician practice test draws from these areas in the same proportions, and every question cites its 2023 NEC section. For eligibility and fees, see the requirements.
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