What's on the West Virginia Master Electrician Exam? The 2023 NEC, by Chapter
What the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's master electrician exam covers: 50 multiple-choice questions on the 2023 NEC with load calculations built in. West Virginia publishes no outline, so here is a chapter-by-chapter study blueprint.
What's on the West Virginia Master Electrician Exam?
The State Fire Marshal's Master Electrician exam is 50 multiple-choice questions, each worth 2 points, open book on the 2023 NEC since January 1, 2026. You have 4 hours and need 70% (35 questions). Calculations are built into the multiple choice.
There is no official outline
West Virginia publishes no topic list or weighting; its rule says only that exams are derived from the NEC and match the competency of the license. 103CSR5 defines a master as someone who can read plans and calculate demand loads. Our blueprint below is ours, not the state's: the NEC chapter weighting of West Virginia's Contractor Licensing Board electrical exam, with grounding split out and more weight on calculations, services and feeders than our journeyman blueprint.
| Area (our blueprint) | NEC | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Calculations | Article 220, Chapter 9, box fill | 8 |
| Branch Circuits, Feeders, Services and Overcurrent Protection | Articles 210-242 | 8 |
| Wiring Methods and Materials | Chapter 3 | 7 |
| Grounding and Bonding | Article 250 | 6 |
| General Requirements and Definitions | Articles 90, 100, 110 | 4 |
| Equipment for General Use | Chapter 4 | 4 |
| Motors, Motor Circuits and Controllers | Articles 430, 440 | 4 |
| Special Occupancies | Chapter 5 | 4 |
| Special Equipment | Chapter 6 | 3 |
| Special Conditions and Communications Systems | Chapters 7 and 8 | 2 |
| Total | 50 |
What changed with the 2023 NEC
The exam moved from the 2020 to the 2023 NEC on January 1, 2026. Load calculations are where the renumbering bites:
- Non-dwelling general lighting loads: Table 220.12 became Table 220.42(A).
- Lighting load demand factors: Table 220.42 became Table 220.45.
- Non-dwelling receptacle demand factors: Table 220.44 became Table 220.47.
- Electric vehicle charging load: 7,200 VA or the nameplate, whichever is larger (220.57).
How to study
- Drill Article 220. Dwelling and non-dwelling service and feeder calculations, demand factors and the optional methods are where a master's extra points are.
- Know Article 250 cold. Grounding electrode conductor and equipment grounding conductor sizing come up in both lookups and calculations.
- Use Ugly's for the math. It is allowed in the room; know where its formulas and tables are so you don't rebuild them.
Our West Virginia Master Electrician practice test draws from these areas in the same proportions, on the 2023 NEC. For eligibility and fees, see the requirements.
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