One exam, 70 questions
You need 70% overall. Calculations sit inside the outline areas rather than in a separate portion, and our full-length practice exam draws from each area in the same proportions.
Journeyperson Electrician exam
70 scored · 210 min- Electrical theory20
- Wiring and protection (Art. 100–285)20
- Wiring methods and materials (Art. 300–398)12
- Equipment for general use (Art. 400–490)6
- Special occupancies (Art. 500–590)4
- Special equipment (Art. 600–695)2
- Special communications (Art. 700–830)6
On the 2020 NEC — not the 2023
Maryland's exam tests the 2020 NEC. Much of today's study material is written for the 2023 edition, which renumbered these rules. Every question here cites the 2020 section.
| Topic | 2023 NEC (not on your exam) | 2020 NEC |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling general lighting load (3 VA per ft² in both)220.14(J) | 220.41 | 220.14(J) |
| Non-dwelling general lighting unit loads220.12 | Table 220.42(A) | Table 220.12 |
| Lighting load demand factors220.42 | Table 220.45 | Table 220.42 |
| Non-dwelling receptacle demand factors220.44 | Table 220.47 | Table 220.44 |
| EV charging load in a load calculationArticle 220 | 7,200 VA or the nameplate (220.57) | No such rule |
| Class 1 remote-control and signaling circuitsArticle 725 | Articles 722 and 724 | Article 725 |
What's Included
Every plan gets the same full-access study library.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Maryland Journeyperson Electrician exam structured?+
One PSI exam of 70 scored questions in 3½ hours; you need 49 correct (70%). Twenty questions are electrical theory — Ohm’s law, circuits, power and power factor, motors and transformers — and the rest are the 2020 NEC, weighted toward wiring and protection (Articles 100–285). There is no separate calculations section.
Which code edition is the exam on?+
The 2020 NEC — the only edition PSI has offered since May 2024, and the one the Board confirmed in November 2025. The Board has proposed enforcing the 2026 NEC and is writing a 2026 version of the exam, but PSI has not announced a date for the switch. Until it does, every scored question is on the 2020 code.
Is the exam open book?+
Yes, with one book: NFPA 70, the 2020 NEC. You may highlight and index it and use permanent tabs, but you may not write notes in it, and no other reference is allowed. PSI provides an online calculator on screen.
Is there a Maryland law or rules section?+
No. Neither outline has a law section — every scored question is on the NEC or electrical theory.
How hard is it to pass?+
Hard. The Board reports 2,730 passes out of 9,659 exams since it started testing — 28% — and 26% for 2025 through October.
What does it cost, and what if I fail?+
The PSI exam fee is $65. If you fail, you can retake it after 30 days. Each exam also carries 5 to 10 unscored trial questions, which count against your time.
Do I also need a county license?+
Possibly. The state license is valid statewide, but a county or city may also require you to register with it before you work there. Limited and low-voltage licenses are issued by counties, not the state.
What do I need before I can sit the exam?+
At least four years of experience working under the direction of a licensed master electrician. Approved electrical coursework can be credited toward part of that time. Apply to the Board first; PSI schedules you once you are approved.
Ready to pass your exam?
Practice the full exam on the current code, with every calculation worked out.
Start Studying Today →