Electrician exam prep
Pittsburgh electrical trade license exam (ICC T16, 2020 NEC)
Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) requires the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam for the Electrical Trade License. It accepts the T16 (2020 NEC), G16 (2017) or F16 (2014) version and tells applicants to pick the one for the code year Pennsylvania has adopted, which has been the 2020 NEC since January 1, 2026.
Practice for the exam Pittsburgh, PA accepts
ICC Master Electrician (T16, 2020 NEC)
100 questions, 300 min · 2020 NEC
T16 on the 2020 NEC, the version PLI’s rule points to: the code year Pennsylvania has adopted.
ICC Master Electrician (G16, 2017 NEC)
100 questions, 300 min · 2017 NEC
G16 on the 2017 NEC, which PLI also accepts.
The license and the exam
- License
- Electrical Trade License
- Issued by
- City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI)
- Who needs it
- Electricians doing electrical work in the City of Pittsburgh. New licensees document at least six years of combined experience and education.
- Accepted exam
- ICC National Standard Master Electrician: T16 (2020 NEC), G16 (2017 NEC) or F16 (2014 NEC)
- Given by
- ICC (Pearson VUE)
- Format
- 100 questions, 5 hours, open book on the NEC edition of the version you take, with Ugly’s Electrical References (any edition)
- To pass
- 75% (ICC)
- Fee
- $120 to ICC
- NEC editions accepted
- 2020 NEC, 2017 NEC, 2014 NEC
Steps to the license
- Register with ICC as a non-authorized candidate for exam T16 (or G16 or F16), then schedule and pay through Pearson VUE.
- Pass the exam (75%).
- Apply to PLI with photo ID, proof of passing, and a resume or documentation showing six years of combined experience and education.
- Renew every 365 days, with 8 hours of continuing education from the previous 12 months.
Before you book
- PLI also accepts earlier versions of the exam, or a passing letter from the old Pittsburgh-proctored exam, at the License Officer’s discretion.
- Practice on the edition of the version you book: T16 practice for the 2020 exam, G16 practice for the 2017 exam.
- License fees are set in PLI’s fee schedule, which changes periodically.
- Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code adopted the 2021 International Codes, which reference the 2020 NEC, effective January 1, 2026. The next code cycle (2024 I-Codes, 2023 NEC) has not been announced.
Frequently asked questions
Which exam does Pittsburgh require for an electrical license?+
The ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam, taken at Pearson VUE. PLI accepts T16 (2020 NEC), G16 (2017 NEC) or F16 (2014 NEC), all with Ugly’s Electrical References.
Should I take T16 or G16?+
PLI tells applicants to choose the version that covers the most recent code year adopted by Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code. Since January 1, 2026 that is the 2021 I-Codes, which reference the 2020 NEC: T16.
What continuing education does Pittsburgh require?+
Eight hours within the 12 months before each yearly renewal, from ICC’s Preferred Provider Directory or a Pennsylvania UCC-approved provider. Other courses are reviewed case by case.