Texas license lookup / Exam guides / Journeyman electrician
The Texas journeyman electrician exam
The journeyman exam is split into a code-knowledge portion and a calculations portion, both open book. Since 1 September 2026 it is written to the 2026 National Electrical Code. In fiscal year 2025, about one attempt in four passed.
Based on PSI's candidate bulletin dated 15 September 2026 · Reviewed 9 October 2026
The exam at a glance
| Exam | Questions | Time | To pass | Fee | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEC knowledge portion | 56 scored (59 total) | 130 min | 70% | $78 for both | Open book (NEC) |
| Calculations portion | 24 scored (26 total) | 110 min | 70% | included | Open book (NEC) |
"+ N" is extra time or questions for unscored items, which PSI includes to trial new questions. Exam fees are paid to PSI, separately from TDLR's license application fee.
How many people pass
| Pass rate | Taken | Passed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman NEC portion | 24.5% | 5,731 | 1,402 |
| Journeyman calculations portion | 20.6% | 6,328 | 1,301 |
| Journeyman (listed separately by TDLR) | 27.5% | 5,050 | 1,390 |
Fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025). Counts are exams taken, not people, and exclude no-shows. Source: TDLR examination statistics.
What is on it: nEC knowledge (56 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Branch circuits and conductors | 10 | 18% |
| Wiring methods and materials | 10 | 18% |
| Equipment and devices | 10 | 18% |
| Services and separately derived systems | 6 | 11% |
| Special occupancies | 6 | 11% |
| Motors and generators | 5 | 9% |
| Definitions, theory and plans | 3 | 5% |
| Feeders | 3 | 5% |
| Renewable energy technologies | 2 | 4% |
| Control devices and disconnecting means | 1 | 2% |
What is on it: calculations (24 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Services and separately derived systems | 4 | 17% |
| Branch circuit calculations and conductors | 4 | 17% |
| Feeders | 3 | 13% |
| Special occupancies | 3 | 13% |
| Calculations and theory | 2 | 8% |
| Wiring methods and materials | 2 | 8% |
| Equipment and devices | 2 | 8% |
| Motors and generators | 2 | 8% |
| Control devices and disconnecting means | 1 | 4% |
| Renewable energy technologies | 1 | 4% |
The 2026 NEC switch
PSI's bulletin, updated 15 September 2026, references the exams to the 2026 NEC, matching the state's adoption of that edition on 1 September 2026. If you studied from a 2023 code book, you need the 2026 edition for the test.
Book and calculator rules
- Bring your own soft-bound NEC. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound and ring-bound copies are not allowed, and neither is the NEC Handbook.
- You can highlight, underline and annotate the book beforehand, and permanent publisher tabs are fine. Homemade tabs and added paper are not, and nothing can be marked during the exam.
- Calculators must be silent, battery-operated and non-programmable, without paper tape or an alphabet keyboard.
Time does not carry over
The two portions are timed separately, and unused time on the first does not carry over to the second. Calculations get 110 minutes for 26 questions, a little over four minutes each. Failing either portion means a retake fee of $78.
Scheduling and exam day
- Eligibility first. TDLR reviews your application, then PSI emails you that you are eligible and how to book. You cannot book before that.
- Booking. Online through your PSI account, or by phone; your name must match your government ID exactly.
- On the day. PSI's TDLR bulletins ask you to arrive 30 minutes early with one valid government photo ID; late arrivals are turned away and lose the fee.
- Cancelling. Cancel or reschedule at least two days ahead through PSI, or the fee is forfeited.
- Results. Scores are given at the test center. PSI gives failing candidates a diagnostic report by topic, which is the best study guide for a retake.
Before and after the exam
- How to get a journeyman electrician license in Texas: hours, application and fees
- License statistics and renewal for this trade
- Renewal calculator for once you are licensed
- All exam guides and pass rates
For context: Texas has 40,120 active licenses of this type in the public TDLR file dated 20 September 2026.
Questions
Is the Texas journeyman electrician exam open book?
Yes. You bring your own soft-bound copy of the 2026 NEC; spiral-bound, ring-bound and loose-leaf copies and the NEC Handbook are not allowed.
How many questions are on the Texas journeyman exam?
Two portions: 56 scored NEC knowledge questions in 130 minutes and 24 scored calculation questions in 110 minutes, with a few unscored questions included.
What is the pass rate for the Texas journeyman electrician exam?
In fiscal year 2025, 24.5% of NEC knowledge portions and 20.6% of calculation portions taken were passed, according to TDLR.
Which NEC is the Texas journeyman exam based on?
The 2026 NEC, according to PSI's bulletin updated 15 September 2026.
Sources
PSI Services, candidate information bulletin dated 15 September 2026. Pass rates: TDLR examination statistics. Exam fees, formats and outlines change when PSI reissues a bulletin: the bulletin sent with your eligibility notice is the one that applies to you.
Independent site, not affiliated with TDLR or PSI. We do not sell courses or practice tests.
Cite this page
PermitPulled (2026). The Texas journeyman electrician exam. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/exams/journeyman-electrician-exam-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.