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The Texas master electrician exam
The hardest exam TDLR runs by pass rate: in fiscal year 2025, 22% of code portions and 19% of calculation portions taken were passed. Both portions are open book, on the 2026 NEC.
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 | 70 scored (75 total) | 150 min | 70% | $78 for both | Open book (NEC) |
| Calculations portion | 30 scored (33 total) | 170 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master NEC portion | 22.2% | 3,472 | 771 |
| Master calculations portion | 19.1% | 3,946 | 753 |
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 (70 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Services, service equipment and separately derived systems | 11 | 16% |
| Branch circuit conductors | 11 | 16% |
| Equipment and devices | 8 | 11% |
| Special occupancies, equipment and conditions | 8 | 11% |
| Definitions, theory and plans | 7 | 10% |
| Wiring methods and materials | 7 | 10% |
| Motors and generators | 7 | 10% |
| Feeders | 4 | 6% |
| Renewable energy technologies | 4 | 6% |
| Control devices and disconnecting means | 3 | 4% |
What is on it: calculations (30 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Services, service equipment and separately derived systems | 8 | 27% |
| Motors and generators | 6 | 20% |
| Branch circuit calculations and conductors | 4 | 13% |
| Feeders | 3 | 10% |
| Calculations and theory | 2 | 7% |
| Wiring methods and materials | 2 | 7% |
| Equipment and devices | 2 | 7% |
| Control devices and disconnecting means | 1 | 3% |
| Special occupancies | 1 | 3% |
| Renewable energy technologies | 1 | 3% |
Calculations: services and motors
Services and motors are 14 of the 30 scored calculation questions. With 170 minutes for 33 questions, the calculations portion allows about five minutes per question, more than any other TDLR electrical exam, and candidates still fail it four times out of five.
Same book rules as the journeyman exam
Soft-bound 2026 NEC only, annotations made before the exam, permanent publisher tabs allowed, a silent non-programmable calculator. Unused time on one portion does not carry over to the other, and a retake costs $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 master 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 18,617 active licenses of this type in the public TDLR file dated 20 September 2026.
Questions
What is the pass rate for the Texas master electrician exam?
In fiscal year 2025, 22.2% of NEC portions and 19.1% of calculation portions taken were passed, according to TDLR.
How long is the Texas master electrician exam?
150 minutes for the NEC knowledge portion and 170 minutes for the calculations portion.
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 master electrician exam. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/exams/master-electrician-exam-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.