Texas license lookup / Exam guides / Residential wireman
The Texas residential wireman exam
One exam, 80 questions, four hours, the 2026 NEC open on the desk. Services are the biggest topic, as you would expect for a license built around homes.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential wireman | 80 scored + 5 unscored | 240 min + 20 | 70% | $64 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential wireman | 30.1% | 1,098 | 331 |
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: exam (80 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Services and separately derived systems | 16 | 20% |
| Branch circuit calculations and conductors | 14 | 18% |
| Equipment and devices | 12 | 15% |
| Wiring methods and materials | 10 | 13% |
| Definitions, calculations, theory and plans | 8 | 10% |
| Feeders | 7 | 9% |
| Special occupancies, equipment and conditions | 7 | 9% |
| Motors and generators | 2 | 3% |
| Control devices and disconnecting means | 2 | 3% |
| Renewable energy technologies | 2 | 3% |
Three topics, half the exam
Services, branch circuits and equipment are 42 of the 80 questions. The same soft-bound NEC and calculator rules apply as for the journeyman exam.
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 residential wireman 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 1,966 active licenses of this type in the public TDLR file dated 20 September 2026.
Questions
What is the pass rate for the Texas residential wireman exam?
In fiscal year 2025, 30.1% of residential wireman exams taken were passed, according to TDLR.
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 residential wireman exam. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/exams/residential-wireman-exam-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.