Failed One Portion of the Texas Journeyman Exam? Next Steps

What the rules say about retakes

From the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for Texas electricians (updated 9/15/2026), read on 24 Oct 2026: the retake fee is $78 if you fail one or both portions. The bulletin says you can test unlimited times through your eligibility period, and TDLR says you may retake as many times as needed, with further exam fees possible each time. Each portion is passed separately and needs 70%.

Check PSI's current bulletin before you pay, since PSI updates it in place. Our cost and scheduling guide lists the fee, how to book and what forfeits it.

Watch the clock on your window

TDLR gives you one year from the date it received your application to meet every requirement, including passing the exam. The window does not restart when you fail. So the first practical step is to find that date, add a year and write it down. Our eligibility guide explains how the window works. If you have months left, you have room for a planned retake. If you have weeks, book as early as the calendar and your preparation allow.

Read the score report

If you do not pass a portion, the score report includes a diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses. Print or save it. It names the subject areas where you lost points, and those are your study targets. Compare it with the share each area carries of the 80 scored items in our exam outline. A weak area worth 12 items matters more than a weak area worth 2.

Then add what the report cannot tell you: the reason for each miss. Reconstruct from memory which items felt slow. Was it a lookup that took too long, an arithmetic slip, a rule you did not know? Do not write down the questions or their wording. Exam content is confidential, and our practice never relies on recalled items. Note the topic and the type of difficulty instead, such as "grounding table selection" or "ran short of time on motor items".

Build a short repair plan

1. Pick the portion and the weak areas. One portion is the target. Two or three subject areas are the focus.
2. Rebuild the method. For Calculations, fix the order of steps for each type. For NEC Knowledge, rebuild your tabs and run lookup drills. Our tabbing guide helps.
3. Practice on the right clock. 130 minutes for NEC Knowledge or 110 for Calculations, in your own 2026 NEC.
4. Measure before you book. Take a practice set that is scored by subject area, and book only when your weak areas move.

What to leave behind

Do not spend your repair time on topics you already pass. If your report shows strength in wiring methods, leave it alone and put those hours into the area that cost you. And do not change your whole approach out of frustration. Most candidates who fall short need to tighten two or three habits, such as keeping a fixed order for continuous loads, or reading an item's condition fully before choosing.

Rebook with a margin

Canceling without losing your fee requires notice at least 2 days before the exam, per the bulletin. That gives you room to cancel and sit later if your practice scores say you are not ready. A second sitting that lands a week later but clears 70% is cheaper than a third.

Start your retake prep today

Take the free 10-question check. It needs no signup, every answer is explained, and your score by subject area shows whether your repair plan is working. For more questions by area, work through our free practice guide.

FAQ

How much is a Texas journeyman retake?

$78 for a retake of one portion or both, per PSI's bulletin read on 24 Oct 2026.

Is there a limit on retakes?

The bulletin says testing is unlimited through your eligibility period. TDLR says each attempt may carry another fee.

Does the one-year window restart after I fail?

No. It runs from the date TDLR received your application.

What does the score report show after a miss?

For a portion you do not pass, the report includes a diagnostic of strengths and weaknesses, per PSI's bulletin.