Texas Electrician Exam Calculator: What Is Allowed

What the rule says

The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for Texas electricians (updated 9/15/2026) allows only calculators that are non-programmable, silent and battery-operated. The calculator cannot print paper tape and cannot have a keyboard containing the alphabet. Our exam day guide lists the other items to have in hand when you arrive 30 minutes early.

Phones, smart watches and other electronic devices go in secure storage, so your phone's calculator is not an option. Read the bulletin's current wording before you buy anything, since PSI updates it in place, and we do not endorse a particular model.

What to look for

You do not need a fancy model. For the Calculations portion, these features save time:

• A square-root key. Three-phase and transformer problems use the square root of 3.
• Parentheses. Voltage drop and circular mil formulas have grouped terms.
• A squared key and a reciprocal key. Power formulas use the square, and parallel resistance uses the reciprocal.
• A clear display. A cramped screen leads to misread digits.
• A fresh battery. The calculator must be battery-operated, so replace the battery before exam week.

A calculator that is tidy and familiar beats one with more keys you have not used.

Check the model against the rules

Look at the device in your hand. Does it show a way to store programs? Does it have a full letter keyboard? Does it hum or beep? Anything that makes it programmable or noisy puts it outside the rule. If you are unsure, call PSI at the number in the bulletin, (833) 333-4741, before exam day. Finding out at check-in is the expensive way.

Keystroke habits for the portion

1. Work in the order of the formula. Write the formula on the notepad, then enter numbers left to right. Our calculations portion guide lists the steps for each calculation type.
2. Use parentheses. For three-phase power, enter 1.732 × (voltage × current) the same way every time, and your answers will match from practice to exam.
3. Know your rounding. Decide in practice whether you carry full digits until the last step. Carrying them avoids small errors that land on a wrong option.
4. Double-check with a rough estimate. If a three-phase current should be near 90 A and the display says 9.0 or 900, you have a slip.
5. Clear before each item. Leftover numbers in memory are a classic way to repeat last item's answer.

Practice with the same machine

Every practice set between now and exam day should use the exact calculator you will bring. Run the Ohm's law problems, the voltage drop formula with Chapter 9 Table 8 values from your book, and the 125% continuous load steps. Our voltage drop calculator lets you check your hand result, but do the first pass on your own device so the keystrokes are in your fingers.

On exam day

You work at a computer with electronic notepads provided, and the bulletin says pens and pencils stay in storage. Bring only what the bulletin allows: your 2026 NEC and the calculator. Keep the calculator out of any bag you will leave in storage. Check the display and battery the night before.

Know what you are practicing for

A good calculator helps when your method is solid. Take the free 10-question check to see which calculation types still cost you points. No signup, and each answer is explained.

FAQ

Can I use my phone as a calculator at the Texas electrician exam?

No. Phones and other electronic devices go in secure storage.

Can I use a scientific calculator?

The bulletin allows non-programmable, silent, battery-operated calculators with no paper tape and no alphabetic keyboard. Check your model against that wording.