Master electrician exam outline: 12 shared areas
Every state writes its own master electrician exam, but the outlines in their bulletins cover the same NEC ground. We took the item counts Virginia, Oklahoma and Utah publish, set aside each state's law, rules, business and permit questions, and grouped what was left into twelve areas. Michigan publishes a topic list without weights, and every topic on it falls into one of the twelve. Then we moved weight toward the calculations a master is licensed to sign for, because that is what the bulletins show a master exam adds. This is the outline our 100-question master practice exam follows. It is our own map of the shared areas, not any state's outline.
- Time
- 240 minutes
- Where
- Computer-based at vendor test centers; each state names its vendor
The twelve shared areas
| Area | Items of 100 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Definitions, general requirements and plans | 5 | Article 100 definitions, Article 110 requirements and working space, one-line diagrams and panel schedules |
| Electrical theory and calculations | 8 | Power and power factor, single- and three-phase current and kVA, voltage drop, fault current basics |
| Branch circuits | 6 | Required circuits, ratings and continuous loads, multiwire circuits, GFCI and AFCI |
| Dwelling load calculations | 10 | Standard and optional methods, additions to existing dwellings, multifamily buildings, neutral load |
| Load calculations for other occupancies | 9 | Commercial lighting and receptacle loads, show windows and signs, kitchen equipment, schools and restaurants, farms |
| Services and feeders | 10 | Sizing conductors and devices from a calculated load, neutral sizing, parallel sets, disconnects, outside feeders |
| Overcurrent protection | 6 | Standard ratings, next size up, feeder and transformer taps, coordination and series ratings |
| Grounding and bonding | 10 | Grounding electrode and equipment grounding conductor sizing, separately derived systems, bonding jumpers, multiple buildings |
| Conductors, cables, raceways and boxes | 9 | Ampacity with correction and adjustment, conduit and box fill, pull boxes, cable tray |
| Motors, generators and transformers | 10 | Motor conductors and protection, multiple-motor feeders, transformer sizing and protection, generators |
| Special occupancies and special equipment | 11 | Hazardous locations, health care, assembly, pools, emergency and standby systems, fire pumps, solar PV, EV charging, welders |
| Utilization equipment, lighting, low voltage and safety | 6 | Appliances and HVAC equipment, luminaires and signs, Class 2 and fire alarm circuits, NFPA 70E and OSHA basics |
| Total | 100 |
The six master-level areas (both load calculation areas, services and feeders, grounding and bonding, motors and transformers, and special occupancies) carry 60 of the 100 questions.
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Grounding and Bonding
A service with 350 kcmil copper conductors has a GEC that runs only to two driven ground rods. Table 250.66 would give 2 AWG copper for these service conductors. What is the largest GEC the rods require?
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Why calculations weigh more than on the journeyman exam
Virginia is the one state we read that publishes both a journeyman and a master outline. Its master exam has 20 more items than its journeyman exam, and they do not spread evenly: services and feeders, branch circuits, motors and electrical fundamentals each gain 3 items, and grounding and bonding gains 2. Raceways, conductors, lighting and safety do not change. Michigan's bulletin says its master exam adds the knowledge needed to plan and supervise installations, and Oklahoma's contractor exam is defined as design, plan and layout work. Our outline follows that direction.
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How the state outlines differ
- Virginia gives 10 of its 90 items to Virginia regulations and spreads the rest across 18 NEC areas, with services and feeders, grounding and bonding, and motors and controls the heaviest at 8 each.
- Oklahoma's Unlimited Electrical Contractor exam uses the same 13 areas and item counts as its journeyman exam, about 10 items each on the big areas. Its bulletin lists business and law as a separate exam.
- Utah's master exam is mostly state law, rules and safety: 34 of its 80 questions are on the NEC and theory.
- Michigan lists its topics without weights and adds its licensing act and electrical code rules.
If your state publishes an outline, compare it with this table and spend extra time where your state weighs an area more.
How to use the outline
- Take a timed practice exam and score each area.
- Compare each area's score with its weight. A low score in a 10-item area costs more than one in a 5-item area.
- Learn where each area lives in the NEC. In the 2023 edition, load calculations are in Article 220, services in Article 230, feeders in Article 215, grounding and bonding in Article 250, conductors in Article 310, motors in Article 430 and transformers in Article 450. Fast lookups win open-book exams.
- Retake a fresh set on the clock and check that the weak areas moved.
Take the free 10-question master electrician check. It is written to the 2023 NEC, needs no signup, explains every answer and names your weakest area.
Each state sets its own outline, edition and rules. Confirm with your board and your bulletin before you book. Testing in Texas? See the Texas master exam outline. Still at the journeyman stage? See the journeyman exam outline.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by NFPA, PSI or Prov, or any state licensing board. NEC and National Electrical Code are registered trademarks of NFPA.
Sources
Show the list
- Virginia tradesman candidate information bulletin, PSI. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
- Oklahoma candidate information bulletin, PSI for the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
- Utah electrical candidate information bulletin, Prov for the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
- Michigan electrical candidate information bulletin, PSI. Retrieved 8 Nov 2026.
Exam facts
| Questions | Varies by state. Researched master-level bulletins: Oklahoma Unlimited Electrical Contractor 100 scored items, Virginia Master 90, Utah Master 80, Michigan Master 76. The practice exam uses 100 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes |
| Book | open in every bulletin read (Oklahoma, Virginia, Michigan, Utah): the candidate brings the NEC edition the state tests; most allow highlighting and permanent tabs made beforehand, ban writing in the book and ban the NEC Handbook; each state's bulletin sets the exact rule |
| Calculator | Varies by state: Oklahoma allows a silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator; Virginia and Michigan list calculators among prohibited personal items; Utah's bulletin does not say |
| Passing | Varies by state: 70% in Oklahoma, 63 of 90 in Virginia, 75% in Michigan and Utah. The practice exam claims no passing score of any state |
| Where you test | Computer-based at vendor test centers; each state names its vendor |
| Retakes | Set by each state: Michigan's bulletin says 2 attempts within 1 year and LARA's page says two failed attempts within two years; Oklahoma electrical retests wait 30 days; retakes cost the exam fee again |
| Eligibility | Set by each state's licensing board (journeyman license and experience hours, or education); readers confirm with their board |
What the exam covers
| Definitions, General Requirements, and Plans | 5% |
| Electrical Theory and Calculations | 8% |
| Branch Circuits | 6% |
| Dwelling Load Calculations | 10% |
| Load Calculations for Other Occupancies | 9% |
| Services and Feeders | 10% |
| Overcurrent Protection | 6% |
| Grounding and Bonding | 10% |
| Conductors, Cables, Raceways, and Boxes | 9% |
| Motors, Generators, and Transformers | 10% |
| Special Occupancies and Special Equipment | 11% |
| Utilization Equipment, Lighting, Low Voltage, and Safety | 6% |
Sources
Show the 1 sources
Facts come from Each state's electrical licensing board; exams delivered by PSI, Prov and other vendors's own documents (sources above); the latest source retrieval was . If something has changed, tell us and we will correct it within 2 business days.
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