Which NEC book you can bring to the Texas journeyman exam

What is allowed

• Soft-bound NEC. Any soft-bound edition of the National Electrical Code may be used, but TDLR says questions are based on the current TDLR-adopted bound edition, and the bulletin's reference list names the 2026 Edition. Bring the 2026.
• Your own copy. You are responsible for bringing it. PSI does not supply one.
• Marks made before the exam. The bulletin allows your book to be highlighted, underlined and to contain notes before the exam session.
• Publisher tabs. Permanent index tabs manufactured or provided by the NEC publisher.

What is not allowed

• Loose-leaf, spiral-bound or ring-bound copies of the NEC.
• Homemade, DIY or non-NEC tabs.
• Extra paper of any kind, whether loose, taped, adhered or stapled.
• The NEC Handbook.
• Marking the book during the exam. You may not write in it, highlight, underline, index or mark it once the session starts.

What happens with a non-compliant book

Under the bulletin, a candidate who arrives with a non-compliant book gets three options: test without that book, test after removing the homemade or non-NEC tabs yourself, or forfeit the exam fee and test another day with a compliant book, at your own expense. Violations during the exam are reported to TDLR. The bulletin lists the consequences as surrendering all exam materials including your code books, an invalidated score, and civil or criminal penalties.

Set up your book the right way

Since your marks and tabs are fixed once you walk in, do the work at home:

1. Buy the publisher's tab set and place the tabs where your practice shows you look most.
2. Mark the book in advance for the articles and tables you reach for most often, such as Chapter 9 tables, Article 310 ampacities and Article 430 motor tables.
3. Take your practice with the same book and the same calculator you will carry, on the real clock: 130 minutes for NEC Knowledge, then 110 for Calculations.

We cite the NEC by article, section and table number and never reproduce its text, so your own copy stays the reference. Read the calculations guide to see which tables the math portion sends you to. To test how fast you find a table in your own tabbed book, try the free Texas journeyman lookup drill, five timed lookups against a pace you set.

Two reading rules from the bulletin

The reference list tells candidates not to consider code exceptions or optional calculation methods unless the question specifically directs them to. It also says all conductors are copper unless the question says otherwise. Mark your book with those in mind.

Check your habits before you test

Take the free 10-question check with your NEC open. You will see how quickly you find an answer in the book, and your score by subject area.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by TDLR, PSI or NFPA. NEC and National Electrical Code are registered trademarks of NFPA.

Sources

Show the list

• Candidate Information Bulletin, Texas electricians (updated 9/15/2026), PSI for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Read 24 Oct 2026.
• Electrician exam information, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Read 24 Oct 2026.