Free NEC practice test · 2023 NEC

NEC code practice test: timed lookup drills

A free NEC practice test of 12 open-book lookup questions on the 2023 NEC. Each one has a target time, the way the clock works on a real journeyman exam, and when you finish you get your score, your time and the path through the code book to every answer. No account needed.

This test is for the 2023 NEC. Oklahoma, California, Michigan and many other states test the 2023 edition. Switch to the 2026 NEC version · Which edition does my state test?

Open your own 2023 NEC. Each question shows the time a prepared electrician needs to find the answer; the clock above the questions shows your time when JavaScript is on.

Question 1Under which entry heading does Article 100 define readily accessible?

Target: 60 seconds

A. "Readily Accessible", under R B. "Ready Access", under R C. "Access, Ready", under A D. "Accessible, Readily", under A

Question 2Open-coil surface heating elements in a commercial-type heating appliance must be protected at not more than what rating?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 60 A B. 40 A C. 50 A D. 48 A

Question 3What rating does 210.11(C)(4) require for the dwelling garage branch circuit?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 120 volts, 15 amperes B. 240 volts, 30 amperes C. 120 volts, 30 amperes D. 120 volts, 20 amperes

Question 4On a 30-ampere branch circuit with two or more receptacles, what is the maximum cord-and-plug-connected load on any one 30-ampere receptacle?

Target: 90 seconds

A. 30 A B. 16 A C. 24 A D. 25 A

Question 5A feeder to a subpanel is protected by a 150-A breaker and run in PVC conduit. What is the minimum copper wire EGC?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 8 AWG B. 4 AWG C. 4 AWG aluminum D. 6 AWG

Question 6Which section lists the uses NOT permitted for flexible cords and flexible cables?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 400.12 B. 400.10 C. 400.13 D. 400.14

Question 7Using Table 314.16(A), what is the volume of a 4 in. x 1-1/2 in. square metal box?

Target: 90 seconds

A. 15.5 cu in. B. 18.0 cu in. C. 30.3 cu in. D. 21.0 cu in.

Question 8What is the minimum rating of a single receptacle that supplies shore power to boats?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 20 amperes B. 30 amperes C. 50 amperes D. 15 amperes

Question 9Under 700.12, emergency lighting and power must be available within the time required for the application but not more than how long after normal supply fails?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 60 seconds B. 10 seconds C. 30 seconds D. 2 hours

Question 10For a clothes closet, up to what height above the floor does the lower part of the storage space extend?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) B. 1.8 m (6 ft) or the highest clothes-hanging rod C. 2.5 m (8 ft) D. 1.5 m (5 ft)

Question 11A feeder supplies a commercial outbuilding with a calculated load of 40 amperes. What is the minimum rating of its disconnecting means under 225.39?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 40 amperes B. 100 amperes C. 30 amperes D. 60 amperes

Question 12Which section states that conductors and equipment required or permitted by the code are acceptable only if approved?

Target: 60 seconds

A. 90.4 B. 110.3(B) C. 90.7 D. 110.2

Target for all 12: 13 minutes

How to find an answer in the NEC quickly

Name the subject in the code's own words.
A question about a hot tub is under spas and hot tubs; a question about a box is under boxes, outlet, device, pull and junction. The index uses these words, not the words on a job site.
Go to the chapter, then the article.
Chapter 1 is general rules and definitions, Chapter 2 wiring and protection (branch circuits, feeders, services, overcurrent, grounding), Chapter 3 wiring methods, Chapter 4 equipment, Chapters 5 to 7 special occupancies, equipment and conditions, Chapter 8 communications, and Chapter 9 the tables. Knowing which chapter a subject lives in saves the first minute of every lookup.
Read the section and its subdivisions, then the exceptions.
The answer is often in a lettered subdivision. The Texas bulletin says its questions ignore exceptions unless a question says otherwise; check what your own bulletin says.
Time yourself.
On an open-book exam the clock is the hard part. Keep a list of the lookups that took too long, even when you got them right, and drill those again.

Tabbing your code book for the exam

What you may put in your book depends on the state. Read your own candidate bulletin before you tab or write in it.

State	What the bulletin allows
Texas (2026 NEC)	A soft-bound 2026 NEC. You may highlight, underline and write notes in it, and it may carry only the permanent tabs the publisher makes. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound and ring-bound copies and the NEC Handbook are not allowed. Texas exam guide and sources
Oklahoma (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC, highlighted, underlined and indexed with permanent tabs, but not written in. Handbooks and spiral-bound copies are not allowed. Oklahoma exam guide and sources
California (2023 NEC)	Nothing brought in: the 2023 NEC, NFPA 70E and the Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide are provided on screen as searchable PDFs. California exam guide and sources
Kentucky (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand; no repositionable tabs, added sheets or indexes. Ugly's is also allowed. Kentucky exam guide and sources
Iowa (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC or the 2023 NEC Handbook, highlighted, underlined and indexed with permanent tabs, but not written in. Ugly's is not allowed. Iowa exam guide and sources
Delaware (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand; no movable tabs or sticky notes. Delaware exam guide and sources
Alabama (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand; no notes, sticky notes or added indexes. The American Electrician's Handbook is also allowed. Alabama exam guide and sources
Wyoming (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC or the hardcover NEC Handbook, plus Ugly's, Ferm's Fast Finder Index and Tom Henry's Key Word Index. Wyoming exam guide and sources
South Dakota (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC or the hardcover NEC Handbook, plus Ugly's, Ferm's Fast Finder Index and Tom Henry's Key Word Index. South Dakota exam guide and sources
Vermont (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC and the 2025 Vermont Electrical Safety Rules with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand. Ugly's (2020) is also allowed. Vermont exam guide and sources
Utah (2023 NEC)	The 2023 NEC with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand; no handwritten notes or formulas anywhere in it. Ugly's and the listed Utah laws and rules are also allowed. Utah exam guide and sources
Colorado (2026 NEC)	Nothing brought in: the 2026 NEC and a formula page are provided at the test center, unmarked. The 2023 book is available on request until December 1, 2026. Colorado exam guide and sources
Maine (2026 NEC)	The 2026 NEC with permanent tabs, highlighted and underlined in pen beforehand; no notes or added indexes. The American Electrician's Handbook, Maine laws and rules and Mike Holt's theory book are also allowed. Maine exam guide and sources

For a test of the whole exam, code and calculations, take the free journeyman electrician practice test.

Last verified November 11, 2026.