Journeyman Electrician Exam: It’s Time To Level Up!

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Journeyman Electrician Exam: It's Time To Level Up!

ZenElectrical
October 11, 2024
9 Min Read

Working in the electrical business is undoubtedly a challenging yet exhilarating experience. It’s a game of patience, hard work, and regularly upskilling yourself that can make you a professional in this field. Suppose you are a budding electrician or have little experience in this field. In that case, you must know that there are three broad levels of expertise: apprenticeship, journeyman, and master electrician.

Taking a journeyman electrician exam indicates that you have ticked off the mandatory requirements of working as an apprentice electrician. Now, the time has come to jump to the next level of electrical expertise—journeyman electrician!

In this blog, we will cover everything about the journeyman electrician exam and how to ace it so that you can level up your career and serve better with your enhanced skillset and extensive knowledge.

Eligibility Criteria For Journeyman Electrician Exam

The state and the local municipality make the journeyman electrician exam mandatory to allow electricians to work in particular areas of the region. Taking this exam signifies that you have the basic and necessary skills to perform your job, keeping safety and precautionary policies in mind for you as well as the consumers.

To be eligible to sit for the journeyman electrician exam, the first and foremost requirement is to have some years of hands-on experience as an electrician or apprentice training before advancing to the next level.

You need to complete your course of study and training as an apprentice electrician, which includes almost 800 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of electrical work under the guidance of a master electrician.

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How To Prepare For The Journeyman Electrician Practice Test

Preparing for the journeyman electrician practice test includes having robust theoretical knowledge of all electrical control devices and their operations, along with practical knowledge of the same to establish hands-on expertise in their field.

To pass your journeyman electrician practice test, you need to have a thorough preparation that combines studying technical materials, having a robust understanding of the NEC (National Electrical Code), and practicing simulated tests that enhance your knowledge, providing a glimpse into how the actual test can be.

Topics You Need To Master For The Test

The journeyman electrician license test covers a range of topics in the electrical domain, which includes:

Electrical theory
Conductors’ electrical wiring methods
Generators, electrical control devices, and plans for electrical services
Fixed outdoor electric deicing
Electrical industry and electrical services
Conditions renewable energy technologies
Devices motors, utilization equipment, and service equipment

These, along with a few other topics, make up the entire curriculum of your exam appointment.

Apart from these, you also need to familiarize yourself with the essentials and fundamental concepts explained and mentioned in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). Serving as an important

Taking the journeyman electrician test comes with an examination fee, depending on your region and location. However, the general fee range starts at around $75 and can go up to $100.

Exam Preparation Tips

To prepare meticulously for your journeyman electrician examination, you can follow these recommended steps:

Review training materials: Topics covered in your apprenticeship training can serve as valuable sources of study materials that can help you cover a substantial amount of the syllabus.
Study National Electrical Code: This is the imperative portion of your syllabus and covers the essential codes and regulations that you need to be proficient at. Not just for the upcoming test but also to be an established and officiant electrician at any level.
Practice Tests: Many websites on the internet provide multiple-choice questionnaire tests to assess your preparation. Take as many of those tests as possible to build your confidence and ensure that you have covered the crucial topics adequately.

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Registering For The Journeyman Electrician Exam

To register for your journeyman electrician exam appointment, you need to contact your local licensing agency or the testing company, which can help you with the proper procedure to take the examination. They will guide you on submitting an application form for the test. Once your application has been submitted and reviewed, followed by approval, you will be instructed on how to schedule your exam.

Note: You can contact the appointed PSI testing center for more information on your exams as the said entity administers them.

Journeyman Electrician Exam Format

The format of your journeyman electrician exam can vary minutely depending on the area where you are taking the exam.

However, the general template remains the same, which includes:

Multiple Choice Questions: 80 to 100 questions covering topics like electrical theory, codes, service equipment, wiring methods, etc.
Practical Questions: Solve sample papers online that test the knowledge and expertise to deal with any applicable situations requiring a thorough understanding of electrical codes and real-life cases.
Time Slot: The time limit ranges from 3 to 5 hours, and you must complete all the given questions within the stipulated time.

Time To Exam: Test day!

Depending on the location of your exam and occupation, your exam could be conducted either on the computer or as a written test. You can also be handed the NEC guide as a reference to use in your exams, but that is also dependent on the location, as some centers do allow the use of it.

On the day of your journeyman examination, you must bring your identification documents, most preferably government-issued, to the exam center. The identity document should include your photo, your birthdate, and signature. Apart from your identification document, you can bring a calculator for the exam to help you solve the questions that may require complicated calculations.

Comprehending Scores Of Your Exam

Depending on your center or test procedure, the exam results can be immediate or take a few weeks. If your test was computerized, you can access the results after you complete it. If it was paper-based or the test belongs to a certain jurisdiction, it might take a few weeks before the results are mailed or emailed to you. In certain situations, your results can also be uploaded to an online portal where you can access your score easily.

The passing requirement for your journeyman electrician test is usually marked at the above 70% level. If you do not pass the exam in one go, there usually is a waiting period that allows you to retake it after a certain time period. Upon passing the test, you will receive your certification and be deemed eligible for the journeyman electrician license.

How Soon Can You Get Your Journeyman Electrician License?

Once you have passed the journeyman electrician exam, the amount of time it takes to have a license in hand varies by state or other local jurisdiction. First, you must get a copy of your results and then submit an application for licensure, which will require proof of passing, work experience verification, and fees. This process is usually 2 to 8 weeks long, although sometimes different. Some jurisdictions will grant temporary licenses while you are waiting for an official one to arrive.

You can contact your licensing authority for additional information regarding your licensure issuance.