What to Bring to the Electrician Exam: 2026 Checklist

Most electrician exam candidates obsess over studying the NEC and forget to think about what actually goes in the bag on exam day. Showing up without the right materials, or trying to bring something that gets flagged at check-in, can cost you the appointment.

Here is exactly what to bring and what to leave at home.

What Is Required at Every Testing Center

Whether you are testing with PSI, Prometric, or Pearson VUE, these are non-negotiable:

Two forms of ID. The primary ID must be government-issued, include your photo and signature, and not be expired. A driver's license or passport works. The secondary ID must include your name and either a photo or signature. A credit card or employee badge usually covers this.

Your authorization to test (ATT). This is the letter or email from your state licensing board or the testing vendor confirming your appointment. Some centers accept a printed copy; others accept it on your phone. Print it to be safe.

The exact name match. Your name on the ID must match the name on your ATT exactly. A middle name on one but not the other can trigger a check-in hold. Verify this before exam day.

The NEC Code Book: Your Most Important Tool at the Exam

Journeyman and master electrician exams are open-book. You are allowed to bring a physical copy of the National Electrical Code into the exam room.

Allowed:

• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, 2023 edition (the current standard for most states)
• Tabs on the pages
• Highlights inside the book
• Handwritten notes inside the book (written directly on the pages)

Not allowed:

• Loose papers tucked inside the book
• Sticky notes attached to pages (policy varies by center, but most prohibit them)
• Printed study guides or cheat sheets
• Any book other than what your state has specifically approved

Check your state's candidate handbook for the exact edition required. Most states using the 2023 NEC will specify NFPA 70-2023. A few states still test on the 2020 edition.

Additional References Most States Allow

Beyond the NEC, many states permit one or more of the following. Verify your state's candidate handbook before bringing anything:

• NFPA 70B (Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance)
• NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace)
• State electrical code amendments (if your state has them)
• Ohm's Law and formula reference cards (if they were in your ATT approval)

When in doubt, do not bring it. A disallowed book will be confiscated at check-in and you will not get it back until after the exam.

Calculator Rules

A basic, non-programmable calculator is allowed at most testing centers. What is not allowed:

• Calculators with programmable memory or formula storage
• Calculators with alphanumeric displays
• Cell phone calculators
• Smart watches

A simple four-function calculator or a Texas Instruments TI-30X works fine for load calculations, voltage drop, and conduit fill math. You do not need anything more advanced than that.

What the Testing Center Provides

You will not need to bring:

• Scratch paper (provided, or a whiteboard and marker at some centers)
• Pencils or pens
• A timer (the test screen shows your remaining time)

What to Leave at Home

• Cell phones (must be powered off and stored in a locker)
• Smart watches
• Earbuds or headphones
• Food and drinks (some centers have lockers outside the testing room)
• Coats or bulky outerwear (lockers are provided)
• Any book, paper, or reference not explicitly approved in your candidate handbook

The Day-Before Checklist

Run through this the night before your exam:

1. Print your ATT or save it where you can access it offline
2. Check that your primary ID is not expired
3. Confirm the exact address of your testing center (PSI has multiple locations in larger cities)
4. Tab and highlight your NEC if you have not already
5. Verify which edition of the NEC your state requires
6. Charge your phone even though you cannot use it during the test (for navigation)
7. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early, late arrivals may forfeit their appointment

Related Reading

• How to Study for the NEC Exam - The open-book practice method that works
• What Is on the Journeyman Electrician Exam - Full topic and article breakdown
• Free Practice Test - Try 15 NEC 2023 questions before exam day

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a tabbed and highlighted NEC? Yes. Tabs and highlights are explicitly allowed. Many candidates tab every article they studied. This is standard exam practice and will not get your book rejected.

What if I forget my ID? You will not be admitted. Testing centers have no flexibility on this. If you have only one form of ID on your exam day, call the testing vendor immediately.

Can I bring food or water? Most PSI and Prometric centers do not allow food or drinks at the testing station. Check with your specific center. A water bottle in a locker is usually fine.

What happens if I bring a prohibited item? Prohibited materials are confiscated at check-in. If you bring a disallowed reference book, you will test without it.

Can I use my phone as a calculator? No. Cell phones are stored in a locker before you enter the testing room.

Start Practicing Before Exam Day

The best way to arrive calm on exam day is to know the NEC cold enough that you are only using your code book to confirm answers, not to find them. That takes real open-book practice with timed questions.

Try 25 free NEC 2023 practice questions before your exam. Every answer includes the exact NEC article so you learn where to look, not just what the answer is.

Curious what a journeyman license is worth in your state? See the electrician salary data by state for median wages and how states compare.