Compare Electrician License Requirements by State

No. Each state sets its own exam requirements. Most states use PSI or Pearson VUE as their testing vendor and test on the NEC, but the number of questions, time limits, passing scores, and open-book rules vary significantly by state. Use the Compare States tool to see specific differences side by side.

Most states require a passing score of 70% on the journeyman electrician exam. Some states, including Florida, Colorado, Minnesota, and Oregon, require 75%. A few states like Nebraska require 80%. Always verify the current passing score with your state licensing board before scheduling your exam.

Reciprocity varies widely. Some states accept licenses from neighboring or high-demand states outright; others require a reciprocity exam or additional paperwork. Use the Reciprocity Checker tab on this page to see which states accept your home state license. Always verify current reciprocity terms directly with the destination state's licensing board, as agreements change frequently.

Most states allow the NEC codebook during the exam, making it an open-book test. However, several states, including New York City, use closed-book exams. The Compare States table shows the open-book status for each state. Even for open-book exams, you still need to know the code well enough to find answers quickly under time pressure.

The number of questions varies by state and testing vendor. Most journeyman exams range from 80 to 100 questions, with a time limit of 4 hours. Some states have shorter exams of 60 to 75 questions. Use the Compare States tool to look up the exact question count for your state.