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California Electrician Practice Test

1,600+ NEC 2023 questions covering the topics on the California CPS HR Consulting (PSI before June 2026) exam. Detailed explanations with exact code article references.

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No credit card required · 25 free questions

What to Expect on the California Electrician Exam

California does not issue a traditional journeyman license; the statewide electrician credential is the DIR/DLSE Electrician Certification, offered in five categories: General, Residential, Fire/Life Safety, Voice Data Video, and Non-Residential Lighting. Certification is required for anyone performing electrician work for a C-10 electrical contractor, not just on public works. Exams administered on or after June 1, 2026 are handled by CPS HR Consulting; per the current exam guide, the General exam is 100 questions, open book, with a 70% passing score. Some localities impose additional requirements, but the DIR certification is the statewide electrician credential. The CSLB C-10 Electrical Contractor exam is separate and tests business law in addition to trade knowledge. Across all California exams, Articles 210, 220, 250, 310, 430, and Title 24 energy code appear most frequently. Because California adopted NEC 2023 with local amendments, some answers differ slightly from the national code, so know the major California amendments before test day. Average pay for California electricians is $73,150 per year, among the highest in the US. The questions below are aligned to NEC 2023 and cover all topics tested on California's electrician certification exams.

California General Electrician Certification Exam At a Glance

Questions

100

Time Limit

270 min

Passing Score

70%

Format

Open Book

Vendor

CPS HR Consulting (PSI before June 2026)

Exam Fee

$175

What the California Exam Covers

The CPS HR Consulting (PSI before June 2026) exam draws from the NEC 2023 across 13 topic areas. GetLicenseReady covers all of them with full explanations and code references.

NEC General Knowledge
Electrical Calculations
Wiring Methods & Installation
Grounding & Bonding
Overcurrent Protection
Services & Feeders
Branch Circuits & Receptacles
Motors & Controllers
Conductors & Cables
Boxes & Fittings
Transformers
Special Equipment
Hazardous Locations

Tips for the California CPS HR Consulting (PSI before June 2026) Exam

  • The California exam is open book, so tab your NEC for Articles 110, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, and 430.
  • You won't have time to look up every answer. Know the major numbers cold, and use the book for edge cases.
  • Budget your time: spend no more than 90 seconds per question on the first pass, then return to flagged items.
NEC Edition: California currently tests on NEC 2023. All GetLicenseReady questions are aligned to NEC 2023. See what changed between NEC 2020 and 2023 →

California Electrician Exam FAQ

How many questions are on the California General Electrician Certification exam?

100 questions, 270 minutes, 70% passing score. Administered by CPS HR Consulting (PSI before June 2026).

Is the California electrician exam open book?

Yes, you may bring a tabbed NEC 2023 into the testing center. Practice finding answers quickly; you won't have time to read full articles during the exam.

What NEC edition does California test on?

California tests on NEC 2023. GetLicenseReady questions are aligned to NEC 2023.

How do I register for the California exam?

Register through the California Department of Industrial Relations - Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). The exam fee is $175.

Ready to Pass the California Exam?

1,600+ practice questions with NEC 2023 citations and detailed explanations. Start free, no card required.

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