NYC DCAS Electrician Exam
250 Practice Multiple Choice Questions
SECTION 1: NYC ELECTRICAL CODE, LAWS & LICENSING (Questions 1–
40)
1. The primary electrical code adopted and enforced in New York City is:
A) NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) without modification B) New York State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code C) International Electrical Code (IEC) D) New York City
Electrical Code, based on NFPA 70 with NYC amendments (correct answer)
Rationale: New York City adopts the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as the basis for its
Electrical Code but incorporates significant NYC-specific amendments. The NYC Electrical
Code is administered by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and contains provisions
stricter than or different from the base NEC.
2. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) agency responsible for administering
electrical licensing in New York City is:
A) NYC Department of Consumer Affairs B) NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
C) NYC Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention D) NYC Department of Buildings,
Electrical Division (correct answer)
Rationale: The NYC DOB Electrical Division administers the licensing of Master Electricians
and Special Electricians, reviews electrical permit applications, conducts electrical inspections,
and enforces the NYC Electrical Code. All electrical licensing in NYC flows through the DOB.
3. The NYC DCAS (Department of Citywide Administrative Services) administers
examinations for:
A) Master Electrician licenses only B) Special Electrician licenses only C) Journeyman wireman
certifications only D) Civil service positions including Electrician titles in NYC agencies
(correct answer)
,Rationale: NYC DCAS administers civil service examinations for Electrician positions within
NYC government agencies (such as NYC Transit, NYCHA, NYC Parks, etc.). These are distinct
from the DOB Master and Special Electrician licenses and cover civil service employment as an
Electrician.
4. The NYC DCAS Electrician examination tests competency in which primary subject
areas?
A) Only NEC code knowledge and NYC amendments B) Only electrical theory without practical
application C) Only safety and first aid procedures D) Electrical theory, NEC and NYC
Electrical Code, wiring methods, safety, mathematics, and practical applications (correct
answer)
Rationale: The NYC DCAS Electrician examination is comprehensive, covering electrical
fundamentals (Ohm's Law, circuits, AC/DC theory), NEC and NYC Electrical Code
requirements, wiring methods and materials, safety standards, electrical mathematics,
blueprints, and practical application knowledge.
5. Ohm's Law states the relationship between voltage (E), current (I), and resistance (R) as:
A) E = I ÷ R B) E = R ÷ I C) R = E × I D) E = I × R (correct answer)
Rationale: Ohm's Law (E = I × R) is the fundamental law of electrical circuits stating that
voltage equals current multiplied by resistance. This can be rearranged to I = E/R (current
equals voltage divided by resistance) and R = E/I (resistance equals voltage divided by current).
6. A NYC Master Electrician license authorizes the holder to:
A) Work as an electrician in any state without additional licensing B) Perform electrical work
only in residential buildings C) Supervise electrical work but not perform it personally D) Take
out electrical permits, supervise, and perform all electrical work within NYC (correct
answer)
Rationale: A NYC Master Electrician (ME) license is the highest electrical license in NYC. It
authorizes the holder to apply for electrical permits, supervise and perform all types of electrical
work within NYC. MEs are personally responsible for all work performed under their license.
,7. The minimum experience requirement for a NYC Master Electrician license application
includes:
A) 2 years as a licensed electrician in any state B) 3 years of electrical apprenticeship only C)
Any 7 years of construction experience D) 7 years of experience in the electrical trade, with
specific requirements for supervisory experience (correct answer)
Rationale: NYC requires extensive experience for Master Electrician licensure — typically 7
years in the electrical trade with a specified portion in supervisory capacity. Exact requirements
are set by NYC Administrative Code §27-3009 and related rules.
8. Under NYC law, electrical work that requires a permit must be performed by or under
the direct supervision of:
A) Any licensed contractor regardless of trade B) A certified electrician with at least 5 years of
experience C) An OSHA-certified electrical worker D) A NYC-licensed Master Electrician or
Special Electrician (correct answer)
Rationale: NYC Administrative Code requires that permitted electrical work be performed by or
under the direct supervision of a NYC-licensed Master Electrician or Special Electrician. Using
unlicensed persons to perform permitted electrical work is a violation of NYC law.
9. The NYC Special Electrician license differs from the Master Electrician license in that a
Special Electrician:
A) Has fewer restrictions than a Master Electrician B) Can supervise more workers than a Master
Electrician C) May perform electrical work in all building types D) Is authorized to perform
electrical work only in a specific building or facility owned or operated by their employer
(correct answer)
Rationale: A NYC Special Electrician license is a "restricted" license permitting electrical work
only in the specific facility or building of the employing organization (e.g., a hospital's in-house
electrician, a manufacturing plant). It cannot be used for general commercial electrical
contracting.
10. NYC Administrative Code §27-3017 requires that electrical work be inspected by:
A) Only the NYC DOB inspector before power is restored B) The electrical contractor's own
quality control inspector C) A private inspection agency without DOB involvement D) A NYC
DOB licensed electrical inspector or approved electrical inspection agency (correct answer)
, Rationale: All permitted electrical work in NYC must be inspected and approved before being
concealed or energized. Inspections are performed by NYC DOB electrical inspectors or DOB-
approved electrical inspection agencies. The Master Electrician is responsible for scheduling
required inspections.
11. The "overhead service entrance" for a residential building in NYC must be installed
with the service drop meeting minimum clearance requirements above grade. The
minimum clearance above a residential driveway is:
A) 10 feet B) 12 feet C) 15 feet D) 12 feet per NEC §230.24(B) (correct answer)
Rationale: NEC §230.24(B) requires service conductors to maintain minimum clearances: 10
feet above finished grade, sidewalks, and platforms; 12 feet above residential driveways; 15 feet
above commercial driveways, parking areas, or alleys; and 18 feet over public streets. NYC
amendments may specify additional requirements.
12. In New York City, the standard utility service voltage for most residential buildings is:
A) 120/208V, 3-phase, 4-wire B) 277/480V, 3-phase, 4-wire C) 120V single-phase only D)
120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire (correct answer)
Rationale: Standard residential service in NYC is 120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire (two hot legs
and a neutral), which provides 120V for lighting and receptacles and 240V for heavy
appliances. Larger buildings may receive 120/208V or higher 3-phase service.
13. The ampacity of a conductor is defined as:
A) The maximum voltage the conductor can safely carry B) The conductor's resistance in ohms
per foot C) The breaking strength of the conductor insulation D) The current in amperes a
conductor can carry continuously without exceeding its temperature rating (correct
answer)
Rationale: Ampacity (from ampere capacity) is the maximum current a conductor can carry
continuously under specific conditions (ambient temperature, bundling, insulation type) without
exceeding the conductor's temperature rating. NEC Article 310 and Table 310.16 govern
conductor ampacity.
14. NEC §210.52 requires that receptacle outlets in dwelling unit kitchens be supplied by:
250 Practice Multiple Choice Questions
SECTION 1: NYC ELECTRICAL CODE, LAWS & LICENSING (Questions 1–
40)
1. The primary electrical code adopted and enforced in New York City is:
A) NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) without modification B) New York State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code C) International Electrical Code (IEC) D) New York City
Electrical Code, based on NFPA 70 with NYC amendments (correct answer)
Rationale: New York City adopts the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as the basis for its
Electrical Code but incorporates significant NYC-specific amendments. The NYC Electrical
Code is administered by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and contains provisions
stricter than or different from the base NEC.
2. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) agency responsible for administering
electrical licensing in New York City is:
A) NYC Department of Consumer Affairs B) NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
C) NYC Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention D) NYC Department of Buildings,
Electrical Division (correct answer)
Rationale: The NYC DOB Electrical Division administers the licensing of Master Electricians
and Special Electricians, reviews electrical permit applications, conducts electrical inspections,
and enforces the NYC Electrical Code. All electrical licensing in NYC flows through the DOB.
3. The NYC DCAS (Department of Citywide Administrative Services) administers
examinations for:
A) Master Electrician licenses only B) Special Electrician licenses only C) Journeyman wireman
certifications only D) Civil service positions including Electrician titles in NYC agencies
(correct answer)
,Rationale: NYC DCAS administers civil service examinations for Electrician positions within
NYC government agencies (such as NYC Transit, NYCHA, NYC Parks, etc.). These are distinct
from the DOB Master and Special Electrician licenses and cover civil service employment as an
Electrician.
4. The NYC DCAS Electrician examination tests competency in which primary subject
areas?
A) Only NEC code knowledge and NYC amendments B) Only electrical theory without practical
application C) Only safety and first aid procedures D) Electrical theory, NEC and NYC
Electrical Code, wiring methods, safety, mathematics, and practical applications (correct
answer)
Rationale: The NYC DCAS Electrician examination is comprehensive, covering electrical
fundamentals (Ohm's Law, circuits, AC/DC theory), NEC and NYC Electrical Code
requirements, wiring methods and materials, safety standards, electrical mathematics,
blueprints, and practical application knowledge.
5. Ohm's Law states the relationship between voltage (E), current (I), and resistance (R) as:
A) E = I ÷ R B) E = R ÷ I C) R = E × I D) E = I × R (correct answer)
Rationale: Ohm's Law (E = I × R) is the fundamental law of electrical circuits stating that
voltage equals current multiplied by resistance. This can be rearranged to I = E/R (current
equals voltage divided by resistance) and R = E/I (resistance equals voltage divided by current).
6. A NYC Master Electrician license authorizes the holder to:
A) Work as an electrician in any state without additional licensing B) Perform electrical work
only in residential buildings C) Supervise electrical work but not perform it personally D) Take
out electrical permits, supervise, and perform all electrical work within NYC (correct
answer)
Rationale: A NYC Master Electrician (ME) license is the highest electrical license in NYC. It
authorizes the holder to apply for electrical permits, supervise and perform all types of electrical
work within NYC. MEs are personally responsible for all work performed under their license.
,7. The minimum experience requirement for a NYC Master Electrician license application
includes:
A) 2 years as a licensed electrician in any state B) 3 years of electrical apprenticeship only C)
Any 7 years of construction experience D) 7 years of experience in the electrical trade, with
specific requirements for supervisory experience (correct answer)
Rationale: NYC requires extensive experience for Master Electrician licensure — typically 7
years in the electrical trade with a specified portion in supervisory capacity. Exact requirements
are set by NYC Administrative Code §27-3009 and related rules.
8. Under NYC law, electrical work that requires a permit must be performed by or under
the direct supervision of:
A) Any licensed contractor regardless of trade B) A certified electrician with at least 5 years of
experience C) An OSHA-certified electrical worker D) A NYC-licensed Master Electrician or
Special Electrician (correct answer)
Rationale: NYC Administrative Code requires that permitted electrical work be performed by or
under the direct supervision of a NYC-licensed Master Electrician or Special Electrician. Using
unlicensed persons to perform permitted electrical work is a violation of NYC law.
9. The NYC Special Electrician license differs from the Master Electrician license in that a
Special Electrician:
A) Has fewer restrictions than a Master Electrician B) Can supervise more workers than a Master
Electrician C) May perform electrical work in all building types D) Is authorized to perform
electrical work only in a specific building or facility owned or operated by their employer
(correct answer)
Rationale: A NYC Special Electrician license is a "restricted" license permitting electrical work
only in the specific facility or building of the employing organization (e.g., a hospital's in-house
electrician, a manufacturing plant). It cannot be used for general commercial electrical
contracting.
10. NYC Administrative Code §27-3017 requires that electrical work be inspected by:
A) Only the NYC DOB inspector before power is restored B) The electrical contractor's own
quality control inspector C) A private inspection agency without DOB involvement D) A NYC
DOB licensed electrical inspector or approved electrical inspection agency (correct answer)
, Rationale: All permitted electrical work in NYC must be inspected and approved before being
concealed or energized. Inspections are performed by NYC DOB electrical inspectors or DOB-
approved electrical inspection agencies. The Master Electrician is responsible for scheduling
required inspections.
11. The "overhead service entrance" for a residential building in NYC must be installed
with the service drop meeting minimum clearance requirements above grade. The
minimum clearance above a residential driveway is:
A) 10 feet B) 12 feet C) 15 feet D) 12 feet per NEC §230.24(B) (correct answer)
Rationale: NEC §230.24(B) requires service conductors to maintain minimum clearances: 10
feet above finished grade, sidewalks, and platforms; 12 feet above residential driveways; 15 feet
above commercial driveways, parking areas, or alleys; and 18 feet over public streets. NYC
amendments may specify additional requirements.
12. In New York City, the standard utility service voltage for most residential buildings is:
A) 120/208V, 3-phase, 4-wire B) 277/480V, 3-phase, 4-wire C) 120V single-phase only D)
120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire (correct answer)
Rationale: Standard residential service in NYC is 120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire (two hot legs
and a neutral), which provides 120V for lighting and receptacles and 240V for heavy
appliances. Larger buildings may receive 120/208V or higher 3-phase service.
13. The ampacity of a conductor is defined as:
A) The maximum voltage the conductor can safely carry B) The conductor's resistance in ohms
per foot C) The breaking strength of the conductor insulation D) The current in amperes a
conductor can carry continuously without exceeding its temperature rating (correct
answer)
Rationale: Ampacity (from ampere capacity) is the maximum current a conductor can carry
continuously under specific conditions (ambient temperature, bundling, insulation type) without
exceeding the conductor's temperature rating. NEC Article 310 and Table 310.16 govern
conductor ampacity.
14. NEC §210.52 requires that receptacle outlets in dwelling unit kitchens be supplied by:
