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New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman Exam – 250 MCQ Questions with
Answers and Rationales
Exam Coverage Overview (10 Key Areas)
1. New Mexico Licensing & Administrative Code – NMAC 14.10.4 governs licensing; EL-1J
requires 4 years (8,000 hours) experience; 16 hours CE every 3 years; PSI administers
exam based on 2020 NEC and current NESC .
2. Safety Standards – OSHA 1910.269 (power generation, transmission, distribution), NFPA
70E (arc-flash boundaries, PPE), and NESC (clearances, grounding, structural) .
3. Minimum Approach Distances (MAD) – NESC and OSHA tables; e.g., 15 kV requires 12
ft, 25 kV requires 2 ft 7 in for qualified workers, 69 kV requires 3 ft 2 in .
4. Grounding & Bonding – Substation grounding grids, pole grounding (butt wraps, ground
rods), equipotential zones, step/touch potential mitigation, multi-grounded wye systems
.
5. Overhead Distribution – Conductors (ACSR most common), sag/tension (temperature-
driven), poles/structures, insulators, guying, cutouts, reclosers .
6. Underground Distribution – URD cables (concentric neutral), direct burial depth (18 in
for 600 V residential), trenching, duct banks, pad-mounted transformers .
7. Protective Devices & Coordination – Reclosers (automatic operation), fuses,
sectionalizers, relays, circuit breakers, interrupting ratings .
8. Transformers & Substations – Wye primary/split-phase secondary for URD; open-delta
(57.7% capacity); BIL (Basic Insulation Level); oil overheating response .
9. Electrical Theory & Calculations – Ohm's Law (V = I × R), Watt's Law (P = V × I), three-
phase power (P = √3 × V × I × PF), voltage drop, load balancing .
10. Operational & Emergency Procedures – Switching orders, LOTO, backfeed hazards,
downed conductor procedures, storm restoration, Call Before You Dig (2 business days
notice) .
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1. Which New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) section governs licensing for electrical
distribution work?
A) NMAC 14.6.4
B) NMAC 14.10.4
C) NMAC 14.10.5
D) NMAC 14.6.3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.4 outlines the Construction Industries Licensing Act requirements for
electrical work, including the EL-1J Electrical Distribution Systems certification. NMAC 14.10.4 is
not the correct section number for licensing .
2. What is the experience requirement for a New Mexico EL-1J Journeyman Electrical
Distribution license?
A) 2 years (4,000 hours)
B) 3 years (6,000 hours)
C) 4 years (8,000 hours)
D) 5 years (10,000 hours)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EL-1J license requires four years (8,000 hours) of experience, as the classification
covers electrical distribution systems including transmission lines .
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3. What is the continuing education requirement for maintaining a New Mexico EL-1J license?
A) 8 hours every year
B) 16 hours every three years (8 hours code + 8 hours industry-related)
C) 24 hours every two years
D) No continuing education required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New Mexico requires 16 hours of continuing education every three years, with at
least 8 hours covering current code changes and 8 hours of industry-related instruction .
4. Which testing provider administers the New Mexico EL-1J licensing examination?
A) Pearson VUE
B) PSI Services
C) Prometric
D) Kryterion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSI Services provides licensing and examination services for New Mexico electrical
licenses, including the EL-1J .
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5. The EL-1J journeyman's license is specifically designed for work on:
A) Residential wiring systems only
B) Commercial and industrial building wiring
C) Electrical distribution systems including transmission lines
D) Low-voltage alarm and communication systems
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EL-1J license is specifically for Journeyman Electrical Distribution Systems,
including transmission lines. EE-98J covers residential and commercial wiring .
6. According to NMAC 14.6.4, how long is a New Mexico journeyman electrical certificate
valid?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A certificate issued pursuant to NMAC 14.6.4 is valid for a three-year period, subject
to renewal requirements .
New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman Exam – 250 MCQ Questions with
Answers and Rationales
Exam Coverage Overview (10 Key Areas)
1. New Mexico Licensing & Administrative Code – NMAC 14.10.4 governs licensing; EL-1J
requires 4 years (8,000 hours) experience; 16 hours CE every 3 years; PSI administers
exam based on 2020 NEC and current NESC .
2. Safety Standards – OSHA 1910.269 (power generation, transmission, distribution), NFPA
70E (arc-flash boundaries, PPE), and NESC (clearances, grounding, structural) .
3. Minimum Approach Distances (MAD) – NESC and OSHA tables; e.g., 15 kV requires 12
ft, 25 kV requires 2 ft 7 in for qualified workers, 69 kV requires 3 ft 2 in .
4. Grounding & Bonding – Substation grounding grids, pole grounding (butt wraps, ground
rods), equipotential zones, step/touch potential mitigation, multi-grounded wye systems
.
5. Overhead Distribution – Conductors (ACSR most common), sag/tension (temperature-
driven), poles/structures, insulators, guying, cutouts, reclosers .
6. Underground Distribution – URD cables (concentric neutral), direct burial depth (18 in
for 600 V residential), trenching, duct banks, pad-mounted transformers .
7. Protective Devices & Coordination – Reclosers (automatic operation), fuses,
sectionalizers, relays, circuit breakers, interrupting ratings .
8. Transformers & Substations – Wye primary/split-phase secondary for URD; open-delta
(57.7% capacity); BIL (Basic Insulation Level); oil overheating response .
9. Electrical Theory & Calculations – Ohm's Law (V = I × R), Watt's Law (P = V × I), three-
phase power (P = √3 × V × I × PF), voltage drop, load balancing .
10. Operational & Emergency Procedures – Switching orders, LOTO, backfeed hazards,
downed conductor procedures, storm restoration, Call Before You Dig (2 business days
notice) .
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1. Which New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) section governs licensing for electrical
distribution work?
A) NMAC 14.6.4
B) NMAC 14.10.4
C) NMAC 14.10.5
D) NMAC 14.6.3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.4 outlines the Construction Industries Licensing Act requirements for
electrical work, including the EL-1J Electrical Distribution Systems certification. NMAC 14.10.4 is
not the correct section number for licensing .
2. What is the experience requirement for a New Mexico EL-1J Journeyman Electrical
Distribution license?
A) 2 years (4,000 hours)
B) 3 years (6,000 hours)
C) 4 years (8,000 hours)
D) 5 years (10,000 hours)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EL-1J license requires four years (8,000 hours) of experience, as the classification
covers electrical distribution systems including transmission lines .
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3. What is the continuing education requirement for maintaining a New Mexico EL-1J license?
A) 8 hours every year
B) 16 hours every three years (8 hours code + 8 hours industry-related)
C) 24 hours every two years
D) No continuing education required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New Mexico requires 16 hours of continuing education every three years, with at
least 8 hours covering current code changes and 8 hours of industry-related instruction .
4. Which testing provider administers the New Mexico EL-1J licensing examination?
A) Pearson VUE
B) PSI Services
C) Prometric
D) Kryterion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSI Services provides licensing and examination services for New Mexico electrical
licenses, including the EL-1J .
, Page 4 of 112
5. The EL-1J journeyman's license is specifically designed for work on:
A) Residential wiring systems only
B) Commercial and industrial building wiring
C) Electrical distribution systems including transmission lines
D) Low-voltage alarm and communication systems
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The EL-1J license is specifically for Journeyman Electrical Distribution Systems,
including transmission lines. EE-98J covers residential and commercial wiring .
6. According to NMAC 14.6.4, how long is a New Mexico journeyman electrical certificate
valid?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A certificate issued pursuant to NMAC 14.6.4 is valid for a three-year period, subject
to renewal requirements .
