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New Mexico ES-7J Journeyman Telephone Communication
Systems EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico ES-7J Journeyman Telephone Communication Systems Exam – Study Guide
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Licensing & Exam Logistics – Administered by CID/PSI; 2 years (4,000 hours) experience
required ; open-book; 2020 NEC effective 3/28/2023 ; applications through PSI
2. General Installations & NEC Article 800 – Primary governing article ; communications
circuits; cable types (CMP/CMR/CM); plenum/riser/general use spaces; abandoned cable
removal ; conduit and support requirements
3. Safety Regulations & Standards – OSHA 29 CFR 1910/1926 compliance ; NESC
clearances ; NFPA 70; TIA/EIA-606 labeling/administration ; personal protective
equipment (PPE)
4. Grounding & Bonding – NEC Article 800.100; bonding conductor minimum 6 AWG
copper ; grounding electrode conductor sizing ; prohibited electrodes (gas piping) ;
industry target of 25 ohms resistance
5. Demarcation & Customer Premises – Demarcation point (DEMARC) separates provider
from customer wiring ; Network Interface Device (NID) ; Inside/outside plant cabling;
terminal facilities
6. PBX, KSU & Telephone Systems – Private Branch Exchange (PBX) shares outside lines
across multiple extensions ; Key Service Unit (KSU) ; auto-attendant call routing ; digital
vs. analog systems ; VoIP and ATA adapters
7. Telephone Systems Fundamentals – PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) ; POTS
(Plain Old Telephone Service) ; LATA (Local Access and Transport Area) ; central office
switching ; trunk lines vs. local loops; 48 V DC on-hook; 90 V AC, 20 Hz ringing signal ; 20-
80 mA DC loop current
8. Cabling & Connectors – Twisted pair standards (T568A/T568B) ; 66-block termination ;
110-block 24 positions per row ; RJ-11 (standard POTS) ; RJ-45; connectors and
terminations; testing (wire map, continuity) ; Category 6A bandwidth
9. Underground & Aerial Cabling – Watertight connectors/sealants ; UV-resistant jackets ;
separation from power lines to avoid EMI/safety ; conduit protection ; NESC clearance
(10 ft minimum for low-voltage overhead) ; trenching and shoring
10. Special Occupancies & Ce Regulations – Fire-rated wall penetrations require approved
fire-stopping ; plenum cable requirements (CMP) ; abandoned cable removal in plenum
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spaces ; separation from power conductors; conduit fill; hazardous locations; fiber optic
installation requirements (NEC 770)
100 MCQ Questions with Rationales
1. Which NEC article is the primary source for regulations governing telephone and data
communication circuits?
A) Article 725
B) Article 760
C) Article 800
D) Article 250
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC Article 800 specifically covers communications circuits, including telephone and
data systems, and provides requirements for installation, grounding, and protection .
2. The demarcation point (DEMARC) in a telephone installation is best defined as:
A) The location of the PBX system
B) The point where customer wiring connects to the service provider's network
C) The grounding electrode location
D) The first telephone outlet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DEMARC is the physical point where the telephone company's responsibility
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ends and the customer's wiring begins . The Network Interface Device (NID) often serves this
function .
3. What is the minimum amount of experience required to qualify for the ES-7J Journeyman
license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ES-7J license requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience . This differs from
the EE-98J general electrician license which requires four years (8,000 hours) .
4. Which of the following is NOT an approved reference book for the ES-7J exam?
A) National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), 2020
B) New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4)
C) National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2-2007)
D) Telecommunications Wiring, 3rd Edition
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Telecommunications Wiring textbook is listed as NOT allowed in the exam .
Allowed references include the NEC, NM Electrical Code, and NESC .
5. Which edition of the NEC is used for the New Mexico ES-7J exam?
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A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
C) 2020 NEC
D) 2023 NEC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New Mexico adopted the 2020 NEC effective March 28, 2023 . Starting December 15,
2024, the exam was scheduled to be based on the 2020 Code .
6. What is the minimum size bonding conductor required for communications raceways and
cable shields?
A) 14 AWG copper
B) 12 AWG copper
C) 10 AWG copper
D) 6 AWG copper
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NEC Article 800.100(B) requires the bonding conductor for communications raceways
and cable shields to be not smaller than 6 AWG copper or equivalent .
7. Which grounding electrode is explicitly NOT permitted by the NEC?
A) Ground rod
B) Concrete-encased electrode (Ufer)
New Mexico ES-7J Journeyman Telephone Communication
Systems EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico ES-7J Journeyman Telephone Communication Systems Exam – Study Guide
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Licensing & Exam Logistics – Administered by CID/PSI; 2 years (4,000 hours) experience
required ; open-book; 2020 NEC effective 3/28/2023 ; applications through PSI
2. General Installations & NEC Article 800 – Primary governing article ; communications
circuits; cable types (CMP/CMR/CM); plenum/riser/general use spaces; abandoned cable
removal ; conduit and support requirements
3. Safety Regulations & Standards – OSHA 29 CFR 1910/1926 compliance ; NESC
clearances ; NFPA 70; TIA/EIA-606 labeling/administration ; personal protective
equipment (PPE)
4. Grounding & Bonding – NEC Article 800.100; bonding conductor minimum 6 AWG
copper ; grounding electrode conductor sizing ; prohibited electrodes (gas piping) ;
industry target of 25 ohms resistance
5. Demarcation & Customer Premises – Demarcation point (DEMARC) separates provider
from customer wiring ; Network Interface Device (NID) ; Inside/outside plant cabling;
terminal facilities
6. PBX, KSU & Telephone Systems – Private Branch Exchange (PBX) shares outside lines
across multiple extensions ; Key Service Unit (KSU) ; auto-attendant call routing ; digital
vs. analog systems ; VoIP and ATA adapters
7. Telephone Systems Fundamentals – PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) ; POTS
(Plain Old Telephone Service) ; LATA (Local Access and Transport Area) ; central office
switching ; trunk lines vs. local loops; 48 V DC on-hook; 90 V AC, 20 Hz ringing signal ; 20-
80 mA DC loop current
8. Cabling & Connectors – Twisted pair standards (T568A/T568B) ; 66-block termination ;
110-block 24 positions per row ; RJ-11 (standard POTS) ; RJ-45; connectors and
terminations; testing (wire map, continuity) ; Category 6A bandwidth
9. Underground & Aerial Cabling – Watertight connectors/sealants ; UV-resistant jackets ;
separation from power lines to avoid EMI/safety ; conduit protection ; NESC clearance
(10 ft minimum for low-voltage overhead) ; trenching and shoring
10. Special Occupancies & Ce Regulations – Fire-rated wall penetrations require approved
fire-stopping ; plenum cable requirements (CMP) ; abandoned cable removal in plenum
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spaces ; separation from power conductors; conduit fill; hazardous locations; fiber optic
installation requirements (NEC 770)
100 MCQ Questions with Rationales
1. Which NEC article is the primary source for regulations governing telephone and data
communication circuits?
A) Article 725
B) Article 760
C) Article 800
D) Article 250
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC Article 800 specifically covers communications circuits, including telephone and
data systems, and provides requirements for installation, grounding, and protection .
2. The demarcation point (DEMARC) in a telephone installation is best defined as:
A) The location of the PBX system
B) The point where customer wiring connects to the service provider's network
C) The grounding electrode location
D) The first telephone outlet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DEMARC is the physical point where the telephone company's responsibility
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ends and the customer's wiring begins . The Network Interface Device (NID) often serves this
function .
3. What is the minimum amount of experience required to qualify for the ES-7J Journeyman
license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ES-7J license requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience . This differs from
the EE-98J general electrician license which requires four years (8,000 hours) .
4. Which of the following is NOT an approved reference book for the ES-7J exam?
A) National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), 2020
B) New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4)
C) National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2-2007)
D) Telecommunications Wiring, 3rd Edition
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Telecommunications Wiring textbook is listed as NOT allowed in the exam .
Allowed references include the NEC, NM Electrical Code, and NESC .
5. Which edition of the NEC is used for the New Mexico ES-7J exam?
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A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
C) 2020 NEC
D) 2023 NEC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New Mexico adopted the 2020 NEC effective March 28, 2023 . Starting December 15,
2024, the exam was scheduled to be based on the 2020 Code .
6. What is the minimum size bonding conductor required for communications raceways and
cable shields?
A) 14 AWG copper
B) 12 AWG copper
C) 10 AWG copper
D) 6 AWG copper
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: NEC Article 800.100(B) requires the bonding conductor for communications raceways
and cable shields to be not smaller than 6 AWG copper or equivalent .
7. Which grounding electrode is explicitly NOT permitted by the NEC?
A) Ground rod
B) Concrete-encased electrode (Ufer)
