NYC MASTER ELECTRICIAN EXAM
100 Original Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Rationales — 2026
Section 1 — NYC Licensing, Code Framework & Administration
1. What organization is responsible for issuing the NYC Master Electrician License?
A) New York City Department of Buildings
B) New York State Department of Labor
C) New York City Fire Department
D) New York State Department of State
Correct Answer: New York City Department of Buildings
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings is the city agency responsible for Master and
Special Electrician licensing. The license authorizes qualifying electricians to perform electrical
work as independent contractors within New York City. Other agencies may regulate related
activities, but they do not issue the NYC Master Electrician license.
2. Which code is currently the principal electrical code framework for NYC electrical
installations?
A) The 2011 NYC Electrical Code only
B) The 2025 NYC Electrical Code, incorporating NYC amendments to the 2020 NEC
C) The 2022 NYC Building Code only
D) The 2025 New York State Residential Code
Correct Answer: The 2025 NYC Electrical Code, incorporating NYC amendments to the 2020
NEC
Rationale: The 2025 NYC Electrical Code became fully effective December 21, 2025. It adopts the
2020 edition of NFPA 70, subject to New York City amendments. Therefore, a candidate
preparing in 2026 should study the current NYC code rather than relying exclusively on older
NYC editions.
,3. Which statement best describes the written portion of the NYC Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) It is an open-book essay examination.
B) It is entirely practical with no multiple-choice component.
C) It is a multiple-choice examination covering NYC electrical codes, rules, and regulations.
D) It consists exclusively of oral interviews.
Correct Answer: It is a multiple-choice examination covering NYC electrical codes, rules, and
regulations.
Rationale: NYC DOB states that the written Master/Special Electrician examination is multiple-
choice and tests knowledge of NYC Electrical Codes, rules, and regulations. Reference materials
are not permitted during the written examination. Candidates must achieve the published
passing standard before proceeding to the practical examination.
4. What passing score does NYC DOB publish for the written Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 75%
D) 70%
Correct Answer: 70%
Rationale: NYC DOB publishes a 70 percent passing score for the written Master/Special
Electrician examination. The result is provided at the testing location after completion. Passing
the written examination is required before the candidate can proceed with the separate
practical examination process.
5. After passing the written examination, what is the next examination stage for a
Master/Special Electrician candidate?
A) Practical examination
, B) Background investigation immediately
C) License renewal examination
D) Fire alarm examination
Correct Answer: Practical examination
Rationale: NYC DOB requires candidates to pass both a written and practical examination. The
practical examination is applied for separately after successful completion of the written
examination. The licensing process then proceeds through the required qualification and
background-investigation stages.
6. What is the published written-examination application fee for the NYC Master/Special
Electrician examination in 2026?
A) $310
B) $585
C) $530
D) $60
Correct Answer: $585
Rationale: NYC DOB currently lists $585 as the written-examination fee for Master and Special
Electricians. The practical examination has a separate fee. License issuance and renewal fees
are distinct from examination fees, so candidates should not confuse the amounts.
7. What is the published practical-examination fee for the NYC Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) $310
B) $585
C) $530
D) $60
Correct Answer: $530
, Rationale: NYC DOB lists a separate $530 fee for the practical Master/Special Electrician
examination. The practical examination application follows successful completion of the written
examination. Examination fees should be distinguished from the license and seal fees associated
with maintaining the credential.
8. How long does a candidate have, according to NYC DOB, to pass the practical examination
after notification of passing the written examination?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
Correct Answer: 24 months
Rationale: NYC DOB states that candidates have 24 months from the date of written-
examination notification to pass the practical examination. This deadline is important for
candidates planning their preparation and scheduling. Missing the applicable period can affect
the examination process.
9. Which statement correctly distinguishes a Master Electrician from a Special Electrician in
NYC?
A) A Master Electrician is authorized to perform electrical work as an independent
contractor in NYC.
B) A Master Electrician may work only for one building owner.
C) A Special Electrician may contract for all electrical work throughout NYC.
D) There is no legal distinction between the two licenses.
Correct Answer: A Master Electrician is authorized to perform electrical work as an
independent contractor in NYC.
Rationale: NYC DOB describes a Master Electrician as licensed to perform electrical work as an
independent contractor in or on buildings, lots, or parts thereof in NYC. A Special Electrician has
a more limited relationship to specified buildings or property ownership/management. The
distinction is therefore significant for licensing and business operations.
100 Original Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Rationales — 2026
Section 1 — NYC Licensing, Code Framework & Administration
1. What organization is responsible for issuing the NYC Master Electrician License?
A) New York City Department of Buildings
B) New York State Department of Labor
C) New York City Fire Department
D) New York State Department of State
Correct Answer: New York City Department of Buildings
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings is the city agency responsible for Master and
Special Electrician licensing. The license authorizes qualifying electricians to perform electrical
work as independent contractors within New York City. Other agencies may regulate related
activities, but they do not issue the NYC Master Electrician license.
2. Which code is currently the principal electrical code framework for NYC electrical
installations?
A) The 2011 NYC Electrical Code only
B) The 2025 NYC Electrical Code, incorporating NYC amendments to the 2020 NEC
C) The 2022 NYC Building Code only
D) The 2025 New York State Residential Code
Correct Answer: The 2025 NYC Electrical Code, incorporating NYC amendments to the 2020
NEC
Rationale: The 2025 NYC Electrical Code became fully effective December 21, 2025. It adopts the
2020 edition of NFPA 70, subject to New York City amendments. Therefore, a candidate
preparing in 2026 should study the current NYC code rather than relying exclusively on older
NYC editions.
,3. Which statement best describes the written portion of the NYC Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) It is an open-book essay examination.
B) It is entirely practical with no multiple-choice component.
C) It is a multiple-choice examination covering NYC electrical codes, rules, and regulations.
D) It consists exclusively of oral interviews.
Correct Answer: It is a multiple-choice examination covering NYC electrical codes, rules, and
regulations.
Rationale: NYC DOB states that the written Master/Special Electrician examination is multiple-
choice and tests knowledge of NYC Electrical Codes, rules, and regulations. Reference materials
are not permitted during the written examination. Candidates must achieve the published
passing standard before proceeding to the practical examination.
4. What passing score does NYC DOB publish for the written Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 75%
D) 70%
Correct Answer: 70%
Rationale: NYC DOB publishes a 70 percent passing score for the written Master/Special
Electrician examination. The result is provided at the testing location after completion. Passing
the written examination is required before the candidate can proceed with the separate
practical examination process.
5. After passing the written examination, what is the next examination stage for a
Master/Special Electrician candidate?
A) Practical examination
, B) Background investigation immediately
C) License renewal examination
D) Fire alarm examination
Correct Answer: Practical examination
Rationale: NYC DOB requires candidates to pass both a written and practical examination. The
practical examination is applied for separately after successful completion of the written
examination. The licensing process then proceeds through the required qualification and
background-investigation stages.
6. What is the published written-examination application fee for the NYC Master/Special
Electrician examination in 2026?
A) $310
B) $585
C) $530
D) $60
Correct Answer: $585
Rationale: NYC DOB currently lists $585 as the written-examination fee for Master and Special
Electricians. The practical examination has a separate fee. License issuance and renewal fees
are distinct from examination fees, so candidates should not confuse the amounts.
7. What is the published practical-examination fee for the NYC Master/Special Electrician
examination?
A) $310
B) $585
C) $530
D) $60
Correct Answer: $530
, Rationale: NYC DOB lists a separate $530 fee for the practical Master/Special Electrician
examination. The practical examination application follows successful completion of the written
examination. Examination fees should be distinguished from the license and seal fees associated
with maintaining the credential.
8. How long does a candidate have, according to NYC DOB, to pass the practical examination
after notification of passing the written examination?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
Correct Answer: 24 months
Rationale: NYC DOB states that candidates have 24 months from the date of written-
examination notification to pass the practical examination. This deadline is important for
candidates planning their preparation and scheduling. Missing the applicable period can affect
the examination process.
9. Which statement correctly distinguishes a Master Electrician from a Special Electrician in
NYC?
A) A Master Electrician is authorized to perform electrical work as an independent
contractor in NYC.
B) A Master Electrician may work only for one building owner.
C) A Special Electrician may contract for all electrical work throughout NYC.
D) There is no legal distinction between the two licenses.
Correct Answer: A Master Electrician is authorized to perform electrical work as an
independent contractor in NYC.
Rationale: NYC DOB describes a Master Electrician as licensed to perform electrical work as an
independent contractor in or on buildings, lots, or parts thereof in NYC. A Special Electrician has
a more limited relationship to specified buildings or property ownership/management. The
distinction is therefore significant for licensing and business operations.
