NEW MEXICO ES-1 ELECTRICAL SIGNS & OUTLINE LIGHTING
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1) In the event of a conflict between the adopted National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the
National Electrical Code (NEC) for sign installations in New Mexico, which standard prevails?
A) The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
B) The National Electrical Code (NEC)
C) The more stringent of the two standards
D) The local municipal code
Correct Answer: B) The National Electrical Code (NEC)
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.10.5.9, when a conflict exists between the adopted NESC and the
adopted NEC, the NEC prevails. This establishes the NEC as the primary authority for electrical sign
and outline lighting installations in New Mexico, ensuring consistency with national electrical safety
standards.
2) Under which contractor license classifications may an individual holding an ES-1J Journeyman
Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license perform work?
A) ES-1 only
B) EE-98 only
C) EL-1 or ER-1
D) ES-1 or EE-98
Correct Answer: D) ES-1 or EE-98
Rationale: Per NMAC 14.6.4.8, an ES-1J journeyman may work under either an ES-1 Electrical Signs
and Outline Lighting contractor license or an EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical contractor
license. This provides employment flexibility while maintaining the specialized scope of sign and
outline lighting work.
3) How often must an ES-1 license be renewed in New Mexico?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
,C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B) Every 2 years
Rationale: The ES-1 license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years) with continuing education
credits required. This biennial renewal period aligns with other construction-industry licenses in New
Mexico and ensures license holders remain current with evolving codes and safety standards.
4) Which version of the NEC is adopted as the baseline for sign installations in New Mexico
effective December 15, 2024?
A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
C) 2020 NEC
D) 2023 NEC
Correct Answer: C) 2020 NEC
Rationale: New Mexico has adopted the 2020 NEC as its state electrical code. This adoption became
effective on March 28, 2023, and as of December 15, 2024, the exam is based on the 2020 Code. All
sign installations must comply with the 2020 NEC requirements.
5) What is the continuing education requirement for New Mexico ES-1 license renewal?
A) 8 hours total every year
B) 12 hours total every two years
C) 16 hours total every three years
D) 24 hours total every three years
Correct Answer: C) 16 hours total every three years
Rationale: New Mexico requires 16 hours of continuing education every three years, with eight hours
covering Code changes and the other eight hours covering industry-related instruction. This
requirement applies to all journeyman classifications, including ES-1, to maintain competency.
6) Which section of the New Mexico Administrative Code specifically governs the licensing of
electrical sign contractors?
A) NMAC 16.2.8
B) NMAC 19.3.2
C) NMAC 27.8.4
D) NMAC 15.4.2
Correct Answer: B) NMAC 19.3.2
Rationale: NMAC 19.3.2 outlines the licensing requirements for electrical sign contractors, including
qualifications, fees, and renewal procedures. This section establishes the regulatory framework for
ES-1 license holders operating in New Mexico.
, 7) What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for an electrical sign
contractor in New Mexico?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C) $500,000
Rationale: The state requires a minimum of $500,000 general liability coverage for electrical sign
work. This requirement protects the public and property in the event of accidents or damages
resulting from sign installation, maintenance, or repair activities.
8) Which NEC article specifically governs the installation of signs and outline lighting?
A) Article 220
B) Article 410
C) Article 600
D) Article 725
Correct Answer: C) Article 600
Rationale: NEC Article 600 governs signs and outline lighting, including scope, definitions,
disconnects, branch circuits, clearances, secondary wiring, voltage limitations, and transformers. This
is the primary code article for ES-1 exam preparation and fieldwork.
9) What is the minimum size of the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) required for a 20-
ampere sign circuit using 12-AWG conductors?
A) 16 AWG copper
B) 14 AWG copper
C) 12 AWG copper
D) 10 AWG copper
Correct Answer: B) 14 AWG copper
Rationale: According to NEC Table 250.122, a #14 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor is
required for a 20-ampere circuit. This ensures a proper fault current path for safety and must be sized
based on the overcurrent protection rating, not the circuit conductor size.
10) When installing a sign on a metal building, which bonding requirement applies under the NEC?
A) Bond only the sign's frame to the building steel
B) Bond the sign's frame, conduit, and any metal raceways together
C) No bonding is required if the sign is isolated
D) Bond only the transformer housing to the building
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1) In the event of a conflict between the adopted National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the
National Electrical Code (NEC) for sign installations in New Mexico, which standard prevails?
A) The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
B) The National Electrical Code (NEC)
C) The more stringent of the two standards
D) The local municipal code
Correct Answer: B) The National Electrical Code (NEC)
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.10.5.9, when a conflict exists between the adopted NESC and the
adopted NEC, the NEC prevails. This establishes the NEC as the primary authority for electrical sign
and outline lighting installations in New Mexico, ensuring consistency with national electrical safety
standards.
2) Under which contractor license classifications may an individual holding an ES-1J Journeyman
Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license perform work?
A) ES-1 only
B) EE-98 only
C) EL-1 or ER-1
D) ES-1 or EE-98
Correct Answer: D) ES-1 or EE-98
Rationale: Per NMAC 14.6.4.8, an ES-1J journeyman may work under either an ES-1 Electrical Signs
and Outline Lighting contractor license or an EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical contractor
license. This provides employment flexibility while maintaining the specialized scope of sign and
outline lighting work.
3) How often must an ES-1 license be renewed in New Mexico?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
,C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B) Every 2 years
Rationale: The ES-1 license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years) with continuing education
credits required. This biennial renewal period aligns with other construction-industry licenses in New
Mexico and ensures license holders remain current with evolving codes and safety standards.
4) Which version of the NEC is adopted as the baseline for sign installations in New Mexico
effective December 15, 2024?
A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
C) 2020 NEC
D) 2023 NEC
Correct Answer: C) 2020 NEC
Rationale: New Mexico has adopted the 2020 NEC as its state electrical code. This adoption became
effective on March 28, 2023, and as of December 15, 2024, the exam is based on the 2020 Code. All
sign installations must comply with the 2020 NEC requirements.
5) What is the continuing education requirement for New Mexico ES-1 license renewal?
A) 8 hours total every year
B) 12 hours total every two years
C) 16 hours total every three years
D) 24 hours total every three years
Correct Answer: C) 16 hours total every three years
Rationale: New Mexico requires 16 hours of continuing education every three years, with eight hours
covering Code changes and the other eight hours covering industry-related instruction. This
requirement applies to all journeyman classifications, including ES-1, to maintain competency.
6) Which section of the New Mexico Administrative Code specifically governs the licensing of
electrical sign contractors?
A) NMAC 16.2.8
B) NMAC 19.3.2
C) NMAC 27.8.4
D) NMAC 15.4.2
Correct Answer: B) NMAC 19.3.2
Rationale: NMAC 19.3.2 outlines the licensing requirements for electrical sign contractors, including
qualifications, fees, and renewal procedures. This section establishes the regulatory framework for
ES-1 license holders operating in New Mexico.
, 7) What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for an electrical sign
contractor in New Mexico?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C) $500,000
Rationale: The state requires a minimum of $500,000 general liability coverage for electrical sign
work. This requirement protects the public and property in the event of accidents or damages
resulting from sign installation, maintenance, or repair activities.
8) Which NEC article specifically governs the installation of signs and outline lighting?
A) Article 220
B) Article 410
C) Article 600
D) Article 725
Correct Answer: C) Article 600
Rationale: NEC Article 600 governs signs and outline lighting, including scope, definitions,
disconnects, branch circuits, clearances, secondary wiring, voltage limitations, and transformers. This
is the primary code article for ES-1 exam preparation and fieldwork.
9) What is the minimum size of the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) required for a 20-
ampere sign circuit using 12-AWG conductors?
A) 16 AWG copper
B) 14 AWG copper
C) 12 AWG copper
D) 10 AWG copper
Correct Answer: B) 14 AWG copper
Rationale: According to NEC Table 250.122, a #14 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor is
required for a 20-ampere circuit. This ensures a proper fault current path for safety and must be sized
based on the overcurrent protection rating, not the circuit conductor size.
10) When installing a sign on a metal building, which bonding requirement applies under the NEC?
A) Bond only the sign's frame to the building steel
B) Bond the sign's frame, conduit, and any metal raceways together
C) No bonding is required if the sign is isolated
D) Bond only the transformer housing to the building
