MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
MASTER ELECTRICIAN EXAMINATION (MEE)
NEWEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATES 2026-2027
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A master electrician in Montana is licensed to:
A. Design electrical systems only
B. Supervise journeyman electricians only
C. Pull permits for electrical work only
D. Design, install, maintain, supervise, and pull permits for electrical work
Rationale: Master electricians hold the highest level of electrical licensure in
Montana, granting them authority to perform all aspects of electrical work,
supervise other electricians, and obtain necessary permits for installations. This
comprehensive scope of practice reflects the advanced training and expertise
required for licensure .
2. According to Montana law, an applicant for a master electrician's license
must have at least:
A. 4,000 hours of journeyman-level experience
B. 8,000 hours of journeyman-level experience in planning, laying out, or
supervising electrical installations
,C. 2,000 hours of electrical experience with a degree
D. 10,000 hours of any electrical work experience
Rationale: Montana Code Annotated § 37-68-304 requires applicants to provide
written evidence of at least 8,000 hours of legally obtained journeyman -level
experience in planning, laying out, or supervising the installation and repair of
wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, and power. A graduate
electrical engineer may qualify with a minimum of 2,000 hours of practical
experience .
3. What is the minimum burial depth for rigid metal conduit (RMC) under a
residential driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rationale: Rigid metal conduit provides strong mechanical protection due to its
structural integrity, allowing a reduced burial depth of 12 inches under residential
driveways. This is less than the depth required for non-metallic or less protective
wiring methods .
4. The Montana Electrical Board's examination for master electricians must
consist of at least how many questions?
A. 30 questions
B. 80 questions
C. 100 questions
D. 50 questions
Rationale: Under current Montana law (MCA § 37-68-304), the master electrician
examination must consist of at least 80 questions designed to fairly test the
applicant's knowledge and technical application skills in the National Electrical
Code and board rules .
,5. Which of the following best describes Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)?
A. The sum of voltages around a closed loop is zero
B. The current entering a junction equals the current leaving the junction
C. Power is conserved in an electrical circuit
D. Resistance adds in series
Rationale: Kirchhoff's Current Law states that the total current entering a junction
or node must equal the total current leaving, reflecting the conservation of electric
charge. This fundamental principle is essential for analyzing electrical circuits .
6. What is the allowable voltage drop recommended for branch circuits?
A. 1%
B. 3%
C. 5%
D. 10%
Rationale: The NEC recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for branch
circuits and a total of 5% for feeders and branch circuits combined. This ensures
efficient operation of equipment and prevents issues with motor starting and
lighting performance .
7. What type of motor is most commonly used in residential HVAC systems?
A. Synchronous motor
B. Universal motor
C. Induction motor
D. Stepper motor
Rationale: Induction motors are the most common type used in residential HVAC
systems due to their reliability, efficiency, and suitability for continuous operation.
They require minimal maintenance and operate effectively under varying load
conditions .
, 8. What is the minimum conductor size for a 20-amp branch circuit using
copper conductors?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Rationale: NEC Table 310.16 requires 12 AWG copper conductors for 20-amp
branch circuits. While 14 AWG is rated for 15 amps, the 20-amp circuit
necessitates the larger conductor size to safely carry the current without
overheating .
9. What device protects against ground faults and detects imbalance between
hot and neutral conductors?
A. AFCI
B. GFCI
C. Fuse
D. Relay
Rationale: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) monitor the current balance
between the hot and neutral conductors. If an imbalance of approximately 4 -6
milliamps is detected, indicating current leakage to ground, the GFCI rapidly
disconnects the circuit to prevent shock .
10. What is the standard voltage of a single-phase residential system in the
U.S.?
A. 120/208V
B. 120/240V
C. 277/480V
D. 240/480V
MASTER ELECTRICIAN EXAMINATION (MEE)
NEWEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATES 2026-2027
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A master electrician in Montana is licensed to:
A. Design electrical systems only
B. Supervise journeyman electricians only
C. Pull permits for electrical work only
D. Design, install, maintain, supervise, and pull permits for electrical work
Rationale: Master electricians hold the highest level of electrical licensure in
Montana, granting them authority to perform all aspects of electrical work,
supervise other electricians, and obtain necessary permits for installations. This
comprehensive scope of practice reflects the advanced training and expertise
required for licensure .
2. According to Montana law, an applicant for a master electrician's license
must have at least:
A. 4,000 hours of journeyman-level experience
B. 8,000 hours of journeyman-level experience in planning, laying out, or
supervising electrical installations
,C. 2,000 hours of electrical experience with a degree
D. 10,000 hours of any electrical work experience
Rationale: Montana Code Annotated § 37-68-304 requires applicants to provide
written evidence of at least 8,000 hours of legally obtained journeyman -level
experience in planning, laying out, or supervising the installation and repair of
wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, and power. A graduate
electrical engineer may qualify with a minimum of 2,000 hours of practical
experience .
3. What is the minimum burial depth for rigid metal conduit (RMC) under a
residential driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rationale: Rigid metal conduit provides strong mechanical protection due to its
structural integrity, allowing a reduced burial depth of 12 inches under residential
driveways. This is less than the depth required for non-metallic or less protective
wiring methods .
4. The Montana Electrical Board's examination for master electricians must
consist of at least how many questions?
A. 30 questions
B. 80 questions
C. 100 questions
D. 50 questions
Rationale: Under current Montana law (MCA § 37-68-304), the master electrician
examination must consist of at least 80 questions designed to fairly test the
applicant's knowledge and technical application skills in the National Electrical
Code and board rules .
,5. Which of the following best describes Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)?
A. The sum of voltages around a closed loop is zero
B. The current entering a junction equals the current leaving the junction
C. Power is conserved in an electrical circuit
D. Resistance adds in series
Rationale: Kirchhoff's Current Law states that the total current entering a junction
or node must equal the total current leaving, reflecting the conservation of electric
charge. This fundamental principle is essential for analyzing electrical circuits .
6. What is the allowable voltage drop recommended for branch circuits?
A. 1%
B. 3%
C. 5%
D. 10%
Rationale: The NEC recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for branch
circuits and a total of 5% for feeders and branch circuits combined. This ensures
efficient operation of equipment and prevents issues with motor starting and
lighting performance .
7. What type of motor is most commonly used in residential HVAC systems?
A. Synchronous motor
B. Universal motor
C. Induction motor
D. Stepper motor
Rationale: Induction motors are the most common type used in residential HVAC
systems due to their reliability, efficiency, and suitability for continuous operation.
They require minimal maintenance and operate effectively under varying load
conditions .
, 8. What is the minimum conductor size for a 20-amp branch circuit using
copper conductors?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Rationale: NEC Table 310.16 requires 12 AWG copper conductors for 20-amp
branch circuits. While 14 AWG is rated for 15 amps, the 20-amp circuit
necessitates the larger conductor size to safely carry the current without
overheating .
9. What device protects against ground faults and detects imbalance between
hot and neutral conductors?
A. AFCI
B. GFCI
C. Fuse
D. Relay
Rationale: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) monitor the current balance
between the hot and neutral conductors. If an imbalance of approximately 4 -6
milliamps is detected, indicating current leakage to ground, the GFCI rapidly
disconnects the circuit to prevent shock .
10. What is the standard voltage of a single-phase residential system in the
U.S.?
A. 120/208V
B. 120/240V
C. 277/480V
D. 240/480V
