ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN TEST EXAM 200 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
This complete set of 200 unique multiple-choice questions is designed to
simulate the breadth and depth of the actual Electrical Journeyman exam. It
systematically covers the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements,
including conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding,
box fill calculations, voltage drop, and clearances. The questions also test
practical knowledge of motor circuits, service entrances, receptacle spacing,
GFCI and AFCI requirements, and conduit fill limits. Each question includes
a correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying code rule
or engineering principle. This collection serves as a comprehensive study tool
to help candidates identify weak areas, reinforce code navigation skills, and
build the confidence needed to pass the licensing exam on the first attempt.
1. What is the required minimum rating for a receptacle on a 20-ampere branch
circuit that supplies a single receptacle (not a duplex)?
a) 15A
b) 20A
c) 25A
d) 30A
Answer: b) 20A
Rationale: A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit must have
an ampere rating not less than that of the branch circuit. Therefore, a 20A circuit
requires a 20A receptacle.
2. At what minimum distance from a wall must a floor receptacle be located to be
counted as a required wall receptacle outlet?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 18 inches
d) 24 inches
Answer: c) 18 inches
Rationale: A receptacle installed in the floor is only counted as a required wall
receptacle if it is located within 18 inches of the wall. Beyond this, it serves a
different purpose and is not counted towards the spacing requirements for wall
receptacles.
,3. In a dwelling, what is the maximum distance permitted between two adjacent
wall receptacles in the same room?
a) 6 ft
b) 10 ft
c) 12 ft
d) 16 ft
Answer: c) 12 ft
Rationale: The NEC requires that no point along a wall in a dwelling unit be more
than 6 feet from a receptacle. This means receptacles can be placed up to 12 feet
apart, as a person is never more than 6 feet from a receptacle when standing
between them.
4. For a 120-volt branch circuit in a dwelling unit, what is the minimum size
copper conductor permitted for a 15-ampere circuit?
a) #18 AWG
b) #16 AWG
c) #14 AWG
d) #12 AWG
Answer: c) #14 AWG
Rationale: A 15-ampere circuit requires a conductor with an ampacity of at least 15
amps. A #14 AWG copper conductor is the smallest standard size with this
ampacity under the standard 60°C column used for most residential wiring.
5. What is the maximum number of service disconnects that can be grouped in a
single enclosure or on the same panelboard?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 6
d) 12
Answer: c) 6
Rationale: The NEC permits a maximum of six switches or circuit breakers to
serve as the service disconnecting means for a single building. They must be
grouped in a common location.
6. What is the smallest size copper conductor that can be used for a grounding
electrode conductor?
a) #14 AWG
b) #12 AWG
c) #10 AWG
,d) #8 AWG
Answer: d) #8 AWG
Rationale: The NEC specifies that a copper grounding electrode conductor shall
not be smaller than #8 AWG, regardless of the size of the service entrance
conductors, unless it is the only connection to a rod, pipe, or plate electrode where
#6 is required.
7. For a dwelling unit, what is the minimum lighting load requirement per square
foot for general lighting?
a) 2 VA/sq ft
b) 3 VA/sq ft
c) 4 VA/sq ft
d) 5 VA/sq ft
Answer: b) 3 VA/sq ft
Rationale: The NEC mandates a minimum general lighting load of 3 volt-amperes
per square foot for dwelling units. This value is used for service and feeder
calculations.
8. When installing Type NM (Romex) cable in a residential attic, at what height
does it require physical protection?
a) 3 ft
b) 5 ft
c) 6 ft
d) 7 ft
Answer: c) 6 ft
Rationale: Type NM cable installed in an attic must be protected by guard strips or
running boards if the attic is accessible and the cable is within 6 feet of the scuttle
hole or access opening where the height is less than 7 feet.
9. What is the maximum number of current-carrying conductors permitted in a
raceway before derating is required?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 6
Answer: b) 3
Rationale: The NEC requires ampacity adjustment (derating) when more than three
current-carrying conductors are bundled together or installed in a raceway. The
number of conductors is determined by the fill of the raceway.
, 10. What is the minimum cover requirement for direct-buried Type UF cable in
residential applications?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
c) 24 inches
d) 36 inches
Answer: c) 24 inches
Rationale: For direct burial of Type UF cable in residential areas, the minimum
cover depth is typically 24 inches when not under a building or concrete slab. The
cover depth may be reduced to 18 inches if protected by a concrete slab.
11. What is the maximum distance that an outlet box must be supported from the
point where it is attached to a ceiling?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 18 inches
d) 24 inches
Answer: b) 12 inches
Rationale: An outlet box used for a ceiling-mounted luminaire or fan must be
securely supported and, if using a metal box with a plaster ring, the box must be
supported within 12 inches of the attachment point to prevent sagging.
12. When installing conductors in a conduit, what is the maximum fill percentage
for three conductors?
a) 31%
b) 40%
c) 53%
d) 60%
Answer: b) 40%
Rationale: For three conductors in a conduit, the maximum fill is 40% of the
interior cross-sectional area of the conduit. This rule ensures proper heat
dissipation and allows for easy pulling.
13. What is the minimum size of a separate equipment grounding conductor for a
60-ampere circuit?
a) #14 AWG
b) #12 AWG
c) #10 AWG
d) #8 AWG
Answer: c) #10 AWG
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
This complete set of 200 unique multiple-choice questions is designed to
simulate the breadth and depth of the actual Electrical Journeyman exam. It
systematically covers the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements,
including conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding,
box fill calculations, voltage drop, and clearances. The questions also test
practical knowledge of motor circuits, service entrances, receptacle spacing,
GFCI and AFCI requirements, and conduit fill limits. Each question includes
a correct answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying code rule
or engineering principle. This collection serves as a comprehensive study tool
to help candidates identify weak areas, reinforce code navigation skills, and
build the confidence needed to pass the licensing exam on the first attempt.
1. What is the required minimum rating for a receptacle on a 20-ampere branch
circuit that supplies a single receptacle (not a duplex)?
a) 15A
b) 20A
c) 25A
d) 30A
Answer: b) 20A
Rationale: A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit must have
an ampere rating not less than that of the branch circuit. Therefore, a 20A circuit
requires a 20A receptacle.
2. At what minimum distance from a wall must a floor receptacle be located to be
counted as a required wall receptacle outlet?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 18 inches
d) 24 inches
Answer: c) 18 inches
Rationale: A receptacle installed in the floor is only counted as a required wall
receptacle if it is located within 18 inches of the wall. Beyond this, it serves a
different purpose and is not counted towards the spacing requirements for wall
receptacles.
,3. In a dwelling, what is the maximum distance permitted between two adjacent
wall receptacles in the same room?
a) 6 ft
b) 10 ft
c) 12 ft
d) 16 ft
Answer: c) 12 ft
Rationale: The NEC requires that no point along a wall in a dwelling unit be more
than 6 feet from a receptacle. This means receptacles can be placed up to 12 feet
apart, as a person is never more than 6 feet from a receptacle when standing
between them.
4. For a 120-volt branch circuit in a dwelling unit, what is the minimum size
copper conductor permitted for a 15-ampere circuit?
a) #18 AWG
b) #16 AWG
c) #14 AWG
d) #12 AWG
Answer: c) #14 AWG
Rationale: A 15-ampere circuit requires a conductor with an ampacity of at least 15
amps. A #14 AWG copper conductor is the smallest standard size with this
ampacity under the standard 60°C column used for most residential wiring.
5. What is the maximum number of service disconnects that can be grouped in a
single enclosure or on the same panelboard?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 6
d) 12
Answer: c) 6
Rationale: The NEC permits a maximum of six switches or circuit breakers to
serve as the service disconnecting means for a single building. They must be
grouped in a common location.
6. What is the smallest size copper conductor that can be used for a grounding
electrode conductor?
a) #14 AWG
b) #12 AWG
c) #10 AWG
,d) #8 AWG
Answer: d) #8 AWG
Rationale: The NEC specifies that a copper grounding electrode conductor shall
not be smaller than #8 AWG, regardless of the size of the service entrance
conductors, unless it is the only connection to a rod, pipe, or plate electrode where
#6 is required.
7. For a dwelling unit, what is the minimum lighting load requirement per square
foot for general lighting?
a) 2 VA/sq ft
b) 3 VA/sq ft
c) 4 VA/sq ft
d) 5 VA/sq ft
Answer: b) 3 VA/sq ft
Rationale: The NEC mandates a minimum general lighting load of 3 volt-amperes
per square foot for dwelling units. This value is used for service and feeder
calculations.
8. When installing Type NM (Romex) cable in a residential attic, at what height
does it require physical protection?
a) 3 ft
b) 5 ft
c) 6 ft
d) 7 ft
Answer: c) 6 ft
Rationale: Type NM cable installed in an attic must be protected by guard strips or
running boards if the attic is accessible and the cable is within 6 feet of the scuttle
hole or access opening where the height is less than 7 feet.
9. What is the maximum number of current-carrying conductors permitted in a
raceway before derating is required?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 6
Answer: b) 3
Rationale: The NEC requires ampacity adjustment (derating) when more than three
current-carrying conductors are bundled together or installed in a raceway. The
number of conductors is determined by the fill of the raceway.
, 10. What is the minimum cover requirement for direct-buried Type UF cable in
residential applications?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
c) 24 inches
d) 36 inches
Answer: c) 24 inches
Rationale: For direct burial of Type UF cable in residential areas, the minimum
cover depth is typically 24 inches when not under a building or concrete slab. The
cover depth may be reduced to 18 inches if protected by a concrete slab.
11. What is the maximum distance that an outlet box must be supported from the
point where it is attached to a ceiling?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 18 inches
d) 24 inches
Answer: b) 12 inches
Rationale: An outlet box used for a ceiling-mounted luminaire or fan must be
securely supported and, if using a metal box with a plaster ring, the box must be
supported within 12 inches of the attachment point to prevent sagging.
12. When installing conductors in a conduit, what is the maximum fill percentage
for three conductors?
a) 31%
b) 40%
c) 53%
d) 60%
Answer: b) 40%
Rationale: For three conductors in a conduit, the maximum fill is 40% of the
interior cross-sectional area of the conduit. This rule ensures proper heat
dissipation and allows for easy pulling.
13. What is the minimum size of a separate equipment grounding conductor for a
60-ampere circuit?
a) #14 AWG
b) #12 AWG
c) #10 AWG
d) #8 AWG
Answer: c) #10 AWG
