NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTIAL SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM (SP-SFD) PRACTICE
EXAM BANK | 300 MCQs UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
EXAM CONTENT AREAS:
1. Licensing & Administrative Rules (1-25)
2. Basic Electrical Theory & Fundamentals (26-55)
3. General Wiring Methods & Materials (56-90)
4. Services, Feeders & Load Calculations (91-130)
5. Branch Circuits, Outlets & Receptacles (131-170)
6. Grounding & Bonding Essentials (171-200)
7. Overcurrent Protection & Panels (201-230)
8. Special Equipment & Hazardous Locations (231-260)
9. Safety, OSHA & Jobsite Practices (261-280)
10. Business Management & Inspections (281-300)
SECTION 1: LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Question 1
What is the minimum total work experience required to apply for the SP-SFD
license
in North Carolina?
A) 1,000 hours
B) 2,000 hours
C) 3,000 hours
D) 4,000 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The licensing board requires 3,000 total hours of electrical work
experience to ensure the applicant has had enough on-the-job exposure to
residential
wiring practices.
Question 2
How many of the total required hours must be considered "primary" (direct
hands-on)
experience?
1
,A) 500 hours
B) 1,000 hours
C) 2,000 hours
D) 3,000 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At least 2,000 hours must be primary experience, meaning the
applicant
personally performed the electrical work under supervision, not just managed or
observed it.
Question 3
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain an electrical contractor license in
North Carolina?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) No age requirement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The minimum age to contract legally is 18. This aligns with the general
age of legal majority for entering into binding contracts in the state.
Question 4
How often must a licensed electrical contractor renew their SP-SFD license?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every three years
D) Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: North Carolina electrical contractor licenses expire on a biennial
(two-year) cycle, requiring renewal before the expiration date to remain active.
2
,Question 5
Continuing education (CE) is required for license renewal. How many hours are
typically required for each renewal period?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 12 hours
D) 16 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The board mandates 8 hours of approved continuing education per
renewal
cycle to keep contractors updated on code changes and safety practices.
Question 6
Who is the primary authority responsible for issuing electrical permits in most
North Carolina counties?
A) The State Board of Examiners
B) The local county or municipal building inspections department
C) The local fire department
D) The utility company
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Local building inspection departments (county or city) handle permit
issuance and inspections. The State Board issues licenses but does not handle
day-to-day permitting.
Question 7
If a contractor changes their business address, how many days do they have to
notify
the licensing board?
A) 10 days
B) 30 days
3
, C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contractors must update their contact information with the board
within
30 days of any change to ensure all official correspondence reaches them.
Question 8
Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for obtaining a contractor's
license?
A) Being a US citizen
B) Having a prior felony conviction related to fraud or dishonesty
C) Being under 65 years old
D) Having worked for only one company
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A felony conviction involving fraud, embezzlement, or similar offenses
may disqualify an applicant because it indicates a lack of trustworthiness in
handling money and contracts.
Question 9
Can a licensed SP-SFD contractor legally perform commercial electrical work?
A) Yes, without restrictions
B) No, the license is limited to single-family residential dwellings only
C) Yes, but only for lighting retrofits
D) Yes, if they hire a commercial foreman
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SP-SFD license is specifically limited to single-family residential
dwellings. Performing commercial work requires a different classification of
license.
4
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM (SP-SFD) PRACTICE
EXAM BANK | 300 MCQs UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
EXAM CONTENT AREAS:
1. Licensing & Administrative Rules (1-25)
2. Basic Electrical Theory & Fundamentals (26-55)
3. General Wiring Methods & Materials (56-90)
4. Services, Feeders & Load Calculations (91-130)
5. Branch Circuits, Outlets & Receptacles (131-170)
6. Grounding & Bonding Essentials (171-200)
7. Overcurrent Protection & Panels (201-230)
8. Special Equipment & Hazardous Locations (231-260)
9. Safety, OSHA & Jobsite Practices (261-280)
10. Business Management & Inspections (281-300)
SECTION 1: LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Question 1
What is the minimum total work experience required to apply for the SP-SFD
license
in North Carolina?
A) 1,000 hours
B) 2,000 hours
C) 3,000 hours
D) 4,000 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The licensing board requires 3,000 total hours of electrical work
experience to ensure the applicant has had enough on-the-job exposure to
residential
wiring practices.
Question 2
How many of the total required hours must be considered "primary" (direct
hands-on)
experience?
1
,A) 500 hours
B) 1,000 hours
C) 2,000 hours
D) 3,000 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At least 2,000 hours must be primary experience, meaning the
applicant
personally performed the electrical work under supervision, not just managed or
observed it.
Question 3
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain an electrical contractor license in
North Carolina?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) No age requirement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The minimum age to contract legally is 18. This aligns with the general
age of legal majority for entering into binding contracts in the state.
Question 4
How often must a licensed electrical contractor renew their SP-SFD license?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every three years
D) Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: North Carolina electrical contractor licenses expire on a biennial
(two-year) cycle, requiring renewal before the expiration date to remain active.
2
,Question 5
Continuing education (CE) is required for license renewal. How many hours are
typically required for each renewal period?
A) 4 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 12 hours
D) 16 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The board mandates 8 hours of approved continuing education per
renewal
cycle to keep contractors updated on code changes and safety practices.
Question 6
Who is the primary authority responsible for issuing electrical permits in most
North Carolina counties?
A) The State Board of Examiners
B) The local county or municipal building inspections department
C) The local fire department
D) The utility company
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Local building inspection departments (county or city) handle permit
issuance and inspections. The State Board issues licenses but does not handle
day-to-day permitting.
Question 7
If a contractor changes their business address, how many days do they have to
notify
the licensing board?
A) 10 days
B) 30 days
3
, C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contractors must update their contact information with the board
within
30 days of any change to ensure all official correspondence reaches them.
Question 8
Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for obtaining a contractor's
license?
A) Being a US citizen
B) Having a prior felony conviction related to fraud or dishonesty
C) Being under 65 years old
D) Having worked for only one company
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A felony conviction involving fraud, embezzlement, or similar offenses
may disqualify an applicant because it indicates a lack of trustworthiness in
handling money and contracts.
Question 9
Can a licensed SP-SFD contractor legally perform commercial electrical work?
A) Yes, without restrictions
B) No, the license is limited to single-family residential dwellings only
C) Yes, but only for lighting retrofits
D) Yes, if they hire a commercial foreman
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SP-SFD license is specifically limited to single-family residential
dwellings. Performing commercial work requires a different classification of
license.
4
