NEW MEXICO EE-98 ELECTRICAL SPECIALTY LICENSE EXAM –
NEC 2020 CODE
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) What is the maximum nominal voltage permitted for work performed under an EE-98 license
classification in New Mexico?
A) 600 volts
B) 2,400 volts
C) 5,000 volts
D) 13,800 volts
Correct Answer: C) 5,000 volts
Rationale: The New Mexico Administrative Code specifies that the EE-98 residential and commercial
license covers electrical systems and wiring methods operating at 5,000 volts, nominal, or less. This
distinguishes the EE-98 from higher-voltage utility classifications such as EL-1, which involves
transmission and distribution systems .
2) According to the New Mexico Administrative Code, which license classification is required to
perform raceway installations within or on buildings?
A) ES-1
B) ES-2
C) EE-98
D) ER-1
Correct Answer: C) EE-98
Rationale: New Mexico regulations explicitly state that all raceway installations within, or on,
buildings must be performed by a contractor holding an EE-98 license. Specialty electrical license
holders, including ES-1, ES-2, ES-3, ES-7, ES-10R, and ES-10, are prohibited from installing raceways
within or on buildings .
3) What is the minimum experience requirement to qualify for an EE-98 residential and
commercial electrical license in New Mexico?
,A) Two years (4,000 hours)
B) Three years (6,000 hours)
C) Four years (8,000 hours)
D) Five years (10,000 hours)
Correct Answer: C) Four years (8,000 hours)
Rationale: The EE-98 license classification requires four years of experience (8,000 hours). This
experience requirement distinguishes the full residential and commercial contractor license from
specialty classifications, which typically require only two years of experience .
4) Which edition of the National Electrical Code serves as the basis for the New Mexico EE-98
examination?
A) 2017 NEC
B) 2020 NEC
C) 2023 NEC
D) 2026 NEC
Correct Answer: B) 2020 NEC
Rationale: New Mexico adopted the 2020 National Electrical Code effective March 28, 2023. The EE-
98 examination began transitioning to the 2020 NEC starting December 15, 2024. Candidates should
prepare for the 2020 NEC rather than newer editions .
5) A New Mexico EE-98J journeyman is authorized to work under which of the following contractor
license types?
A) EE-98 only
B) ER-1 only
C) EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses
D) EL-1 only
Correct Answer: C) EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses
Rationale: The EE-98J journeyman residential and commercial electrical certification permits work
under EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses. However, when working under an ER-1 or
specialty license, the journeyman may only perform work within the scope of that contractor's
license .
6) What is the maximum overcurrent protection rating permitted for 14 AWG copper conductors
used for general-purpose branch circuits?
A) 10 amperes
B) 15 amperes
C) 20 amperes
D) 25 amperes
Correct Answer: B) 15 amperes
, Rationale: NEC 240.4(D) limits the overcurrent protection for 14 AWG copper conductors to 15
amperes for general-use applications. This small-conductor rule applies unless specific exceptions are
met, such as for motor circuits or air-conditioning equipment that have different requirements .
7) Which of the following best describes a separately derived system as defined in NEC Article 100?
A) A system that shares a neutral with the service
B) A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source other than the service
C) A system that is grounded at two separate locations
D) A transformer that has no grounded conductor
Correct Answer: B) A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source other than the
service
Rationale: NEC Article 100 defines a separately derived system as a premises wiring system whose
power is derived from a source of electric energy or equipment other than the service. This typically
includes transformers or generators that have no direct electrical connection to the service
conductors .
8) For a motor rated at 40 amperes full-load current (FLC), what is the minimum branch-circuit
conductor ampacity required under NEC rules?
A) 40 amperes
B) 44 amperes
C) 50 amperes
D) 60 amperes
Correct Answer: C) 50 amperes
Rationale: NEC 430.22 requires branch-circuit conductors supplying a single motor to have an
ampacity not less than 125 percent of the motor's full-load current rating. For a 40-ampere FLC
motor, 40 A × 125% = 50 amperes. This calculation uses the FLC from the NEC tables, not the motor
nameplate current .
9) Which conduit fill percentage applies when installing three conductors in a single raceway?
A) 31 percent
B) 40 percent
C) 53 percent
D) 60 percent
Correct Answer: B) 40 percent
Rationale: NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 specifies the allowable conductor fill for raceways. For three or
more conductors, the maximum fill is 40 percent of the raceway's internal cross-sectional area. This
rule prevents overheating and facilitates conductor pulling during installation .
NEC 2020 CODE
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) What is the maximum nominal voltage permitted for work performed under an EE-98 license
classification in New Mexico?
A) 600 volts
B) 2,400 volts
C) 5,000 volts
D) 13,800 volts
Correct Answer: C) 5,000 volts
Rationale: The New Mexico Administrative Code specifies that the EE-98 residential and commercial
license covers electrical systems and wiring methods operating at 5,000 volts, nominal, or less. This
distinguishes the EE-98 from higher-voltage utility classifications such as EL-1, which involves
transmission and distribution systems .
2) According to the New Mexico Administrative Code, which license classification is required to
perform raceway installations within or on buildings?
A) ES-1
B) ES-2
C) EE-98
D) ER-1
Correct Answer: C) EE-98
Rationale: New Mexico regulations explicitly state that all raceway installations within, or on,
buildings must be performed by a contractor holding an EE-98 license. Specialty electrical license
holders, including ES-1, ES-2, ES-3, ES-7, ES-10R, and ES-10, are prohibited from installing raceways
within or on buildings .
3) What is the minimum experience requirement to qualify for an EE-98 residential and
commercial electrical license in New Mexico?
,A) Two years (4,000 hours)
B) Three years (6,000 hours)
C) Four years (8,000 hours)
D) Five years (10,000 hours)
Correct Answer: C) Four years (8,000 hours)
Rationale: The EE-98 license classification requires four years of experience (8,000 hours). This
experience requirement distinguishes the full residential and commercial contractor license from
specialty classifications, which typically require only two years of experience .
4) Which edition of the National Electrical Code serves as the basis for the New Mexico EE-98
examination?
A) 2017 NEC
B) 2020 NEC
C) 2023 NEC
D) 2026 NEC
Correct Answer: B) 2020 NEC
Rationale: New Mexico adopted the 2020 National Electrical Code effective March 28, 2023. The EE-
98 examination began transitioning to the 2020 NEC starting December 15, 2024. Candidates should
prepare for the 2020 NEC rather than newer editions .
5) A New Mexico EE-98J journeyman is authorized to work under which of the following contractor
license types?
A) EE-98 only
B) ER-1 only
C) EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses
D) EL-1 only
Correct Answer: C) EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses
Rationale: The EE-98J journeyman residential and commercial electrical certification permits work
under EE-98, ER-1, and all electrical specialty licenses. However, when working under an ER-1 or
specialty license, the journeyman may only perform work within the scope of that contractor's
license .
6) What is the maximum overcurrent protection rating permitted for 14 AWG copper conductors
used for general-purpose branch circuits?
A) 10 amperes
B) 15 amperes
C) 20 amperes
D) 25 amperes
Correct Answer: B) 15 amperes
, Rationale: NEC 240.4(D) limits the overcurrent protection for 14 AWG copper conductors to 15
amperes for general-use applications. This small-conductor rule applies unless specific exceptions are
met, such as for motor circuits or air-conditioning equipment that have different requirements .
7) Which of the following best describes a separately derived system as defined in NEC Article 100?
A) A system that shares a neutral with the service
B) A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source other than the service
C) A system that is grounded at two separate locations
D) A transformer that has no grounded conductor
Correct Answer: B) A premises wiring system whose power is derived from a source other than the
service
Rationale: NEC Article 100 defines a separately derived system as a premises wiring system whose
power is derived from a source of electric energy or equipment other than the service. This typically
includes transformers or generators that have no direct electrical connection to the service
conductors .
8) For a motor rated at 40 amperes full-load current (FLC), what is the minimum branch-circuit
conductor ampacity required under NEC rules?
A) 40 amperes
B) 44 amperes
C) 50 amperes
D) 60 amperes
Correct Answer: C) 50 amperes
Rationale: NEC 430.22 requires branch-circuit conductors supplying a single motor to have an
ampacity not less than 125 percent of the motor's full-load current rating. For a 40-ampere FLC
motor, 40 A × 125% = 50 amperes. This calculation uses the FLC from the NEC tables, not the motor
nameplate current .
9) Which conduit fill percentage applies when installing three conductors in a single raceway?
A) 31 percent
B) 40 percent
C) 53 percent
D) 60 percent
Correct Answer: B) 40 percent
Rationale: NEC Chapter 9, Table 1 specifies the allowable conductor fill for raceways. For three or
more conductors, the maximum fill is 40 percent of the raceway's internal cross-sectional area. This
rule prevents overheating and facilitates conductor pulling during installation .
