Choosing electrician exam prep comes down to three questions: does it cover the NEC edition your exam uses, can you try it free, and does it fit how you study? This guide compares 8 widely used options for journeyman and master electrician exams on those questions, using what each vendor's own pages showed on October 12, 2026.
Some of these options have decades of history in the trade; others are newer and mobile-first. For each one we list the formats it sells, the code editions it names, its free option, and its price model. Many prep vendors advertise pass rates; we treat those as vendor claims and do not repeat them.
Quick Verdict
Short on time? Here are our picks by situation:
Both pair exam prep with hours tracking and calculators. SparkShift has a free 20-question quiz and 3 free preview questions a day; Dakota Prep has a free tier and an AI tutor.
Mike Holt sells exam prep with 2026 NEC options, and Code Coach's 2026 version is in its Pro plan. 1 Exam Prep and Tom Henry also list 2026 titles. Texas and Minnesota already test on the 2026 NEC.
SparkShift's free 20-question quiz, Tests.com's free test (about 40 questions), JADE's 10-question practice test, Code Coach's free version, Dakota Prep's free tier, and Mike Holt's free online quizzes.
How We Evaluated
We reviewed each vendor's public product pages on October 12, 2026, and the documents linked from them. We compared every option on the same six questions:
Does the product say which license level and exam it targets?
Which code edition does the vendor list, and does it match your exam?
Can you try it free? Is it a subscription, lifetime purchase, time-boxed access, or per product?
App, web, book, or video? Can you study on a break?
Timed tests, adaptive practice, explanations with code references, or a tutor?
Does the same product help you log on-the-job hours?
This is a buyer's-guide comparison, not a formal pass-rate audit. Vendor claims about question counts or pass rates are vendor claims unless independently verified, and features can change after the date we checked.
We did not review every option on the market. Ultimate Electrician's Guide and printed question-and-answer books, for example, are not in this update; run any product you are considering through the same six questions, starting with its NEC edition.
Which NEC Edition Is Your Exam On?
Edition fit matters more than brand. As of October 12, 2026, Texas exams given by PSI have been referenced to the 2026 NEC since September 1, 2026, and Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry uses the 2026 NEC, effective August 17, 2026, for its license exam questions. Other states adopt new editions on their own schedules, so check your candidate bulletin first.
| State | Exams on the 2026 NEC since | Primary source |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | September 1, 2026 | PSI bulletin (updated 9/15/2026) and TDLR adoption notice |
| Minnesota | August 17, 2026 | DLI Electrical License Examination Guide |
We list only states whose own bulletin or exam guide we read. If your state is not here, your candidate bulletin is the answer.
SparkShift's question bank uses NEC 2023 references. Mike Holt and Electrical Code Coach Pro list 2026 NEC material, and 1 Exam Prep and Tom Henry list 2026 titles. JADE's Texas page and Tests.com listed 2023 or older editions when we checked, and Dakota Prep's page does not state an edition. For what changed, see the 2026 NEC guide and 2026 dwelling load changes. See also our Texas journeyman exam guide, the NEC 2026 changes guide, state pages under exam prep by state, and the Texas journeyman prep page.
1. SparkShift — Exam Prep Plus Hours Tracking (Our Product)
SparkShift combines electrician exam prep with OJT hour tracking, NEC calculators, and a community forum. If you are an apprentice keeping hours, studying, and looking up code in separate apps, it puts them in one place. It is not the only option that does this: Dakota Prep's electrician app also tracks hours (see below).
The paid exam prep plans include an adaptive mode that targets the weak topics in your recent results, timed mock exams, and saved-question review. Core practice questions are NEC-based, and the free practice quiz uses NEC 2023 references unless a question states otherwise. Texas and Minnesota now test on the 2026 edition, so confirm your exam's code edition with your licensing board. Full explanations across the full question bank are part of the paid plans; the free preview shows a code reference on each sample answer, and the free 20-question quiz shows an explanation and a code reference for every question.
Beyond the test prep, SparkShift includes 44 public web calculators (box fill, conduit fill, voltage drop, service sizing, and more), an NEC code reference library, and a community forum where you can ask questions and get answers from other apprentices and journeymen. The free hours tracker is part of the same app.
Pros
- OJT tracking + exam prep + calculators in one app
- Adaptive practice mode that targets your weak topics (paid plans)
- 44 public web calculators built in
- NEC code reference tool
- Community forum for questions
- Free 20-question practice quiz, no account needed
- Free preview of 3 questions per day
- Mobile-first design (iOS and web)
Cons
- Question bank uses NEC 2023 references
- Mock exams run as one timed session, not separately timed portions
- Newer platform (launched 2025) — less brand recognition
- Question bank still growing compared to long-established vendors
- No physical study guide option
- Full explanations, mock exams, and adaptive mode require a paid plan
The free preview gives you 3 questions per day, which is enough to build a daily study habit. Journeyman Exam Prep is $9.99/month or $99.99/year, and Master Exam Prep is $19.99/month or $199.99/year. Both add the full question bank, mock exams, adaptive mode, saved-question review, and full explanations with code citations. These are web prices; in-app prices on iOS can differ. See journeyman exam prep and master exam prep for what each plan covers.
Free questions available before purchase
2. Mike Holt Enterprises — In-Depth NEC Training
Mike Holt Enterprises says it has been helping electrical professionals for over 50 years. Its exam-prep menu covers journeyman, master/contractor, and electrical inspector licenses, with products for the 2020, 2023, and 2026 NEC cycles, and each preparation library includes an online electrical exam preparation system.
The company also lists an app, the MHE Electrical Toolbox, runs a code forum, and sells continuing education it says is approved in 30+ states. Its Free Stuff menu lists free online quizzes, including NEC code quizzes; the exam-prep module quizzes are based on the 2023 NEC, and some may ask you to log in. In our view, it suits learners who want explanations of why the code says what it says, not just answer keys.
Pros
- Free online NEC quizzes (Free Stuff > Quizzes)
- 50+ year track record in NEC training
- Exam prep options for the 2020, 2023, and 2026 NEC
- Online exam preparation system in each library
- Journeyman, master/contractor, and inspector exam prep
- Code forum and continuing education
Cons
- Pick the library that matches your license and NEC cycle
- No OJT hours tracking found on the pages we checked
- Prices vary by product; compare libraries before buying
3. JADE Learning — State Exam Pages Plus CE
JADE Learning has exam-prep pages for all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico. Its study guides include 800 practice questions, its practice tests include over 600 state-specific questions, and a 10-question version of its practice test is available after sign-up. Everything runs online and, in JADE's words, on any device with an internet connection. JADE also sells continuing education; check that your state's CE is offered.
JADE's Texas page describes that state's two-section exam and offers 30-, 60-, and 90-day practice-test access, but its Texas materials referenced the 2023 NEC when we checked on October 12, 2026, while Texas exams now use the 2026 NEC.
Pros
- Exam-prep pages for every state plus DC and Puerto Rico
- 800 practice questions in the study guides; 600+ state-specific practice-test questions
- Free 10-question practice test after sign-up
- Works in a browser on any device
- Continuing education from the same vendor
Cons
- Texas materials referenced the 2023 NEC when checked
- Access is time-limited (30, 60, or 90 days)
- No dedicated app found; browser-based
- No OJT hours tracking found on the pages we checked
4. Dakota Prep — AI Tutor and Hours Tracking
Dakota Prep lists over 3,000 NEC practice questions, ten practice modes, and an AI tutor for working through hard code or calculation problems. Its page invites you to study for free. It does not say which NEC edition its questions use; a student review on the page mentions code references for the 2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC.
The Dakota Electrician app overlaps directly with SparkShift: it logs on-the-job hours from any job site, shows progress toward licensing thresholds, and includes voice-driven calculations plus conduit fill, voltage drop, load, motor, and transformer calculators. Dakota says its apps are used by over 20,000 students from more than 80 apprenticeship organizations and colleges (a vendor claim). As with any AI tool, check AI-generated code references against your codebook.
Pros
- 3,000+ NEC practice questions
- AI tutor for code and calculation problems
- Free tier to start
- Hours tracking and calculators in its electrician app
Cons
- NEC edition not stated on the pages we checked
- Paid pricing not shown on the pages we checked
- Mobile platforms not stated on the app page we checked
5. 1 Exam Prep — Books, Tabs, and Online Courses
1 Exam Prep sells online course content, exam prep, books, and practice test questions for all 50 states plus DC, mostly aimed at state contractor exams. Its textbooks come with expert tabbing and highlights applied, which can save setup time. It also lists 2026 combos for some states, such as a 2026 California journeyman combo “based on the 2026 NEC.” Before you rely on pre-applied tabs, check your exam bulletin: Texas PSI exams allow only tabs made or provided by the NEC publisher.
Pros
- All 50 states plus DC covered
- Online courses and practice exams as well as books
- Textbooks with tabs and highlights already applied
Cons
- Pre-applied tabs may not meet every exam bulletin's tab rules
- 2026 NEC combos are listed for some states; confirm one exists for your state
- No OJT hours tracking found on the pages we checked
6. Electrical Code Coach — Free Version Plus Pro Quizzes
Electrical Code Coach has a free version for the 2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC. Its Pro version adds all videos, quizzes, and flashcards, and the 2026 edition is Pro-only; the site says there is no free 2026 version because there were so many changes. It also sells NEC tabs and tabbed, highlighted code books. Texas PSI allows only tabs made or provided by the NEC publisher, so ask whose tabs they are and check your bulletin before buying them.
Pros
- Free version for the 2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC
- Pro includes videos, quizzes, and flashcards
- 2026 NEC version available in Pro
- Monthly or one-time lifetime Pro option
Cons
- 2026 NEC content requires Pro
- No dedicated app mentioned on the page we checked
- No OJT hours tracking found on the pages we checked
7. Tests.com — Free Practice Test
Tests.com offers a free electrician practice test of about 40 questions: 10 each for journeyman and master candidates on the 2020 and 2023 NEC, with answers explained by NEC section. Paid kits are sold by NEC edition (2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023), with no recurring charges, and the site says the tests were created by a master electrician and certified electrical trade instructor.
Pros
- Free practice test, about 40 questions
- Answers explained with NEC references
- One-time kits, no recurring charges
- Works in any browser
Cons
- No 2026 NEC kit listed when we checked
- Kits are organized by NEC edition, not by state
- No OJT hours tracking
8. Tom Henry — Books, Video, and Online Courses
Tom Henry's Code Electrical Classes and Bookstore sells online Journeyman and Masters License Exam Prep Courses, journeyman and master exam book combos, and the electrical DVDs and audio CDs Tom Henry produced. Its bookstore lists 2026-edition titles, including Reminders for the Electrician and Code Book Tabs for the 2026 NEC. Those tabs are Tom Henry's own, not the NEC publisher's, so Texas PSI rules do not allow them on exam day. Use it alongside a practice platform for timed drilling.
Pros
- Online journeyman and master exam prep courses
- Journeyman and master exam book combos
- Video (DVD) and audio CD formats
- 2026-edition titles listed
Cons
- Its code book tabs are third-party, so Texas PSI exams do not allow them
- No OJT hours tracking found on the pages we checked
Full Comparison Table
Every option side by side, from each vendor's own pages on October 12, 2026. A check means the vendor shows it; an X means we did not find it there. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.
| Option | Free option | Format | NEC editions listed | 2026 NEC content | OJT Tracking | Price model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SparkShift | iOS app + web | NEC 2023 refs | Free / $9.99/mo | |||
| Mike Holt | Books, video, online exam system; app listed | 2020, 2023, 2026 | Per product | |||
| JADE Learning | Browser, any device | 2023 (Texas page) | 30/60/90-day access | |||
| Dakota Prep | Web + mobile app | Not stated (a review mentions 2017-2023) | Not stated | Free tier + paid | ||
| 1 Exam Prep | Books, tabs, online courses | 2026 combos for some states (e.g., California journeyman) | Per course | |||
| Code Coach | Web videos, quizzes, flashcards | 2017, 2020, 2023 free; 2026 Pro | Monthly or lifetime Pro | |||
| Tests.com | Web | 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023 | One-time kits | |||
| Tom Henry | Books, DVDs, audio, online courses | 2026 titles listed (Reminders; tabs 2011-2026) | Per product |
Our Recommendation by Situation
Every electrician's situation is different. Here's what we'd suggest based on where you are:
“I'm an apprentice tracking OJT hours”
SparkShift (our product) or Dakota Prep
Both pair hours tracking with exam prep and calculators. You need an hours record anyway, so try the free options of each and keep the one whose questions fit how you study.
Try SparkShift free“My exam is on the 2026 NEC”
Mike Holt or Electrical Code Coach Pro
Both list 2026 NEC material; 1 Exam Prep and Tom Henry also list 2026 titles. Confirm your state's edition in your candidate bulletin first, and check tab rules before buying tabs.
“I need CE credits and exam prep”
JADE Learning or Mike Holt
Both sell continuing education alongside exam prep. JADE has an exam-prep page for every state plus DC and Puerto Rico.
“I want to start with free material”
SparkShift's free quiz, Tests.com, Code Coach's free version, and Mike Holt's free quizzes
SparkShift's quiz and Tests.com's test alone give you about 60 free practice questions. Check that each one's NEC edition matches your exam.
“I want the biggest question bank”
Dakota Prep
Dakota lists 3,000+ NEC practice questions, the largest count published by the vendors we checked, plus an AI tutor and a free tier.
“I struggle specifically with calculations”
Tom Henry + any practice platform
Tom Henry's book combos, videos, and online courses suit step-by-step study. Pair them with a practice platform for timed drilling.
“I prefer physical study materials”
1 Exam Prep or Tom Henry
Both sell books. 1 Exam Prep applies tabs and highlights to its textbooks; check your bulletin's tab rules before using pre-applied tabs.
Exam prep and your hours record go together: license applications such as Texas's ask for documented experience. See also NEC exam prep and our journeyman exam study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I study for the journeyman electrician exam?
No licensing board sets a study time. One workable plan is two to four months of steady study: about 1-2 hours a day if you have three months or more, and more each day if you have less. Build NEC lookup speed first, then calculations, then theory, and take a timed practice test each week to judge readiness.
What is the pass rate for the journeyman electrician exam?
Pass rates vary by state and exam provider, and there is no single national figure. For example, Texas reported that in fiscal year 2025, 24.46% of Journeyman NEC Knowledge attempts and 20.56% of Journeyman Calculations attempts passed; TDLR's totals do not separate first attempts from retakes. Check your state licensing board or exam provider for current statistics.
Is the 2026 NEC on my electrician exam?
It depends on your state. As of October 12, 2026, Texas exams given by PSI have been referenced to the 2026 NEC since September 1, 2026, and Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry uses the 2026 NEC, effective August 17, 2026, for its license exam questions. Other states adopt new editions on their own schedules, so check your candidate bulletin before you buy prep materials, and confirm which edition a provider's questions use. SparkShift's free practice quiz uses NEC 2023 references unless a question states otherwise.
Can I pass the electrician exam with free study materials?
Free options cover a lot of ground: SparkShift's free 20-question practice quiz and free preview (3 questions per day), Tests.com's free practice test, JADE Learning's 10-question practice test, Electrical Code Coach's free version, Dakota Prep's free tier, and Mike Holt's free online quizzes. Whether they are enough depends on your exam and how you study. As one cost check, a Texas journeyman attempt costs $78 at PSI, so compare the price of a retake with the price of a paid plan.
Which electrician exam prep has a free trial?
Free options we found on October 12, 2026: SparkShift (a free 20-question quiz plus 3 free preview questions a day), Tests.com (a free practice test of about 40 questions), JADE Learning (a 10-question practice test after sign-up), Electrical Code Coach (a free version for the 2017, 2020 and 2023 NEC), Dakota Prep (a free tier), and Mike Holt (free online quizzes under Free Stuff; some may ask you to log in).
Can I bring a tabbed codebook to the exam?
It depends on your exam bulletin. Texas PSI exams allow only permanent index tabs made or provided by the NEC publisher, such as NFPA's own self-adhesive index tabs for the 2026 NEC; homemade, DIY and non-NEC tabs are not allowed, although highlighting and notes added before the exam are. That rules out other brands' tab sets, such as Tom Henry's, and a pre-tabbed book passes only if its tabs are the publisher's. Check your own bulletin before you buy tabs.
What's the difference between journeyman and master electrician exam prep?
It depends on the state, so check your bulletin. In Texas, for example, the master exam is an NEC Knowledge portion of 75 questions in 150 minutes and a Calculations portion of 33 questions in 170 minutes, against 59 and 26 questions for the journeyman exam. SparkShift, Mike Holt, and JADE Learning all offer master-level prep.
Should I use an app or books to study for the electrician exam?
Both can work, and you can combine them. Apps such as SparkShift and Dakota Prep make it easy to practice questions on a break; books and courses from Mike Holt, 1 Exam Prep, and Tom Henry suit longer study sessions.
Final Thoughts
There is no single “best” electrician exam prep — it depends on your exam's NEC edition, your learning style, your budget, and where you are in your career. A first-year apprentice who needs OJT tracking has different needs than a 10-year journeyman prepping for a master exam.
Start with your exam's candidate bulletin: it tells you the code edition, the format, and what your codebook may contain. Then use a free option to see whether a product's questions fit how you study before you pay.
If you want to try SparkShift, the free practice quiz has 20 questions and the free preview adds 3 more per day before you decide whether to subscribe. That's enough to see if the question style works for how you study.
Sources
Checked October 12, 2026.
- Mike Holt Enterprises home page (50+ years, MHE Electrical Toolbox app, code forum, CE), Mike Holt Enterprises
- Exam preparation (2020, 2023 and 2026 NEC options), Mike Holt Enterprises
- Free quizzes and exams (Free Stuff > Quizzes), Mike Holt Enterprises
- Electrical exam prep, JADE Learning
- Texas electrical exam prep, JADE Learning
- Electrical NEC exam prep, Dakota Prep
- Dakota Electrician app, Dakota Prep
- 1 Exam Prep home page, 1 Exam Prep
- 2026 California Journeyman Exam Prep Ultimate Combo (Based on the 2026 NEC), 1 Exam Prep
- Electrical Code Coach home page (Pro pricing), Electrical Code Coach
- Free electrical exam prep, Electrical Code Coach
- Electrician practice test, Tests.com
- Tom Henry's Code Electrical Classes Inc. & Bookstore, Code Electrical Classes Inc.
- Code Book Tabs (2026 back to 2011), Code Electrical Classes Inc.
- Reminders for the Electrician (2026 edition), Code Electrical Classes Inc.
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) Self-Adhesive Index Tabs (2026 edition), NFPA
- Texas Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 9/15/2026), PSI Services LLC
- Commission adopts rules: 2026 NEC (16 TAC §73.100), effective September 1, 2026, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Electrician Exam Statistics, Fiscal Year 2025, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Electrical License Examination Guide (2026 NEC effective Aug. 17, 2026), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
- SparkShift on the App Store, Apple