About the Master Electrician Exam
100-150
Questions
4-5 hours
Time Limit
70-75%
Passing Score
Yes (NEC)
Open Book
What Is the Master Electrician Exam?
The master electrician exam is an advanced licensing test for experienced journeymen who want to become licensed electrical contractors. After working as a journeyman for 2-4 years (requirements vary by state), you can take this exam to earn your master's license.
The exam goes beyond the National Electrical Code (NEC) to include business law, contracts, project management, OSHA regulations, and complex commercial/industrial calculations. It's significantly harder than the journeyman exam and requires deeper understanding of electrical systems.
SparkShift's master exam prep covers all these advanced topics with step-by-step calculation guides, business law modules specific to electrical contractors, and full-length timed practice exams.
Advanced Exam Prep for Masters
Everything you need to pass the master electrician exam.
Advanced Calculations
Master complex load calculations for commercial and industrial installations. Motor, transformer, and fault current problems.
Business Law Modules
Understand lien laws, contracts, licensing requirements, and business liability. Topics tested on most master exams.
Project Management
Learn estimating, job costing, scheduling, and crew management. Essential skills for running your own shop.
Timed Mock Exams
Full-length practice exams under real conditions. Master exams are longer and more complex than journeyman tests.
Detailed Explanations
Every question includes step-by-step solutions and NEC references. Understand the reasoning, not just the answer.
Study Anywhere
Works offline on iOS and Android. Prepare for your exam between jobs or during downtime.
Master Exam Topics
Advanced topics beyond the journeyman exam, including business and project management.
Advanced Load Calculations
- Commercial services
- Industrial loads
- Demand factors
- Feeder sizing
Motor & Transformer Calcs
- Motor circuits
- Transformer sizing
- Protection coordination
- Fault current
Business Law & Contracts
- Lien laws
- Contract types
- Licensing requirements
- Liability
Project Management
- Estimating
- Scheduling
- Crew management
- Material takeoff
Safety & OSHA
- OSHA regulations
- Lockout/tagout
- Arc flash
- PPE requirements
Special Systems (NEC 500-590)
- Hazardous locations
- Health care
- Assembly occupancies
- Class I/II/III
Grounding & Bonding (NEC 250)
- Service grounding
- Separately derived systems
- Bonding requirements
Services & Feeders (NEC 220-230)
- Service calculations
- Feeder sizing
- Optional calculations
- Multi-family
Master vs. Journeyman Exam
The master exam builds on journeyman knowledge with advanced topics.
Journeyman Exam
- 80-100 questions, 3-4 hours
- Residential & light commercial focus
- Basic load calculations
- NEC code application
- No business/legal topics
Master Exam
- 100-150 questions, 4-5 hours
- Commercial & industrial focus
- Advanced motor/transformer calcs
- Business law & contracts
- Project management & OSHA
800+
Advanced Questions
Free
Start Practicing
NEC 2023
Current Code
4.9
App Store Rating
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the master electrician exam.
What is the master electrician exam?
The master electrician exam is an advanced licensing test for experienced journeymen who want to become licensed electrical contractors. It covers everything on the journeyman exam plus advanced topics like business law, project management, complex load calculations, and OSHA requirements. Most states require 2-4 years of journeyman experience before you can take the master exam.
How is the master exam different from the journeyman exam?
The master exam is significantly more difficult. It includes more complex calculations (commercial/industrial loads, motors, transformers), business and legal topics (contracts, lien laws, licensing), project management, and advanced code applications. Exams are typically longer (100-150 questions, 4-5 hours) and require deeper understanding of the NEC.
What topics are on the master electrician exam?
Master exams typically cover: Advanced NEC code (commercial, industrial, hazardous locations), complex load calculations (services, feeders, motors, transformers), grounding and bonding, business law and contracts, OSHA safety requirements, project management and estimating, and electrical theory at an advanced level.
How much experience do I need to take the master exam?
Requirements vary by state, but most require 2-4 years of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician. Some states also require proof of continuing education or supervision experience. Check your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
Is the master exam open book?
Yes, most master exams allow the NEC code book. However, the questions are more complex and time-consuming. You need to know the code extremely well to find information quickly and apply it to complex scenarios.
How should I prepare for the master exam?
Focus on: (1) Mastering complex calculations - commercial loads, motors, transformers, fault current, (2) Understanding business law and contracts tested in your state, (3) Learning OSHA requirements and safety codes, (4) Practicing with timed exams to build speed, (5) Tabbing your code book extensively. Most candidates study for 2-3 months.