This 2017 NEC practice test has five questions, each with an answer and the 2017 section it comes from. The 2017 NEC is still the code on Tennessee's LLE and CE exams, Nevada's C-2 contractor exams and South Carolina's Residential Electrical exam. Keep your 2017 NEC open while you work, the same as on test day.
2017 NEC exams at a glance
| Exam | Questions and time | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee LLE | 40 in 2 hours | 73% |
| Tennessee CE contractor | 100 in 5 hours | 73% |
| Nevada C-2 Electrical | 80 in 4 hours | 56 correct |
| Nevada C-2F Residential Wiring | 50 in 2 hours | 35 correct |
| South Carolina Residential | 60 in 3 hours | 44 correct |
Tennessee tests with Prov. Nevada and South Carolina test with PSI.
2017 NEC practice test: 5 questions
Question 1: GFCI in dwellings
A house has a finished basement family room and an unfinished storage area in the same basement. No other GFCI location rule or exception applies. Under the 2017 NEC, which general-purpose 125-volt, 15- and 20-amp basement receptacles need GFCI protection?
- Every receptacle in the basement
- Only the receptacles in the unfinished storage area
- Only receptacles within 6 feet of a sink
- None, if the basement is below grade
Question 2: Equipment grounding conductors
A 40-amp branch circuit uses 8 AWG copper, the smallest size with enough ampacity. For voltage drop, you upsize the circuit conductors to 6 AWG copper. What is the smallest copper equipment grounding conductor allowed?
- 12 AWG
- 10 AWG
- 8 AWG
- 6 AWG
Question 3: Dwelling services
A one-family house has a 200-amp, 120/240-volt, single-phase service. Using the 2017 NEC dwelling allowance and the 75°C column, what is the smallest copper service conductor allowed?
- 1/0 AWG
- 2/0 AWG
- 3/0 AWG
- 4/0 AWG
Question 4: Finding the ampacity table
In the 2017 NEC, which table gives allowable ampacities for not more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway at a 30°C ambient?
- Table 310.16
- Table 310.15(B)(16)
- Table 310.15(B)(17)
- Table 310.104(A)
Question 5: AFCI in dwellings
Under the 2017 NEC, AFCI protection is required for 120-volt, 15- and 20-amp branch circuits supplying outlets in all of these dwelling areas EXCEPT:
- Laundry areas
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Hallways
2017 NEC questions and answers
Answer all five first. Then open each answer to check yourself.
Show the answer to question 1Hide the answer to question 1
1. B, only the unfinished storage area (2017 NEC 210.8(A)(5))
The 2017 NEC requires GFCI protection in unfinished portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms. The finished family room is not covered by the basement rule; another location rule, such as proximity to a sink, could still require GFCI protection. One exception: a receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system.
The 2020 NEC changed this rule to cover all basements. Answer A is right in 2020 and wrong in 2017.
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2. C, 8 AWG (2017 NEC 250.122(B))
Table 250.122 gives 10 AWG copper for a circuit up to 60 amps. When the circuit conductors are upsized, 250.122(B) requires the grounding conductor to grow by the same circular mil ratio.
- 6 AWG is 26,240 circular mils and 8 AWG is 16,510 (Chapter 9, Table 8).
- 10 AWG is 10,380 circular mils. 10,380 × 26,240 ÷ 16,510 = 16,497 circular mils.
- The smallest wire with at least 16,497 circular mils is 8 AWG.
Answer B forgets the upsizing rule.
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3. B, 2/0 AWG copper (2017 NEC 310.15(B)(7)(1))
For a dwelling service rated 100 to 400 amps, the service conductors may have an ampacity of 83% of the service rating: 200 × 0.83 = 166 amps. In the 75°C copper column of Table 310.15(B)(16), 1/0 carries 150 amps, too little, and 2/0 carries 175.
The 2020 NEC moved this rule to 310.12. See the 2020 version of this calculation.
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4. B, Table 310.15(B)(16)
The 2017 NEC labels it “Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16).” Table 310.15(B)(17) covers single conductors in free air, and Table 310.104(A) covers conductor applications and insulations.
The 2020 NEC renumbered it back to Table 310.16. If your exam uses the 2017, learn the 2017 table numbers.
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5. C, bathrooms (2017 NEC 210.12(A))
The 2017 list covers kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas and similar rooms or areas. Bathrooms are not on it.
Testing on the 2017 NEC? JCR's $495 2017 NEC self-study package includes a 2017 edition study manual with a six-week plan, step-by-step videos, a mock exam booklet and digital practice exams. Videos and the digital practice exams open right after you order.
Why your NEC edition matters on the exam
Your candidate bulletin names one NEC edition, and questions are written to it. Three of the five questions above change between the 2017 and 2020 editions:
- GFCI in basements: unfinished areas only in 2017, all basements in 2020.
- Ampacity table: Table 310.15(B)(16) in 2017, Table 310.16 in 2020.
- Dwelling service sizing: 310.15(B)(7) in 2017, 310.12 in 2020.
Studying from the wrong book costs points even when you know the trade. Check the reference list in your bulletin before you buy a code book.
2017 NEC exam questions
Which electrical exams use the 2017 NEC in 2026?
Tennessee's Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) and Electrical Contractor (CE) exams, Nevada's C-2 electrical contractor exams and South Carolina's Residential Electrical exam all list the 2017 NEC in their official candidate bulletins.
Can I use a 2020 NEC on a 2017 NEC exam?
No. Questions are written to the edition in your bulletin. Section numbers and some rules changed in 2020, so a 2020 book can lead you to the wrong answer or the wrong table.
How many questions are on the Nevada C-2 exam?
80 questions in 4 hours, and you need 56 correct to pass, per PSI's Nevada contractor bulletin. The C-2F Residential Wiring exam is 50 questions in 2 hours.
Is the Tennessee electrical exam open book?
Yes. Prov's Tennessee bulletin lists the 2017 NEC as an open-book reference for the LLE and CE exams. Starting January 1, 2027, Prov will allow only the books it recommends.
Practice more 2017 NEC exam questions
JCR's 2017 NEC self-study packages are $495. Videos and digital practice exams open right after purchase, and the printed materials ship the same business day. Give it 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night.
Choose your 2017 NEC package
Each package is built for a 2017 NEC exam. Pick yours:
Testing on the 2020 NEC instead? Try the 2020 NEC practice test or see your state's license and exam requirements.
Sources JCR checked
- Prov: Tennessee contractor candidate bulletin (October 21, 2026)
- PSI: Nevada contractor examinations bulletin (March 25, 2026)
- PSI: South Carolina Residential Electrical bulletin (October 9, 2026)
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2017 edition
JCR checked each answer against the 2017 NEC text and each exam fact against its bulletin on October 21, 2026.