Maryland Master Electrician Exam and Journeyperson Test (2026)

The Maryland master electrician exam is 90 questions worth 100 points, and you get 240 minutes to score 70%. The journeyperson exam (Maryland's name for journeyman) is 70 questions in 210 minutes, and you need 49 right. Both are open book on the 2020 NEC and given by PSI for the Maryland State Board of Electricians.

Who can take the Maryland master or journeyperson exam?

Both exams need years of work "regularly and principally" in electrical services, under a licensed master electrician or a similarly qualified government employee (Board license requirements).

• Master: 7 years. The Board can credit up to 3 years for a formal electrical course or training. That review adds about 2 months.
• Journeyperson: 4 years.
• Apprenticeship route: finish an apprenticeship approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council or the federal Office of Apprenticeship (576 classroom hours and 8,000 work hours). You then apply for the journeyperson license by waiver and skip the exam. Apply within 2 years of getting your certificate.

Upload your original experience certification and any school records with your PSI application. PSI takes up to a week to review them, then emails you payment and scheduling steps. No email within 3 weeks? Call PSI at (855) 898-0715. The full license path is in JCR's Maryland electrician license guide.

What's on the Maryland master and journeyperson electrician exams?

PSI's bulletin splits each exam into the topics below. Master figures are points, and the 10 theory questions count 2 points each. Journeyperson figures are questions.

PSI also advises reviewing Ohm's law, electrical math, field work practices and any local code rulings that apply.

What can you bring into the Maryland electrical exam?

One book: your own 2020 NEC (NFPA 70). PSI won't provide one at the test center, and no other reference is allowed.

• Allowed: highlighting, underlining and indexing.
• Not allowed: writing in the book, loose or attached papers, and study guides.
• Tabs: permanent self-adhesive plastic tabs are fine. Post-it flags are not.
• Tab test: if the proctor can pull a tab off without ripping the page, you must remove it before you start. Tabs with paper inserts lose their inserts.
• Calculator: PSI gives you an on-screen calculator.
• Lockers: phones, watches, bags, pens, food and coats go in secure storage before you enter.

Not sure which books to buy for other exams? See what books you need for the electrical exam.

Scheduling, fees and retakes

• Book online at PSI Maryland any time, or call (855) 898-0715 with a credit card (weekdays 7:30 am to 10 pm, weekends 9 am to 5:30 pm Eastern).
• Fee: $65 per attempt. It's non-refundable, can't be transferred and stays good for 1 year.
• Cancel or reschedule at least 2 days ahead to keep your fee. A Monday exam must be changed by Saturday. A voicemail doesn't count.
• You lose the fee if you miss the exam, show up too late to start, or don't bring valid ID.
• ID: one unexpired government ID with your photo and signature. The name must match your PSI registration.
• Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.
• Scores show on screen when you finish. A fail lists your section scores, and you get 30 minutes to review the questions you missed.
• Retakes: wait 30 days from your most recent attempt. Register again with PSI and pay the $65 again.
• After you pass: apply to the Board for your license ($25 master, $18.50 journeyperson, per the Board fee schedule). Masters also upload proof of insurance.

Where you test

The bulletin lists six Maryland sites: Baltimore (Falls Road), College Park, Crofton, Hagerstown, Laurel and Salisbury. You can also test at PSI centers in other states. The bulletin doesn't list an online, remote-proctored option.

On exam day

• A tutorial of up to 15 minutes runs first and doesn't use exam time.
• PSI may add 5 to 10 unscored trial questions. They don't count against your time.
• You can go back and change any answer until time runs out.
• Restroom breaks need the proctor's OK, and the clock keeps running.

Maryland electrical exam prep: how to pass

• Master candidates, drill calculations. They're worth 30 of 100 points, the largest block on the exam.
• Theory pays double on the master exam. Its 10 questions are worth 2 points each.
• Journeyperson candidates, know Articles 100 to 285. Wiring and protection plus theory make up 40 of 70 questions.
• Pace yourself. Master gives you about 2 minutes 40 seconds a question. Journeyperson gives you 3 minutes.
• Plan 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night, and finish with timed practice tests.

Warm up with Maryland electrical practice test questions or JCR's 2020 NEC practice questions.

Do you need a county or Baltimore City license too?

The state license is required for electrical work anywhere in Maryland. Counties and Baltimore City can still require their own registration (Board licensing FAQs). Some charge a registration fee before you pull a permit, so check with the jurisdiction where you'll work.

• Already hold a local registration? If you earned a county or Baltimore City master or journeyperson registration by passing an exam equal to the state's, the Board may waive the PSI exam. You apply straight to the Board with a good-standing statement from the local office and the date of your local exam.
• Licensed in Virginia, DC, Delaware or West Virginia? You may not need the exam at all. See Maryland electrical license reciprocity.

Planning to work in another state later? The Board says a state license you got by converting a local registration can't be used for reciprocity in another state or DC. Only a license earned by exam travels. Passing the PSI exam gives you that.

Maryland electrician exam FAQ

Is the Maryland master electrician exam open book?

Yes. You bring your own 2020 NEC, the only reference allowed. It can be highlighted, underlined, indexed and permanently tabbed, but not written in.

What NEC edition is on the Maryland journeyperson electrician exam?

The 2020 NEC, for both the journeyperson and master exams. PSI's bulletin names it as the only reference allowed in the testing room.

How many questions are on the Maryland journeyman electrician exam?

Maryland calls it the journeyperson exam. It has 70 questions in 210 minutes, and you need 49 correct (70%) to pass.

Can I take the Maryland electrician exam online?

PSI's Maryland bulletin lists only in-person test centers. You can test at six Maryland sites or at PSI centers in other states.

How long do I have to wait to retake the Maryland electrician exam?

30 days from your most recent attempt. You register again with PSI and pay the $65 fee each time.