Try five free Memphis electrical practice questions with answers and 2020 NEC references. Use this 2020 NEC set for the Memphis/Shelby County ICC master (T16) and journeyman (T17) paths. Tennessee’s state contractor and LLE tests use a different exam system and edition. Work with your code book open, record your answers, then open the explanations below.
Start with the Memphis exam guide for the official bulletin, approved books, exam format and registration steps.
Booking the T16 or T17? JCR's Memphis/Shelby package is built on the 2020 NEC that ICC grades both exams on. For $495 you get 100 video lessons (21 hours), JCR's 152-page workbook with a six-week plan, a 500+ question mock exam in print and online, and permanent tabs for your code book.
Which Memphis exam are you preparing for?
| Quick facts | Memphis and Shelby County electrical exams |
|---|---|
| Licensing office | OCCE, under the Memphis and Shelby County Joint Electrical Code |
| Exam writer and test company | ICC, given at Pearson VUE test centers |
| T16 Master Electrician | 100 questions, 5 hours, 2020 NEC, $120. 75% to pass. |
| T17 Journeyman Electrician | 80 questions, 4 hours, 2020 NEC, $120 |
| R16 and R17 | Same question counts and times, on the 2023 NEC |
| Books | Open book. The NEC edition for your exam plus Ugly's Electrical Reference (any edition). Permanently attached tabs allowed. |
| Retakes | Wait 10 days after a failed attempt |
Choose the Memphis/Shelby County 2020 NEC course for T16 or T17. Check the local licensing office’s requirements for your credential.
Memphis electrical practice test: 5 questions
Use 15 minutes as a practice target. This is a short NEC lookup drill, not a full-length exam or a prediction of your score. Questions are selected from JCR’s practice bank and may also appear in other JCR state guides.
Question 1: Working space
A 480Y/277-volt switchboard has exposed live parts on both sides of the aisle in front of it. What is the minimum depth of working space?
- 3 feet
- 3½ feet
- 4 feet
- 5 feet
Question 2: Motors
A 10 hp, 230-volt, single-phase motor runs in continuous duty. What is the minimum ampacity for its branch-circuit conductors?
- 50 amps
- 57.5 amps
- 62.5 amps
- 68.75 amps
Question 3: Grounding
A branch circuit is protected by a 60-amp breaker. What is the smallest copper equipment grounding conductor allowed for it?
- 12 AWG
- 10 AWG
- 8 AWG
- 6 AWG
Question 4: Box fill
A metal box has four 12 AWG insulated conductors, two 12 AWG equipment grounding conductors and one receptacle on a single yoke. It has no internal clamps or fittings. What minimum box volume do these require?
- 13.5 cubic inches
- 15.75 cubic inches
- 18 cubic inches
- 20.25 cubic inches
Question 5: Appliances
A 50-gallon storage water heater is rated 4,500 watts at 240 volts. What is the minimum ampacity for its branch-circuit conductors?
- 18.75 amps
- 20 amps
- 23.44 amps
- 28.13 amps
Answer key with 2020 NEC sections
Finish all five before opening the answers. Give yourself one point for each correct choice, then look up every missed section.
Show the answer to question 1Hide the answer to question 1
1. C, 4 feet (NEC Table 110.26(A)(1))
The switchboard is 277 volts to ground, which falls in the 151–600 volt row. Exposed live parts on both sides is Condition 3, so the minimum depth is 4 feet. Condition 2 (grounded parts across the aisle) would be 3½ feet. See all three conditions explained.
Show the answer to question 2Hide the answer to question 2
2. C, 62.5 amps (NEC Table 430.248 and 430.22)
Use the table current, not the nameplate. Table 430.248 lists 50 amps for a 10 hp, 230-volt single-phase motor. Section 430.22 requires 125% of that: 50 × 1.25 = 62.5 amps. The 57.5-amp choice is the table value for a 200-volt motor.
Show the answer to question 3Hide the answer to question 3
3. B, 10 AWG (NEC Table 250.122)
Table 250.122 sizes the equipment grounding conductor by the overcurrent device ahead of it. For a 60-amp device, the minimum is 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum. See more Table 250.122 examples.
Show the answer to question 4Hide the answer to question 4
4. B, 15.75 cubic inches (NEC 314.16(B))
Count 4 for the insulated conductors. All the equipment grounding conductors count as 1 when there are four or fewer. The yoke counts as 2. That's 7 × 2.25 cubic inches (the 12 AWG allowance) = 15.75. Walk through more box fill examples.
Show the answer to question 5Hide the answer to question 5
5. C, 23.44 amps (NEC 422.13)
The heater draws 4,500 ÷ 240 = 18.75 amps. Storage water heaters of 120 gallons or less get branch-circuit conductors and overcurrent protection sized at no less than 125% of their rating: 18.75 × 1.25 = 23.44 amps.
How to study after this practice test
- Log the lookup. Write down the article, section or table you used and how long it took to find.
- Work the calculation again. Keep the units and intermediate steps so you can find an arithmetic error.
- Use your exam’s edition. A newer installation code is not automatically the edition used for your license test.
- Cover the full outline. Choose the Memphis/Shelby County 2020 NEC course for T16 or T17. Check the local licensing office’s requirements for your credential.
Memphis electrical practice test FAQ
Are these actual licensing exam questions?
No. These are JCR practice questions selected to help you study NEC rules. They are not supplied or endorsed by the exam vendor or licensing board.
Does getting all five right mean I am ready?
Five questions are too small a sample to judge readiness. Use a full practice exam, review the official content outline and practice every required subject.
Which NEC edition does this practice test use?
This set uses the 2020 NEC. Use this 2020 NEC set for the Memphis/Shelby County ICC master (T16) and journeyman (T17) paths. Tennessee’s state contractor and LLE tests use a different exam system and edition.
Keep practicing for your Memphis exam
Use the course links above for the exam and edition you are taking. Review the complete Memphis exam guide before you order.
Try JCR’s free NEC practice app. Check the edition shown in the app before using its questions for your exam.
More Memphis guides
Sources and answer references
- ICC National Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin (June 30, 2026)
- ICC: What score do I need to pass?
- ICC: What to bring to the test site
- ICC: How often can I test?
- Pearson VUE: ICC Contractor/Trades exams
- Memphis and Shelby County Joint Electrical Code
- OCCE electrical licensing fees
- Tennessee: jurisdictions not in the State Electrical Program
- NFPA 70, 2020 edition: see the section citations in each answer.
- JCR washington electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
- JCR maryland electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
- JCR new mexico electrical practice test: source practice-bank questions.
Reviewed October 22, 2026. NEC answers and section references checked against the stated edition in NFPA LiNK. Exam information follows the linked official bulletins. Questions are selected from JCR’s shared practice bank, with clarifications where needed.