NC Electrical Exam (2026): Format, Open-Book Rules, Dates & Fees

For a Limited, Intermediate or Unlimited license, the NC electrical exam is 100 open-book questions on the 2020 NEC in 6 hours, and you need 70% to pass. You take it on a computer at a PSI test center after the state electrical board approves your application. The $125 fee covers one attempt, and you have 90 days from approval to test.

Source: NCBEEC Examination Information Handbook, July 2026.

Who can take the NC electrical exam?

Under 21 NCAC 18B .0201, you need:

• To be 18 or older
• Logged work hours: 3,000 for Limited, 5,750 for Intermediate, 9,000 for Unlimited (which jobs count)
• Two character statements
• For Unlimited only, two statements that you can supervise and direct electrical work

How to apply

1. Fill out the NCBEEC Examination Application and its statement forms.
2. Send everything at once by mail, email or fax with the $125 fee (check, money order or card).
3. Expect your Notice of Approval by email and mail in about 5 to 10 business days (NCBEEC FAQ).

NC electrical license test format by class

All 10 license classes take a multiple-choice exam and need 70% to pass.

The three main exams share 11 subject areas. Intermediate and Unlimited add topics like hazardous locations and health care, and their questions are harder. See the NC Unlimited electrical license requirements.

About 15 to 18 questions come from NC law, board rules, the NASCLA guide, NFPA 72 and the handbook's plans. For the code side, try these 2020 NEC practice questions with answers.

What books can you bring?

Bring your own copies of these three books, and nothing else:

• 2020 NEC (NFPA 70) for every class
• 2013 NFPA 72 for Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited, SP-SFD and SP-FA/LV
• NASCLA Contractors Guide, North Carolina Electrical edition. NASCLA says only the 14th edition is allowed as of June 16, 2026.

• Before test day: highlight, underline and write notes. Pencil notes must be highlighted.
• Tabs: permanent tabs only, including JCR's. Sticky flags, stapled tabs and divider tabs come off.
• Binding: softbound, spiral or hardbound. No loose-leaf binders, partial copies or loose papers.
• During the exam: no writing in your books. PSI supplies the calculator, scratch paper and pencils.

NC electrical license test dates and locations

There are no fixed test dates. You pick your day and test center.

1. Your approval letter starts a 90-day window to book and take the exam.
2. PSI emails your Test Taker ID 48 to 72 hours after that window opens.
3. Book online at PSI's NCBEEC page or by phone. You can see open dates before you apply.

NC test centers are in Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Some out-of-state PSI centers also give it.

Reschedule through PSI at least 2 days before the exam to keep your fee, per the 2026 handbook. A no-show, a late arrival or the wrong ID costs you the fee.

On exam day

• Arrive 30 minutes early.
• Bring 2 signed, unexpired IDs matching your registered name, one with your photo.
• Leave your phone, bag and hat in the car. There is no storage.
• The tutorial (up to 15 minutes) doesn't use your 6 hours.

NC electrical exam fees and retakes

The $125 fee is non-refundable except in the cases listed in rule .0209. Your score shows on screen when you finish, and a failing report lists your weak areas. If you fail:

• Wait 3 months to retest in the same class (NCBEEC exam page).
• File a new application and fee. Repeat takers file only the main page.
• Or apply right away for a different class you have the hours for.
• Review a failed exam once for $25. Reviews are monthly group sessions of about 4 hours at the board's office in Garner.

After you pass: getting your license

Passing makes you a "qualified individual," not a licensee. It's illegal to offer electrical contracting work in NC until your license is issued.

1. File the New License Application with the yearly fee: Limited $100, Intermediate $150, Unlimited $200, special restricted $100 (NCBEEC fees). Allow up to 30 days.
2. Intermediate and Unlimited: include a bondability statement or a bank line-of-credit letter for $60,001 (Intermediate) or $150,001 (Unlimited).
3. LLC or corporation? Register it with the NC Secretary of State first.
4. Take the board's free 4-hour Laws and Rules class within 12 months of qualifying. It counts as 4 CE hours toward your first renewal (class dates).

Licenses run one year from the date issued. Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited and SP-SFD qualifiers need 8 hours of CE a year.

NC electrical exam questions

Is the NC electrical exam open book?

Yes. You may use the 2020 NEC, the 2013 NFPA 72 and the NASCLA Contractors Guide (North Carolina Electrical edition). You can highlight, annotate and permanently tab them before exam day.

How many questions are on the NC limited electrical license test?

100 multiple-choice questions in 6 hours, the same as Intermediate and Unlimited. You need 70% to pass. For practice questions, see JCR's NC Limited electrical license guide.

When are the NC electrical license test dates?

There are no fixed dates. PSI tests year-round, and once the board approves you, you have 90 days to book and sit for the exam.

Can I take the NASCLA exam instead of the NC exam?

Yes. Under rule .0213, a passing score on NASCLA's "Electrical Contractor" exam can replace the board's exam. You still need the experience hours, plus 18 of 25 on NC's laws, rules and business test (JCR's NASCLA exam guide).