Try these eight NC Intermediate electrical exam practice questions with your 2020 NEC, 2013 NFPA 72 and NC licensing references. Write your answer and the supporting section before opening each explanation. Set a 29-minute timer to practice roughly the pace of the 100-question, six-hour exam.
These JCR-written practice questions cover calculations, grounding, special occupancies, fire alarms and licensing. Use your results to choose what to study next, then take a full mock exam to practice all 100 questions.
1. Motor feeder ampacity
Three continuous-duty motors operate together. Their full-load currents, already selected under 430.6(A)(1), are 48 A, 22 A and 14 A. There are no other loads. What minimum feeder ampacity is required?
Show answer and explanation
96 amperes. Use 125% of the largest motor current plus the other motor currents: (48 × 1.25) + 22 + 14 = 96 A. Do not multiply all three motors by 125%. 2020 NEC 430.24.
2. Three-phase continuous load
A balanced 24 kVA non-motor load operates continuously at 208 volts, three phase. What feeder ampacity is required before correction or adjustment? Assume ordinary equipment. No 100%-rated assembly exception applies.
Show answer and explanation
About 83.3 amperes. First find line current: 24,000 ÷ (1.732 × 208) = 66.6 A. Then apply 125% for the continuous load: 66.6 × 1.25 ≈ 83.3 A. Use 208 V line-to-line, not 120 V. 2020 NEC 215.2(A)(1).
3. Ampacity adjustment
A dry-location raceway contains six current-carrying 6 AWG copper THHN conductors. Ambient temperature is 30°C and the terminals are rated 75°C. The raceway exceeds 24 inches and no adjustment exception applies. What is the allowable ampacity after adjustment?
Show answer and explanation
60 amperes. Start with 75 A in the 90°C column of Table 310.16, then apply the 80% factor for four through six current-carrying conductors: 75 × 0.80 = 60 A. This is below the 65 A terminal limit in the 75°C column. 2020 NEC 110.14(C), Table 310.16 and Table 310.15(C)(1).
Build speed and accuracy before exam day
Learn to find answers in the code book, work through calculations and practice for test day.
All three options include JCR’s study materials. JCR also carries the 2020 NEC (NFPA 70) and 2013 NFPA 72 code books.
4. Equipment grounding conductor
A circuit has a 200-amp overcurrent device. What copper wire-type equipment grounding conductor size does Table 250.122 require? Assume no condition requires a larger conductor.
Show answer and explanation
6 AWG copper. Read the 200-amp row and copper column. Use the overcurrent-device rating for this table. Table 250.66 sizes a different conductor. 2020 NEC Table 250.122.
Watch: use Table 250.122
Start at 1:14 for the equipment grounding conductor example. After answering question 4, compare your table lookup with Victor Ring’s explanation.
How to Size the Equipment Grounding Conductor (NEC 250.122)Watch JCR’s lesson on YouTube ↗
5. Patient care space grounding
A branch circuit supplies ordinary receptacles in a patient care space. No exception applies. Is a metal raceway that qualifies as an equipment grounding conductor enough by itself?
Show answer and explanation
No. The circuit must meet both 517.13(A) and (B): the qualifying metal raceway or cable assembly provides one grounding path, and the required insulated copper equipment grounding conductor provides the other. Read the specific connection requirements. 2020 NEC 517.13.
6. NFPA 72 navigation
A question asks about fire-alarm notification appliances. In the 2013 NFPA 72, which chapter is your starting point: 14, 17, 18 or 29?
Show answer and explanation
Chapter 18. Notification appliances warn occupants. Chapter 17 addresses initiating devices. Chapter 14 covers inspection, testing and maintenance. Chapter 29 addresses household alarms and systems. Choose the chapter, then find the rule for the system described.
7. NC Intermediate project limit
One licensee proposes two contracts on the same electrical project: $95,000 and $65,000. May an Intermediate license cover that combined $160,000 scope?
Show answer and explanation
No. The combined value exceeds the $150,000 Intermediate limit. Dividing one licensee’s project work into separate contracts does not avoid that limit. 21 NCAC 18B .0303.
8. After passing the exam
You pass the Intermediate exam today. May you immediately bid work under a new electrical contracting business that has not yet received its license?
Show answer and explanation
No. Complete the license application, pay the fee and satisfy the Board’s financial-responsibility requirements, then wait for issuance. Passing the exam qualifies the individual. It does not automatically activate a business license. NCBEEC license application requirements.
Turn your results into a study plan
Mark each answer as correct, guessed, missed or too slow. A lucky guess needs review just as much as a wrong answer.
- Missed a calculation? Write the formula and every step, then solve a fresh problem with different numbers.
- Used the wrong rule? Identify the conductor, equipment or occupancy before opening the index.
- Found the right rule too slowly? Repeat the lookup the next day without your recorded reference.
In JCR’s workbook, review Unit 4 for ampacity, Unit 12 for grounding, Unit 17 for motors, Unit 18 for special occupancies and Unit 20 for NFPA 72. Watch each unit’s prompted lessons, follow the references in your code book, and complete its practice questions. Then take another mixed mock exam. Our six-week NC study plan shows how to work the lessons and practice into your week.
NC Intermediate practice test questions
How many questions are on the actual exam?
The NC licensing exam is 100 questions over six hours for Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited candidates. You need 70% to pass. Use the INT column in the official exam outline to check every tested subject.
Can I prepare using only Limited practice questions?
They help with shared topics, but Intermediate adds higher-voltage requirements, emergency systems, health care facilities and other special occupancies. Include those subjects in your practice. See the classification comparison.
For more mixed practice, try JCR’s 2020 NEC questions. Check the NC book and tab rules before your timed mock exam.
NEC questions use the 2020 edition. Fire-alarm navigation uses the 2013 NFPA 72. Review the cited sections in NFPA’s code reference. NC requirements checked October 25, 2026.
