The Nevada C-2 Electrical Contractor trade exam is 80 questions in 4 hours, and you need 56 right (70%) to pass. It's open book on the 2017 NEC and given by PSI for the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). You also pass the Business and Law exam: 60 scored questions in 2 hours, 45 to pass (75%).
The rules below come from PSI's Nevada "C" classification bulletin and Contractor Management bulletin, both updated March 25, 2026.
| Quick facts | Nevada C-2 electrical contractor exams |
|---|---|
| Test company | PSI, at test centers in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko or a PSI center in another state |
| C-2 trade exam | 80 questions, 4 hours, 56 to pass (bulletin, March 25, 2026) |
| Business and Law (CMS) | 60 scored questions, 2 hours, 45 to pass (bulletin, March 25, 2026) |
| Code book | 2017 NEC or the 2017 NEC Handbook, plus NFPA 72 (2010 or 2013). Permanent tabs only. |
| PSI fees | $95 for one exam, $140 for the trade exam plus Business and Law |
| Before you book | Apply to NSCB ($300). Once staff verify your experience, you get an eligibility letter with your candidate ID. |
| Languages | English or Spanish for C-2, C-2d and Business and Law |
Who can take the Nevada C-2 exam?
The C-2 is a contractor license for a business. One person, the qualified individual, shows the experience and passes the exams for the company. That person can be an owner, officer, manager or employee (NSCB).
- Experience: at least 4 full years as a journeyman, supervising employee or contractor in the classification, inside the 15 years before you apply.
- Schooling: an accredited program can count for up to 3 of those years.
- Proof: four Certification of Work Experience forms and a resume of experience, a current master certificate from a government agency, or proof of military training.
- Deadline: you get 6 months from the date you file to finish all testing (NSCB application, revised September 2026).
Nevada's electrician cards are a separate credential. See both tracks in JCR's Nevada license guide.
Got your eligibility letter? PSI grades C-2 code questions on the 2017 NEC only, and JCR's 2017 NEC package is built on that edition.
What you get for $495: step-by-step video lessons, JCR's study manual (2017 NEC edition) with a six-week plan, a printed mock exam booklet, digital practice exams and permanent code tabs, which the C-2 exam allows.
What's on the Nevada C-2 electrical exam?
PSI's outline spreads the 80 questions across 15 areas. Safety and conductors lead, and there are 5 questions on transmission lines.
| Subject area | Questions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Conductors and cables | 8 | 10% |
| Safety information | 8 | 10% |
| Services, feeders and branch circuits | 7 | 9% |
| Grounding and bonding | 7 | 9% |
| Raceways and boxes | 7 | 9% |
| General electrical knowledge | 6 | 8% |
| Electrical power | 6 | 8% |
| Motors | 6 | 8% |
| Special occupancies and equipment | 5 | 6% |
| Lighting | 5 | 6% |
| Transmission lines | 5 | 6% |
| Overcurrent protection | 4 | 5% |
| Low voltage, illuminated signs, fire alarm | 2 each | 3% each |
What books can you bring to the C-2 exam?
Bring your own copies of:
- The 2017 NEC or the 2017 NEC Handbook. Code questions are graded on that edition only.
- NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code or its handbook, 2010 or 2013 edition
Some study references are banned from the room: Ugly's Electrical References, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, the 2012 National Electrical Safety Code and the Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook. Study those at home for the safety and transmission-line questions.
Book rules from the bulletin:
- Highlight, underline and index before exam day. No writing in the books, before or during the exam.
- Permanent tabs only. Sticky notes must come out before you start.
- No loose or attached papers in your books.
- Bring a silent, battery-powered, non-programmable calculator with no paper tape and no alphabet keys.
The Nevada Business and Law exam
PSI calls it the Contractor Management Survey (CMS). Every qualified individual takes it, including people who get the C-2 trade exam waived.
- 60 scored questions in 120 minutes, plus 3 unscored questions with 6 extra minutes
- 45 correct (75%) to pass
- Open book with the Construction Business and Law Manual for Nevada from PSI's online store
- Biggest areas: financial management (12), licensing (10), estimating and bidding (7) and contracts (6)
Scheduling, fees and retakes
- Book at PSI's Nevada page or (855) 205-5827 with the candidate ID from your eligibility letter.
- When: Las Vegas tests 7 days a week. Reno tests Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Elko has a limited schedule (NSCB).
- Fees: $95 for one exam. $140 covers a trade exam plus Business and Law. Fees are non-refundable.
- Cancel at least 2 days ahead to keep your fee. A voicemail doesn't count.
- Scores show right after the exam. A fail lists your weak areas.
- Unscored questions: PSI may add 1 to 10 trial questions, and they use your time.
- Retakes: wait 2 weeks after a fail. You get 3 tries. A third fail voids your application, and you can reapply 30 days after that exam.
Nevada C-2 subclass exams
A narrower license has its own shorter exam. All of them use the 2017 NEC.
| Subclass | Exam | Other books |
|---|---|---|
| C-2a Electrical Wiring | 60 questions, 2.5 hours, 42 to pass | NFPA 72 (2010) |
| C-2c Fire Detection | 55 questions, 2 hours, 39 to pass | NFPA 101 (2003) and NFPA 72 (2007) |
| C-2d Low Voltage | 35 questions, 1 hour, 25 to pass | None |
| C-2e Lines to Transmit Electricity | 40 questions, 1.5 hours, 28 to pass | None |
| C-2f Residential Wiring | 50 questions, 2 hours, 35 to pass | None |
| C-2g Photovoltaics | 75 questions, 150 minutes, 56 to pass | None |
Not the same as an electrician card. Clark County and Reno electrician cards come from Electrical Safety Professionals (ESP). Their new-card exams are ICC's R16, R17 and R18 on the 2023 NEC (ESP notice, June 2026). JCR's 2017 NEC package isn't built for those exams.
Nevada C-2 exam prep: how to pass
- Pace at 3 minutes a question on the C-2.
- Study safety at home. OSHA, the NESC and transmission lines add up to 13 questions, and those books stay out of the room.
- Tab NFPA 72 too. Fire alarm questions come from it, not the NEC.
- Plan 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night, and finish with timed practice exams.
Licensed in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, North Carolina or Tennessee? You may skip the C-2 trade exam. See Nevada electrical reciprocity.
Nevada C-2 exam FAQ
What NEC edition is on the Nevada C-2 exam?
The 2017 NEC. PSI grades code questions on that edition only, and you can bring the 2017 NEC or the 2017 NEC Handbook.
How many questions are on the Nevada C-2 electrical exam?
80 questions in 4 hours. You need 56 right, which is 70%.
Is the Nevada Business and Law exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the Construction Business and Law Manual for Nevada. You need 45 of 60 scored questions right.
How much does the Nevada C-2 exam cost?
$95 for one exam, or $140 for the trade exam plus Business and Law. NSCB's application fee of $300 is separate.
How soon can I retake the C-2 exam?
After 2 weeks. A third failure voids your application, and you can reapply 30 days after that exam.
Study the 2017 NEC for the C-2
Most C-2 questions are code lookups and calculations on the 2017 NEC. JCR's 2017 NEC self-study package drills them on that edition.
It costs $495. Videos and digital practice exams open right after checkout, and printed materials ship the same business day.
Get the 2017 NEC package — $495
Want a baseline first? Try 25 free NEC practice questions.
More Nevada guides
Sources JCR checked
- PSI Nevada "C" classification bulletin (March 25, 2026)
- PSI Nevada Contractor Management bulletin (March 25, 2026)
- NSCB: License examinations
- NSCB: License requirements
- NSCB New License Application (September 2026)
- NSCB: Fees and general requirements
- ESP testing notice (June 2026)
JCR checked these exam details against PSI's Nevada bulletins and NSCB's pages and application on October 21, 2026. If your experience doesn't fit the 4-year rule, confirm with NSCB before you apply.