Here are five free practice questions for the New Mexico journeyman electrician (EE-98J) Code exam, written on the 2020 NEC that PSI's New Mexico journeyman bulletin lists as the main reference. The real Code exam is 50 open-book questions in 145 minutes, and you need 38 right (75%). Work each one with your code book open, then check the answer key, which cites the NEC section.
| Quick facts | New Mexico EE-98J Code exam |
|---|---|
| Test company | PSI, for the Construction Industries Division (CID) |
| Format | 50 questions, 145 minutes, 38 to pass, open book |
| Code edition | 2020 NEC, plus the New Mexico Electrical Code (14.10.4 NMAC) |
| Also required | A closed-book Theory exam and a hands-on Practical. See the New Mexico electrician exam guide. |
New Mexico electrical practice test: 5 questions
Question 1: Air-conditioning equipment
A hermetic motor-compressor has a branch-circuit selection current of 23 amps. Its short-circuit and ground-fault protective device will carry the starting current. What is the largest device rating allowed?
- 30 amps
- 35 amps
- 40 amps
- 45 amps
Question 2: Kitchen receptacles
Along a kitchen countertop wall in a dwelling, how far can any point on the wall line be, measured horizontally, from a receptacle outlet?
- 12 inches
- 18 inches
- 24 inches
- 48 inches
Question 3: Wiring methods
Type NM cable runs exposed along the face of a joist. It is secured within 12 inches of each box. What is the most distance allowed between supports along the rest of the run?
- 3 feet
- 4½ feet
- 6 feet
- 10 feet
Question 4: Services
What is the smallest rating allowed for the service disconnecting means of a one-family dwelling?
- 60 amps, 3-wire
- 100 amps, 3-wire
- 150 amps, 3-wire
- 200 amps, 3-wire
Question 5: 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
Testing for your EE-98J or EE-98? JCR's New Mexico course is built on the 2020 NEC that PSI grades the code exams on.
For $495 you get 100 video lessons, a 152-page workbook, a 500+ question mock exam and permanent tabs for your code book. Videos and practice exams open as soon as you check out.
Answer key with NEC sections
Pick your five answers before you look. Then open each one.
Show the answer to question 1Hide the answer to question 1
1. C, 40 amps (NEC 440.22(A))
The first limit is 175% of the branch-circuit selection current: 23 × 1.75 = 40.25 amps. The device can't exceed that, so 40 amps is the largest rating. The rule allows up to 225% only when the device won't carry the motor's starting current, and this one does.
Show the answer to question 2Hide the answer to question 2
2. C, 24 inches (NEC 210.52(C)(1))
No point along a countertop wall line can be more than 24 inches from a receptacle outlet, measured horizontally. That works out to receptacles no more than 4 feet apart, which is where the 48-inch choice comes from.
Show the answer to question 3Hide the answer to question 3
3. B, 4½ feet (NEC 334.30)
NM cable must be secured at intervals of no more than 4½ feet and within 12 inches of every box, cabinet or fitting it enters. The 2020 NEC also caps the cable between the box entry and the first support at 18 inches.
Show the answer to question 4Hide the answer to question 4
4. B, 100 amps, 3-wire (NEC 230.79(C))
A one-family dwelling's service disconnecting means must be rated at least 100 amps, 3-wire. The 60-amp minimum in 230.79(D) is for all other installations.
Show the answer to question 5Hide the answer to question 5
5. 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.
How to use these New Mexico practice questions
- Time yourself. The Code exam gives you just under 3 minutes a question. Try to finish all five in 15 minutes.
- Find the section, not just the answer. On test day you'll look up every code question, so practice finding each rule fast.
- Tab the book now. PSI allows permanent tabs. Writing in the book is not allowed.
- Don't skip Theory. The EE-98J Theory exam is closed book, so it needs separate study of Ohm's law, circuits and motors.
New Mexico electrical practice test FAQ
Is the New Mexico journeyman Code exam open book?
Yes. You bring your 2020 NEC and the New Mexico Electrical Code. The Theory exam is closed book.
How many questions do I need right to pass the New Mexico EE-98J Code exam?
38 out of 50, which is 75%.
Are these the real PSI exam questions?
No. They are JCR mock exam questions written on the 2020 NEC in the style of state license exams.
Get ready for all three EE-98J exams
JCR's New Mexico course follows the 2020 NEC on PSI's code exams. For $495 you get video lessons, digital practice exams and JCR's workbook.
Plan on 6–8 weeks, about an hour a night. Videos and practice exams open at checkout, and the workbook ships the same business day.
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Want more practice first? Try 25 free NEC practice questions.
More New Mexico guides
Sources JCR checked
- PSI New Mexico journeyman candidate bulletin
- 14.10.4 NMAC: New Mexico Electrical Code
- New Mexico Construction Industries Division
- NFPA 70, 2020 edition: 210.52(C)(1), 230.79(C), Table 250.122, 334.30, 440.22(A)
JCR checked each answer against the 2020 NEC and the exam format against PSI's New Mexico journeyman bulletin on October 21, 2026.