Molly Ayala
California has its own set of rules for obtaining an electrical license. The number of questions on the California electrician certification exam varies depending on the type of certification. The general electrician certification exam, for example, consists of 100 questions, while the residential electrician certification exam contains 80 questions. Candidates must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the exam. Obtaining an electrical license in California is required by law to legally perform electrical work in the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of questions for the residential electrician certification exam | 80 |
| Time given for the residential electrician certification exam | 3.5 hours |
| Number of questions for the general electrician certification exam | 100 |
| Time given for the general electrician certification exam | 4.5 hours |
| Minimum score required to pass the exam | 70% |
| Number of questions for the non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams | 50 |
| Time given for the non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Exam format and structure
The exam format and structure for obtaining an electrical license in California vary depending on the type of certification.
The general electrician certification exam consists of 100 questions that must be answered in 4 hours and 30 minutes. This exam is open-book and covers topics such as safety, electrical systems requirements, installation, and maintenance and repair. To pass the exam, a score of at least 70% is required.
The residential electrician certification exam, on the other hand, consists of 80 questions that must be answered within 3.5 hours. This exam also has a passing score of 70%.
The non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams are shorter, consisting of 50 questions each, and have a time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes. These exams are also open-book, and a passing score of at least 70% is required.
It is important to note that the California electrical certification exam is based on the National Electrical Code, specifically the 2017 and 2020 editions, which are large and complex publications. Therefore, thorough preparation is crucial to locate the correct articles and answers during the exam.
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Topics covered
The California electrical certification exam is slightly different for each certification type. The exam covers the National Electrical Code (NEC), with some exams based on the 2017 edition and others on the 2020 edition. The general electrician exam consists of 100 questions to be answered in 4 hours and 30 minutes. The residential electrician exam contains 80 questions to be answered within 3.5 hours. The non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams are 50 questions each with a two-hour and 15-minute time limit to complete the exam.
The exam is open-book, and candidates are allowed to bring authorized materials and a non-programmable calculator that is silent, battery-operated, does not have paper tape printing capabilities, and does not have a keyboard containing the alphabet.
The exam covers various topics, including safety, electrical systems requirements, installation, maintenance, and repair. The safety section covers general electrical knowledge and wiring methods/materials. The electrical systems requirements section covers theory, grounding and bonding, and circuit protection. The installation section covers motors, clearances, devices, terminations, and special equipment. The maintenance and repair section covers over-current and branch circuits.
Sample questions for the residential electrician exam include:
- What is the maximum continuous load permitted if the protective device is rated 80A?
- How many sets of 5-wire feeders sharing the same common neutral are allowed?
- What type of receptacles are permitted on a 40-amp branch circuit with multiple receptacles?
- Is the equipment grounding conductor inside an underground feeder and branch-circuit cable required to be bare, insulated, or is it not permitted to be insulated?
- Which National Electrical Code article covers telephone, telegraph, outside wiring for fire and burglar alarm systems, and similar central station systems?
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How to prepare
To prepare for the California electrical license exam, there are several steps you can take to ensure you are ready. Firstly, it is important to understand the different types of licenses and their requirements. California has one license and five certifications. The five certifications are:
- Non-residential lighting technician
- Voice, data, and video technician
- Fire, life, and safety technician
- Residential electrician
- General electrician
Each certification type requires its own open-book exam with a passing score of at least 70%. The number of questions varies for each certification, with the general electrician exam containing 100 questions, the residential electrician exam containing 80 questions, and the other three technician exams containing 50 questions each. The time limit for the exams also differs, ranging from 2 hours and 15 minutes for the technician exams to 4 hours and 30 minutes for the general electrician exam.
To apply for the certification exam, you must provide verification of work experience and requisite education. A Social Security Administration Employment History Report is required for the residential electrician certification exam. Once approved, you will receive testing details and can begin preparing for the exam.
Preparing for the exam involves studying the relevant material and practicing exam questions. The California electrical certification exam is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically the 2017 and 2020 editions. Exam prep courses teach students how to navigate the NEC effectively to locate specific codes and answer questions quickly. These courses often include practice questions and exams to help students familiarize themselves with the exam format and identify areas of weakness. It is recommended to spend time studying and practicing the exam, as the test is challenging and usually requires a month or more of preparation.
On the day of the exam, remember to relax and focus on one question at a time. Deep breaths can help slow you down and improve concentration. During the exam, only non-programmable, silent, battery-operated calculators without paper tape printing capabilities or a keyboard containing the alphabet are allowed.
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Requirements to take the exam
To become a licensed electrician in California, you must pass the California electrician licensing exam. Here are the requirements you need to meet to take the exam:
Register with the state
Before beginning your journey towards becoming a licensed electrician, you must register with the state. All apprentices must register with the state each year during their apprenticeship.
Get the necessary education and training
You will need to complete an electrical training program or apprenticeship to gain the necessary knowledge and skills. This includes classroom hours and lab-based technical training. The State of California Department of Industrial Relations maintains a database of available apprenticeship programs.
Gain work experience
You will need to gain on-the-job experience by working as an apprentice under a certified or licensed electrician. The number of hours required will depend on the certification type you are seeking. For example, a non-residential lighting technician certification requires 2,000 hours of training.
Apply for approval
Before taking the exam, you must apply and be approved by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). Provide verification of your work experience and education to the DLSE to obtain approval.
Pay the fees
There is a $75 application fee and a $100 exam fee for the residential electrician certification exam.
Study and prepare
The California electrical certification exam is challenging and usually requires a month or more of preparation. Familiarize yourself with the National Electrical Code (NEC), as the exam will cover topics from this codebook. Practice answering exam questions and take advantage of study resources and preparation courses to increase your chances of passing.
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What to do after the exam
The California electrical certification exam is slightly different for each certification type. The exam covers the National Electrical Code, with the 2017 edition being covered in the 2021 exam. The general electrician exam consists of 100 questions, to be completed in 4 hours and 30 minutes, or 4.5 hours. The residential electrician exam contains 80 questions, to be completed in 3.5 hours. The non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams are 50 questions each, with a time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Now, what to do after the exam:
Pass or Fail
You will receive your score results immediately after completing your exam. If you pass, your certification card will be mailed to you within two weeks. If you fail, you must retake the exam by completing a Retest application form. There is a 60-day waiting period from the date of your first attempt, and you can retake the exam as many times as you want during the one-year eligibility period.
Renewal
Once you pass the general electrician exam and obtain your certification, you must renew it every three years. Renewal costs $100. To be eligible for yearly renewal, you must have worked at least 2,000 hours as an electrician and completed 32 hours of continuing education requirements from one of California’s 85 approved electrical training schools.
C-10 License
If you wish to own your own electrical business and bid on jobs, you must obtain a C-10 License. A C-10 licensed contractor is usually an entrepreneur who owns their own business and bids on jobs over $500. Electrical contractors are specialty contractors classified as type C-10 contractors. To obtain a C-10 contractor license, you must be at least 18 years old, fill out the necessary application, and pay the $330 application fee.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of certification. The general electrician exam consists of 100 questions, while the residential electrician exam contains 80 questions. The non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams are 50 questions each.
The time limit depends on the type of certification. For the general electrician exam, candidates have 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam. The residential electrician exam must be completed within 3.5 hours. The non-residential lighting technician, voice, data, and video technician, and fire, life, and safety technician exams have a time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Candidates must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the California electrician license exam.
The exam covers various topics, including safety, electrical systems requirements, installation, maintenance, and repair. It assesses knowledge of electrical theory, grounding and bonding, circuit protection, motors, clearances, devices, terminations, and special equipment.
Yes, only specific calculators are permitted during the exam. Candidates are allowed to use silent, battery-operated, non-programmable calculators that do not have paper tape printing capabilities or a keyboard containing the alphabet.
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