Journeyman
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California journeyman electrician exam

Updated · Written for the 2023 NEC

Short answer

California's journeyman-level credential is the General Electrician certification, issued by the Electrician Certification Unit of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) within the Department of Industrial Relations. The exam is administered by CPS HR Consulting and scheduled through Pearson VUE: 100 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours 30 minutes, with the 2023 NEC provided on screen, and you need at least 70% to pass. To qualify you need 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience or an approved alternative such as a state-approved apprenticeship.

Who licenses journeyman electricians in California

The DLSE Electrician Certification Unit (ECU) certifies electricians in California. California does not use the word "journeyman." Its electrician certification program requires electricians who work for C-10 licensed electrical contractors to be certified, and the General Electrician class covers any electrical system within the scope of the National Electrical Code.

Electricians from other states must be certified before they work in California, according to the ECU frequently asked questions. Eligibility questions go to the ECU at ECUInfo@dir.ca.gov or (510) 286-3900.

The California journeyman electrician exam

The General Electrician exam is a 100-question, computer-based, multiple-choice test with a 4 hour 30 minute time limit. These details come from the candidate information bulletin (published September 2026) and the DIR test taking information page. Exams taken on or after June 1, 2026 are administered by CPS HR Consulting, so older guides naming another vendor are out of date.

ItemDetails
Testing vendorCPS HR Consulting, scheduled through Pearson VUE
Questions100 multiple choice
Time limit4 hours 30 minutes
Open bookYes, references are provided on screen as PDFs; you cannot bring your own
Passing score70%
NEC editionNFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2023 Edition
Other references providedNFPA 70E 2024 Edition; Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry (updated 2022)
CalculatorOn-screen calculator only; personal calculators are not allowed
Exam fee$100 per exam, plus a $75 application fee

The bulletin breaks the exam down as follows: Installation 66%, Determination of Electrical System Requirements 22%, Safety 6%, and Maintenance and Repair 6%. It also warns that some questions may cover trade knowledge or general industry practices. Fees come from the DIR fee schedule and the application form.

Requirements to take the exam

You need 8,000 credit hours of on-the-job experience to take the General Electrician exam. The application form also caps how many hours count from each type of work. For example, residential wiring counts for at most 3,000 hours, while commercial and industrial wiring count for up to 6,000 each. First-time applicants must attach a Social Security Administration employment history report (Form SSA-7050), as the application instructions explain.

The application form lists other ways to show eligibility:

  • A state-approved apprenticeship completion certificate, in place of listing your on-the-job hours.
  • An electrician license from another state.
  • An apprentice in the last year of training may test, but no card is issued until the apprenticeship ends.
  • A registered electrician trainee who completed an approved curriculum may test, but no card is issued until the required hours are complete.

Trainees register for $25 with proof of enrollment in a state-approved school and work under a certified electrician who supervises only one trainee (electrician trainee). The DIR trainee experience page lists 8,000 hours of experience and 720 hours of related and supplemental instruction before the exam.

After approval, you must take the exam within one year of your eligibility notice. Certification lasts 3 years, and renewal requires 32 hours of continuing education plus 2,000 hours of industry work (ECU FAQ).

California journeyman electrician exam pass rate

California does not publish a pass rate for the General Electrician exam. The DIR statistics page lists only cumulative counts for all five certification classes combined, as of April 12, 2023: 146,660 exams taken, 79,525 passed and 67,135 failed. Those totals mix General, Residential and three technician exams, so they are not a General Electrician pass rate.

For context only, Texas reports a 27.52% journeyman pass rate for fiscal year 2025 (TDLR exam statistics). That is a different exam.

How hard is the California journeyman electrician exam?

The exam is demanding mainly because of its length and its focus on installation. You get 270 minutes for 100 questions, about 2.7 minutes each, and two thirds of the questions are about installation. The code book is only an on-screen PDF searched with Ctrl+F, so your own tabs and highlights don't help.

The bulletin also lists references that are not provided at the test, such as Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity and Ugly's Electrical References, so some questions test theory you must already know. A failed attempt costs time as well as money: you wait 60 days, file a retest application and pay another $100.

How to pass the California journeyman electrician exam

Study the 2023 NEC, the edition the bulletin lists, and practice in the test-day format.

  1. Learn the NEC by article number and index terms. PDF search is fast only when you know the exact words, such as "Table 310.16."
  2. Weight your study like the exam: installation is 66% and system requirements 22%, so focus on wiring methods, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, grounding and load calculations.
  3. Practice calculations using a basic on-screen calculator. Our exam calculations guide covers Ohm's law, voltage drop, conduit fill and load calculations.
  4. Review NFPA 70E and the Cal/OSHA pocket guide for the safety questions.
  5. Take full timed practice runs. Start with our free practice test, then build up to 100 questions in 4.5 hours.
  6. Watch the CPS HR reference tutorial linked from the test taking information page, and bring two valid IDs that match your registration name.

For a general study plan, read how to pass the journeyman electrician exam.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the California journeyman electrician exam?

The General Electrician exam has 100 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 4 hours 30 minutes, according to the candidate information bulletin.

Is the California electrician exam open book?

Yes. The ECU FAQ says materials are provided at the test site. The 2023 NEC, NFPA 70E and the Cal/OSHA pocket guide appear as on-screen PDFs; you cannot bring books.

What score do you need to pass the California General Electrician exam?

You need at least 70%. You get your score report as soon as you finish the exam.

How many hours do you need for the California General Electrician exam?

You need 8,000 credit hours of experience, within the category limits on the application form. A state-approved apprenticeship certificate or a license from another state can also qualify you.

What happens if you fail the California electrician exam?

You must wait 60 days from your exam date, then submit a retest application with another $100 exam fee, as explained on the DIR test taking information page.

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