Journeyman
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Michigan journeyman electrician exam

Updated · Written for the 2023 NEC

Short answer

Michigan journeyman electricians are licensed by LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC). The exam is given by PSI on computer: 80 questions in 150 minutes, open book, with a 75% passing score, based on the 2023 NEC plus Michigan's Part 8 electrical rules and state law. To qualify you must be at least 20 and have 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an electrical apprentice under a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician.

Who licenses journeyman electricians in Michigan

The Bureau of Construction Codes, part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), issues the statewide journeyman electrician license. Its electrical licensing page lists the requirements and application forms.

Two points to know before you apply:

  • Detroit is separate. LARA says the City of Detroit issues its own licenses and registrations, so Detroit residents should contact the city directly.
  • No reciprocity. Michigan does not hold reciprocity with any other state. Out-of-state electricians must send a copy of their license and that jurisdiction's licensing requirements for review.

LARA approves you to test, and then PSI contacts you to pay and schedule. According to LARA's PSI examinations page, BCC staff write the exams and PSI schedules and proctors them.

The Michigan journeyman electrician exam

The exam is 80 questions in 150 minutes, and you need 75% to pass. These figures come from the PSI Michigan electrical candidate information bulletin (effective 8/20/2026).

ItemDetails
Testing vendorPSI, at computer test centers in Michigan
Questions80
Time limit150 minutes
Open bookYes, bound and unmarked references only
Passing score75%
NEC edition2023 NEC (items are based on the 2023 edition)
Exam fee$100, paid to PSI
License fee$40, paid to LARA with the application

The exam tests the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407), the Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8, the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (1972 PA 230) and electrical theory. Listed topics include grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, services, feeders, motors, special occupancies, load calculations and box and raceway fill.

Allowed references are the NEC, 2016 PA 407, 1972 PA 230 and Part 8. The NEC may have factory tabs and factory highlights only. Printed Michigan documents must be bound with 3 staples on the left edge, with no highlighting, marks or tabs. The NEC Handbook is not allowed. You may bring a straight edge without calculations. The bulletin lists calculators among the electronic devices that must go in storage, so check the bulletin for current calculator rules before test day.

Requirements to take the exam

You must be at least 20 years old and have 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an electrical apprentice, according to LARA's electrical licensing page. The work must relate to electrical construction or maintenance of buildings, or electrical wiring or equipment, supervised by a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician.

  • Experience proof. The application form (BCC-341) requires notarized documentation from present and former employers showing dates, hours, type of work and the supervising licensee.
  • Classroom training. Registered electrical apprentices must be enrolled in a related technical instruction (RTI) program and continue course work while registered. LARA's journeyman requirements do not list a separate classroom hour total, but LARA notes you may earn some credit for a recognized training or educational program.
  • Application period. Applications are good for one year from first review. If you do not pass within that year, you must reapply.

Michigan journeyman electrician exam pass rate

Michigan does not publish pass rates for the journeyman electrician exam. Neither LARA nor PSI posts pass or fail statistics for this exam.

For context only, Texas does publish its figures: the Texas journeyman electrician exam had a 27.52% pass rate in fiscal year 2025, according to TDLR exam statistics. Texas uses a different exam, so do not read that number as Michigan's rate.

How hard is the Michigan journeyman electrician exam?

The Michigan exam is demanding mainly because of time, strict book rules and limited attempts. You get 150 minutes for 80 questions, under 2 minutes each, and you need 75%.

  • Unmarked books. You cannot add your own tabs, notes or highlights to any reference. Finding articles fast in a clean code book takes practice.
  • Limited attempts. LARA's PSI examinations page says journeyman candidates get two failed attempts within two years. After two failures you must wait a full year from the last failed attempt, take an approved course and reapply.

How to pass the Michigan journeyman electrician exam

Learn the 2023 NEC layout well enough to find answers in an unmarked book, then add Michigan law and Part 8. LARA's code books page lists the 2023 NEC as the current code, effective March 12, 2024, and notes that you must also print the applicable administrative rules for testing. LARA has a proposed Part 8 update open for comment, so recheck the code edition before you test.

  1. Practice with the book you will bring. Use a code book with factory tabs only.
  2. Print and bind the Michigan documents early. Get PA 407, PA 230 and Part 8 from LARA, staple them as the bulletin requires, and read them.
  3. Drill calculations. Load calculations, box and raceway fill and motor questions appear in the outline. Our exam calculations guide covers the common formulas.
  4. Time yourself. Take a free practice test under a timer and aim for under 2 minutes per question.
  5. Use your diagnostic report. PSI gives failing candidates a strengths and weaknesses report. Study the weak areas before your next attempt.

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

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Michigan journeyman electrician exam?

The exam has 80 questions with a 150 minute time limit, according to the PSI candidate information bulletin. You need a score of at least 75% to pass.

Is the Michigan journeyman electrician exam open book?

Yes. You may bring the NEC, 2016 PA 407, 1972 PA 230 and the Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. They must be bound and unmarked, except for factory tabs and highlights in the NEC. The NEC Handbook is not allowed.

How many hours do I need for a Michigan journeyman electrician license?

You need 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as an electrical apprentice, supervised by a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician, and you must be at least 20 years old.

How many times can I take the Michigan journeyman exam?

LARA allows two failed attempts within two years. After a second failure you must wait one year from that attempt, complete an approved course and reapply. The PSI bulletin words this differently, so confirm with LARA at 517-241-9316 if you are near the limit.

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