Texas Electrical — Journeyman & Master • Exam Syllabus
NEC 2023 core, Texas licensing law, OSHA safety, and blueprint-weighted drills. Open-book strategy, load calcs, and scenario practice.
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Course Overview
Format: 12 weeks • 36–48 study hours • Self-paced milestones. Combined coverage for both Journeyman and Master exam scopes in Texas.
Target Score: 75%+
Weekly Load: 3–4 hrs
Mode: Open-Book NEC
Outcomes
- Navigate the NEC (2023) quickly using tabs, index, and cross-references.
- Perform Article 220 load calculations (dwelling, multifamily, commercial basics).
- Apply Articles 230–240 for services, feeders, OCPD, and conductors (Art. 310).
- Handle grounding & bonding (Art. 250) scenarios and calculations.
- Work motors (Art. 430), HVAC (Art. 440), and transformers (Art. 450) problems.
- Recall Texas licensing law highlights and OSHA electrical safety basics.
Blueprint-Weighted Domains
Core Technical (NEC)
| Domain | Focus |
|---|---|
| NEC Structure & Definitions | Ch. 1–2, wiring/NEC format, Chapter 9 tables |
| Load Calculations (Art. 220) | Dwelling & multi-family, demand factors, VA math |
| Services/Feeders/OCPD | Art. 230–240, 310 (ampacity), 408 (panels) |
| Grounding & Bonding (250) | EGC, GEC sizing, water/gas bond, SDS |
| Motors/HVAC/Transformers | 430 motors, 440 A/C, 450 transformers, nameplate |
| Wiring Methods | Ch. 3 raceways/cables, box fill (314), devices (406) |
| Specials & Calculations | Emergency systems (700), generators (445), PV/EV (690/625) basics |
Law & Safety
| Domain | Focus |
|---|---|
| Texas Licensing & Admin | Texas Occupations Code/TAC basics (scope, renewal, CE) |
| OSHA Electrical Safety | 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K; lockout, PPE, approach boundaries |
| Jobsite Practices | Permits/inspections, documentation, red-tag fixes |
Use your current Candidate Bulletin/TDLR guidance to confirm emphasis and rules.
Required / Open-Book References
- NFPA 70 — National Electrical Code, 2023
- NFPA 70E — Electrical Safety in the Workplace (overview)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Subpart K)
- Texas Occupations Code (Electrical), TAC excerpts
- Ugly’s Electrical References / equivalent tables
- Manufacturer data (motors/transformers/HVAC)
Replace these chips with your local PDF/bookstore links when ready.
12-Week Study Plan & Milestones
| Week | Focus & Readings | Deliverables | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NEC Orientation & Strategy. Chapters layout, definitions (Art. 100), tables & annexes, tabs & index drills. Read: NEC Intro, Art. 90–110; Chapter 9 tables. |
Create tab map + index (photo or sketch). 10-Q Open-book index drill. |
3–4 |
| 2 | Load Calcs I — Dwellings. General lighting, small-appliance, laundry, ranges/dryers, demand factors. Read: Art. 220 Pt II–III; examples. |
MCQ (20Q) — dwelling calc steps. Calc Sheet #1 — 1-family dwelling. |
3–4 |
| 3 | Load Calcs II — Multi-family/Commercial basics. House loads, feeders, optional methods. Read: Art. 220 Pt III–IV; optional methods. |
MCQ (20Q) — MF dwelling & demand. Calc Sheet #2 — 6-unit example. |
3–4 |
| 4 | Services & Feeders. Art. 230/225, service sizing, disconnects, service conductor calcs. Read: Art. 230; 225; 408 (panels). |
MCQ (20Q) — service equipment rules. Calc Sheet #3 — service/feeder size. |
3 |
| 5 | Overcurrent & Conductors. Art. 240 OCPD rules, Art. 310 ampacity, correction & adjustment factors. Read: Art. 240; 310; tables. |
MCQ (20Q) — OCPD + ampacity picks. Calc Sheet #4 — ampacity derate. |
3–4 |
| 6 | Grounding & Bonding. Art. 250: EGC, GEC, electrodes, main bonding jumper, water/gas bond, SDS. Read: Art. 250; tables & sizing notes. |
MCQ (20Q) — 250 scenarios. Calc Sheet #5 — GEC/EGC sizing. |
3–4 |
| 7 | Motors & Transformers. Art. 430 parts (FLC tables, conductor & OCPD sizing), Art. 450 transformers. Read: Art. 430; 450; nameplate practice. |
MCQ (20Q) — motor sizing/OCPD. Calc Sheet #6 — transformer primary/secondary. |
3–4 |
| 8 | HVAC & Appliances. Art. 440 A/C, heat pumps, range/dryer specifics; disconnecting means. Read: Art. 440; 422; nameplate tie-ins. |
MCQ (20Q) — HVAC nameplate → conductors/OCPD. Calc Sheet #7 — A/C circuit selection. |
3 |
| 9 | Wiring Methods & Boxes. Ch. 3 (raceways/cables), box fill (314), devices (406), equipment grounding (pathways). Read: Ch. 3; 300/310 refs; 314; 406. |
MCQ (20Q) — box fill & conductor count. |
3–4 |
| 10 | Special Systems & Emergencies. Standby/emergency (700), generators (445), limited intro to PV/EV (690/625). Read: 445, 700; overview 690/625. |
MCQ (15Q) — transfer/feeder rules. |
3 |
| 11 | Law & Safety. Texas licensing/administrative basics; OSHA Subpart K electrical safety; LOTO & PPE. Read: TX admin highlights; OSHA quick guide. |
MCQ (15Q) — licensing & CE scenarios. Essay (300–500 words): Jobsite electrical safety plan. |
3–4 |
| 12 | Final Review & Simulator. Weak-area refresh; timing strategies; mixed exam set. Read: Notes & flagged NEC articles. |
Mixed Simulator (80–100Q) — aim ≥75%. Tab map verification + formula sheet. |
3–4 |
Assignment Types & Readiness Bands
Assignments
- MCQ Drills (PSI-style): Immediate review and rationales (use your Exam Studio pages).
- Calculation Sheets: Load, service, ampacity, motor/transformer, HVAC selection.
- Open-Book Lookups: 10-item hunts — record Article, table, and page/tab used.
- Essay (Safety/Law): 300–500 words with rubric in your Studio pages.
Readiness Bands (self-scored)
| Band | Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ready | 80–100% | Strong open-book performance in multiple simulators. |
| Close | 70–79% | Meets threshold; retest weak domains (220/250/310/430). |
| Needs Work | <70% | Rebuild tab map; repeat calc drills; focus on rationales. |
Exam Tips & Open-Book Strategy
- First pass: ~45–60 sec/question. Answer obvious ones, flag the rest.
- Index smart: If in doubt, jump to index/Table of Contents → find Article fast.
- Math hygiene: Label each step (VA totals, demand factor, conductor size, OCPD).
- Choose conservative, code-compliant answers for safety scenarios.
- Journeyman vs Master: Master expects broader system understanding and admin/safety judgment; still drill the same core calculations.
- Texas specifics: Know renewal/CE basics and scope limitations; always follow the latest state guidance and test bulletin.
Next Steps
Use this syllabus to drive your weekly work. Open your Exam Studio pages for MCQs, rationales, timed simulators, essays, and calc sheets aligned to each week.
Goal: 2–3 simulators ≥75% before test day