Maryland Electrician Exam: Format, Outline, Passing Score
Maryland master and journeyperson electrician exams: number of questions, time, 70 percent passing score, content outline by NEC article range and open book rules, from the PSI bulletin.
Cole Hendricks ·
reviewed by Nora Callahan ·
· 4 min read
Maryland runs one exam program with two tests: one for master electricians and one for journeyperson electricians. Both are open book and both are given by PSI.
The master exam is longer and heavier on calculations. The journeyperson exam has fewer questions but a larger share of code and theory.
This article covers the format, the content outline by NEC article range, the passing score and the rules for your books. This site is independent and not affiliated with the Maryland State Board of Master Electricians, PSI or NFPA.
In short
- Master: 90 questions worth 100 points, 240 minutes, 70 percent to pass.1
- Journeyperson: 70 questions, 210 minutes, 49 points (70 percent) to pass.1
- Both exams are open book with the NEC, 2020 edition, in the current bulletin.1
- The master exam has a 30-point calculations section.1
- The fee is $65 per attempt.2
- The board has been preparing questions for the 2026 NEC.3
Format and passing score
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master | 90 (100 points) | 240 minutes | 70% |
| Journeyperson | 70 | 210 minutes | 49 points (70%) |
The master exam counts some items at two points, which is why 90 questions add up to 100 points. The bulletin shows ten 2-point items in the theory section.1
The exam tests knowledge of applicable codes, laws and principles of electrical installation.1 If a question's answer could differ between sources, a legal requirement overrides other references, and a state rule overrides a national one.1
Content outline
The bulletin gives the weight of each section and the NEC article ranges behind it.1
| Section | NEC articles | Master points | Journeyperson questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical theory | none | 20 | 20 |
| Wiring and protection | 100, 110, 200 to 285 | 14 | 20 |
| Wiring methods and materials | 300 to 398 | 13 | 12 |
| Equipment for general use | 400 to 490 | 9 | 6 |
| Special occupancies | 500 to 590 | 8 | 4 |
| Special equipment | 600 to 695 | 4 | 2 |
| Special communications | 700 to 830 | 2 | 6 |
| Calculations | various | 30 | not listed separately |
Theory covers definitions, Ohm's law, troubleshooting, instruments, math, conversions, diagrams and symbols.1
For the journeyperson exam the bulletin does not show a separate calculations section. The sections listed add up to 70 questions, so calculation questions are part of the other sections.1
Books and tabs
The exam is open book. You may bring the NEC, which may be indexed and may contain highlighted or underlined text. Study guides are not allowed, the book must be unmarked in the sense of not written in, and it may not contain loose or attached papers.1
Accepted tabs are Avery Swift permanent plastic tabs and Redi-Tag permanent adhesive tabs. Post-it flags are not allowed, and if the proctor can remove a tab without tearing the page, you will have to take it off.1
PSI does not provide the code book at the test center.1
The move to the 2026 NEC
The bulletin we read lists the 2020 NEC. The board's July 2026 minutes report that the Maryland Uniform Electrical Licensing Examination Committee is developing questions for a 2026 NEC exam, with completion expected by the end of August 2026.3
We could not confirm the date on which the exam switches editions. Check the current PSI bulletin before you buy a code book.
How to prepare
The bulletin suggests studying for about 45 to 60 minutes at a time, using the outline as the basis, and ticking off each topic.1 It also advises reviewing Ohm's law and electrical math.
Use the article ranges in the outline as a map for your tabs. With a 240-minute master exam, finding things quickly matters as much as knowing them.
Our questions are our own, written from the NEC and official bulletins, with an explanation for each answer. They are not official exam questions. Try a free practice test.
To see how many candidates pass, read our article on Maryland electrician exam pass rates.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Maryland master electrician exam?
90 questions worth 100 points.1
What score do I need on the journeyperson exam?
49 points out of 70, which is 70 percent.1
Can I use my NEC during the exam?
Yes, it is an open book exam with tabs allowed within the bulletin's rules.1
Which exam is harder?
By the board's monthly figures the journeyperson exam often has the lower pass rate. See the pass rate article.43
Sources
The format comes from the PSI bulletin updated 9/1/2024. Check the current version before you book.
Enough reading, time to practice
10 practice questions, the solution right away, and at the end you see where you stand.