NASCLA Journeyman Electrician study guide
NASCLA Journeyman Electrician · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NASCLA Journeyman Electrician credential is a certification exam used to demonstrate that an electrician has the code knowledge and practical judgment expected of a journeyman-level craftsperson. It is typically pursued by electricians who have completed an apprenticeship or accumulated supervised field hours and who want a portable, third-party validation of their competence, often alongside state or local licensing requirements. The NASCLA Journeyman Electrician study guide has 10 sections and about 3,226 words.
01Electrical Principles, Theory and Code Fundamentals
Ohm's law and power relationships, series vs. parallel behavior, AC values (RMS vs.
351 words, about 2 min02Services, Feeders and Branch Circuits
Article 230 (services), Article 215 (feeders), Article 210 (branch circuits), and Article 220 load calculations. Expect questions on continuous versus noncontinuous loading, the dwelling small-appliance/laundry/bathroom rules, receptacle spacing, and the distinction between service point, service equipment, feeder, and branch circuit.
307 words, about 2 min03Conductors, Raceways and Wiring Methods
Chapter 3 wiring methods plus Chapter 9 tables: conductor ampacity and derating, conduit fill, bending radius, support spacing, burial depth, and selecting the right raceway or cable for the environment. Start ampacity in Table 310.16, then correct for ambient temperature (310.15(B)(1)) and adjust for current-carrying conductors in a raceway (310.15(C)(1)): 4-6 conductors = 80%, 7-9 = 70%, 10-20 = 50%.
335 words, about 2 min04Boxes, Fittings, Switches and Receptacles
Box fill (314.16), pull-box sizing (314.28), device rules in Articles 404 and 406, receptacle spacing and GFCI/AFCI requirements, and luminaire support. Box fill counting: each conductor that enters and terminates counts once; conductors passing through without splice count once.
313 words, about 2 min05Grounding, Bonding and Overcurrent Protection
Article 250 grounding and bonding plus Article 240 overcurrent protection. You must keep straight the grounded conductor (neutral), grounding electrode conductor (GEC), equipment grounding conductor (EGC), bonding jumper, and grounding electrode.
329 words, about 2 min06Motors, Motor Controls and HVAC Equipment
Articles 430 (motors) and 440 (air conditioning and refrigeration). Expect full-load current tables, conductor sizing, overload versus short-circuit protection, disconnects, and nameplate data for HVAC equipment.
286 words, about 1 min07Transformers and Power Distribution Equipment
Article 450 transformer protection, 250.30 separately derived systems, 240.21(C) secondary conductor rules, plus transformer math and working clearances. Full-load current: single phase I = kVA × 1000 ÷ E; three phase I = kVA × 1000 ÷ (1.732 × E).
306 words, about 2 min08Special Occupancies, Special Locations and Special Equipment
Chapters 5, 6, and 7: classified locations, health care facilities, agricultural buildings, mobile homes, pools, solar PV, emergency and standby systems, and temporary installations. Hazardous locations, Articles 500-506: Class I gases and vapors, Class II dusts, Class III fibers; Division 1 versus Division 2, plus the Zone systems.
322 words, about 2 min09Jobsite Safety, Tools and OSHA Requirements
OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K), NFPA 70E, temporary wiring on sites, lockout/tagout, PPE, ladders and scaffolds, and the safety ratings of test instruments. 1926.404(b)(1): all 120 V, 15 and 20 A receptacle outlets on construction sites require GFCI protection, or an assured equipment grounding conductor program with documented tests.
341 words, about 2 min10Code Calculations and Reading Electrical Plans
Article 220 calculations, conductor and OCPD selection from tables, box and conduit fill, voltage drop, and the ability to read a plan set: legend, one-line diagram, panel schedule, and load calculations. Standard method for a dwelling: general lighting at 3 VA/ft²; demand factors in Table 220.42 (first 3000 VA at 100%, remainder at 35%); 1500 VA per small-appliance circuit and 1500 VA for laundry; appliances at 75% (220.53); ranges per Table 220.55; optional method in 220.82.
336 words, about 2 min