The California General Electrician exam is a long one: 100 questions in 4 hours 30 minutes. It is also a closed-book exam, so you cannot bring your own code book.

What you get instead is a set of references on the screen. Knowing how to find things in them quickly is half of the work.

This page covers the format, the content outline, the passing score, what the test center provides and how retests work. This site is independent and is not affiliated with the California DIR, Pearson VUE or NFPA.

In short

  • 100 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours 30 minutes.1
  • You need 70 percent to pass, and you get your score report right away.1
  • Installation is 66 percent of the content, determination of system requirements 22 percent.1
  • The test center provides the 2023 NEC, NFPA 70E (2024) and the Cal/OSHA pocket guide on screen. Your own books are not allowed.1
  • Since 1 June 2026 the exam is delivered through Pearson VUE; before that it was PSI.2
Contents
  1. Format and passing score
  2. Content outline
  3. What the test center provides
  4. Exam day
  5. If you do not pass
  6. Common questions
  7. Sources

Format and passing score

The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices, and you get 4 hours 30 minutes. It is offered in English and Spanish.1

The minimum passing score is 70 percent. The score report is shown at the test center as soon as you finish, and you can print it later from your online account.1

The bulletin also notes that the exam may contain questions based on trade knowledge or general industry practice, so the NEC is not the only thing tested.1

Content outline

The official outline is short. It gives four subject areas and a percentage for each, and it does not break the NEC down by article.1

Installation: 66 percent

Two thirds of the exam is about installing electrical systems. This is where most of your study time belongs.1

Determination of electrical system requirements: 22 percent

Calculations, sizing and selecting what a system needs.1

Safety: 6 percent

Electrical safety, which is where the NFPA 70E and Cal/OSHA references come in.1

Maintenance and repair: 6 percent

Troubleshooting and keeping existing systems in working order.1

What the test center provides

These references are available electronically during the exam: NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition; NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2024 edition; and the Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry, updated 2022.1

You may not bring or use your own reference materials. The bulletin also lists textbooks that were used to write questions but that are not provided at the center.1

Note that the California Electrical Code is not on the list of provided references. The reference is the NEC.1

Exam day

Bring two forms of original, valid identification and arrive at least 30 minutes early. Notes, books, calculators, phones, smart watches and bags stay in a locker. An online calculator is built into the exam.1

After the state approves your application, you schedule the appointment yourself with Pearson VUE, online or by phone. Exam payments are neither refundable nor transferable.1

Ready to test your speed on the code? Start a free practice test and practice with timed questions.

If you do not pass

You must wait 60 days from the day you took the exam before applying for a retest, and you pay the exam fee again.1 The regulations allow unlimited attempts within one year of your eligibility notice, as long as 60 days separate each sitting.3

The full route to certification is described in our guide on how to become a certified electrician in California.

Common questions

How many questions are on the California General Electrician exam?

100 questions, and the time limit is 4 hours 30 minutes.1

What is the passing score?

70 percent.1

Can I bring my own NEC?

No. The 2023 NEC is provided on screen and personal reference material is not allowed.1

Is the exam harder than the residential one?

It is longer (100 questions against 80). See our comparison of the residential and general certificates.1

Sources

The format comes from the current candidate information bulletin (published September 2026). Exam details can change, so check the bulletin before you book.

  1. Pearson VUE: California Electrician Certification Candidate Information Bulletin (pearsonvue.com)
  2. California DIR: Electrician Certification Unit (dir.ca.gov)
  3. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 291.4: Retesting (dir.ca.gov)