Disclosure: Tsai Electro publishes one of the books compared in this article and has a financial interest in its sales. This article contains Amazon affiliate links, including a link to Tsai Electro’s book. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Competitor details are based on their public Amazon listings reviewed on October 11, 2026, using a Texas delivery address.
Quick answer: The Texas Journeyman Electrician exam has two separately scored parts: 59 NEC Knowledge questions and 26 Calculations questions. A May 12, 2026 TDLR staff report said the updated electrician examinations were scheduled for republication on September 1, 2026. As of October 11, 2026, TDLR’s exam information page identifies the 2026 NEC as the reference code. Look for a prep book that names the 2026 NEC, includes full mock exams in the 59 + 26 format and provides worked calculation solutions. Based on the product information documented in this comparison, Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026 NEC by Tsai Electro is the strongest documented match for those three features: a 327-page 2026 NEC paperback with 486 questions, worked calculation solutions and two 85-question mock exams, each split into 59 Knowledge and 26 Calculations questions.
On this page
What the Texas exam asks for now
- Two parts, scored separately. Since March 11, 2025, the Texas Journeyman exam has had two separately scored parts: NEC Knowledge (59 questions, 130 minutes) and Calculations (26 questions, 110 minutes). Candidates must score at least 70% on each part.
- 2026 NEC. A May 12, 2026 TDLR staff report said the primary purpose of the advisory board’s exam meetings was to reference all electrician examination items to the 2026 NEC, and that the updated examinations were scheduled for republication on September 1, 2026. Separately, as of October 11, 2026, TDLR’s exam page names the National Electrical Code, 2026 Edition, as the reference code and says questions are based on the current TDLR-adopted edition.
- Open book, with binding rules. TDLR’s exam page says the examination is open book. Any soft-bound edition of the NEC may be used in the exam room, and exam questions are based on the current TDLR-adopted edition. Loose-leaf, spiral-bound and ring-bound NEC copies are not allowed. Because the exam is open book, practice locating the relevant NEC article, section or table and applying it correctly. Confirm TDLR’s current instructions before test day.
That gives three checks for any prep book: Is it written for the 2026 NEC? Does it include full mock exams in the 59 + 26 format? Does it show the full working for calculations?
Sources: TDLR Electrician Exam Information and the TDLR Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board staff report of May 12, 2026.
How we compared
On October 11, 2026, we reviewed the public Amazon listings for 10 competing titles using a Texas delivery address. Together with Tsai Electro’s book, this comparison covers 11 titles. Competitor page counts, formats, NEC editions and question or exam counts reflect the claims shown in those listings on that date; they are not independent audits of the books’ contents. Tsai Electro’s book was checked against the book itself and its Amazon listing.
We compare documented features rather than independently tested teaching quality or exam outcomes. Our primary criteria are the named NEC edition, whether full mock exams matching the Texas 59 Knowledge + 26 Calculations format are documented, and whether worked calculation solutions are documented. Question volume is secondary because totals may combine chapter drills, explained questions, simulation questions and mock-exam questions. If a listing does not specify a feature, we mark it as not stated or not documented; this does not establish that the book lacks it. Listings can change, so verify the current edition and description before purchasing.
Listings change, so check the current edition, description and price on Amazon before you buy.
Comparison table
The book titles in this table link to Amazon product listings through affiliate links. Tsai Electro publishes one of the books compared and may earn commissions on qualifying purchases made through these links, including purchases of its own book. We use the same documented-feature criteria for all titles; the affiliate relationship does not change those criteria.
| Book | Format | Pages | NEC edition stated in product information | Stated practice-question count | Stated practice-exam count and type | 59 + 26 format documented in product information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026 NEC (Tsai Electro) | Paperback | 327 | 2026 | 486 (316 chapter + 170 mock exam) | 2, each 59 + 26 | Yes; confirmed in the book: two mock exams, each 59 Knowledge + 26 Calculations |
| Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026–2027 (Red Seal Training Academy) | Paperback | 248 | 2023 NEC stated in title and description; product title also says 2026–2027 | 1,000 | 8 tests | Not documented; listing covers both parts |
| Texas 2026 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide (Ray Holder, 1 Exam Prep) | Paperback | 202 | 2026 | 400+ | 12 open-book practice + 2 closed-book final | Exact split not stated; Texas-specific guide |
| Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep: 1000 Exam Explained Questions (CIT Exam Mastery Series) | Paperback | 235 | 2026–2027 | 1,000 | Simulation sets | Exact split not stated; listing describes simulation sets |
| Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2027 (J.W. Mercer) | Kindle | 422 | 2026 | 900+ | 2 final exams | Exact counts not stated; listing describes both parts |
| Texas Journeyman: The NEC Knowledge Portion (Halloway Press) | Kindle | 502 | 2023 | 657 | 3 timed, Knowledge only | Not applicable; Knowledge-only book |
| Texas Journeyman: The Calculations Portion (Halloway Press) | Kindle | 424 | 2023 | 480 | 3 timed, Calculations only | Not applicable; Calculations-only book |
| Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026-2027 (Wade R. Calhoun) | Kindle | 123 | 2026 | Not stated | 2 | Exact counts not stated; listing describes two-part practice exams |
| 2026 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide (Ray Holder) | Paperback | 196 | 2026 | 400+ | 12 open-book practice + 2 closed-book | Not documented; national guide |
| Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep Study Guide (MS Publications) | Paperback | 224 | 2026 | Not stated | Not stated | Not documented in listing |
| Mike Holt's Journeyman Electrician Simulated Exams 2026 NEC | Workbook | 72 | 2026 | 200 | 2, each 100 questions | Not documented; listing describes 100-question exams |
Book by book
Affiliate disclosure: The book titles in this section link to Amazon. Tsai Electro may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, including purchases of its own book. As the publisher of one title in this comparison, we have a financial interest in that book’s sales.
Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026 NEC (Tsai Electro)
Strongest documented match for the three comparison criteria: the 2026 NEC, two full mock exams in the Texas 59 + 26 format and worked calculation solutions.
- Two full 85-question mock exams, each matching the Texas exam’s split of 59 NEC Knowledge questions and 26 Calculations questions. Printable answer sheets and a score-by-topic page help you identify weak areas and organize your review by topic.
- Because the two parts have separate time limits and passing thresholds, practicing them in the same 59-question Knowledge and 26-question Calculations structure lets you assess each part independently rather than relying on a combined score.
- 486 questions in total: 316 chapter questions across 20 chapters aligned with the exam content outline, plus 170 questions across two 85-question mock exams.
- At 327 pages, it is longer than the other Texas-specific paperback titles listed in this comparison. Page count alone does not establish teaching quality, but the book also documents its chapter questions, two full-format mock exams, worked calculation solutions and code lookup paths.
- 8 calculation lessons with diagrams (dwelling service, commercial feeder, ampacity adjustment, motors, transformers, voltage drop, conduit and box fill, three-phase) and worked solutions that show the givens, the formula, each step and where to round.
- Code lookup paths for NEC questions, so you practice finding the article, section or table in your own code book.
- A 2023-to-2026 NEC crosswalk, including the load-calculation move from Article 220 to new Article 120.
- Best for: candidates who want to study on paper with their own 2026 NEC open and rehearse both parts of the exam.
Affiliate link: Tsai Electro may earn a commission if you purchase through this Amazon link.
Log your Texas Journeyman hours free. A free Tsai Electro account keeps your supervised hours, your online practice scores and your exam date in one place. Start with a five-question check to see which topic to practice next.
Red Seal Training Academy: Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026–2027
- 248-page paperback with 1,000 practice questions in 8 tests: 4 learning tests with explanations and NEC references, then 4 exam-format tests with answer keys.
- Covers both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations parts.
- The title and description name the 2023 NEC, while TDLR’s exam page names the 2026 NEC as the reference code. The book may still help with general concepts and practice questions, but before relying on its answers or code references for a 2026 NEC exam, verify edition-sensitive material against the 2026 NEC.
- Best for: Candidates who prioritize a large question bank and want practice across both exam portions, provided they are prepared to verify older-edition code references against the 2026 NEC.
Ray Holder (1 Exam Prep): Texas 2026 Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep and Study Guide
- 202-page paperback written for the 2026 NEC, with over 400 practice questions, 12 open-book practice exams and 2 closed-book final exams.
- Topics include conductor sizing, motors, transformers, voltage drop, overcurrent protection and residential and commercial load calculations.
- The listing does not describe mock exams in the 59 + 26 split.
- Best for: candidates who want a 2026 NEC Texas paperback with many practice exams; the listing does not say whether they follow the 59 + 26 split.
CIT Exam Mastery Series: 1000 Exam Explained Questions
- 235-page paperback for NEC 2026–2027 with 1,000 questions.
- Section 1 has 500 questions with explanations; section 2 has 500 simulation questions with answer keys only.
- Best for: Candidates who want a large paper-based question bank, with explanations for the first 500 questions and answer keys for the 500 simulation questions.
J.W. Mercer: Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2027
- 422-page Kindle book written for the 2026 NEC with 900+ questions in learning mode, simulation mode and 2 final exams that follow the two-part structure.
- Best for: e-reader study with a large 2026 NEC question bank.
Halloway Press: The NEC Knowledge Portion and The Calculations Portion
- Two Kindle books, 502 and 424 pages: 657 Knowledge questions and 480 worked Calculations problems, each with 3 timed exams for its own part.
- Both titles name the 2023 NEC. Their part-specific question sets may still provide practice, but verify edition-sensitive answers, references and calculations against the 2026 NEC before relying on them for current-code preparation.
- Best for: deep practice on one part at a time.
Wade R. Calhoun: Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep 2026-2027
- 123-page Kindle book written for the 2026 NEC. Its Amazon listing describes knowledge chapters, a calculation workshop using Article 120 and two practice exams in the two-part format.
- Best for: a short 2026 NEC refresher.
National books: Ray Holder 2026, MS Publications and Mike Holt
- Ray Holder’s national 2026 guide (196 pages, 400+ questions, 12 open-book practice exams and 2 closed-book exams) and the MS Publications study guide (224 pages) cover the NEC for journeyman exams in many states.
- Mike Holt’s Simulated Exams 2026 NEC is a 72-page workbook with two 100-question exams covering theory, the Code and calculations.
- Their listings do not describe full mock exams in the Texas 59-question Knowledge and 26-question Calculations format. Check the NEC edition, coverage and exam structure before relying on them for Texas preparation.
- Best for: supplementary practice alongside a Texas-specific book.
Match the purchase to a demonstrated gap
Start with a short attempt log before buying another resource. For each missed skill, ask to see a sample that teaches the missing step. A book with more questions is not automatically better for a lookup problem, and a quick-reference sheet may not explain a calculation.
| Your gap | Sample evidence to inspect |
|---|---|
| Finding rules | A complete lookup path, including edition and conditions |
| Setting up calculations | Inputs, units, rule selection, steps, and a checked result |
| Explaining a wrong option | Why the alternative fails under the stated facts |
| Practicing under time | Clearly stated session settings and a usable answer review |
Check whether the product is a study aid or the actual permitted code reference. TDLR currently names the 2026 NEC for the exam. A private preparation book is not automatically an allowed exam-room reference. Check the current bulletin before buying anything specifically to bring into the room.
Record the resource, sample checked, the gap it addresses, and why it is worth its price. Product descriptions do not establish accreditation, official approval, or a guaranteed result.
Study-resource selection practice
- TX-153: Is a year printed on a cover enough to prove every code citation is current?
Answer: No. Inspect actual sample references and worked explanations. - TX-153: Does buying an exam-preparation book make it an allowed test-room reference?
Answer: No. Follow the official permitted-reference rules. - TX-153: What should determine your next purchase?
Answer: A demonstrated skill gap and sample evidence that the resource addresses it.
Official references checked October 16, 2026
How to choose
- Check the NEC edition in the title or description. TDLR’s exam page names the 2026 NEC as the reference code, so look for a book written for that edition.
- Match the exam structure. Prefer full mock exams with 59 NEC Knowledge questions and 26 Calculations questions, matching the structure of the two Texas exam parts. Use the official time limits for each part when planning your practice. A large question bank gives you more practice opportunities, but it is not a substitute for a full mock exam that matches the Texas exam’s 59-question Knowledge part and 26-question Calculations part. Check whether the book also provides separate timing instructions and worked calculation solutions.
- Make sure calculations show every step, not just the answer letter.
- Choose your format: a paperback lets you work beside your open code book and fill in answer sheets; a Kindle book is easier to carry.
- Use free practice to identify weak areas. Take our free 70-question Texas Journeyman practice test at tsaielectro.com/practice/exam/us/en/, review missed questions and use the results to decide which topics need more study. For timed practice in the same two-part format, the Texas Journeyman Practice Pack (US$39, one payment) has 1,000 questions, 10 timed two-part mock exams and 299 worked solutions.
Related guides:
- Texas Journeyman Exam: What You Can Bring (2026 NEC)
- Apply for the Texas Journeyman Exam at 7,000 Hours
- How to Become an Electrician in Texas
FAQ
Which NEC edition is the Texas Journeyman exam based on?
The 2026 NEC. A May 12, 2026 TDLR staff report said the updated electrician examinations were scheduled for republication on September 1, 2026. As of October 11, 2026, TDLR’s exam information page identifies the 2026 Edition as the reference code. Check TDLR’s exam page for the current candidate instructions before test day.
How many questions are on the Texas Journeyman exam?
Two parts scored separately: 59 NEC Knowledge questions in 130 minutes and 26 Calculations questions in 110 minutes. You need 70% on each part.
Can I still use a 2023 NEC prep book?
It can give useful background, but TDLR’s exam page names the 2026 NEC as the reference code. Code references and provisions can differ between editions; for example, load-calculation material moved from Article 220 to Article 120. If you use an older-edition book, check its code references against your 2026 NEC.
Do I need a Texas-specific book?
A Texas-specific book can cover the Texas content outline, but check whether its listing describes full mock exams in the 59-question Knowledge and 26-question Calculations format. Not every Texas-specific title in this comparison documents that format.
Is one book enough?
Use one main prep book with full mock exams, your own permitted 2026 NEC code book and free online practice. Review every missed question and revisit weak topics. On full practice exams, aim for at least 70% on each part separately, because TDLR requires 70% on each part; a combined 70% is not a pass if either part falls below 70%.
