Short answer: The NEC Knowledge part of the Texas Master Electrician exam has 75 questions in 150 minutes. Five are not scored, so 70 count, and you need 70% on this part by itself: 49 of the 70 scored points. It covers the same subject areas as the Journeyman exam, on the 2026 NEC. In TDLR fiscal year 2025, 22.21% of attempts passed.
Part of Texas Electrician Exams: every Texas license step and exam in one place. For eligibility, fees and the full exam, see the Texas Master Electrician exam guide.
The NEC Knowledge part in numbers
| Item | Master NEC Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Questions on screen | 75 |
| Not scored | 5 |
| Scored points | 70 |
| Time | 150 minutes, about 2 minutes per question |
| Pass mark | 70% on this part, which is 49 of 70 scored points |
| Code edition | 2026 NEC |
| Fee | $78 for both parts; $78 to retake one or both |
The Calculations part is scored separately: 33 questions (3 unscored) in 170 minutes, also 70%. Unused time in one part does not carry over to the other. For that part, see Texas Master Electrician exam calculations.
How many attempts pass
| Fiscal year | Attempts | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,472 | 22.21% |
| 2024 | 2,934 | 26.01% |
These are attempts, retakes included, not people. The pass rate fell from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. More periods are on the Texas electrician exam pass rates page.
What it covers
TDLR’s May 12, 2026 staff report lists 70 scored points for Master NEC Knowledge, across the same subject areas as the Journeyman exam. The difference is depth: the Master exam goes further into services, feeders and motors. If you passed the Journeyman exam, you know the map. What you need now is speed in the deeper articles and the 2026 locations.
Your book is the tool
This is an open-book part, and 2 minutes per question leaves little time to search. Book rules are the same as for the Journeyman exam: a soft-bound NEC, publisher tabs only, no handbook and no marking during the exam. If you learned the 2023 NEC, many locations moved in 2026; for example, load calculations were reorganized from Article 220 into a new Article 120. Re-learn where things are before you practice for speed. See NEC code book tabs for the Texas exam.
A plan for the 49 points
- Re-learn the 2026 book first. Look up every miss in the 2026 edition, not from memory of 2023.
- Go deeper on services, feeders and motors. That is where the Master exam asks more than the Journeyman exam did.
- Time full blocks. 75 questions in 150 minutes. Answer what you know first and come back to the long lookups.
- Keep a mistake log. For each miss, write the code location you should have opened. Re-answer it a few days later.
- If you fail, read the subject breakdown on your score report and study those areas before you pay the $78 retake.
Practice in the same format
Try 20 free Texas Master questions on the 2026 NEC, no sign-up.
The Texas Master practice pack, US$79 has 368 original practice questions and 10 full two-part timed mocks in the PSI format: NEC Knowledge (75 questions, 150 minutes) and Calculations (33 questions, 170 minutes), each scored against the 70% pass line. Every calculation question comes with a step-by-step solution. One payment, no subscription. Ask within 30 days of payment for a full refund if you have not started a paid mock or downloaded the PDF.
FAQ
How many questions are on the Master NEC Knowledge part?
75, of which 70 are scored. You have 150 minutes.
How many do I need right to pass it?
70% of the 70 scored points, which is 49. The 5 unscored questions do not count, and you cannot tell which ones they are.
Is the Master NEC Knowledge part open book?
Yes, with a soft-bound NEC and publisher tabs only. No handbook and no marking during the exam.
Can a strong Calculations score make up for a weak NEC Knowledge score?
No. Each part is scored on its own and each needs 70%. The retake fee is $78 for one or both parts.
Sources
- TDLR: Apply for a New Master Electrician License, read October 1, 2026
- PSI candidate information bulletin for TDLR electricians, updated September 15, 2026, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR staff reports, May 12, 2026, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR fiscal year 2025 electrician exam statistics, read October 1, 2026
- TDLR fiscal year 2024 electrician exam statistics, read October 2, 2026
Tsai Electro is an independent learning site, not affiliated with TDLR or PSI. Rules and fees can change, so confirm on the TDLR and PSI pages above.
