Are you preparing to take the Colorado Journeyman Electrical Exam? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the exam process, from eligibility requirements to test day procedures.
Eligibility Requirements
Before you can sit for the Colorado Journeyman Electrical Exam, you must meet these key requirements:
- Complete 8,000 hours of electrical work experience
- At least 4,000 hours must be in commercial/industrial work
- Experience must be earned in no less than 4 years
- Complete 288 hours of classroom education if registered as an apprentice on or after January 1, 2011
- Must be documented with a transcript or similar statement
- All practical experience must be documented on the Affidavit of Experience form
- Must be completed by the electrical contractor supervising the work
Application and Scheduling Process
- Submit Application and Documentation
- Complete the Electrician License Application
- Submit all required Affidavits of Experience
- Provide education transcripts (if applicable)
- Pay the non-refundable application fee
- Schedule Your Exam
- Once approved, contact PSI Services to schedule your exam:
- Online: https://test-takers.psiexams.com/coelec
- Phone: (855) 898-0710
- Pay the $78 examination fee
- Choose from multiple testing locations across Colorado:
- Denver (Centennial)
- Denver (Wheat Ridge)
- Fort Collins
- Pueblo
- Colorado Springs
- Grand Junction
- Durango
- Once approved, contact PSI Services to schedule your exam:
Exam Content and Format
Exam Structure
- 90 scored items
- Up to 10 non-scored items
- 240 minutes (4 hours) testing time
- Passing score: 70% (63 items correct)
- Additional 30 minutes for non-scored items
Content Areas
Required Materials and Test Day Procedures
What to Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Must match your application information exactly
- Must be unexpired
- 2023 National Electrical Code book
- Must be soft-bound edition
- May be highlighted and contain notes made prior to exam
- May have permanent index tabs from the publisher
What's Not Allowed
- Loose-leaf, spiral-bound, or ring-bound NEC books
- NEC Handbook
- Additional papers or notes
- Homemade or DIY tabs
- Electronic devices
- Cell phones
- Smart watches
- Personal belongings
Test Day Tips
- Arrive 30 minutes early
- Late arrivals will not be admitted
- Plan your route to the testing center in advance
- Store personal belongings in provided secure storage
- Listen carefully to all proctor instructions
- Manage your time wisely (240 minutes total)
- You can mark questions for review and return to them later
- All questions are multiple choice
Post-Exam Process
- Results are provided immediately upon completion
- If you pass:
- Results are electronically sent to TDLR
- Once you've completed your full 8,000 hours, you can receive your license
- If you don't pass:
- You'll receive a diagnostic report showing areas for improvement
- You can retake the exam (additional $73 fee required)
- No waiting period between attempts
Study Tips for Success
- Focus on the NEC
- The exam references the 2023 edition
- Practice navigating the code book efficiently
- Learn to use the index and table of contents effectively
- Master Calculations
- Review basic electrical theory
- Practice common electrical calculations
- Learn to solve problems without a calculator first
- Understand Core Concepts
- Pay special attention to grounding and bonding (14 questions)
- Focus on general electrical knowledge (11 questions)
- Study services, feeders, and branch circuits thoroughly (9 questions)
- Use Practice Questions
- Complete sample problems in each content area
- Time yourself to build speed and accuracy
- Review incorrect answers to understand your mistakes
Remember, thorough preparation and familiarity with the NEC are key to passing the exam. Take advantage of all available resources and give yourself plenty of time to study and practice before your test date.