Are you preparing to take the Wisconsin Journeyman Electrical exam? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the exam process, from eligibility requirements to study tips and exam day procedures.
Eligibility Requirements
Completion of an Electrical Construction Apprenticeship: Successfully finish an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 106 or by the Federal Department of Labor. You'll need to provide a certificate of completion from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
Relevant Work Experience: Accumulate at least 8,000 hours of experience over a minimum of 48 months in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring. Alternatively, you can have at least 1,000 hours per year for five years. Educational achievements can substitute for some experience; each full-time semester in an electrical-related program at an accredited institution counts as 500 hours, up to a maximum of 2,000 hours and two years.
Application Process
- Create LicensE Account
- Visit license.wi.gov
- Register for new account or access existing account
- Request Exam Approval
- Submit request through LicensE platform
- Wait for DSPS approval
- Schedule Exam
- Receive authorization email from Pearson VUE
- Schedule online at www.pearsonvue.com
- Or call (877) 244-0231
Exam Format and Content
The Wisconsin Journeyman Electrical exam consists of:
- 100 questions
- 4 hours testing time
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam fee: $95
Content Outline
The state of Wisconsin does not provide a breakdown of the number of questions on the exam per category but based on our assessment, these topics will be tested:
General Requirements and Fundamentals: Familiarity with NEC rules, the role of authority, and mandatory/permissive material, applicable across all license types.
Wiring and Protection: Includes identification, connection, grounding, and overcurrent protection of circuits, with specific focus on branch circuits, grounded conductors, and receptacle requirements.
Wiring Methods and Materials: Encompasses proper raceway and conductor installation, protection from physical damage, grounding and bonding, and securing of boxes and raceways.
Special Equipment and Occupancies: Covers hazardous locations, healthcare facilities, temporary installations, and specialized structures (e.g., pools, RV parks, carnivals).
Equipment for General Use: Installation and specifications for appliances, luminaires, transformers, motors, and heating equipment, as well as protective measures.
Applied Electrical Theory: Emphasizes essential electrical theories, Ohm’s and Watt’s laws, circuit characteristics, motor/transformer connections, troubleshooting, and power factor calculations.
Special Systems: Emergency and standby power systems, fire alarm and communication systems, and calculations for various setups based on NEC tables and cross-references.
Study Materials and Resources
Required Reference Materials (Allowed During Exam)
- One Binder Containing:
- Wisconsin Admin. Code § SPS 305
- Wisconsin Admin. Code § SPS 316
- Printed notes (must be three-hole punched)
- 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Choose ONE Additional Reference:
- Ugly's Electrical References
- Ferm's Fast Finder Index to National Electrical Code
- Tom Henry series books
- Mike Holt series books