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The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) provides accreditation for electrical exams that are recognized by many states. Electricians and electrical contractors must often take these exams to receive their licenses. However, you must also meet any other requirements set by your state licensing board.

Where Are NASCLA Electrical Exams Accepted?

NASCLA provides standardized exams that maintain consistent testing across jurisdictions. They cover a broad range of topics from code application to practical knowledge. Many states accept these exams, although they can also have their own experience, legal, and other requirements on top of passing the exam.

The specific licensing board where you want to work may or may not accept NASCLA exams, so make sure to check before moving forward. NASCLA exams are often accepted instead of local trade tests, but you might still need to pass a state-specific code and legal exam to receive your license.

Choosing the Right NASCLA Electrical Exam

There are three primary NASCLA exams covering the electrical trade. Electrical contractors, journeyman electricians, and residential electrical contractors each have their own exams that cover the specific scope and type of work they handle.

The electrical contractors exam covers topics like code requirements, wiring, safety, and project design. There are 100 questions, and you'll need to correctly answer 75 of them during the open-book exam.

The journeyman electrician's exam has 100 questions, with 70 being a passing score. Plan reading, testing, troubleshooting, code requirements, and more are included in this exam.

The residential electrical contractors exam covers work required for permanent dwelling units. It also has 100 questions, with 70 being a passing score. Installation practices, safety, grounding, energy efficiency, and other residential electrical topics are covered.

All three exams are open-book. You can bring along approved reference materials such as the National Electrical Code book. However, you can't bring your own loose notes and must stick with official references.

Signing Up for and After Your NASCLA Exam

To sign up for your exam, you can create an account on the NASCLA National Examination Database. You'll submit an online application and pay the $65 application fee. They'll then email you to schedule your exam, which will require a separate testing fee. You'll have an approval window of one year, with up to three attempts.

After you pass your NASCLA exam, you can access your results through their National Examination Database and send an official transcript to your local jurisdiction. These per-state transcripts are valid for up to two years.

Make sure to follow up with the state licensing board after submitting your transcript to finalize any other requirements. Be ready to submit proof of your experience and go through any insurance or background checks they may need.

Planning for NASCLA Exam Success

NASCLA exams can be challenging, but proper preparation goes a long way toward ensuring your success. With RocketCert, you can prepare for your electrical license exam for various states covered by NASCLA. Get started with online training and practice questions based on the NASCLA format by signing up for RocketCert.