EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical • PSI • 3 Trade Parts • 2020 NEC • 75% Passing
Welcome to a practical contractor licensing and examination guide prepared for Contractor Exam Preps. New Mexico does not issue the same standalone statewide Master Electrician license used in some other states. The appropriate broad electrical contracting pathway is the EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical classification, administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID). A separate EE-98J credential exists for individual journeyman electricians. This blog uses Master Electrician as a familiar search and study term, not as a substitute for the legal license classification.
The examination and legal licensing process can look similar across states, but the details can be very different. The three trade portions total 170 questions and 435 minutes. Business and Law is a separate contractor requirement. Candidates must pass each portion separately; the scores are not averaged.
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
Electrical contracting combines technical code knowledge with project planning, supervision, safety and responsible business practices. New Mexico uses a classification-based licensing system, so choosing the right credential comes before choosing an exam package.
The EE-98 designation covers residential and commercial electrical contracting. It is different from the EE-98J journeyman certification, which relates to an individual electrician rather than a contracting business.
For licensing, a contractor business must be owned by or employ a properly approved qualifying party. That person supplies the experience and examination qualifications tied to the classification.
An EE-98 candidate must prepare for three different technical examinations, not one generic master electrician test. The commercial and industrial exam is the longest; the residential exam is shorter; the specialties exam emphasizes low-voltage and communications.
The three-part design means field experience in only one environment may not cover every topic. A commercial installer might need extra residential practice. A residential electrician might need to revisit motors, transformers and hazardous-location rules.
State amendments deserve their own study session. A rule remembered from another state or another NEC edition can lead to the wrong answer on a New Mexico question.
Part 3 creates another challenge: alarm and communications subjects are not the same as ordinary branch-circuit work. Prepare them as a separate subject with the proper 2010 NFPA 72 reference.
Every approved book should be checked before exam day. Open-book permission does not mean unrestricted references. PSI allows specific publications and rules for binding, prior highlighting and permanent indexing.
Newer 2026 NEC products at Contractor Exam Preps are useful for additional knowledge and current-cycle study. Keep exam-specific review anchored to the 2020 edition required in the currently published PSI contractor bulletin.
Build a weekly study plan, practice timed tests for each part and check your results. Consistency works better than trying to memorize hundreds of rules the night before testing.
Electrical theory, standards, installation practices, proper terminology, safe work, and code interpretation. Practice locating NEC definitions and broad installation requirements.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Service equipment, disconnects, feeder and branch-circuit rules, demand factors, equipment ratings and load calculations.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
NEC Article 240, breaker ratings, fuses, protection of conductors, short-circuit principles, and permitted exceptions.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Grounding electrode systems, conductor sizing, main bonding jumper, separately derived systems and effective fault-current paths.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Ampacity tables, insulation ratings, conductor correction factors, temperature terminals and cable types.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Conduit installation, raceway fill, box fill, wiring methods, supports, bends and enclosure rules.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Classified locations, special occupancies and conditions, pools, special equipment and specialized installation rules.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Luminaires, switches, receptacles, signs, appliances and equipment for general use.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Motor conductors and overloads, transformer protection, disconnects, generators and control equipment.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
New Mexico amendments and electrical administrative rules, not merely the unamended national NEC.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Residential electrical design, wiring safety, basic installation rules and NEC interpretation.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Residential service calculations, branch circuits, required outlets, conductors and feeder rules.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Three overcurrent questions and four grounding/bonding questions; practice protective devices and fault-current paths.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Four questions on conductors/cables and four on raceways/boxes, including sizing and fill.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Pools and other special equipment, plus lighting and general-use installations.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
The state electrical code and local adopted provisions.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Fire alarm circuits, low-voltage wiring, control systems, signal power and approved NFPA 72 content.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Five questions on electric signs and outline lighting, five on cathodic and lightning protection.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Ten questions on telephone/computer systems and ten on sound and communication systems.
For exam preparation, identify the relevant definitions, work through practical examples and practice the associated code or calculation steps. When an exam topic depends on local requirements, compare your study book with the current official examination instructions before deciding what is permitted.
Contractor Exam Preps offers state-focused study guides, electrical calculation review, NEC study references and flash cards. Practice exams and codebook navigation can build confidence, but an exam-room code edition must match the regulating authority’s approved list.
Important: Master Electrician describes advanced study here. The official contractor license path is EE-98, not a separately named statewide Master Electrician certificate.
Important 2026 licensing and exam update: The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
New Mexico does not issue the same standalone statewide Master Electrician license used in some other states. The appropriate broad electrical contracting pathway is the EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical classification, administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID). A separate EE-98J credential exists for individual journeyman electricians. This blog uses Master Electrician as a familiar search and study term, not as a substitute for the legal license classification.
Master Electrician describes advanced study here. The official contractor license path is EE-98, not a separately named statewide Master Electrician certificate.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Credential | EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical contractor classification |
| Governing authority | New Mexico Construction Industries Division |
| Candidate exam preparation | Individual licensing eligibility and technical study |
| Official exam rules | Verify current issuer bulletins |
| Reference rules | Follow exact exam-room requirements |
| Study emphasis | Electrical theory, grounding, services, wiring and controls |
| Contractor business | Meet separate business and licensing rules |
| Part 1 | 80 questions • 200 minutes • 75%, 60 points |
| Part 2 | 40 questions • 100 minutes • 75%, 30 points |
| Part 3 | 50 questions • 135 minutes • 75%, 38 points |
| Business and Law | 50 questions • 130 minutes • 75%, 38 points |
| Code edition | 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code |
| Part 1 extra reference | National Electrical Safety Code, 2007 |
| Part 3 extra reference | NFPA 72, 2010 |
| Exam room books | Candidate-provided bound approved references |
| Reference tabs | Permanent tabs only |
| Newer store packages | 2026 NEC study, not 2020 PSI exam-room material |
| Journeyman distinction | EE-98J is an individual certification, not EE-98 contractor licensing |
| Business requirement | Business and Law exam or approved course |
| Source | April 2026 PSI contractor bulletin |
| Scheduled test | Check current exam administrator confirmation |
| Reference marking | Review approved highlighting and tabs |
| Product-year warning | Store 2026 NEC products may be newer than the code tested |
The three trade portions total 170 questions and 435 minutes. Business and Law is a separate contractor requirement. Candidates must pass each portion separately; the scores are not averaged.
| Exam portion | Questions or format | Time allowed | Passing requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial • EE-98 Part 1 | 80 | 200 minutes | 75%, 60 points |
| Residential • EE-98 Part 2 | 40 | 100 minutes | 75%, 30 points |
| Specialties • EE-98 Part 3 | 50 | 135 minutes | 75%, 38 points |
| Contractor Business and Law | 50 | 130 minutes | 75%, 38 points |
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
Electrical theory, standards, installation practices, proper terminology, safe work, and code interpretation. Practice locating NEC definitions and broad installation requirements.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Service equipment, disconnects, feeder and branch-circuit rules, demand factors, equipment ratings and load calculations.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
NEC Article 240, breaker ratings, fuses, protection of conductors, short-circuit principles, and permitted exceptions.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Grounding electrode systems, conductor sizing, main bonding jumper, separately derived systems and effective fault-current paths.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Ampacity tables, insulation ratings, conductor correction factors, temperature terminals and cable types.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Conduit installation, raceway fill, box fill, wiring methods, supports, bends and enclosure rules.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Classified locations, special occupancies and conditions, pools, special equipment and specialized installation rules.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Luminaires, switches, receptacles, signs, appliances and equipment for general use.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Motor conductors and overloads, transformer protection, disconnects, generators and control equipment.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
New Mexico amendments and electrical administrative rules, not merely the unamended national NEC.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Residential electrical design, wiring safety, basic installation rules and NEC interpretation.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Residential service calculations, branch circuits, required outlets, conductors and feeder rules.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Three overcurrent questions and four grounding/bonding questions; practice protective devices and fault-current paths.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Four questions on conductors/cables and four on raceways/boxes, including sizing and fill.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Pools and other special equipment, plus lighting and general-use installations.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
The state electrical code and local adopted provisions.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Fire alarm circuits, low-voltage wiring, control systems, signal power and approved NFPA 72 content.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Five questions on electric signs and outline lighting, five on cathodic and lightning protection.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Ten questions on telephone/computer systems and ten on sound and communication systems.
Study the practical reasoning behind this area. Identify the applicable electrical concepts, learn common formulas and terminology, and complete short review problems. For open-book sections, practice code navigation; for closed-book sections, practice answering without a reference.
Start by identifying the credential and exam administrator rather than relying on a generic master electrician outline.
Keep a printed copy of the current exam bulletin or local exam instructions next to your study schedule.
Study general electrical knowledge, power calculations and NEC organization before tackling difficult scenarios.
Separate code-book study from closed-book recall. Each develops a different skill.
Use regular timed mini-exams to measure progress and keep a notebook outside the exam room to track mistakes.
Practice service, feeder and motor calculations with both straightforward and word-based questions.
Review grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, conductor sizing and wiring methods repeatedly.
Use approved reference editions. A newer published NEC does not automatically replace an earlier tested edition.
Prepare for any separate business, licensing or practical examination requirements.
Schedule final simulated tests under the actual published time limits.
Master-level preparation becomes easier when service, feeders, panelboards, grounding and final circuits are viewed as parts of one system.
Educational concept drawing only. Actual design and installation must follow the adopted code and approved plans.
Confirm EE-98 is the correct classification for the intended work.
Prepare and document qualifying experience under the current CID qualifying-party rules.
Submit the qualifying-party application and work experience affidavits.
Receive PSI eligibility and verify the three trade examination parts.
Study the 2020 NEC, New Mexico electrical code and Part 1 reference material.
Prepare separately for Residential Part 2 and low-voltage Specialties Part 3.
Pass all three EE-98 trade exams and meet Business and Law or approved course requirements.
Complete the contractor business license, surety bond and administrative requirements.
These percentages are within the named individual written exam part. Practical exercises are separately scored where applicable.
The progress bars show category emphasis within a portion of the exam, not a combined overall passing score.
| Book or reference | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| National Electrical Code / NEC Handbook | 2020 | Permitted EE-98 Parts 1, 2, 3 |
| New Mexico Electrical Code, NMAC 14.10.4 | 2020 | Permitted Parts 1 and 2 |
| National Electrical Safety Code | 2007 | Permitted Part 1 |
| NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code | 2010 | Permitted Part 3 |
| American Electricians Handbook | Not approved as an exam-room book | Study only |
| 2026 NEC paperback with tabs | 2026 | Store study product, not PSI-approved code edition |
| NASCLA Business, Law and Project Management | Basic 14th Edition | Business and Law approved reference |
| NM Construction Industries Licensing Act | NMSA Chapter 60, Article 13 | Business and Law |
| NM Contractor License Requirements | NMAC Title 14, Chapter 6, Part 3 | Business and Law |
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
Exam access policies vary. Follow the rule that applies to your exact exam and location.
New Mexico does not issue the same standalone statewide Master Electrician license used in some other states. The appropriate broad electrical contracting pathway is the EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical classification, administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID). A separate EE-98J credential exists for individual journeyman electricians. This blog uses Master Electrician as a familiar search and study term, not as a substitute for the legal license classification.
Electrical contracting work can involve services, feeders, circuits, controls, equipment, lighting and specialized electrical installations, subject to the relevant licensing scope and code rules. Being familiar with the work is not the same as having authority to contract for it.
Master Electrician describes advanced study here. The official contractor license path is EE-98, not a separately named statewide Master Electrician certificate.
| Path | Purpose | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Official local or state credential | EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical contractor classification | License scope is determined by the applicable regulator |
| Master Electrician study product | Educational preparation | Does not issue a license |
| Journeyman electrical experience | Qualifying field work | May satisfy part of experience requirements |
| Contractor business requirements | Company approvals | Additional registration and financial requirements |
| Electrical technical testing | Electrical theory and code | May contain multiple parts |
| Practical examination | Hands-on trade performance | Required only where the official jurisdiction specifies it |
80 • 200 minutes • 75%, 60 points
40 • 100 minutes • 75%, 30 points
50 • 135 minutes • 75%, 38 points
Advanced electrical licensing can be challenging because it tests both familiar field skills and careful interpretation of technical rules.
Typical subjects include grounding and bonding, conductor ampacity, electrical service calculations, motors and controls, and code exceptions.
A candidate may work with equipment every day yet still need extra practice to answer questions in a timed exam.
Electrical calculations require accuracy. Mixing conductor ratings, incorrect demand factors or skipping a table note can produce a wrong answer.
The right preparation depends on the test format. Closed-book exams reward memory and application; open-book exams also reward fast reference lookup.
Practical exams test the ability to demonstrate hands-on skills rather than choose a multiple-choice answer.
Start well before your examination date and review your weakest topics several times.
An organized study system, code review, calculations and flash cards can support exam readiness, but no preparation product guarantees a passing score.
These are actual state-specific or general master-level products from ContractorExamPreps.com. Check their exact code editions against the official testing rules.
Actual Contractor Exam Preps product image. This is a study-package image, not a state-issued license.
EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical • PSI • 3 Trade Parts • 2020 NEC • 75% Passing
Licensing and Eligibility
The broad official contractor classification discussed here is EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical. Master Electrician is a familiar advanced-study term.
No. EE-98 is a contractor classification requiring a qualifying party and contractor license process. EE-98J is an individual journeyman electrical certificate.
Three: Commercial and Industrial, Residential, and Specialties.
80 questions with 200 minutes and 75% passing, equal to 60 points.
40 questions with 100 minutes and 75% passing, equal to 30 points.
Exam Questions and Scoring
Fifty questions involving alarms and low voltage, electric signs, lightning/cathodic protection, telephone/computer systems and sound/communications.
135 minutes, with 75% passing or 38 points.
2020 National Electrical Code and the New Mexico 2020 Electrical Code where listed.
The current PSI contractor bulletin lists the 2020 NEC. A 2026 NEC is not an approved substitute for code questions.
Yes, all three trade parts are designated open book with specific approved references.
Codes and References
Approved bound references may be highlighted, underlined and permanently tabbed before testing. Handwritten notes and temporary tabs are prohibited.
Part 3 lists NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 2010.
The Part 1 reference list includes the National Electrical Safety Code, 2007.
Contractor candidates must pass the separate Business and Law exam or complete an approved alternative course.
50 questions, 130 minutes and 75% passing, shown as 38 points.
Business, Practice and Study
The store product lists a 2026 NEC paperback with tabs, which is for study and does not replace the approved 2020 test-room code.
Yes. The verified state guide and flash card combo product listings describe 12 practice exams and 2 full final exams.
No. CID must approve the qualifying party and business licensing documentation, including other applicable requirements.
Study Part 1 commercial topics, Part 2 residential topics and Part 3 specialty systems separately, then complete timed simulations for each.
This general 1ExamPrep Master Electrician video covers study guides, electrical calculations, NEC navigation and practical exam preparation. It is not an official examination bulletin for the jurisdiction in this article.
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
Follow the official licensing authority for current eligibility and exam requirements. Use matching store products to support study.
Preparation for an advanced electrical contractor examination is a serious professional project. Good electrical work depends on correct designs, safe installation procedures, careful calculations and compliance with the laws that govern a contractor or license holder.
The first study decision should always be identifying the legal credential. Product names sometimes use Master Electrician as a broad educational category, while the government may define a different license title or place licensing responsibility with a city instead of the state.
Electrical theory is the foundation of a good study plan. Voltage, current, resistance, power and circuit behavior help explain why code requirements exist and how equipment operates. Studying theory is especially helpful when a test question is worded differently from a familiar practice example.
Grounding and bonding deserve regular attention. Candidates should understand grounding electrodes, bonding jumpers, fault-current paths and the relationship between system grounding and protection of equipment. These concepts apply to many installations and can appear in complex situations.
Load calculations and conductor sizing can also be demanding. Review service calculations, feeder demands, branch circuits, motor loads, overcurrent protection, conductor ampacity and temperature conditions. Practice setting up the solution before choosing numbers from a table.
Study electrical materials as complete systems rather than isolated vocabulary. A correct installation may require appropriate cables, raceways, fittings, electrical boxes, conductor insulation, circuit protection and equipment disconnects. Each part must be suitable for the surrounding conditions.
Modern systems bring additional subjects such as generators, transformers, controls, lighting, special occupancies, communication systems and alarms. Candidates should pay attention to the official examination blueprint instead of spending all of their time on the work they encounter most frequently.
Exam rules are just as important as technical study. Some electrical examinations permit approved references, while others prohibit all books. Some include hands-on practical tasks or a separate contractor business component. Familiarity with a different state exam is not proof that the same rules apply here.
Contractor Exam Preps offers study guides, electrical calculations resources, practice examinations, flash cards and NEC reference packages. Use those materials to build skills and reinforce difficult topics. Study products do not replace approval by the licensing agency.
Make a weekly plan and set aside short review periods for difficult concepts. After each practice test, review incorrect answers and explain why the correct response fits the rule. Return to the same weak topics several times rather than reading the entire textbook without practice.
As your exam approaches, complete a simulation using the official time limit and format. Practice calculations accurately and use only the materials your examination actually permits. A good study schedule should prepare both your knowledge and your testing habits.
Finally, keep licensing requirements separate from exam requirements. Passing a trade test may still leave applications, work experience verification, business approvals, continuing education or other legal steps. Use the state or city licensing website as the controlling source.
New Mexico does not issue the same standalone statewide Master Electrician license used in some other states. The appropriate broad electrical contracting pathway is the EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical classification, administered by the Construction Industries Division (CID). A separate EE-98J credential exists for individual journeyman electricians. This blog uses Master Electrician as a familiar search and study term, not as a substitute for the legal license classification.
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
The official examination and licensing references are the final authority for the questions you will face. The three trade portions total 170 questions and 435 minutes. Business and Law is a separate contractor requirement. Candidates must pass each portion separately; the scores are not averaged.
This guide explains the advanced electrician examination and contracting pathway identified in the title. It is intended for candidates who want to understand the official process, study electrical subjects and identify related resources sold by Contractor Exam Preps.
The most important step is confirming the exact credential with the right authority. The words Master Electrician appear on study materials in many states, but a state contractor classification and a city-issued electrician license are not necessarily identical.
After identifying the credential, read the current examination instructions carefully. Record the number of questions, passing rules, time limit, calculator rules, reference permissions and any extra practical or business tests.
An effective electrical study plan starts with theory, including voltage, current, resistance, electrical power and circuit behavior. These basic ideas support more complicated calculations.
Students should then review services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding and bonding, conductor ampacity, raceway selection, box fill and overcurrent protection. Practice problems help make each topic more familiar.
Motor and transformer questions often combine several technical rules. Learn how to read the question, choose the appropriate procedure and check whether a special requirement applies.
Special electrical systems can include alarm circuits, low-voltage systems, signs, generators, emergency power, communications and wiring in specialized occupancies. Give them study time when they appear in the official outline.
Code editions matter. A newer electrical code is not automatically the one used by an examination administrator. A book that teaches current NEC organization can support study while still being different from the edition approved for test day.
Open-book and closed-book exams require different habits. For open-book tests, practice locating sections quickly in approved references. For closed-book exams, practice recall and calculations without opening a book.
If a practical examination is required, study the actual exercises and practice them safely. If Business and Law is required, schedule separate preparation for licensing, contracts, taxes and contractor responsibilities.
Contractor Exam Preps sells state-focused study-guide packages, calculation materials, flash cards and codebooks. Product details should always be compared with the official examination references before buying.
Keep a record of mistakes, complete timed tests, check administrative deadlines and use official licensing sources for final decisions. Consistent preparation is more useful than relying on one practice examination or a last-minute reading session.
The three trade portions total 170 questions and 435 minutes. Business and Law is a separate contractor requirement. Candidates must pass each portion separately; the scores are not averaged.
The New Mexico PSI contractor bulletin and CID's published electrical code list the 2020 NEC and New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4. EE-98 has THREE separate trade parts: Commercial and Industrial (80 questions, 200 minutes, 60 points to pass), Residential (40 questions, 100 minutes, 30 points to pass), and Specialties (50 questions, 135 minutes, 38 points to pass). All require 75%. The store's newer 2026 NEC combinations are useful study products, but the 2026 NEC is NOT the approved test-room code edition.
