- What You're Actually Studying For
- Two Parts, Two Clocks, Two Pass Marks
- Where the Points Are: Part I Domains by Item Count
- Part II: The Applied Exam Most People Underprepare For
- Your Code Book Strategy: Open-Book Is Not Easy-Book
- Two Open Questions: NEC Edition and Handwritten Notes
- Fees, Eligibility and Paperwork
- A Domain-Ordered Study Sequence
- Retakes, Licensing and Renewal
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The exam has two separately scored parts: Part I (80 questions, 180 minutes) and Part II Applied (30 questions, 60 minutes).
- Each part requires 70% on its own: 56 correct on Part I and 21 correct on Part II.
- Wiring Methods and Devices carries 18 Part I items, making it the single largest subject to master.
- The exam is open-book, but only approved references are allowed; confirm annotation rules with PSI before marking up your code book.
What You're Actually Studying For
The Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician License Exam is the written gateway to the Journeyman Electrician, Certificate B credential issued by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (MA BSEE). The test is delivered by PSI Services LLC on computer at authorized Massachusetts testing centers. The candidate bulletin excludes remote and out-of-state administration, so you will sit for it in person, in-state.
If you are still orienting yourself, our explainers on what the MA-JE is and what MA-JE stands for cover the basics. This guide assumes you have decided to sit for the exam and want a plan to pass both parts the first time.
The key mindset shift: this is a trade-knowledge and code-navigation exam, not a memorization contest. Because it is open-book, the candidates who struggle are rarely the ones who "didn't know enough." They are the ones who cannot locate the right article, table or amendment fast enough, or who misjudge how many minutes each question deserves.
Two Parts, Two Clocks, Two Pass Marks
The single most important structural fact is that the exam is not one blended test. It is two parts, each with its own timer and its own passing threshold. Strength on one part does not rescue weakness on the other.
| Feature | Part I: Trade Examination | Part II: Applied Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 80 | 30 |
| Time allowed | 180 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Required to pass | 70% (56 correct) | 70% (21 correct) |
| Published objectives | Domains 1-13 | Domains 14-19 |
| Format | Open-book, computer-delivered | Applied written, open-book, computer-delivered |
When you see "110 questions and four hours" in summaries of this exam, remember that figure is an aggregate. The two parts are not interchangeable timers, and you cannot borrow leftover minutes from Part I to use on Part II. Part II is an applied written examination; it is not a hands-on assessment and it is not the master's Business and Law exam.
For a closer look at the scoring thresholds, see our breakdown of the MA-JE passing score, and for realistic expectations on difficulty, read how hard the MA-JE exam is.
Where the Points Are: Part I Domains by Item Count
The published exam objectives list thirteen Part I domains. The official outline gives item counts, not percentage weights, and we keep it that way here rather than inventing percentages. Here is the allocation in heading order, followed by what it means for your priorities.
| Domain | Part I Items |
|---|---|
| 1. General Knowledge | 8 |
| 2. Services | 11 |
| 3. Grounding and Bonding | 7 |
| 4. Wiring Methods and Devices | 18 |
| 5. Motors | 4 |
| 6. Transformers | 1 |
| 7. Low-Voltage Distribution | 2 |
| 8. Special Occupancies and Equipment | 5 |
| 9. Overcurrent Protection | 6 |
| 10. Lighting | 2 |
| 11. Alarm Systems | 6 |
| 12. Photovoltaic | 6 |
| 13. Energy Storage Systems | 4 |
Those counts total 80. A few observations should shape your study hours:
- Wiring Methods and Devices (18 items) is the heavyweight. Nearly a quarter of Part I lives here.
- Services (11 items) and General Knowledge (8 items) come next. Together with Wiring Methods, these three domains account for 37 of the 80 questions.
- Grounding and Bonding (7 items) and the trio of Overcurrent Protection, Alarm Systems and Photovoltaic (6 items each) form a solid second tier.
- Transformers (1 item), Low-Voltage Distribution (2) and Lighting (2) are small. Know them well enough to find answers, but do not let them eat your calendar.
A full tour of every area lives in our complete guide to all 19 MA-JE content areas.
Domain 4: Wiring Methods and Devices
The largest Part I subject. Expect questions that test whether you can pick the right wiring method for a given location and apply the associated installation rules.
- Know how to move between the wiring-method chapters and the general installation rules without losing your place.
- Practice conductor fill, box fill and support/securing questions until the table lookups are routine.
- Review device and receptacle requirements, since these are common sources of scenario-based items.
Domains 12 and 13: Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems
Together these account for 10 Part I items, which is more than Motors, Transformers and Lighting combined. Many candidates from older training programs underprepare here.
- Learn where PV systems and energy storage systems are addressed in the code and how they interact with services and overcurrent protection.
- Build a habit of connecting these topics to Domain 2 (Services) and Domain 9 (Overcurrent Protection), since scenarios often cross domain lines.
Part II: The Applied Exam Most People Underprepare For
Part II covers Domains 14 through 19: Circuit Calculations (Ohm's Law), Electrical Schematics and Plans, Materials and Components, Troubleshooting and Testing, Massachusetts Amendments, and Licensing Laws and Regulations. The official allocation, in heading order, is 5, 5, 5, 6, 5 and 4 questions, for 30 total.
| Part II Domain | Items |
|---|---|
| 14. Circuit Calculations (Ohm's Law) | 5 |
| 15. Electrical Schematics and Plans | 5 |
| 16. Materials and Components | 5 |
| 17. Troubleshooting and Testing | 6 |
| 18. Massachusetts Amendments | 5 |
| 19. Licensing Laws and Regulations | 4 |
The distribution is unusually flat. Troubleshooting and Testing is the largest subject at six items, but no single domain dominates. That makes Part II a breadth exam: you need to be competent in all six areas because there is no big domain to lean on.
Why does Part II trip people up? Three reasons:
- It rewards applied reasoning. Troubleshooting questions describe a symptom and ask you to identify the likely cause or the correct next test. Memorized code articles help less than genuine field thinking.
- The clock is tight. Sixty minutes for 30 questions means roughly two minutes per item, including any calculation and any code lookup.
- It includes Massachusetts-specific material. Domains 18 and 19 reward candidates who have actually read the state amendments and licensing rules rather than relying on a national-code mindset.
Domain 14: Circuit Calculations (Ohm's Law)
Five items, but each one costs you time if your fundamentals are shaky.
- Be fluent with voltage, current, resistance and power relationships, including series, parallel and combination circuits.
- Practice with your approved nonprogrammable calculator so keystroke habits are automatic on test day.
- Always sanity-check units and magnitudes before selecting an answer.
Domain 17: Troubleshooting and Testing
The largest Part II subject, with six items.
- Think in terms of symptom, probable cause and safe verification step.
- Understand what common test instruments reveal and what they cannot.
- Practice reasoning through open circuits, shorts, ground faults and loose connections from a described scenario.
Your Code Book Strategy: Open-Book Is Not Easy-Book
Approved references include the NEC, NFPA 72, the Massachusetts amendments and the licensing regulations, and a qualifying nonprogrammable calculator is permitted. That list defines your toolkit. Treat reference navigation as a skill you rehearse, not a safety net you assume.
Practical habits that pay off:
- Learn the book's architecture. Know which chapters are general rules, which are wiring methods, which are special occupancies and which are special equipment, so you can jump to the right neighborhood immediately.
- Use the index and tables of contents deliberately. Practice finding the answer path for each practice question before you consider the choices.
- Cross-check against the Massachusetts amendments. A national-code answer may differ from the state-adopted rule. Make it a reflex to ask, "Is there an amendment here?"
- Master NFPA 72 for Alarm Systems. Domain 11 carries six Part I items, and fire alarm questions draw on a different document than the NEC.
Our MA-JE cheat sheet condenses must-know facts for last-minute review, but it supplements your book work rather than replacing it.
Two Open Questions: NEC Edition and Handwritten Notes
Two details deserve transparency, because getting either wrong could cost you on exam day.
Which NEC edition will the exam use?
The Commonwealth's electrical code page identifies adoption of a 2026 code. However, adoption by itself does not establish the date the examination cuts over to a new edition. The candidate bulletin contains timing statements, including a July reference and a seven-month update statement, that conflict with each other. Until the Board or PSI explicitly confirms the examination cutover date, we are not asserting a firm answer.
What to do: check the current candidate bulletin and the Massachusetts Electrical Code page, then contact PSI or the Board to confirm which edition applies to your scheduled test date. Do not buy or tab a code book based on assumption alone. Our exam dates and scheduling guide tracks timing considerations.
Can you write notes in your reference books?
The bulletin addresses highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs, but it conflicts internally on prewritten margin notes: one section prohibits handwritten notes, while another permits them.
Fees, Eligibility and Paperwork
Budgeting accurately matters because the charges are split across several line items. The regular application and testing charge is $226, made up of:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| PSI application processing | $60 |
| Part I trade examination | $80 |
| Part II applied examination | $55 |
| State processing | $31 |
| Regular total | $226 |
Qualifying VALOR applicants pay $195 after the $31 state-processing charge is waived. The initial license issuance fee of $104 is billed separately from the exam charges. If you need to retake, fees depend on which part you retake, and retaking both parts totals $135. For a fuller financial picture, see our certification cost breakdown.
Eligibility prerequisites
Before you can sit for the exam, you need the following in place:
- A high-school diploma or equivalent
- 600 hours of approved journeyman education
- 8,000 qualifying work hours over at least four years
- A 15-hour approved Code Update certificate
- Supporting school and employer documentation
- CORI authorization
One clarification candidates often miss: the classroom hours, Code Update training and work-experience hours are eligibility requirements. They are not examination timers and have nothing to do with the 180-minute and 60-minute clocks. For the full picture, read our requirements and eligibility guide. Applications go through the state's electrician application process, so start collecting school and employer paperwork early; documentation delays are a common cause of avoidable scheduling setbacks.
A Domain-Ordered Study Sequence
Rather than a generic weekly template, sequence your preparation around where the points are and how the domains depend on each other. The following eight-week arc assumes steady part-time study alongside work; compress or stretch it to fit your calendar.
Foundation and the Big Three
- Domain 1 (General Knowledge) to build vocabulary and book navigation.
- Domain 4 (Wiring Methods and Devices), the 18-item heavyweight, with daily lookup drills.
- Domain 2 (Services) so service-entrance concepts are solid before grounding.
Protection and Power Systems
- Domain 3 (Grounding and Bonding) immediately after Services, since the topics interlock.
- Domain 9 (Overcurrent Protection) and Domain 5 (Motors).
- Domains 6 and 7 (Transformers, Low-Voltage Distribution) for efficient coverage of small-item subjects.
Modern Systems and Specialty Topics
- Domain 12 (Photovoltaic) and Domain 13 (Energy Storage Systems).
- Domain 11 (Alarm Systems) with NFPA 72.
- Domains 8 and 10 (Special Occupancies and Equipment, Lighting).
Part II Intensive and Full Simulations
- Domains 14 through 17: calculations, plans, materials and troubleshooting with timed 30-question sets.
- Domains 18 and 19: Massachusetts amendments and licensing rules.
- Full 80-question and 30-question timed runs, scored against the 56 and 21 targets.
Why this order? Services, Grounding and Overcurrent Protection reinforce each other, so studying them back to back helps concepts stick. Photovoltaic and Energy Storage come later because they build on services and protection fundamentals. Part II gets a focused block at the end, but start touching calculations early with short daily practice so Ohm's Law work never feels cold.
Use a structured question bank throughout. Our MA-JE practice tests are built around the 80-plus-30 structure so you can rehearse each part under its own time limit, and our training resources point toward additional preparation options.
Key Takeaway
Track your results per part and per domain, not just as one overall percentage. A 75% blended score can hide a Part II score below 70%, and since each part must be passed on its own, the weaker part is the one that decides your outcome.
Retakes, Licensing and Renewal
Plan to pass both parts the first time, but know the rules in case you do not. Both parts must be passed within the applicable 12-month eligibility period. After three unsuccessful attempts, the bulletin requires additional education before further attempts. That makes each attempt valuable, and it is one more reason to take full-length practice under realistic conditions before you schedule.
Once licensed, Certificate B renews on the triennial July 31 cycle under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 141, Section 3. Under 237 CMR 17.01, renewal requires 21 continuing education hours: 15 approved code, business and law hours plus six professional-development hours. Keep your continuing education records organized from day one.
If you are weighing the bigger career picture, our guides on earnings, job opportunities and whether the certification is worth it can help you plan beyond exam day. Journeyman licensure is also the step that precedes the master's level, which involves a separate examination track with its own Business and Law content.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but both parts must be passed within the applicable 12-month eligibility period. Each part is scored independently, with 70% required on each: 56 of 80 on Part I and 21 of 30 on Part II.
Yes, the exam is open-book, but only approved references are permitted, including the NEC, NFPA 72, the Massachusetts amendments and the licensing regulations. A qualifying nonprogrammable calculator is also allowed. Confirm current rules in the PSI candidate bulletin before test day.
The bulletin allows highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs, but it conflicts internally on handwritten margin notes, with one section prohibiting them and another permitting them. Get PSI authorization before annotating your references.
The regular application and testing charge is $226, covering PSI processing ($60), Part I ($80), Part II ($55) and state processing ($31). Qualifying VALOR applicants pay $195. The initial license issuance fee of $104 is separate, and retaking both parts totals $135.
This is unresolved in the retrieved materials. The state has identified a 2026-code adoption, but adoption alone does not establish when the exam cuts over, and the bulletin's timing statements conflict. Confirm the edition for your test date with PSI or the Board before purchasing or tabbing a code book.
Passing on the first attempt comes down to respecting the structure: two parts, two clocks, two thresholds, and a domain map that tells you exactly where the points live. Master Wiring Methods and Devices, shore up Services and Grounding, give Photovoltaic and Energy Storage the attention they now demand, treat Part II as a full exam in its own right, and verify the edition and annotation questions before you arrive. Then rehearse under realistic conditions on the MA-JE Exam Prep practice test platform.