Tennessee master electrician exam: frequently asked questions

Yes. The Tennessee CE – Electrical Contractor examination is identified as an open book examination. Candidates must follow the exam provider’s rules for approved references, highlighting, underlining, indexing, permanent tabs, written notes, and loose or attached papers.

The Tennessee CE – Electrical Contractor examination is listed with 100 questions.

The Tennessee CE – Electrical Contractor examination is listed with 260 minutes of testing time.

The Tennessee CE – Electrical Contractor examination requires a 73 percent score, which equals 73 correct items.

Tennessee electrical contractor licensing is regulated by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

A Tennessee contractor’s license is required before contracting, bidding, or negotiating a price whenever the total cost of the project is $25,000 or more.

The CE - Electrical Contractor classification covers electrical systems serving residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, including premises wiring, lighting systems, branch circuits, feeders, services, raceways, grounding and bonding, generators, motor controls, transformers, electrical equipment, fire alarm systems, and communications raceways.

Approved references include NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code, Ugly’s Electrical References, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and American Electrician’s Handbook. Candidates should use the exact editions listed in the current exam bulletin for their scheduled exam.

Tennessee does not use one simple statewide Master Electrician title for all electricians. The higher-level electrical contractor path is the CE Electrical Contractor classification, while smaller covered work may fall under the Limited Licensed Electrician license.

The LLE license applies to covered electrical work less than $25,000 per project in municipalities that use the Division of Fire Prevention for permits or inspections. The LLE license does not authorize a person to act as a contractor.

Tennessee contractor licensing is handled through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Tennessee’s state system is commonly organized around electrical contractor licensing and the Limited Licensed Electrician credential rather than one single statewide master electrician license title.

The content outline includes general knowledge and electrical installation requirements, building code requirements, services, feeders, branch circuits, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, conductors and cables, raceways and boxes, hazardous locations, special occupancies, special equipment, low voltage, alarms, signaling systems, communications, lighting, signs, general-use equipment, OSHA and NFPA 70E safety, motors, transformers, and generators.

Yes. Tennessee electrical contractor licensing is handled at the state level through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors when the work falls under contractor licensing requirements.

Yes. Tennessee has a Limited Licensed Electrician path for certain electrical work. Candidates should review the current state requirements and limits before applying or testing.

Yes. Candidates should confirm the required license or credential, application process, code edition, reference rules, exam format, and post-exam licensing steps before scheduling or taking an exam.

Yes. The 2026 NEC is useful for updated code-cycle study, reference-navigation practice, calculations, and long-term electrical knowledge. Candidates should use the official NEC edition required for their scheduled exam.

Exam-room reference rules are controlled by the applicable licensing authority or testing provider. Candidates should confirm which books, tabs, highlights, notes, calculators, and code editions are allowed for their scheduled exam.

NEC tabs help candidates locate major articles, chapters, tables, and subject areas faster during study. This supports stronger code-navigation practice and helps candidates become more comfortable using the NEC as a reference.

Yes. Tennessee contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law exam. The exam contains 50 questions and allows 2 hours.

PSI provides examination services for Tennessee electrical candidates under the applicable state examination program.

Yes. Tennessee contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee Business and Law exam, and a trade exam is required for certain classifications, including Electrical.

Candidates pursuing Tennessee contractor licensing should review business and law topics when required by the licensing authority or testing provider. Electrical contractor preparation often includes both trade knowledge and contractor business responsibilities.

Some local jurisdictions may have electrical registration, inspection, permit, or credential requirements. Candidates should confirm local requirements where they plan to perform or contract electrical work.