State license

Maryland Journeyman Electrician License

✓Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician

Last updated: October 24, 2026

Maryland licenses journeypersons at the state level. The State Board of Electricians issues the license after you pass a PSI exam with 70%. You need at least 4 years of electrical work under a Master Electrician. The exam has 70 questions. The exam fee is $65 and the original license fee is $18.50.

The facts, from the source

Who licenses

Maryland State Board of Electricians, Maryland Department of Labor (labor.maryland.gov)

Exam vendor

PSI (test-takers.psiexams.com)

Exam (questions/time)

70 questions (49 correct is 70%), 210 minutes. Single exam for Journeyperson; Master is a separate 90-question exam. (test-takers.psiexams.com)

Open book / references

Open book. The only reference allowed is the NEC (NFPA 70). It is not provided at the test center. It may be indexed, highlighted or underlined, but otherwise must be unmarked (no writing, no loose or attached papers). Acceptable tabs only (Avery Swift Tabs, Redi-Tag). No study guides. (test-takers.psiexams.com)

Passing score

70% (test-takers.psiexams.com)

Experience required

At least 4 years engaged regularly and principally in providing electrical services under the direction and supervision of a Master Electrician (or similar qualified governmental employee). Original certification of experience is required. The State Board may allow up to 3 years credit toward the experience for a formal course of study or professional training comparable to the required experience. (test-takers.psiexams.com)

Fees

Exam $65 (PSI). Original Journeyperson license $18.50. Renewal $18.50 (COMAR 09.09.01.03, effective July 1, 2025). (labor.maryland.gov)

Pass rate

From Board minutes. Master and Journeyperson combined, Jan-Sep 2025: 684 tested, 182 passed (27%). Since exam inception (October 2025 minutes): 8,948 tested, 2,549 passed (28%). July 2026 minutes: 9,659 administered, 2,730 passed (28%). Journeyperson only, Jan-May 2026: 129 tested, 31 passed (24%). Single months range from 14% to 33%. (labor.maryland.gov)

What’s on the exam

Journeyperson points by section (70 total): Electrical Theory 20; Wiring and Protection 20; Wiring Methods and Materials 12; Equipment for General Use 6; Special Occupancies 4; Special Equipment 2; Special Communications 6 (NEC articles 100-830 as listed in the bulletin).

Confirm these with the board

• NEC edition: official sources disagree; confirm with the board
• Reciprocity: official sources disagree; confirm with the board

Maryland State Board of Electricians (Maryland Department of Labor) ↗

Partly verified October 24, 2026: some items couldn’t be confirmed from official sources and are listed above

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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.