Preparing for the Connecticut E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson exam? This guide explains Connecticut's numbering system for electrical licenses, how to apply through the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), how the exam is scheduled through PSI, and the rules for reference books, tabs, highlighting, and notes.
Quick Answer: What Do You Need?
| Licensing authority | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Occupational & Professional Licensing Division |
| Testing provider | PSI Services LLC |
| Experience needed (E-2) | Completion of a registered apprenticeship (8,000 hours OJT + 720 classroom hours), or 4 years of equivalent experience and training |
| E-2 exam format | 80 questions, 3.5 hours, 70% to pass, open book |
| NEC edition | Connecticut's 2026 State Building Code is based on the 2023 NEC — likely (but not directly confirmed against a current PSI bulletin) the edition tested; verify with PSI before buying |
| Tabs/notes | Highlighting, underlining, annotating, and indexing allowed before the exam; permanent tabs only; no writing during the exam |
Connecticut's License Numbering System
Connecticut uses a distinctive odd/even numbering scheme across its ten electrical license types: odd-numbered licenses are contractor-level (the business owner/qualifier), and even-numbered licenses are journeyperson-level (the employee working under a licensed contractor). E-1/E-2 is the "Unlimited" pair covering all electrical work; C-5/C-6, L-1/L-2, L-5/L-6, and T-1/T-2 are limited-scope pairs for specific trade niches. This guide focuses on E-2, the standard unlimited journeyperson credential.
Which Connecticut Electrical License Do You Need?
| License | Scope | Format |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor | All electrical work (business owner/qualifier) | 100 Q, 4 hrs, 70% |
| E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson | All electrical work, employed by a licensed contractor | 80 Q, 3.5 hrs, 70% |
| C-5 / C-6 Limited Electrical Contractor/Journeyperson | Low voltage, alarm/signal, audio/sound, telephone-interconnect (≤48V/8A) | 70 Q / 55 Q |
| L-1 / L-2 Electrical Lines Contractor/Journeyperson | Line construction, high-voltage splicing (>2,400V), traffic/highway lighting | 50 Q / 40 Q |
| L-5 / L-6 Limited Electrical Contractor/Journeyperson | Low voltage, alarm/signal, audio/sound (≤25V/5A) | 60 Q / 50 Q |
| T-1 / T-2 Limited Electrical Contractor/Journeyperson | Telephone-interconnect systems only | 50 Q / 40 Q |
All Contractor and Dealer-Tech applicants must additionally pass a separate Business and Law exam (50 questions, 2 hours, 70%) alongside their trade exam.
E-2 Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of a registered apprenticeship program — typically 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 720 hours of classroom instruction matching the curriculum in DCP's Exhibit A — OR
- At least 4 years of equivalent experience and training.
- Apprenticeship hours must come through a Connecticut Department of Labor-registered program (IBEW, IEC, or an employer-sponsored program).
- For the equivalent-experience pathway: notarized statements from employers detailing employment dates and specific scope-of-work experience, plus transcripts/diplomas matching Exhibit A's curriculum. Continuing education certificates, manufacturer certificates, and unrelated degrees do not qualify — and on-the-job training/work experience cannot substitute for the classroom-hour requirement; DCP is explicit that both are required, not interchangeable.
How to Apply
- Submit a notarized Occupational Trade License Application, application fee, and required documentation (Letter of Apprenticeship Completion Certificate, or equivalent-experience documentation) to PSI.
- Once approved, you'll receive an Examination Eligibility postcard/confirmation with instructions to register and schedule your exam — valid for one year from approval.
- Schedule and pay for your exam directly with PSI (online, phone, mail, or fax).
- After passing, submit your passing score report along with the licensing fee to the Connecticut DCP, Occupational & Professional Licensing Division, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1630.
What Is on the E-2 Exam?
| Subject Area | Items |
|---|---|
| General Electrical Knowledge | 7 |
| Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits | 7 |
| Conductors and Cables | 7 |
| Overcurrent Protection | 6 |
| Grounding and Bonding | 6 |
| Photovoltaics | 6 |
| Raceways and Boxes | 8 |
| Motors | 5 |
| Special Occupancies and Equipment | 5 |
| Fire Detection and Alarm Systems | 5 |
| Safety Information | 5 |
| Electrical Power | 4 |
| Lighting | 3 |
| Low Voltage | 2 |
| Illuminated Signs | 2 |
| High Voltage | 2 |
| Total | 80 items, 3.5 hours, 70% to pass |
A notable content area for Connecticut specifically: Photovoltaics gets 6 of 80 items — a meaningfully larger weighting than most states in this series give solar content, worth extra study attention.
What NEC Edition Does Connecticut Use?
We need to be transparent about a real limitation here: the only PSI Candidate Information Bulletin we could locate for Connecticut electrical trades is dated 2015 and lists reference editions (the NEC "2005, 2008, or 2011 edition") that are obviously stale for 2026. We could not locate a current-dated replacement bulletin.
What we can confirm independently: Connecticut's 2026 State Building Code is based on the 2023 NEC. Exam content generally follows the state's adopted code, but there can be a lag between a code adoption and when PSI updates its exam content and reference list — so treat 2023 as the most likely current edition, not a confirmed one. Call PSI or the DCP directly before buying a codebook to confirm the exact edition currently tested.
Because we couldn't confirm today's exact tested edition against a current PSI bulletin, we're not recommending one specific SKU here — confirm the edition with PSI or DCP, then choose the matching product from our full catalog.
What Books Are Allowed?
Every Connecticut electrical trade exam is open book. The core reference across all ten license types is the National Electrical Code or the National Electrical Code Handbook. Depending on your specific license type, additional trade-specific references may also be allowed — for example, NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) for the C-5/C-6 and L-5/L-6 licenses, Ugly's Electrical References for most trade exams, BICSI telecommunications standards for the C-5/C-6 and T-1/T-2 licenses, and 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) selections for several license types. Contractor/Dealer-Tech candidates also need the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Connecticut edition) for their Business and Law portion. Confirm the exact current reference list for your specific license with PSI, since the historical list we reviewed is over a decade old.
Tabs, Highlighting, and Notes
Connecticut's marking rules follow the same PSI-standard pattern we've verified as current in other PSI-administered states:
- Highlighting, underlining, annotating, and indexing: allowed — but only if done before the exam session.
- Writing during the exam: not allowed. Getting caught writing in your references during the exam results in confiscation and being reported to the department.
- Tabs: permanent tabs/indexing only. Temporary tabs, such as Post-it notes, are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins.
- Additional papers: loose or attached papers beyond your approved references will be removed and confiscated.
- You're responsible for bringing your own approved references — nothing is supplied at the test center.
Fees
Historical fees (confirm current amounts with PSI before applying): Contractor application $150, Journeyperson application $90, Dealer-Tech $200, Technician $80, Driller (any type) $88. Each examination portion costs $65, whether taken for the first time or as a retake; an examination review costs $40. All application and registration fees are non-refundable.
Retesting & Review
- You cannot schedule a retest for the same day you failed — the earliest is typically the next business day, subject to availability.
- Journeyperson/Technician/Driller eligibilities are valid for 1 year and allow unlimited testing attempts within that window (each attempt still costs a new fee).
- Contractor/Dealer-Tech candidates who pass one portion (trade or business) have 2 years to pass the other before that passed portion expires and must be retaken.
- If you fail, you can request a supervised review of your missed questions (70 minutes, or per current PSI policy) for a $40 fee, and challenge questions you believe are flawed — PSI reviews challenges within 20 business days and will rescore if warranted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between E-1 and E-2?
E-1 is the Unlimited Electrical Contractor license (the business qualifier); E-2 is the Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson license (the employee credential, working under a licensed E-1 contractor). Connecticut's odd numbers are always contractor-level, even numbers are journeyperson-level.
What NEC edition should I study?
We could not confirm this against a current PSI bulletin. Connecticut's 2026 State Building Code is based on the 2023 NEC, which is the most likely current exam edition — but call PSI or DCP directly to confirm before buying a codebook.
Can I write notes in my NEC before the exam?
Yes — highlighting, underlining, annotating, and indexing are all allowed if done before your exam session. You just can't write in your references during the exam itself.
Do I need an apprenticeship to qualify for E-2?
Not necessarily — you can qualify either by completing a registered apprenticeship (8,000 OJT hours + 720 classroom hours) or by documenting 4 years of equivalent experience and training with matching classroom hours. On-the-job experience alone cannot substitute for the classroom-hour requirement under either path.
Does Your Book Spot USA guarantee I'll pass?
No. We sell official reference materials — no book or study guide can guarantee an exam result, and we don't claim otherwise.
Get the Correct Codebook
Once you've confirmed your exact license type and current NEC edition with PSI or DCP, shop our full range of NEC codebooks and electrical references:
Ordering for a crew or apprenticeship program? Request bulk pricing.
Official Sources
- PSI Services LLC — Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Occupational Licensing Electrical Trades Candidate Information Bulletin (most recent version located dated 2015; a more current bulletin may exist and should be confirmed directly with PSI)
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Electrical Journeyperson (Equivalent Experience and Training) application page
- 2026 Connecticut State Building Code (based on the 2023 NEC)
Your Book Spot USA is not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, PSI Services LLC, or NFPA. Candidate bulletins and licensing rules change — this page reflects our verification as of the date above, with the specific NEC edition flagged as unconfirmed pending a current PSI bulletin. Spot something outdated? Let us know and we'll correct it.
