Utah Electrician License Guide: Exam Requirements, Fees & NEC Edition (2026)
Utah overhauled its electrician exam structure on August 1, 2025 — and a lot of what's floating around online still describes the old system. Journeyman and Residential candidates now sit a single combined Theory-and-Code exam instead of two separate tests, and Master Electricians no longer take a trade knowledge exam at all — just a new Law and Rules exam. Here's exactly how the current system works, straight from Prov's official candidate bulletin.
Quick Answer
| Licensing authority | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) |
| Exam administrator | Prov, Inc. |
| License classes | Apprentice, Residential Journeyman, Journeyman, Residential Master, Master |
| Written exam format (as of Aug 1, 2025) | Journeyman & Residential: single combined Theory+Code exam. Master: Law and Rules exam only (no trade knowledge exam) |
| Passing score | 75% on every written exam |
| NEC edition tested | 2023 |
| Reference format | Open book: permanent tabs only, highlighting/underlining in pen only, no handwritten notes |
| Fee per exam | $85 (written or practical), same for retakes |
Who Regulates Electrical Work in Utah
The Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), part of the Department of Commerce, licenses electricians statewide under the Electricians Licensing Act (Utah Administrative Code R156-55b) and the Construction Trades Licensing Act (Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55). DOPL contracts exam delivery to Prov, Inc., a testing vendor distinct from PSI and ICC — the two vendors most other states in this series use.
The August 2025 Exam Overhaul
Prov's bulletin is explicit about this being a major structural change, not a minor update: "Beginning August 1, 2025, the licensing examinations for Electricians will undergo significant changes. If you have not yet passed either the Theory or Code exam (this includes new test takers and those retaking exams), you will be required to take the revised examination(s)." The changes:
- Journeyman Electricians now take a single, combined exam covering both Theory and Code content (previously two separate exams).
- Residential Electricians also now take one combined Theory-and-Code exam.
- Master Electricians no longer take Theory or Code exams at all — instead they take a new Master Law and Rules exam, focused on licensing statutes, administrative rules, and safety law rather than NEC trade content.
Because Master candidates must already hold a Journeyman license (which requires passing the combined Theory/Code exam) before qualifying for Master, DOPL's logic is that Master candidates have already proven NEC trade competency — the Master exam now tests the additional legal and regulatory knowledge specific to that higher license tier.
License Classes and Eligibility
| License | Education Path | On-the-Job Training Path |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Journeyman | 2-yr apprenticeship (288 classroom hrs) + 3,000 hrs residential OJT | OR 8,000 hrs residential OJT as apprentice |
| Journeyman | 4-yr apprenticeship (576 classroom hrs) + 6,000 hrs OJT | OR 16,000 hrs OJT as apprentice |
| Residential Master | ABET-accredited EE bachelor's/master's + 2,000 hrs residential OJT | OR 4,000 hrs as licensed residential journeyman |
| Master | ABET-accredited EE degree + 2,000 hrs OJT, OR Associate of Applied Science + 4,000 hrs as journeyman | OR 8,000 hrs as licensed journeyman |
Prov's bulletin notes that exam eligibility and full licensure requirements can differ — meeting the exam pre-qualifications above doesn't automatically mean you meet every DOPL licensing requirement, so confirm both before applying.
The Written Exams
| Exam | Questions | Time | Pass Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | 100 | 240 min | 75% |
| Residential Electrician | 100 | 240 min | 75% |
| Master Law and Rules | 80 | 240 min | 75% |
The Journeyman exam's heaviest content areas are Grounding & Bonding (10%), Overcurrent Protection (9%), and Services/Feeders/Branch Circuits (8%). The Residential exam similarly weights Grounding & Bonding (9%) and Services/Feeders/Branch Circuits (8%) heavily, plus a Pools, Photovoltaic & Wind category not on the Journeyman exam. The Master Law and Rules exam is almost entirely non-NEC content — DOPL Licensing Act, the Electricians Licensing Act administrative rule, the Construction Trades Licensing Act, Utah Labor Code, and NFPA 70E workplace safety standards.
The Practical (Hands-On) Exams
Utah is one of the few states in this series requiring a separate hands-on practical exam in addition to the written test. The Utah Residential Electrician Practical (4 tasks, 70 minutes) covers torque setting, evaporative cooler motor wiring, 3-way/4-way switch wiring, and schematic reading. The Utah Electrician Practical (6 tasks, 110 minutes) adds transformer termination and conduit bending, using ladder-diagram motor control instead of the residential schematic version. Master and Residential Master candidates who already passed the corresponding practical while earning their Journeyman license don't have to retake it. Candidates bring their own tools; Prov supplies the torque wrench. Each task is pass/fail (except conduit bending, which is scored on points), and you only need to retest tasks you failed.
NEC Edition and Reference Rules
All exams reference the 2023 NEC (NFPA 70). The Master Law and Rules exam adds NFPA 70E, 2024 edition (workplace electrical safety) to its reference list. Ugly's Electrical References, 2023 edition, is approved across all three written exams.
Prov's reference rules are more specific than most states in this series:
- Permanent tabs (gummed tabs, self-adhesive tabs with printable inserts, or insertable tab dividers for three-ring binders) are allowed.
- Repositionable tabs or Post-it notes are not permitted.
- Highlighting and underlining are allowed, but only in pen — and you cannot mark in your books during the test itself, only beforehand.
- Handwritten notes anywhere in a reference book are not allowed unless specifically authorized.
- Other documents or stickers — the bulletin specifically names Tom Henry and Kelly Indexes, and Ohm's Law stickers — cannot be added, glued, or taped into a reference book.
- Both current and previous-year code books are permitted.
Retesting and Fees
Every exam — written or practical — costs $85, whether it's your first attempt or a retake. If you fail, you must wait 30 days before retesting; after six failed attempts, the wait extends to 120 days between subsequent tries. Cancel or reschedule at least 3 business days ahead or you'll forfeit your fee. Exams are also available remotely through Prov's Examroom service if your home setup meets their webcam/bandwidth requirements — though practical exams must still be taken in person at one of Prov's four practical testing sites (Layton, Sandy, Provo, St. George).
What we could not confirm: the exact DOPL license application and renewal fees, and Utah's continuing education requirements for renewal. DOPL's site directs candidates to check current forms rather than publishing a fee table on its main pages — confirm those numbers directly with DOPL before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Utah's electrician exam change recently?
Yes — significantly, as of August 1, 2025. Journeyman and Residential candidates now take one combined Theory-and-Code exam instead of two separate exams, and Master candidates take a new Law and Rules exam instead of a trade knowledge exam.
Who administers the Utah electrician exam?
Prov, Inc., under contract to the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) — not PSI or ICC.
What NEC edition does Utah's electrician exam test?
The 2023 NEC, per Prov's current candidate bulletin, across the Journeyman, Residential, and Master Law and Rules exams.
Can I write in my code book during the Utah exam?
You can highlight and underline in pen before the exam, and use permanent tabs, but you cannot write notes in the book or mark it further during the test itself. Post-it notes and taped-in materials like Tom Henry indexes are explicitly prohibited.
Does Utah require a hands-on practical exam?
Yes — in addition to the written exam, most candidates must pass a separate practical exam testing tasks like conduit bending, torque setting, and switch wiring.
Study Materials
Utah's exams are confirmed to reference the 2023 NEC plus Ugly's Electrical References (2023). Our 2023 NEC Handbook Bundle with Tabs + free Ugly's Electrical Reference Guide matches both named references directly. Just remember Utah's specific rule: highlighting and underlining must be done in pen, and any tabs need to be permanent — no Post-its, and nothing taped in separately.
Official Sources
- Prov — State of Utah Electrical Candidate Information Bulletin
- Utah DOPL — Electrical Licensing
- Utah DOPL — Electrical Exam Information
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Licensing rules, fees, and exam content change — always confirm current requirements directly with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before applying, testing, or purchasing study materials.
