Wisconsin has a structural quirk that catches people out: the master electrician examination is shorter than the journeyman one.
100 questions for journeyman, 50 for master
The Journeyman Electrician exam is 100 questions over four hours, open book, 70 percent to pass. The Master Electrician exam is 50 questions, also open book at 70 percent.
Shorter does not mean easier. On a 50-question paper every question carries twice the weight: 70 percent means 35 correct, and you can only afford 15 wrong. On the journeyman paper you can afford 30. Candidates who assume the shorter exam is the gentler one have the risk backwards.
The binder rule
Wisconsin’s open-book rules are specific about what you carry. Candidates work from a binder containing Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305 alongside the code references. Assemble and tab it before exam day, because the material is only useful if you can navigate it under a clock.
Plumbing is a two-part exam
Wisconsin’s plumbing licenses are examined in two parts. DSPS states the exams are open book with a 70 percent pass mark, but does not publish question counts for them, and neither does the Pearson VUE bulletin. We have checked both. Rather than quote a figure we cannot stand behind, we would suggest confirming the current format with DSPS before planning around a specific length.
Wisconsin exam prep
- Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep
- Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep
- Wisconsin Master Electrician Exam Prep
- Wisconsin Master Plumber Exam Prep
Before you register
- Confirm the question count and time limit on the current bulletin for your exam.
- Confirm the code edition named; it is pinned and a newer edition is not a substitute.
- Confirm whether a separate business and law paper is required.