North Carolina Residential Single-Family Dwelling
Electrical Contractor Licensing Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
1.
What is the primary purpose of a grounding electrode system in a residential
electrical installation?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Reduce energy consumption
C. Provide a safe path for fault current to earth
D. Improve lighting brightness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A grounding electrode system helps safely dissipate fault current and
stabilize system voltage.
2.
According to the National Electrical Code, what is the minimum height required
for receptacles installed above a kitchen countertop?
A. No minimum height is specified
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The NEC does not specify a minimum mounting height above
countertops, but receptacles must serve countertop spaces according to spacing
rules.
3.
What type of breaker is required for most bedroom circuits in new residential
construction?
A. Standard breaker
B. GFCI breaker
,C. AFCI breaker
D. Double-pole breaker
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Arc-fault circuit interrupter protection is required for most habitable
room circuits, including bedrooms.
4.
Which wire size is typically protected by a 20-amp breaker in residential wiring?
A. 14 AWG copper
B. 12 AWG copper
C. 10 AWG copper
D. 8 AWG copper
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Twelve-gauge copper conductors are commonly used on 20-amp
branch circuits.
5.
How many bathrooms may be served by a single 20-amp bathroom receptacle
circuit?
A. One bathroom only
B. Two bathrooms maximum
C. Unlimited bathrooms if only receptacles are served
D. Four bathrooms maximum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 20-amp circuit may serve receptacle outlets in multiple bathrooms if
no lighting or other loads are connected.
6.
What does GFCI stand for?
A. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
B. General Fuse Control Interface
C. Ground Feed Circuit Indicator
D. Ground Fault Current Integrator
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GFCIs protect against shock hazards by detecting ground faults.
7.
Which location in a home generally requires GFCI protection?
A. Bedroom closets
B. Dining rooms
C. Bathrooms
D. Hallways
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bathroom receptacles require GFCI protection.
8.
What is the maximum number of disconnects allowed for a service under the six-
disconnect rule?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC rules permit up to six service disconnects in certain installations.
9.
What color is commonly used for grounded neutral conductors?
A. Red
B. White
C. Green
D. Black
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: White or gray conductors are typically used for grounded neutral
conductors.
Electrical Contractor Licensing Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
1.
What is the primary purpose of a grounding electrode system in a residential
electrical installation?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Reduce energy consumption
C. Provide a safe path for fault current to earth
D. Improve lighting brightness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A grounding electrode system helps safely dissipate fault current and
stabilize system voltage.
2.
According to the National Electrical Code, what is the minimum height required
for receptacles installed above a kitchen countertop?
A. No minimum height is specified
B. 6 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The NEC does not specify a minimum mounting height above
countertops, but receptacles must serve countertop spaces according to spacing
rules.
3.
What type of breaker is required for most bedroom circuits in new residential
construction?
A. Standard breaker
B. GFCI breaker
,C. AFCI breaker
D. Double-pole breaker
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Arc-fault circuit interrupter protection is required for most habitable
room circuits, including bedrooms.
4.
Which wire size is typically protected by a 20-amp breaker in residential wiring?
A. 14 AWG copper
B. 12 AWG copper
C. 10 AWG copper
D. 8 AWG copper
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Twelve-gauge copper conductors are commonly used on 20-amp
branch circuits.
5.
How many bathrooms may be served by a single 20-amp bathroom receptacle
circuit?
A. One bathroom only
B. Two bathrooms maximum
C. Unlimited bathrooms if only receptacles are served
D. Four bathrooms maximum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 20-amp circuit may serve receptacle outlets in multiple bathrooms if
no lighting or other loads are connected.
6.
What does GFCI stand for?
A. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
B. General Fuse Control Interface
C. Ground Feed Circuit Indicator
D. Ground Fault Current Integrator
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GFCIs protect against shock hazards by detecting ground faults.
7.
Which location in a home generally requires GFCI protection?
A. Bedroom closets
B. Dining rooms
C. Bathrooms
D. Hallways
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bathroom receptacles require GFCI protection.
8.
What is the maximum number of disconnects allowed for a service under the six-
disconnect rule?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC rules permit up to six service disconnects in certain installations.
9.
What color is commonly used for grounded neutral conductors?
A. Red
B. White
C. Green
D. Black
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: White or gray conductors are typically used for grounded neutral
conductors.
