Texas Master Sign Electrician Comprehensive Exam Prep (NEC 2026 &
TDLR Rules) 2026
This premium 250-question practice bank is specifically engineered to help you pass the
Texas Master Sign Electrician Exam on your first attempt. It provides a deep dive into
NEC Article 600, essential grounding and bonding requirements under Article 250, and
the mandatory TDLR Administrative Rules for the State of Texas. Every question
includes a detailed technical rationale and direct code references to ensure you master
the calculations and legal requirements of the trade.
1. According to NEC Article 600, what is the minimum load requirement for each
commercial building sign branch circuit?
A. 1,000 VA
B. 1,200 VA
C. 1,500 VA
D. 2,000 VA
Answer: B. 1,200 VA
Rationale: NEC 600.5(A) requires at least one 20-ampere branch circuit for signs,
calculated at a minimum of 1,200 VA per circuit.
2. What is the maximum rating of a branch circuit that supplies neon tubing
installation?
A. 15 Amps
B. 20 Amps
C. 30 Amps
D. 50 Amps
Answer: B. 20 AMPS
Rationale: Per NEC 600.5(B), branch circuits supplying neon tubing or other signs shall
not exceed 20 amperes.
3. Metal parts of signs and outline lighting systems must be bonded to the:
A. Neutral conductor
B. Equipment grounding conductor
C. Building steel only
D. Gas piping
Answer: B. EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR
,Rationale: NEC 600.7 requires all metal parts of signs to be bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor of the branch circuit.
4. A sign disconnect must be within sight of the sign. What is the maximum
distance allowed if it is not within sight?
A. 50 feet
B. Disconnect must be capable of being locked in the open position
C. 100 feet
D. There is no distance limit if labeled
Answer: B. DISCONNECT MUST BE CAPABLE OF BEING LOCKED IN THE OPEN
POSITION
Rationale: NEC 600.6(A) states the disconnect must be within sight of the sign or be a
permanent, lockable-off type.
5. What is the minimum size of a copper equipment grounding conductor for a
sign branch circuit rated at 20 amps?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Answer: B. 12 AWG
Rationale: According to Table 250.122, a 20-amp circuit requires a minimum 12 AWG
copper grounding conductor.
6. Section 600.32 requires that neon secondary circuit conductors shall not
exceed what length?
A. 20 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. No specific length, but must be as short as possible
Answer: D. NO SPECIFIC LENGTH, BUT MUST BE AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE
Rationale: NEC 600.32(J) specifies that secondary conductors should be as short as
possible to minimize the effects of ionic migration.
7. Under Texas TDLR rules, how many hours of continuing education are required
for a Master Sign Electrician to renew their license?
A. 4 hours
B. 8 hours
,C. 12 hours
D. 24 hours
Answer: A. 4 HOURS
Rationale: TDLR Administrative Rules Chapter 73.25 requires 4 hours of approved
continuing education for license renewal.
8. For an outdoor sign, what is the minimum height for a disconnect switch
mounted on a pole?
A. 3 feet
B. 5 feet
C. No minimum, but a maximum of 6 feet 7 inches
D. 8 feet
Answer: C. NO MINIMUM, BUT A MAXIMUM OF 6 FEET 7 INCHES
Rationale: Per NEC 404.8, the center of the grip of the operating handle cannot be more
than 6 feet 7 inches above the floor or platform.
9. Wood used for external sign structures must be:
A. Painted white
B. Pressure treated or naturally decay-resistant
C. Covered in plastic
D. Hardwood only
Answer: B. PRESSURE TREATED OR NATURALLY DECAY-RESISTANT
Rationale: Standard construction requirements for outdoor electrical equipment exposed
to weather require rot-resistant materials.
10. What is the minimum clearance for a sign over a public sidewalk in many
Texas municipalities?
A. 8 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 12 feet
D. 15 feet
Answer: A. 8 FEET
Rationale: While NEC doesn't dictate this, Texas local codes and standard safety
practices generally mandate an 8-foot clearance for pedestrian safety.
11. Secondary conductors for neon tubing shall have a voltage rating not less
than:
A. 600 Volts
, B. 1,000 Volts
C. 5,000 Volts
D. The output voltage of the transformer/power supply
Answer: D. THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF THE TRANSFORMER/POWER SUPPLY
Rationale: NEC 600.32(B) requires insulation to be rated for the maximum output
voltage of the supply.
12. Conductors for sign circuits must be sized at what percentage of the non-
continuous load?
A. 80%
B. 100%
C. 125%
D. 150%
Answer: B. 100%
Rationale: NEC 210.19 states non-continuous loads are calculated at 100%; continuous
loads (operating for 3+ hours) are at 125%.
13. A Master Sign Electrician is responsible for:
A. Installing residential lighting
B. Only neon bending
C. Supervising all sign electrical work and the business's electrical compliance
D. Fixing power lines
Answer: C. SUPERVISING ALL SIGN ELECTRICAL WORK AND THE BUSINESS'S
ELECTRICAL COMPLIANCE
Rationale: Under TDLR Chapter 1305, the Master Sign Electrician assumes primary
responsibility for the company's sign-related technical work.
14. Ballasts and transformers for signs must be:
A. Mounted on the roof
B. Accessible
C. Buried in the ground
D. Hidden inside walls without access
Answer: B. ACCESSIBLE
Rationale: NEC 600.21 requires that transformers and ballasts be accessible for
maintenance.
15. What is the maximum voltage allowed for a secondary circuit of a neon
transformer?
TDLR Rules) 2026
This premium 250-question practice bank is specifically engineered to help you pass the
Texas Master Sign Electrician Exam on your first attempt. It provides a deep dive into
NEC Article 600, essential grounding and bonding requirements under Article 250, and
the mandatory TDLR Administrative Rules for the State of Texas. Every question
includes a detailed technical rationale and direct code references to ensure you master
the calculations and legal requirements of the trade.
1. According to NEC Article 600, what is the minimum load requirement for each
commercial building sign branch circuit?
A. 1,000 VA
B. 1,200 VA
C. 1,500 VA
D. 2,000 VA
Answer: B. 1,200 VA
Rationale: NEC 600.5(A) requires at least one 20-ampere branch circuit for signs,
calculated at a minimum of 1,200 VA per circuit.
2. What is the maximum rating of a branch circuit that supplies neon tubing
installation?
A. 15 Amps
B. 20 Amps
C. 30 Amps
D. 50 Amps
Answer: B. 20 AMPS
Rationale: Per NEC 600.5(B), branch circuits supplying neon tubing or other signs shall
not exceed 20 amperes.
3. Metal parts of signs and outline lighting systems must be bonded to the:
A. Neutral conductor
B. Equipment grounding conductor
C. Building steel only
D. Gas piping
Answer: B. EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR
,Rationale: NEC 600.7 requires all metal parts of signs to be bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor of the branch circuit.
4. A sign disconnect must be within sight of the sign. What is the maximum
distance allowed if it is not within sight?
A. 50 feet
B. Disconnect must be capable of being locked in the open position
C. 100 feet
D. There is no distance limit if labeled
Answer: B. DISCONNECT MUST BE CAPABLE OF BEING LOCKED IN THE OPEN
POSITION
Rationale: NEC 600.6(A) states the disconnect must be within sight of the sign or be a
permanent, lockable-off type.
5. What is the minimum size of a copper equipment grounding conductor for a
sign branch circuit rated at 20 amps?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Answer: B. 12 AWG
Rationale: According to Table 250.122, a 20-amp circuit requires a minimum 12 AWG
copper grounding conductor.
6. Section 600.32 requires that neon secondary circuit conductors shall not
exceed what length?
A. 20 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. No specific length, but must be as short as possible
Answer: D. NO SPECIFIC LENGTH, BUT MUST BE AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE
Rationale: NEC 600.32(J) specifies that secondary conductors should be as short as
possible to minimize the effects of ionic migration.
7. Under Texas TDLR rules, how many hours of continuing education are required
for a Master Sign Electrician to renew their license?
A. 4 hours
B. 8 hours
,C. 12 hours
D. 24 hours
Answer: A. 4 HOURS
Rationale: TDLR Administrative Rules Chapter 73.25 requires 4 hours of approved
continuing education for license renewal.
8. For an outdoor sign, what is the minimum height for a disconnect switch
mounted on a pole?
A. 3 feet
B. 5 feet
C. No minimum, but a maximum of 6 feet 7 inches
D. 8 feet
Answer: C. NO MINIMUM, BUT A MAXIMUM OF 6 FEET 7 INCHES
Rationale: Per NEC 404.8, the center of the grip of the operating handle cannot be more
than 6 feet 7 inches above the floor or platform.
9. Wood used for external sign structures must be:
A. Painted white
B. Pressure treated or naturally decay-resistant
C. Covered in plastic
D. Hardwood only
Answer: B. PRESSURE TREATED OR NATURALLY DECAY-RESISTANT
Rationale: Standard construction requirements for outdoor electrical equipment exposed
to weather require rot-resistant materials.
10. What is the minimum clearance for a sign over a public sidewalk in many
Texas municipalities?
A. 8 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 12 feet
D. 15 feet
Answer: A. 8 FEET
Rationale: While NEC doesn't dictate this, Texas local codes and standard safety
practices generally mandate an 8-foot clearance for pedestrian safety.
11. Secondary conductors for neon tubing shall have a voltage rating not less
than:
A. 600 Volts
, B. 1,000 Volts
C. 5,000 Volts
D. The output voltage of the transformer/power supply
Answer: D. THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF THE TRANSFORMER/POWER SUPPLY
Rationale: NEC 600.32(B) requires insulation to be rated for the maximum output
voltage of the supply.
12. Conductors for sign circuits must be sized at what percentage of the non-
continuous load?
A. 80%
B. 100%
C. 125%
D. 150%
Answer: B. 100%
Rationale: NEC 210.19 states non-continuous loads are calculated at 100%; continuous
loads (operating for 3+ hours) are at 125%.
13. A Master Sign Electrician is responsible for:
A. Installing residential lighting
B. Only neon bending
C. Supervising all sign electrical work and the business's electrical compliance
D. Fixing power lines
Answer: C. SUPERVISING ALL SIGN ELECTRICAL WORK AND THE BUSINESS'S
ELECTRICAL COMPLIANCE
Rationale: Under TDLR Chapter 1305, the Master Sign Electrician assumes primary
responsibility for the company's sign-related technical work.
14. Ballasts and transformers for signs must be:
A. Mounted on the roof
B. Accessible
C. Buried in the ground
D. Hidden inside walls without access
Answer: B. ACCESSIBLE
Rationale: NEC 600.21 requires that transformers and ballasts be accessible for
maintenance.
15. What is the maximum voltage allowed for a secondary circuit of a neon
transformer?
