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Texas Residential Appliance Installer License Exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Texas Residential Appliance Installer License Exam, followed by , scenario-based MCQs with answers
and summarized rationales. Questions are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023, Texas
Occupations Code Chapter 1305, and Texas Administrative Code Rule §73.54.
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• Licensing Authority & Scope: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), PSI exam
administration, $30 application fee, annual renewal
• Electrical Theory: Ohm’s Law (V=I×R), ampacity, series vs. parallel circuits, power calculations
(P=V×I), voltage drop (recommended 3% max)
• NEC Requirements: Article 100 definitions (service, accessible), Article 210 (branch circuits,
AFCI/GFCI), Article 220 (load calculations), Article 250 (grounding/bonding), Article 300 (wiring
methods), Articles 422 (appliances), 680 (pools/spas)
• GFCI Protection: Required for kitchen countertops, bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawlspaces,
basements, pools/spas (Article 680); test button functionality
• AFCI Protection: Required for dwelling unit bedrooms, living rooms, and other habitable areas
(NEC 210.12)
• Overcurrent Protection: Continuous load sizing (125% factor), standard breaker sizes (15A, 20A,
etc.), fuses vs. breakers
• Grounding & Bonding: Equipment grounding conductor (EGC) connects to metal chassis;
bonding ensures equal potential; grounding electrode system (rods, water pipes); neutral vs.
ground separation
• Wiring Methods & Materials: NM-B (Romex) permitted in residential walls; UF cable for direct
burial; FMC (flexible metal conduit) per Article 352; conductor color coding (black/red = hot,
white = neutral, green/bare = ground)
• Appliance-Specific Requirements: Dedicated circuits for dishwashers, electric ranges (4-prong
250V receptacle required since 2008 NEC), water heater sizing, disconnecting means within sight
(NEC 422.33)
• Texas Administrative Code (16 TAC §73.54): Contractor responsibilities—vehicle signage
(license number prefixed by "TICL", 2-inch letters), advertising requirements (license number on
proposals/invoices), TDLR disclosure statement, record retention (4 years), supervision
requirements, license assignment (single contractor per installer unless >50% ownership)
• Permits & Inspections: Local municipal requirements; inspection required before connection to
power )
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QUESTION 1: A homeowner asks you to install a new dishwasher. You verify the existing circuit is a
dedicated 20A line. However, the dishwasher nameplate reads 15A. NEC requires what additional
consideration for continuous load?
A) Install on a 30A breaker
B) No additional consideration – 20A breaker is sufficient
C) Calculate 125% of 15A = 18.75A, so 20A breaker is compliant
D) Replace with 15A breaker
Answer: C – NEC requires continuous loads (≥3 hours) to be sized at 125% of rated current; 15A × 1.25 =
18.75A, which is within a 20A breaker rating .
QUESTION 2: You are installing a new electric range for a customer whose home was built in 2005. The
existing receptacle is a 3-prong, 250V type. According to NEC, what must you do?
A) Use the existing 3-prong receptacle as is
B) Replace with a 4-prong (2 hots, neutral, ground) 250V receptacle
C) Install a 125V receptacle instead
D) Hardwire the range without a receptacle
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Answer: B – Since the 2008 NEC revision, new range installations in existing homes must use 4-prong
receptacles (separate neutral and ground) .
QUESTION 3: A customer requests a quote to relocate a refrigerator to a different kitchen wall. The new
location has a standard 15A outlet shared with a microwave. What code issue exists?
A) No issue – refrigerators can share circuits
B) Refrigerator requires a dedicated circuit under residential codes
C) Microwave requires a dedicated circuit
D) Both refrigerator and microwave require dedicated circuits
Answer: D – Both refrigerators (due to continuous compressor operation) and microwaves (high draw)
typically require dedicated circuits per local adoption of NEC .
QUESTION 4: You are installing a new garbage disposal. The existing switch is located directly above the
sink. The homeowner asks you to move it to a more convenient location. What is the most important
safety requirement?
A) Switch must be within sight of the disposal
B) Switch must be GFCI-protected
C) Switch must be at least 3 feet from the sink
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D) Switch must be labeled "Disposal"
Answer: A – NEC requires a disconnecting means within sight of the appliance for maintenance safety .
QUESTION 5: A new pool pump is being installed. The pump motor nameplate reads 12A at 240V. What
size GFCI breaker is required?
A) 15A
B) 20A
C) 25A
D) 30A
Answer: B – Pool pumps require GFCI protection per Article 680; breaker should be sized at 125% of
continuous motor load (12A × 1.25 = 15A) → next standard size is 20A .
QUESTION 6: Your truck is lettered with your company name but no license number. A TDLR inspector
pulls you over. Under Texas Administrative Code §73.54, what violation exists?
A) No violation – license number not required on vehicles
B) License number required on both sides, letters at least 2 inches high, preceded by "TICL"
C) License number required on driver's door only
D) Only company name required
Texas Residential Appliance Installer License Exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Texas Residential Appliance Installer License Exam, followed by , scenario-based MCQs with answers
and summarized rationales. Questions are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023, Texas
Occupations Code Chapter 1305, and Texas Administrative Code Rule §73.54.
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• Licensing Authority & Scope: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), PSI exam
administration, $30 application fee, annual renewal
• Electrical Theory: Ohm’s Law (V=I×R), ampacity, series vs. parallel circuits, power calculations
(P=V×I), voltage drop (recommended 3% max)
• NEC Requirements: Article 100 definitions (service, accessible), Article 210 (branch circuits,
AFCI/GFCI), Article 220 (load calculations), Article 250 (grounding/bonding), Article 300 (wiring
methods), Articles 422 (appliances), 680 (pools/spas)
• GFCI Protection: Required for kitchen countertops, bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawlspaces,
basements, pools/spas (Article 680); test button functionality
• AFCI Protection: Required for dwelling unit bedrooms, living rooms, and other habitable areas
(NEC 210.12)
• Overcurrent Protection: Continuous load sizing (125% factor), standard breaker sizes (15A, 20A,
etc.), fuses vs. breakers
• Grounding & Bonding: Equipment grounding conductor (EGC) connects to metal chassis;
bonding ensures equal potential; grounding electrode system (rods, water pipes); neutral vs.
ground separation
• Wiring Methods & Materials: NM-B (Romex) permitted in residential walls; UF cable for direct
burial; FMC (flexible metal conduit) per Article 352; conductor color coding (black/red = hot,
white = neutral, green/bare = ground)
• Appliance-Specific Requirements: Dedicated circuits for dishwashers, electric ranges (4-prong
250V receptacle required since 2008 NEC), water heater sizing, disconnecting means within sight
(NEC 422.33)
• Texas Administrative Code (16 TAC §73.54): Contractor responsibilities—vehicle signage
(license number prefixed by "TICL", 2-inch letters), advertising requirements (license number on
proposals/invoices), TDLR disclosure statement, record retention (4 years), supervision
requirements, license assignment (single contractor per installer unless >50% ownership)
• Permits & Inspections: Local municipal requirements; inspection required before connection to
power )
, Page 2 of 128
QUESTION 1: A homeowner asks you to install a new dishwasher. You verify the existing circuit is a
dedicated 20A line. However, the dishwasher nameplate reads 15A. NEC requires what additional
consideration for continuous load?
A) Install on a 30A breaker
B) No additional consideration – 20A breaker is sufficient
C) Calculate 125% of 15A = 18.75A, so 20A breaker is compliant
D) Replace with 15A breaker
Answer: C – NEC requires continuous loads (≥3 hours) to be sized at 125% of rated current; 15A × 1.25 =
18.75A, which is within a 20A breaker rating .
QUESTION 2: You are installing a new electric range for a customer whose home was built in 2005. The
existing receptacle is a 3-prong, 250V type. According to NEC, what must you do?
A) Use the existing 3-prong receptacle as is
B) Replace with a 4-prong (2 hots, neutral, ground) 250V receptacle
C) Install a 125V receptacle instead
D) Hardwire the range without a receptacle
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Answer: B – Since the 2008 NEC revision, new range installations in existing homes must use 4-prong
receptacles (separate neutral and ground) .
QUESTION 3: A customer requests a quote to relocate a refrigerator to a different kitchen wall. The new
location has a standard 15A outlet shared with a microwave. What code issue exists?
A) No issue – refrigerators can share circuits
B) Refrigerator requires a dedicated circuit under residential codes
C) Microwave requires a dedicated circuit
D) Both refrigerator and microwave require dedicated circuits
Answer: D – Both refrigerators (due to continuous compressor operation) and microwaves (high draw)
typically require dedicated circuits per local adoption of NEC .
QUESTION 4: You are installing a new garbage disposal. The existing switch is located directly above the
sink. The homeowner asks you to move it to a more convenient location. What is the most important
safety requirement?
A) Switch must be within sight of the disposal
B) Switch must be GFCI-protected
C) Switch must be at least 3 feet from the sink
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D) Switch must be labeled "Disposal"
Answer: A – NEC requires a disconnecting means within sight of the appliance for maintenance safety .
QUESTION 5: A new pool pump is being installed. The pump motor nameplate reads 12A at 240V. What
size GFCI breaker is required?
A) 15A
B) 20A
C) 25A
D) 30A
Answer: B – Pool pumps require GFCI protection per Article 680; breaker should be sized at 125% of
continuous motor load (12A × 1.25 = 15A) → next standard size is 20A .
QUESTION 6: Your truck is lettered with your company name but no license number. A TDLR inspector
pulls you over. Under Texas Administrative Code §73.54, what violation exists?
A) No violation – license number not required on vehicles
B) License number required on both sides, letters at least 2 inches high, preceded by "TICL"
C) License number required on driver's door only
D) Only company name required
