NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM PREP
2026/2027 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS & RATIONALES
• This prep guide contains 200 verified questions, answers, and EXPERT
RATIONALE designed to simulate the actual North Carolina Limited Electrical
Contractor Licensing Exam — study each question carefully, review the EXPERT
RATIONALE for every correct answer, and revisit any topic where you feel
uncertain.
• Each question follows a structured format with 5 options (A–E), a clearly
highlighted correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
understanding and build exam confidence.
NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM PREP
2026/2027 200 VERIFIED QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXPERT RATIONALE
QUESTION 1: What is the maximum voltage allowed for a residential branch
circuit supplying lighting and receptacles under the NEC?
A. 120 volts
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts
D. 277 volts
E. 480 volts
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 120 volts
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.6(A) limits branch circuit voltage to a maximum of 120
volts to ground for receptacles and lighting outlets in dwelling units to ensure safety for
occupants.
,QUESTION 2: Under the NEC, what is the minimum size copper conductor
permitted for a 20-ampere branch circuit?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
E. 6 AWG
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 12 AWG
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.19(A) and Table 310.12 require a minimum of 12 AWG
copper for a 20-ampere branch circuit, as 14 AWG is only rated for 15-ampere circuits.
QUESTION 3: How many receptacle outlets are required in a residential
kitchen countertop space under the NEC?
A. One outlet for every 6 feet of countertop
B. One outlet for every 4 feet of countertop
C. One outlet for every 2 feet of countertop
D. One outlet for every 3 feet of countertop
E. One outlet for every 5 feet of countertop
CORRECT ANSWER: C. One outlet for every 2 feet of countertop
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.52(C) requires kitchen countertop receptacles so that no
point along the countertop wall line is more than 24 inches (2 feet) from a receptacle
outlet.
QUESTION 4: What does GFCI stand for in electrical terminology?
A. Ground Fault Circuit Isolator
,B. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
C. General Fault Current Indicator
D. Ground Frequency Current Interrupter
E. General Fault Circuit Isolator
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
EXPERT RATIONALE: GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is a device that
protects against electric shock by detecting ground faults and interrupting the circuit
within milliseconds, as required by NEC 210.8.
QUESTION 5: Where are GFCI receptacles required in a dwelling unit
bathroom?
A. Only near the bathtub
B. Only near the sink
C. All receptacles within the bathroom
D. Only receptacles within 3 feet of the sink
E. Only receptacles within 6 feet of the sink
CORRECT ANSWER: C. All receptacles within the bathroom
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.8(A)(1) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles
installed in bathrooms of dwelling units, regardless of their distance from water sources.
QUESTION 6: What is the minimum headroom required in electrical
equipment spaces such as panelboard rooms per the NEC?
A. 5 feet 6 inches
B. 6 feet
C. 6 feet 3 inches
, D. 6 feet 6 inches
E. 7 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 6 feet 3 inches
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 110.26(A)(3) requires a minimum headroom of 6 feet 3 inches
for working spaces about electrical equipment.
QUESTION 7: What is the minimum working clearance required in front of a
120-volt panelboard in a residential setting (Condition 1)?
A. 2 feet
B. 2 feet 6 inches
C. 3 feet
D. 3 feet 6 inches
E. 4 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 feet
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 110.26(A)(1) requires a minimum working clearance of 3 feet
in front of electrical equipment operating at 0–150 volts under Condition 1 (grounded
surfaces on both sides).
QUESTION 8: What is the maximum number of disconnects permitted in a
service entrance?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
E. 10
CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM PREP
2026/2027 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS & RATIONALES
• This prep guide contains 200 verified questions, answers, and EXPERT
RATIONALE designed to simulate the actual North Carolina Limited Electrical
Contractor Licensing Exam — study each question carefully, review the EXPERT
RATIONALE for every correct answer, and revisit any topic where you feel
uncertain.
• Each question follows a structured format with 5 options (A–E), a clearly
highlighted correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
understanding and build exam confidence.
NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXAM PREP
2026/2027 200 VERIFIED QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXPERT RATIONALE
QUESTION 1: What is the maximum voltage allowed for a residential branch
circuit supplying lighting and receptacles under the NEC?
A. 120 volts
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts
D. 277 volts
E. 480 volts
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 120 volts
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.6(A) limits branch circuit voltage to a maximum of 120
volts to ground for receptacles and lighting outlets in dwelling units to ensure safety for
occupants.
,QUESTION 2: Under the NEC, what is the minimum size copper conductor
permitted for a 20-ampere branch circuit?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
E. 6 AWG
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 12 AWG
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.19(A) and Table 310.12 require a minimum of 12 AWG
copper for a 20-ampere branch circuit, as 14 AWG is only rated for 15-ampere circuits.
QUESTION 3: How many receptacle outlets are required in a residential
kitchen countertop space under the NEC?
A. One outlet for every 6 feet of countertop
B. One outlet for every 4 feet of countertop
C. One outlet for every 2 feet of countertop
D. One outlet for every 3 feet of countertop
E. One outlet for every 5 feet of countertop
CORRECT ANSWER: C. One outlet for every 2 feet of countertop
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.52(C) requires kitchen countertop receptacles so that no
point along the countertop wall line is more than 24 inches (2 feet) from a receptacle
outlet.
QUESTION 4: What does GFCI stand for in electrical terminology?
A. Ground Fault Circuit Isolator
,B. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
C. General Fault Current Indicator
D. Ground Frequency Current Interrupter
E. General Fault Circuit Isolator
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
EXPERT RATIONALE: GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is a device that
protects against electric shock by detecting ground faults and interrupting the circuit
within milliseconds, as required by NEC 210.8.
QUESTION 5: Where are GFCI receptacles required in a dwelling unit
bathroom?
A. Only near the bathtub
B. Only near the sink
C. All receptacles within the bathroom
D. Only receptacles within 3 feet of the sink
E. Only receptacles within 6 feet of the sink
CORRECT ANSWER: C. All receptacles within the bathroom
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 210.8(A)(1) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles
installed in bathrooms of dwelling units, regardless of their distance from water sources.
QUESTION 6: What is the minimum headroom required in electrical
equipment spaces such as panelboard rooms per the NEC?
A. 5 feet 6 inches
B. 6 feet
C. 6 feet 3 inches
, D. 6 feet 6 inches
E. 7 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 6 feet 3 inches
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 110.26(A)(3) requires a minimum headroom of 6 feet 3 inches
for working spaces about electrical equipment.
QUESTION 7: What is the minimum working clearance required in front of a
120-volt panelboard in a residential setting (Condition 1)?
A. 2 feet
B. 2 feet 6 inches
C. 3 feet
D. 3 feet 6 inches
E. 4 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3 feet
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC 110.26(A)(1) requires a minimum working clearance of 3 feet
in front of electrical equipment operating at 0–150 volts under Condition 1 (grounded
surfaces on both sides).
QUESTION 8: What is the maximum number of disconnects permitted in a
service entrance?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
E. 10
