2026 NEC changes that matter on the Texas journeyman exam
PSI's Candidate Information Bulletin for the Texas electrician exams says that from 1 September 2026 the exams are referenced to the 2026 NEC. The exam is open book, so the biggest risk is not a new rule. It is looking in the wrong place, or using a value that changed. These are the changes we found that matter most for the journeyman exam.
Moved sections and changed values
| Topic | 2023 NEC | 2026 NEC | What it means on the exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load calculations | Article 220 | Article 120 (Chapter 1) | Tab Article 120. Books written for 2023 send you to Article 220. |
| Dwelling general lighting, feeder and service load | 3 VA/ft² (220.41) | 2 VA/ft² (120.41) | Service and feeder answers come out lower. 3 VA/ft² is kept only for counting branch circuits (120.13). |
| Dwelling lighting demand factors | Table 220.45 | Table 120.45 | Same percentages: first 3,000 VA at 100%, next to 120,000 VA at 35%, rest at 25%. |
| Household ranges | Table 220.55 | Table 120.55 | Same method, new number. |
| Optional dwelling calculation | 220.82: first 10 kVA at 100% | 120.82: first 8 kVA at 100%, rest at 40%; EVSE at 100% of nameplate | Optional-method answers change. |
| Feeder overcurrent protection | 215.3 | 215.5 | Same rule: 125% of continuous plus 100% of noncontinuous. |
| Transformer overcurrent protection | 450.3(B), Table 450.3(B) | 450.5(B), Table 450.5(B) | Same percentages and next-size-up note. |
| Underground minimum cover | 300.5 | 300.7 | Same depths: 24 in for direct-burial cable in general locations. |
| Tamper-resistant receptacles | 406.12 | 406.26 | Same requirement, new number. |
| Dwelling 83% rule | 310.12 | 310.12(A) services, 310.12(B) feeders | Now only for conductors rated 75 °C or higher, so not for NM cable. |
Worked example: the same house, two answers
A 2,000 ft² dwelling with the two required small-appliance circuits and one laundry circuit. General lighting, small-appliance and laundry load after demand factors, standard method:
2026 NEC: 2,000 × 2 VA = 4,000 VA, plus 3,000 VA small-appliance and 1,500 VA laundry = 8,500 VA. First 3,000 VA at 100% = 3,000 VA; the remaining 5,500 VA at 35% = 1,925 VA. Total: 4,925 VA.
2023 NEC: 2,000 × 3 VA = 6,000 VA, plus 4,500 VA = 10,500 VA. 3,000 VA + 7,500 VA × 35% = 5,625 VA.
On a 2026 exam, 5,625 VA is likely to be one of the wrong options. This exact question is number 12 in our free diagnostic.
How to tab your book
- Article 120, with separate tabs for 120.41, 120.52, Table 120.45, Table 120.55 and 120.82.
- 215.5 for feeder overcurrent protection and 240.6(A) for standard sizes.
- Table 450.5(B) for transformers.
- 300.7 and its minimum cover table.
- 406.26 for tamper-resistant receptacles.
- Check the PSI bulletin for which books and tabs are allowed in the exam room.
What did not change
In the 2026 change summaries we checked, the core tables most calculation questions use keep their numbers: Table 310.16 ampacities, the motor full-load current tables in Article 430 and the Chapter 9 conduit fill tables. The exam format is the same as since March 2025: a 59-question NEC Knowledge portion in 130 minutes and a 26-question Calculations portion in 110 minutes, 70% to pass each.
Check yourself in 30 minutes
Our free 20-question diagnostic is built on the 2026 NEC and scores each exam portion separately. No sign-up.
Take the free diagnostic See the full Texas Journeyman Electrician packSources
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, Texas electrician examinations (updated 15 Sep 2026)
- EC&M: Changes to dwelling unit calculations in the 2026 NEC (19 May 2026)
- IAEI: Key updates in the 2026 NEC (Article 220 to Article 120)
- LightNOW: 2026 NEC optional calculation 120.82 (17 Dec 2025)
- IAEI: 406.26, formerly 406.12
- NFPA Code-Making Panel 10 first draft report (215.3 to 215.5)
- EC&M Magazine: transformer protection, Table 450.5(B)
- EC&M: Conduit and raceway changes in the 2026 NEC (300.7)
- Daily Reporter: NEC clarifies 83% rule (22 Jun 2026)
- TDLR electrician exam statistics, fiscal year 2025
Updated 2026-10-14. Found something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it and log the fix on our quality page.