Kentucky Electrician License Exam

You Cannot Schedule Until the State Approves You

This is the first thing to understand: you must get DHBC approval before booking an exam slot. After you submit your Form EL-3 application and the Electrical Division verifies your hours and documentation, your SmartGov portal profile updates to "pending examination." Only then can you register with a testing vendor.

Scheduling before approval wastes your registration fee and adds weeks to the process.

Two Testing Vendors

Kentucky contracts with two exam providers, and you choose which one to use:

Prov, Inc. offers the state-specific exam at regional testing centers and through online proctoring. Register at provexam.com or by phone at 866-720-7768.

Pearson VUE administers the ICC (International Code Council) national standard exams at professional testing centers. Register at home.pearsonvue.com/icc or call 877-234-6082.

Both are legitimate — the DHBC accepts passing scores from either vendor. The main differences are format, time limits, and cost.

Exam Format by License Level

Journeyman (Electrician) Exam:

• Prov: 80 multiple-choice questions, 3-hour time limit, $80 registration
• Pearson VUE/ICC (exam 703): 80 multiple-choice questions, 4-hour time limit, $100 registration
• Passing score: 70% on both

Master Electrician Exam:

• Prov: 100 multiple-choice questions, 4-hour time limit, $80 registration
• Pearson VUE/ICC (exam 701): 100 multiple-choice questions, 5-hour time limit, $100 registration
• Passing score: 70% on both

Electrical Contractor Business & Law Exam:

• Prov: 40 multiple-choice questions, 1.5-hour time limit, $80 registration
• Pearson VUE/ICC (exam 231): 30 multiple-choice questions, 1.5-hour time limit, ~$100 registration
• Passing score: 70% on both

All exams are open-book and computer-based. You can bring a tabbed NEC codebook to reference during the test — most successful candidates tab their code extensively before exam day.

Retake Policy

If you fail, Kentucky has a structured retake schedule:

• After the first failed attempt: retake available after 24 hours
• Attempts 3, 4, and 5: 14-day waiting period between each
• Maximum of 5 attempts within any 12-month window
• If all 5 attempts are failed, you're barred from testing for 12 months from the date of your first attempt

Passing scores are valid for three years. If you pass the exam but don't get your license issued within that window, the score expires and you retake.

ADA Accommodations

If you need testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, submit a written request with medical documentation to the DHBC Licensing Branch before scheduling. Wait for the state's accommodation approval letter before booking with Prov or Pearson VUE — the vendors cannot set up accommodations without it.

What This Exam Is Not

The Kentucky trade exam tests NEC code knowledge and practical installation scenarios. It is not a business exam (that's the separate Contractor Business & Law test) and it is not the same as exam-prep courses offered by companies like RocketCert or 1 Exam Prep. Those companies sell study materials and practice tests — useful for preparation, but separate from the actual state examination process.

For the complete exam logistics walkthrough, including what happens after you pass, the Kentucky Electrician License Guide covers the full application-to-licensure sequence.

See more Kentucky guides →