These NEC branch circuit practice questions cover Article 210 — receptacle spacing, required outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection. Article 210 turns up on every exam I have ever seen, and it rewards anyone who has actually wired a house. Receptacle spacing, which circuits a kitchen needs, where GFCI protection is required and where AFCI is — these are the questions where a working electrician should be picking up easy marks.
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Written by Kevin, a licensed
Michigan master electrician — 26 years in the trade and 17 of them as an electrical
inspector. Every answer below names the NEC section it comes from, so you learn where to
look it up rather than memorising it.
Exam tipGFCI and AFCI lists get expanded nearly every code cycle. Do not answer these from memory of an older book — read the list in the edition your state is testing on. That alone is worth several questions.
Tap an answer to see whether you got it right, the code section it comes
from, and the reasoning worked out in full. Nothing to sign up for.
Question 1Branch Circuits & Devices
A 20A branch circuit serves a continuous load. What is the maximum continuous load current permitted on the conductor?
Correct answer: B. 16A
NEC 210.20(A)
Rule — continuous load on a branch circuit (210.19 / 210.20)
A continuous load (on 3 hours or more) may load a circuit to only 80% of its rating.
20 A × 0.80 = 16 A
16 A
How to do it
Take 80% of the breaker rating. (Sizing the load at 125% is the same rule from the other direction.)
Common mistakes
Using 100% of the rating.
Applying the 80% and the 125% both.
Question 2Branch Circuits & Devices
What door on a dwelling does not require a light outside it?
Correct answer: C. Vehicle door
NEC 210.70(A)(2)
Vehicle door — NEC 210.70(A)(2)
Question 3Branch Circuits & Devices
What color shall not be used on a grounded conductor?
Correct answer: B. Green
NEC 200.6(E)
Green — NEC 200.6(E)
Question 4Branch Circuits & Devices
Kitchen counter space wider than ______ requires an outlet?
Correct answer: D. 12”
NEC 210.52(C)
12” — NEC 210.52(C)
Question 5Branch Circuits & Devices
Small-appliance branch circuits shall not supply which of the following?
Correct answer: C. Light switches
NEC 210.52(B)(2)
Light switches — NEC 210.52(B)(2)
Question 6Branch Circuits & Devices
How many receptacle outlets are required in a dwelling hallway that is 10 ft or longer?
Correct answer: A. 1
NEC 210.52(H)
1 (a hallway 10 ft or more needs at least one receptacle) — NEC 210.52(H)
Question 7Branch Circuits & Devices
GFCI protection for dwelling receptacles applies to receptacles rated up to what maximum voltage?
Correct answer: A. 250 volts
NEC 210.8(A)
250 volts — NEC 210.8(A)
Question 8Branch Circuits & Devices
Is a receptacle outlet required to be installed to serve a kitchen island or peninsular countertop?
Correct answer: A. No — not required, but if installed it must follow the island receptacle rules
NEC 210.52(C)(2)
No — not required, but if installed it must follow the island receptacle rules — NEC 210.52(C)(2)
Question 9Branch Circuits & Devices
The continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on a connection to__________
Correct answer: D. any of these
NEC 200.2(B)
any of these — NEC 200.2(B)
Question 10Branch Circuits & Devices
Receptacle outlets in or on floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of receptacle outlets for dwelling unit wall spaces, unless they are located within ____________________________________in. of the wall:
Correct answer: C. 18
NEC 210.52(A)(3)
18 — NEC 210.52(A)(3)
These are 10 of 803 questions
The full course carries 654 code and calculation questions plus 149 photo questions taken on real job sites — my own photographs from 17 years of electrical inspections. Every one of them is worked out like the ones above.
NEC 2023 and NEC 2026 both included, switch between them any time
Every question names the code section, so you learn to find it in the book
The whole course reads itself out loud, with the words highlighted as they are spoken
Timed 80-question practice test built like the real exam
Video lessons, drive-along audio and flash cards that bring back what you miss