- The PSI-administered NV-C2 exam covers 15 content areas across 80 multiple-choice questions in 240 minutes.
- Conductors and Cables and Safety Information are tied as the largest domains on the outline.
- A passing score requires 56 correct answers out of 80, or 70%.
- The exam is closed book except for code references expressly authorized on PSI's current content outline.
The NV-C2 Exam Blueprint at a Glance
The Nevada Electrical Contractor (C-2) trade examination is built around 15 distinct content areas, administered through PSI on behalf of the Nevada State Contractors Board. Instead of a handful of broad topics, candidates face a granular blueprint that tests everything from basic electrical theory to illuminated signs and transmission lines. Understanding how these 15 domains fit together - and which ones carry the most weight - is the single most useful thing you can do before you schedule a seat.
This guide breaks down each domain individually, explains how the exam format tests them, and shows how the content areas connect to the real scope of C-2 work: installation of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatuses, raceways, and conduits. If you haven't yet reviewed the mechanics of the test itself, the NV-C2 Study Guide pairs well with this domain breakdown for building a full prep plan.
Why the 15 Content Areas Matter
PSI doesn't publish a flat, unweighted question bank - the content outline organizes questions by domain precisely so that candidates and preparers know where to concentrate effort. With 15 separate areas feeding into just 80 questions, no single domain can be ignored, but they are not weighted evenly either. Conductors and Cables and Safety Information are tied as the largest domains, meaning a disproportionate share of your 80 questions will pull from those two areas.
That structure has practical implications. A candidate who masters Illuminated Signs but neglects Safety Information is optimizing for a smaller slice of the exam. If you're trying to gauge how much total effort the exam demands, the difficulty guide walks through how domain weighting interacts with the 240-minute time allowance and the closed-book format.
All 15 Domains, Explained
Below is a working breakdown of each domain as it appears on the PSI content outline for the C-2 trade exam. Treat this as your master checklist - every topic you study should map back to one of these 15 areas.
Domain 1: General Electrical Knowledge
Foundational theory questions - units, formulas, and basic electrical principles that underpin every other domain on the exam.
- Ohm's Law and power calculations
- Basic circuit behavior and terminology
Domain 2: Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
Sizing and installation requirements for the pathways that bring power from the utility connection to individual loads.
- Service entrance conductor sizing
- Feeder and branch circuit load calculations
Domain 3: Grounding and Bonding
Rules governing how systems and equipment are grounded and bonded to prevent shock and equipment damage.
- Grounding electrode conductor sizing
- Bonding of metal enclosures and raceways
Domain 4: Conductors and Cables
One of the two largest domains on the exam - covers conductor types, ampacity, and installation methods for cables used across C-2 scope of work.
- Ampacity tables and derating factors
- Cable types and permitted uses
Domain 5: Raceways and Boxes
Installation practices for conduit, tubing, and boxes that house and protect conductors - directly tied to the C-2 classification's coverage of raceways and conduits.
- Fill calculations for boxes and raceways
- Support and securing requirements
Domain 6: Special Occupancies and Equipment
Requirements for locations and equipment that fall outside standard installation rules.
- Hazardous or classified location basics
- Equipment-specific installation nuances
Domain 7: Electrical Power
Power distribution concepts relevant to how electrical systems deliver energy to fixtures, appliances, and apparatuses.
- Single-phase and three-phase power concepts
- Power quality and distribution basics
Domain 8: Motors
Installation, protection, and disconnect requirements specific to motor circuits and controls.
- Motor overload and branch-circuit protection
- Disconnect and controller placement
Domain 9: Low Voltage
Rules and installation practices for low-voltage systems that fall under C-2's broader equipment scope.
- Low-voltage wiring methods
- Class 1, 2, and 3 circuit distinctions
Domain 10: Lighting
Installation requirements for lighting fixtures, a core fixture category within the C-2 classification.
- Fixture support and clearance rules
- Switching and control requirements
Domain 11: Illuminated Signs
A narrower but distinct domain covering the installation and connection of illuminated sign equipment.
- Sign circuit disconnect requirements
- Sign-specific wiring methods
Domain 12: Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Installation practices for fire alarm and detection apparatuses covered under the C-2 classification.
- Circuit integrity and wiring methods
- Power supply requirements for alarm systems
Domain 13: Safety Information
Tied with Conductors and Cables as the largest domain - covers safe work practices and hazard awareness across every stage of installation.
- Shock and arc-flash hazard awareness
- Safe work practices during installation and testing
Domain 14: Transmission Lines
Concepts related to the higher-level distribution infrastructure that feeds into service and feeder installations.
- Transmission-to-distribution relationships
- Clearance and safety considerations
Domain 15: Overcurrent Protection
Rules for fuses, breakers, and other devices that protect conductors and equipment from overcurrent conditions.
- Breaker and fuse sizing
- Coordination with conductor ampacity
The Two Heavyweight Domains
Conductors and Cables and Safety Information are tied as the largest domains on the C-2 content outline. That single fact should shape how you allocate study hours. Conductors and Cables ties directly into the C-2 classification's core scope - installation of electrical wires - so expect deep coverage of ampacity, conductor selection, and cable installation methods. Safety Information, meanwhile, cuts across every domain: hazard awareness and safe work practices apply whether you're working on raceways, motors, or lighting fixtures.
Key Takeaway
Because these two domains are tied for the largest share of the 80 questions, allocate more review sessions to conductor ampacity tables and safety hazard scenarios than to smaller domains like Illuminated Signs or Transmission Lines.
For a deeper look at exactly how many correct answers you need and how that interacts with domain weighting, see the passing score breakdown.
Question Format and Closed-Book Rules
Every one of the 15 domains is tested through multiple-choice questions pulled from an 80-question exam. Candidates have 240 minutes to complete the exam, which works out to roughly three minutes per question on average - though time isn't allocated evenly, since some domains (like Conductors and Cables) will surface far more often than others (like Illuminated Signs).
The Nevada State Contractors Board classifies the trade exam as closed book, with one important exception: code references expressly authorized by the current PSI content outline are permitted. This means you cannot bring general reference materials, but you may be allowed specific code books if PSI's outline authorizes them for your test date. Always confirm the current authorized reference list before test day rather than assuming last year's rules still apply.
Registration, Fees, and Scheduling
PSI charges $95 to sit for one exam, or $140 if you schedule the trade examination together with the CMS (Contractor's Management Survey) exam. Budgeting for the exam is only part of the picture - Nevada licensure also requires a $300 application fee and a $600 biennial license fee once you're approved, since Nevada contractor licenses renew on a two-year cycle.
Beyond the exam fee, licensure requires Board approval, passage of the CMS, and a qualifying individual with four years of relevant experience earned within the prior 15 years. Approved education can substitute for up to three of those four years, which is worth investigating early if you're coming from a training program rather than years of on-the-job experience. The requirements guide covers the qualifying individual criteria in more detail, and the cost breakdown itemizes every fee across the licensure process.
Once you're ready to lock in a test date, review current testing windows and scheduling deadlines so the domain review below lines up with your actual appointment.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trade exam alone | $95 (PSI fee) |
| Trade exam + CMS | $140 (PSI fee) |
| Application fee | $300 (Board) |
| Biennial license fee | $600 (Board) |
| Exam length / format | 80 questions, 240 minutes |
| Passing score | 56 correct (70%) |
Who the C-2 Classification Serves
The C-2 classification covers installation of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatuses, raceways, and conduits - a scope that lines up closely with the 15 domains above. Employers and clients who need a licensed C-2 contractor are typically hiring for exactly this kind of installation work: running conductors and cables, installing fixtures and lighting, wiring appliances, and setting raceways and conduit runs to code.
Because licensure requires a qualifying individual rather than every employee holding the credential, many electricians work toward this exam as a career milestone tied to running or supervising installation crews. If you're weighing whether pursuing licensure fits your career path, the ROI analysis and the overview of jobs tied to the C-2 classification are useful next reads, and the practice platform at the main NV-C2 practice test site can help you gauge readiness before you commit to a test date.
Mapping the Domains to a Study Plan
Rather than studying the 15 domains in the order PSI lists them, sequence your review around weight and dependency. General Electrical Knowledge underpins everything else, so it belongs early. Conductors and Cables and Safety Information - the two largest domains - deserve the most repeated review sessions, ideally revisited more than once before test day. Smaller, narrower domains like Illuminated Signs and Transmission Lines can be scheduled later, since they require less total study time relative to their share of the 80 questions.
Foundations
- Domain 1: General Electrical Knowledge
- Domain 2: Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
Heavyweight Domains
- Domain 4: Conductors and Cables
- Domain 13: Safety Information
Installation Systems
- Domain 3: Grounding and Bonding
- Domain 5: Raceways and Boxes
- Domain 15: Overcurrent Protection
Specialized Domains and Review
- Domains 6-12 and 14 (Special Occupancies through Transmission Lines)
- Full-length timed practice under 240-minute conditions
A quick-reference sheet can help reinforce this sequence once you've studied each domain in depth - the one-page review of must-know facts is designed to be revisited during your final week rather than used as a first-pass study tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exam blueprint is organized into 15 content areas, ranging from General Electrical Knowledge to Overcurrent Protection, all drawn from within an 80-question, 240-minute exam.
Conductors and Cables and Safety Information are tied as the largest domains on the current PSI content outline, so they deserve the most concentrated study time.
No. The Nevada State Contractors Board classifies it as closed book, except for code references expressly authorized by the current PSI content outline for your specific test date.
You need 56 correct answers out of 80 questions, which equals 70%, within the 240-minute time limit.
All 15 content areas are part of the published outline, though the number of questions drawn from each domain varies, with Conductors and Cables and Safety Information supplying the largest share.