Overview
Per the Certification and Permit Regulation, you must write and pass an exam to be certified as a master electrician. To pass, you must achieve 60% or higher on each part of the exam and a 75% average between both parts.
Are You Certified as a Master Electrician in Another Province?
You may be eligible to write the interprovincial master electrician exam.
Apply for the Master Electrician Exam
To write the exam, you must submit an application that shows you meet the entrance requirements.
Your application must demonstrate:
- Your journeyperson electrician trade certificate from Alberta or another province.
- Work experience demonstrating you have worked as a journeyperson electrician for three out of the last five years.
The application fee is $50. To apply, log into your Council Connect account and start an application through the My Applications tab on your dashboard.
About the Exam
Passing Grade and Results
The exam is two parts. To pass, you must achieve both of the following:
- Score 60% or higher on each part of the exam.
- Achieve an average of 75% between both parts.
Important:
Even if your overall average is 75% or higher, you will not pass the exam if either part scores below 60%. Example: If you score 55% on Part 1 and 95% on Part 2, your overall average would be 75%, but you would fail because Part 1 is below 60%.
Results are posted on Council Connect within seven business days of writing your exam.
Rewrites
The cost to rewrite is $75 per part.
- You must rewrite the part where you scored below 60%.
- If you score above 60% on both but earn less than a 75% total average, you can choose which part to rewrite.
- You can rewrite the exam as many times as necessary.
Fee
The exam fee is $150.
Format
- Seven-hour time limit
-
- Part 1: 3.5 hours
- Part 2: 3.5 hours
- You can take a one-hour break between parts
- Online only and completed through the Council’s secure proctoring software
- Open book: See What’s on the Exam for a full list of permitted materials
Exam Content
Two-part exam:
- Part 1: Alberta Acts & Regulations (see exam kit) – 50 questions.
- Part 2: Canadian Electrical Code – 70 questions.
See What’s on the Exam.
Technology Requirements
Online exams are audio and video monitored using the Council’s secure proctoring software. To write the exam, you will need a computer with a camera and a microphone.
- Pre-exam checklist: Complete the Pre-Exam Checklist (PDF) at least 48 hours in advance to ensure your system meets all requirements. Failing to prepare may prevent you from writing the exam on your scheduled date.
- Work computers: If you’re using a work computer, you may need assistance from your IT department to configure settings for the exam.
- Mac users: Additional steps may be required for Mac computers.
Registration and Scheduling
To register for your exam on Council Connect:
- Go to the Courses/Exams tab.
- Under Event Type, select Exam Offerings from the dropdown menu.
- In the Course/Exam Code field, enter “ME” and click Search.
- Select the standard offering.
- Choose Individual Registration, then select your exam date (must be 7 days in advance).
- Complete your payment to finalize registration.
Appeal for Regrading
If you fail and believe there was a grading or exam error, you can request a regrading within 30 days of receiving your results. If errors are found, your grade will be adjusted accordingly.
- Fee: $50 (refunded if your mark increases to a passing grade)
- One reread per exam
Refunds and Cancellations
What's on the Exam?
The master electrician exam covers the following acts, codes, and regulations:
- Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 (25th edition, 2021) (to be purchased separately)
- Safety Codes Act (SCA)
- SCA – Certification and Permit Regulation
- SCA – Permit Regulation
- SCA – Electrical Code Regulation
- SCA – Administrative Items Regulation
- Apprenticeship Education and Industry Training Programs Regulation
- 2018 WCB Employer Handbook
- Occupational Health and Safety Act – Worksafe Employer’s Guide
- Electrical STANDATA
- Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act
- Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation
- Master Electrician Code of Ethics
- Alberta Electrical Utility Code
All documents (excluding the Canadian Electrical Code) are included in the Exam Kit, which you may reference during the exam.
Important Update: The Master Electrician Exam is currently transitioning from the 2021 Exam Kit to the 2024 Exam Kit. Some names and document formats may have changed due to updates in provincial legislation. Please take careful note of which version you are registered for. You can find this information on your Council Connect dashboard under My Applications.
Preparing for the Exam
While not mandatory, preparation courses can be helpful for exam success. Several Alberta providers offer master electrician exam prep courses; contact them directly for more information.
Note that the Council does not offer exam preparation courses, study materials, or practice exams.
Calgary – SAIT
Edmonton – NAIT
Fort McMurray – Keyano College
Grande Prairie – Grande Prairie Regional College
Lethbridge – Lethbridge College
Red Deer – Red Deer Polytechnic
Vermilion – Lakeland College
Provincial – Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta*
*The Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta provides one-on-one tutoring to prepare for the exam. Contact them directly for more information.
Exam FAQ
Can I take a break when I am writing the exam?
You are allowed a one-hour break between parts of the exam. However, you cannot pause the exam once you’ve started and may not leave the room for more than 5 minutes at a time. Plan ahead to minimize interruptions during your exam.
When are the 2024 exam and exam kit being launched?
The exam and exam kit based on the 2024 CE Code are being launched April 14, 2025. Please read the Information Bulletin on Master Electrician Exam Update for full details about the transition.