What is the required threshold or standard for: Maximum 15A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN) in California?

14 AWG copper (Handbook source: NEC 240.4(D)(3))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Maximum 20A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN) in California?

12 AWG copper (Handbook source: NEC 240.4(D)(5))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Maximum 30A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN) in California?

10 AWG copper (Handbook source: NEC 240.4(D)(7))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Minimum depth of working space in front of 0-150V equipment (Condition 1, 2, or 3) in California?

3 feet (36 inches) (Handbook source: NEC Table 110.26(A)(1))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Minimum width of working space in front of electrical equipment (whichever is greater) in California?

30 inches or width (Handbook source: NEC 110.26(A)(2))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Minimum headroom height of working space around service equipment and panelboards in California?

6.5 feet (78 inches) (Handbook source: NEC 110.26(A)(3))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Volume allowance per 14 AWG conductor in an outlet/device box in California?

2.00 cu. in. (Handbook source: NEC Table 314.16(B))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Volume allowance per 12 AWG conductor in an outlet/device box in California?

2.25 cu. in. (Handbook source: NEC Table 314.16(B))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Volume allowance per 10 AWG conductor in an outlet/device box in California?

2.50 cu. in. (Handbook source: NEC Table 314.16(B))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Minimum length and driven depth of ground rod electrode into the soil in California?

8 feet minimum (Handbook source: NEC 250.52(A)(5))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Minimum separation distance between two driven rod, pipe, or plate grounding electrodes in California?

6 feet minimum (Handbook source: NEC 250.53(A)(3))

What is the required threshold or standard for: Maximum resistance to ground for a single rod electrode before a supplemental rod is mandated in California?

25 ohms or less (Handbook source: NEC 250.53(A)(2))

What are the speed limits on the California permit test?

Key statutory speed limits for California are documented in the official California Electrician Certification Examination & NEC NFPA 70.

What is the legal BAC limit in California?

In California, the legal BAC limit is 0.08% for adults 21 and older, and strict zero-tolerance penalties apply to minors.

What are the fines and penalties for common violations in California?

Fines for passing stopped school buses, DUIs, and reckless driving carry strict statutory penalties and license suspensions in California.

Can I download or print the California cheat sheet as a PDF?

Yes. Use the Print / Save as PDF button on this page to generate a clean, one-page printable reference sheet of every speed limit, distance, parking regulation, and penalty on the California examination.

California General Electrician/Cheat sheet

California General Electrician cheat sheet: key rules and summary

100 multiple-choice questions; 4.5 hours; open book (NEC + Title 8); 70% passing score; California DIR/DLSE.

20 numbers
4 sections
4 rules people get wrong

Test yourself: 20 free questions Questions with answers

Every line checked against the California Electrician Certification Examination & NEC NFPA 70 on September 24, 2026. Print it, or keep it open while you practice.

Memorise these first

14 AWG copperMaximum 15A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN)
3 feet (36 inches)Minimum depth of working space in front of 0-150V equipment (Condition 1, 2, or 3)
2.00 cu. in.Volume allowance per 14 AWG conductor in an outlet/device box

Conductor ampacity & sizing (NEC 310.16)

14 AWG copper: Maximum 15A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN)NEC 240.4(D)(3)
12 AWG copper: Maximum 20A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN)NEC 240.4(D)(5)
10 AWG copper: Maximum 30A branch circuit overcurrent protection rating (75°C THHN)NEC 240.4(D)(7)
8 AWG copper: 50A ampacity at 75°C copper; 55A at 90°CNEC Table 310.16
125% continuous: Conductor sizing multiplier for continuous loads (running 3+ continuous hours)NEC 210.19(A)(1)

Working spaces & clearances (NEC 110.26)

3 feet (36 inches): Minimum depth of working space in front of 0-150V equipment (Condition 1, 2, or 3)NEC Table 110.26(A)(1)
30 inches or width: Minimum width of working space in front of electrical equipment (whichever is greater)NEC 110.26(A)(2)
6.5 feet (78 inches): Minimum headroom height of working space around service equipment and panelboardsNEC 110.26(A)(3)
90 degrees: Minimum door opening angle for equipment doors in designated working spacesNEC 110.26(A)(2)

Box fill & conduit calculations

2.00 cu. in.: Volume allowance per 14 AWG conductor in an outlet/device boxNEC Table 314.16(B)
2.25 cu. in.: Volume allowance per 12 AWG conductor in an outlet/device boxNEC Table 314.16(B)
2.50 cu. in.: Volume allowance per 10 AWG conductor in an outlet/device boxNEC Table 314.16(B)
Double volume (2x): Volume allowance for yoke containing standard switches or duplex receptaclesNEC 314.16(B)(4)
40% maximum fill: Maximum permissible conduit cross-sectional fill for 3 or more conductorsNEC Chapter 9 Table 1
53% maximum fill: Maximum permissible conduit cross-sectional fill for a single conductorNEC Chapter 9 Table 1

Grounding & bonding (NEC 250)

8 feet minimum: Minimum length and driven depth of ground rod electrode into the soilNEC 250.52(A)(5)
6 feet minimum: Minimum separation distance between two driven rod, pipe, or plate grounding electrodesNEC 250.53(A)(3)
25 ohms or less: Maximum resistance to ground for a single rod electrode before a supplemental rod is mandatedNEC 250.53(A)(2)
Table 250.66: Determines grounding electrode conductor (GEC) size based on service-entrance conductor sizeNEC Table 250.66
Table 250.122: Determines equipment grounding conductor (EGC) size based on circuit breaker/fuse ratingNEC Table 250.122

Second read

Rules people get wrong

Continuous loads must be calculated at 125% of the rating before sizing branch conductors and overcurrent devices (NEC 210.19(A)(1), 215.2).
Equipment grounding conductor (EGC) size is governed by the upstream fuse/breaker rating (Table 250.122), whereas grounding electrode conductors (GEC) are sized by the incoming service conductors (Table 250.66).
Kitchen small appliance branch circuits require a minimum of two 20-ampere circuits with 12 AWG copper, not 15A (NEC 210.11(C)(1)).
Neutral conductor ampacity: in 3-phase 4-wire wye systems supplying nonlinear loads (computers, LED drivers), the neutral carries harmonic currents and counts as a current-carrying conductor for derating (NEC 310.15(E)(3)).

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