About this course

About the CEST Exam The Certified Electrical Safety Technician (CEST) exam is a computer-based, open-book certification administered by NFPA that validates knowledge of electrical safety principles based on NFPA 70E. The 3-hour exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored) and is designed for skilled workers such as HVAC technicians, solar installers, and facilities maintenance personnel who regularly work on or around electrical equipment.

Practice Exam Options Our practice exam module offers both chapter-specific tests focusing on individual NFPA 70E articles and a comprehensive 100-question final exam that mirrors the scope of the actual CEST certification. Each practice question includes specific article references to help you efficiently locate information in your NFPA 70E handbook, building the open-book test-taking skills essential for exam success while reinforcing critical electrical safety concepts across all major areas of the standard.

Learning Objectives

  • Locate and apply NFPA 70E requirements efficiently by using article and section references to quickly find relevant electrical safety information in the handbook during open-book testing scenarios.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of electrical safety principles across all major areas of NFPA 70E, including hazard identification, risk assessment, safe work practices, and protective measures required for workplace electrical safety.

Course outline

4 modules
1 - 3 hours to complete
Welcome • 1 assignments
Orientation Materials

This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.

  • Overview of CEST exam
Module 1 • 7 assignments
NFPA 70E 2021 Article, chapter and comprehensive practice exams

The CEST exam heavily emphasizes Articles 100 through 130, which form the foundation of electrical safety practices. Article 100 (Definitions) provides essential terminology including Arc Flash Boundary, Electrically Safe Work Condition, and Qualified Person definitions. This article establishes the vocabulary framework necessary for understanding all subsequent safety requirements.

Articles 110-130 constitute the heart of the exam content. Article 110 covers general requirements for electrical safety-related work practices, including risk assessment procedures and electrical safety program requirements. Article 120 addresses establishing electrically safe work conditions through lockout/tagout procedures and verification methods. Article 130 focuses on work involving electrical hazards when de-energization isn't possible, covering PPE requirements, arc flash risk assessment, and energized work permits.

  • 70E 2021 - Article 100 - Definitions
  • 70E 2021 - Articles 105–110 - General Safety-Related Work Practices
  • 70E 2021 - Article 130 - Work Involving Electrical Hazards
  • 70E 2021 - Article 120 - Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition (Lockout/Tagout)
  • 70E 2021 - Chapter 2 - Maintenance Requirements
  • 70E 2021 - 100 question practice exam
  • 70E 2021 - Chapter 3 - Electrical Safety Requirements for Special Equipment
Module 2 • 7 assignments
NFPA 70E 2024 Article, chapter and comprehensive practice exams

🚨 Critical Reminders
For Current CEST Exam Candidates:
  • USE: Module 1 practice exams (2021 NFPA 70E-based)
  • DO NOT USE: These 2024 practice exams for your current certification attempt
  • 📖 Reference: Only the 2021 edition of NFPA 70E during your exam
🎯 Who Should Use This 2024 Content
This section is particularly valuable for:
Current CEST Certificate Holders:
  • Your CEST certification requires renewal every 3 years
  • NFPA 70E requires retraining in safety-related work practices and applicable changes to NFPA 70E at intervals not to exceed 3 years
  • If you earned your CEST in 2021-2022, you'll likely need to recertify based on the 2024 edition
Forward-Looking Professionals:
  • Safety managers planning training updates
  • Organizations preparing for the transition to 2024-based requirements
  • Professionals wanting to stay current with electrical safety evolution
Advanced Learners:
  • Those who want to understand the direction of electrical safety standards
  • Individuals comparing changes between editions for continuing education
For Future Planning:
  • The transition timeline to 2024-based CEST exams has not been officially announced by NFPA
  • Typically, there's a transition period allowing both versions before full adoption
  • Monitor NFPA announcements for official CEST exam update schedules

  • 70E 2024 - Article 100 - Definitions
  • 70E 2024 - Article 110 - General Requirements for Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices
  • 70E 2024 - Article 120 - Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition
  • 70E 2024 - Article 130 - Work Involving Electrical Hazards
  • 70E 2024 - Chapter 2 practice exam
  • 70E 2024 - Chapter 3 practice exam
  • 70E 2024 - 100 question practice exam
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

  • 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
  • Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
  • Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
  • Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate

Author

Brick Maier

Director of Enterprise Learning & Development, HeatSpring

I currently work on delivering tailored learning experiences that help partner teams solve problems faster. In a fast paced high change environment, training needs to be accurate, modular, and adaptable. I am developing programs that leverage the collective expertise of the crowd to vet and scale content to help teams apply what they learned in their role. I believe...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.

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