If you're working in HVAC and electrical trades and preparing for a licensing exam or brushing up on residential wiring, the biggest decision is choosing the right study tool. The options range from a $1,050 master/contractor prep course built around the 2026 NEC to a $20.44 apprenticeship guide, with two used copies of the same residential wiring textbook priced at $60.32 in between. Your level, your target exam, and the depth you need all matter.
Quick Take
- The Mike Holt course is a comprehensive study system aimed at master and contractor license candidates.
- The Audel Electrical Course is a revised book covering core material for apprentices and journeymen.
- Electrical Wiring Residential is a revised residential wiring textbook from the MindTap Course List series, offered in two separate used copies.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Price | Price Bar | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Exam Prep Course, Master/Contractor Comprehensive, 2026 NEC Mike Holt | USD 1,050.00 | DVD / Mixed Lot | |
| Audel Electrical Course for Apprentices and Journeymen | USD 20.44 | Trade Paperback | |
| Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - GOOD | USD 60.32 | Trade Paperback | |
| Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - VERY GOOD | USD 60.32 | Trade Paperback |
Decision Matrix
| Your situation | Best match | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| You're aiming for a Master/Contractor license with NEC code coverage | Mike Holt Comprehensive Course | Highest cost and a multi-part media format |
| You're an apprentice or journeyman looking for a solid fundamentals review | Audel Electrical Course | Used Very Good copy; no specific exam-prep strategy |
| You want a residential wiring reference for coursework or daily work | Electrical Wiring Residential (Very Good) | Used textbook; supplemental items like CDs or access codes may not be included |
Product Notes
Mike Holt Master/Contractor Comprehensive Course
This is the heavyweight option for anyone sitting for a master or contractor exam. It's brand new, and the course is described as a comprehensive study system with hundreds of full-color diagrams, designed to help you pass the first time. Author Mike Holt is a well-known NEC instructor, and the materials are used in trade schools and licensing seminars across the U.S. Choose this if you want a single package that covers the full scope of a master/contractor exam. The obvious limitation is the sizeable investment and the DVD / mixed-lot format means you should be comfortable studying from a multi-piece media kit rather than a single book.
Audel Electrical Course for Apprentices and Journeymen
This Audel title is a practical pick for apprentices and journeymen who want a straightforward review of electrical fundamentals. The fourth edition is a revised book by Paul Rosenberg, and it's in Very Good condition. You may see minor wear or a few markings, but it remains a solid working copy. The scope is broader trade knowledge rather than a specific exam-prep strategy, so it won't replace a dedicated code-update course. If you're early in your electrical career or need a simple supplementary review, this book fits the bill.
Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - GOOD
This copy of Electrical Wiring Residential is in Good condition, which means it's a used textbook that shows normal wear. The book itself is a revised edition from authors Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons, part of the MindTap Course List series, and it focuses on residential wiring methods. The trade paperback format is easy to keep on a desk or workbench. The main drawback is the Good condition rating combined with the note that supplemental items like CDs or access codes may not be included. If you're mainly after the printed content for a residential wiring class or on-the-job reference, this is a workable option, and the Very Good copy is a condition step up if you want a cleaner used book.
Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - VERY GOOD
This copy is in Very Good condition, making it the cleaner of the two identical MindTap Course List textbooks. Both are revised trade paperbacks by Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons, so the content is the same; the difference is the amount of wear. Very Good means you should expect minimal markings and a tidy spine. This is the copy to prefer if you want a residential wiring reference that looks less used. The limitation, as with the Good copy, is the standard textbook caveat: supplemental items such as CDs or access codes may not be included. Choose this one if you already have a study plan and just need the printed material in the best available condition.
Final Recommendations by Use Case
- Master/contractor license path: Go with the Mike Holt Electrical Exam Prep Course. Its comprehensive, code-focused study system is designed for the depth of that exam.
- Apprentice or journeyman fundamentals: The Audel Electrical Course gives you a portable book to review basics without committing to a full multimedia course.
- Residential wiring reference: Pick Electrical Wiring Residential in Very Good condition. It's the same revised content as the Good copy, but the cleaner condition makes it the stronger choice for a frequently used reference.
